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?

DANIEL 5:13KJV
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Daniel 5:13 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:13 mean?

Daniel 5:13 describes Daniel being brought before King Belshazzar, who questions Daniel about his identity as one of the Jewish captives taken from Judah by the king’s predecessor. The verse shows the king recognizing Daniel’s background and status as an exile from Judah.

Daniel 5:13 takes place during a dramatic moment in Babylon’s royal court. King Belshazzar, troubled by mysterious writing on the wall, calls for Daniel after his wise men fail to interpret the message. The king addresses Daniel directly, confirming his identity and recalling that Daniel was among those exiled from Judah by a previous Babylonian king (likely Nebuchadnezzar, called “my father” here in the sense of predecessor or ancestor).

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:13

  • "children" (בְּנֵי, bənē): This word means "sons" or "descendants," highlighting Daniel’s heritage as part of the people of Judah, not just a random captive.
  • "captivity" (גָּלוּת, galut): This term refers to those taken away into exile, emphasizing Daniel’s status as someone forcibly removed from his homeland.
  • "Judah" (יְהוּד, yehud): The name for the southern kingdom of Israel, specifying Daniel’s origin and connecting him to the Jewish people in exile.
  • "brought" (הֲעֵל, ha'el): This word means "brought" or "led," pointing to the act of exile and underlining Daniel’s journey from Judah to Babylon as an act of conquest.

Why Daniel 5:13 matters

  • Daniel 5:13 highlights Daniel’s outsider status in the Babylonian court, reminding the reader that he is a foreigner and exile, yet still called upon for his wisdom.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic contrast between the Babylonian king’s power and the wisdom of a captive from Judah, preparing the reader for Daniel’s important role in interpreting the mysterious writing.
  • By mentioning the exile and Daniel’s background, the verse connects the events of Daniel 5 to the larger story of Judah’s captivity and God’s ongoing involvement with His people, even in a foreign land.

Where else these words appear

“captivity” Hebrew H1547 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
  • Daniel 2:25 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.
  • Daniel 6:13 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.

“Judah” Hebrew H3061 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 5:8 Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
  • Daniel 2:25 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.

“father” Hebrew H2 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
  • Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
  • Daniel 5:11 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;

“children” Hebrew H1123 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
  • Ezra 7:23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?
  • Daniel 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.