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Daniel 5:13

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Then was Daniel brought in before the king. [And] the king spake and said unto Daniel, [Art] thou that Daniel, which [art] of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

Then {H116} was Daniel {H1841} brought in {H5954} before {H6925} the king {H4430}. And the king {H4430} spake {H6032} and said {H560} unto Daniel {H1841}, Art thou {H607} that Daniel {H1841}, which art of {H4481} the children {H1123} of the captivity {H1547} of Judah {H3061}, whom the king {H4430} my father {H2} brought {H858} out of {H4481} Jewry {H3061}?

Dani'el was brought into the king's presence. The king said to Dani'el, "Are you Dani'el, one of the exiles from Y'hudah whom the king my father brought out of Y'hudah?

So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. The king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, who art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Judah?

Commentary

Daniel 5:13 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic account of King Belshazzar's feast and the mysterious handwriting on the wall. After the failure of his own wise men to interpret the divine message, Daniel is finally brought before the terrified king.

Context

Following the queen mother's counsel (see Daniel 5:10-12), Daniel, known for his wisdom and insight, is summoned. Belshazzar's question, "Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?" immediately establishes Daniel's identity and background. He is not a local Babylonian astrologer but a respected figure from the Jewish exiles, brought to Babylon during the initial stages of the Babylonian captivity under King Nebuchadnezzar (referred to here as "my father," a term that could mean grandfather or royal predecessor).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Remembrance and Timing: Even after years of apparent obscurity in the Babylonian court, Daniel's reputation and divine favor resurface at the precise moment of crisis. This highlights God's perfect timing in raising up His servants when they are most needed.
  • Acknowledgment of Daniel's Heritage: Belshazzar's specific mention of Daniel being "of the children of the captivity of Judah" underscores his origins and the circumstances that brought him to Babylon. It acknowledges the historical reality of the Judean exile.
  • Recognition of Past Wisdom: The king's question implicitly acknowledges Daniel's prior service and renown under Nebuchadnezzar, particularly his ability to interpret dreams and reveal secrets, a skill that now becomes Belshazzar's only hope.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "my father" (אֲבוּךְ, avook) in this context likely refers to Belshazzar's predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, possibly his grandfather or an ancestral figure, as direct father-son succession was not always the case in ancient monarchies. "Jewry" is an older term for Judah or Judea, the land from which the Jewish captives were brought.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God often prepares individuals for specific moments, even if their period of usefulness isn't immediately apparent. Daniel's consistent faithfulness and reliance on God, even in exile, built a reputation that ultimately led him to a position where he could deliver a crucial divine message to a pagan king. It encourages believers to maintain their integrity and trust in God's plan, knowing that He can bring them to prominence for His purposes at any time, just as He did for Daniel in Babylon.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 6:13 (6 votes)

    Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which [is] of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

  • Daniel 5:11 (5 votes)

    There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, [I say], thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, [and] soothsayers;

  • Daniel 2:25 (4 votes)

    Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

  • Ezra 10:16 (3 votes)

    And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, [with] certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by [their] names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

  • Ezra 4:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

  • John 7:3 (3 votes)

    His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

  • Ezra 6:19 (3 votes)

    And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth [day] of the first month.