But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

DANIEL 5:20KJV
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Daniel 5:20 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:20 mean?

Daniel 5:20 describes how the Babylonian king’s pride led to his downfall: when his heart became arrogant and his mind stubborn with pride, he lost his royal throne and his glory was taken away. The verse highlights a direct connection between the king’s prideful attitude and his removal from power.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking to Belshazzar, recounting the story of Belshazzar’s predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel explains that Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance and hardened spirit resulted in God taking away his kingship and honor. This serves as a warning to Belshazzar, showing that pride before God leads to a loss of status and authority.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:20

  • "heart" (לֵבָב, levav): This word often refers to the inner self or will, not just emotions. Here, it points to Nebuchadnezzar’s inner attitude becoming proud.
  • "up" (רום, rum): This verb means to be lifted up or exalted. It emphasizes that Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was a self-exaltation, not just a passing feeling.
  • "mind" (רוּחַ, ruach): While often meaning "spirit" or "wind," here it refers to Nebuchadnezzar’s disposition or mindset, showing a stubborn or unyielding attitude.
  • "hardened" (תקף, teqaf): This word carries the sense of becoming strong or obstinate. It suggests Nebuchadnezzar’s mind was not just proud but resistant to change or humility.
  • "pride" (זְיוָה, z’vah): This word means pride or arrogance, highlighting the root cause of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall.

Why Daniel 5:20 matters

  • Daniel 5:20 clarifies that Nebuchadnezzar’s loss of power was not random but directly linked to his pride and stubbornness, emphasizing a moral lesson about humility.
  • The verse connects Nebuchadnezzar’s experience to Belshazzar’s current situation, warning that ignoring God’s authority brings consequences.
  • Understanding the original Aramaic words deepens the sense that this was an inner, willful pride, not just an outward act, making the warning more personal and searching.

Where else these words appear

“throne” Hebrew H3764 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

“up” Hebrew H7313 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
  • Daniel 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.
  • 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:

“hardened” Hebrew H8631 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
  • Daniel 4:20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
  • Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

“heart” Hebrew H3825 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
  • Daniel 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
  • Daniel 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;