And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

DANIEL 5:15KJV
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Daniel 5:15 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:15 mean?

Daniel 5:15 describes how King Belshazzar brought in his wise men and astrologers to read and interpret the mysterious writing that appeared on the wall, but none of them were able to explain its meaning to him. The verse highlights the failure of the king’s usual advisors to provide answers in a moment of crisis.

In this scene, King Belshazzar is speaking to Daniel, explaining that he has already summoned his court experts—called "wise men" and "astrologers"—to solve the mystery of the writing, but they could not interpret it. This sets the stage for Daniel to be asked for help, emphasizing the limits of human wisdom and the seriousness of the situation in the royal court.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:15

  • "wise" (חַכִּימִין, ḥakkîmîn): This word refers to the learned men or sages in the court, often trusted for their knowledge and insight. Their inability to interpret the writing underlines their limitations.
  • "astrologers" (אַשָּׁפַיָּא, ’aššāpayyā’): These were specialists in interpreting omens and signs, especially from the stars. Their failure here shows that the message was beyond ordinary human or magical understanding.
  • "interpretation" (פְּשַׁר, peshar): This word means the explanation or meaning behind something mysterious. The king is not just looking for someone to read the words, but to reveal what they actually mean.
  • "writing" (כְּתָב, ketāb): This refers to the mysterious inscription on the wall. The fact that it needed to be "read" and "interpreted" suggests it was not immediately understandable, even to the experts.

Why Daniel 5:15 matters

  • Daniel 5:15 shows that even the most trusted and skilled advisors in the Babylonian empire could not solve the problem, highlighting the uniqueness of what was happening.
  • The verse prepares the reader for Daniel’s entrance, setting up a contrast between human wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God, which is a major theme in the book.
  • This moment increases the tension in the story, making it clear that the king is desperate and that the message on the wall is both important and mysterious.

Where else these words appear

“could” Hebrew H3546 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
  • Daniel 4:18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.
  • Daniel 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

“astrologers” Hebrew H826 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
  • Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
  • Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

“read” Hebrew H7123 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
  • Daniel 4:14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches:
  • Daniel 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

“brought” Hebrew H5954 · used in 12 verses

  • Daniel 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
  • Daniel 4:6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
  • Daniel 5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: