Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

DANIEL 5:2KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 5:2 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:2 mean?

Daniel 5:2 describes Belshazzar ordering sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple to be brought to his feast for drinking. Objects taken from a place of worship are now put to ordinary use at a royal gathering.

After the feast begins in verse 1, Belshazzar gives the command while drinking wine. The vessels had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar, whom the KJV calls Belshazzar’s “father.” The order includes the king’s princes, wives, and concubines among those who would drink from them.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:2

  • “father” — אָב (ʾav): This word can mean a father or an earlier ancestor. The word alone does not settle the precise family relationship between Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar.
  • “temple” — הֵיכַל (heykal): This word can refer to a large royal or sacred building. Here it identifies the vessels as coming from the Jerusalem temple.

Why Daniel 5:2 matters

  • Belshazzar’s command brings the conquest of Jerusalem into the scene. The vessels came from the temple that Nebuchadnezzar had taken them from, rather than from an ordinary store of drinking cups.
  • The act involves the royal company, not just Belshazzar. His command names “his princes, his wives, and his concubines” as participants.
  • The vessels become important to the explanation later in the passage. In Daniel 5:23, Daniel recalls their use when he addresses Belshazzar.

Where else these words appear

“wives” Hebrew H7695 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
  • Daniel 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

“concubines” Hebrew H3904 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
  • Daniel 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

“drink” Hebrew H8355 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
  • Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
  • Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

“wine” Hebrew H2562 · used in 6 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 7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
  • Daniel 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.