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:

DANIEL 5:23KJV
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Daniel 5:23 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:23 mean?

Daniel 5:23 describes how King Belshazzar arrogantly set himself against the God of heaven by using the sacred vessels from God’s temple for his own party, honoring lifeless idols instead of the living God who controls his very life and actions. Daniel points out that Belshazzar failed to give glory to the true God, even though his life depended on Him.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking directly to King Belshazzar during a royal banquet. Daniel rebukes the king for disrespecting God by using the holy temple items for drinking wine with his nobles, wives, and concubines, and for praising idols made of metal, wood, and stone—objects that cannot see, hear, or understand. Daniel contrasts these powerless idols with the true God, who holds Belshazzar’s breath and destiny, highlighting the king’s failure to honor Him.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:23

  • "Lifted up" (רְמַם, remam): This word means to exalt or raise oneself. Daniel accuses Belshazzar of pridefully elevating himself against God, not just making a mistake but acting in open defiance.
  • "Gods" (אֱלָהִין, elahin): Daniel uses the same word for both the false gods and the true God, but the context makes clear he is contrasting lifeless idols with the living God.
  • "Breath" (נִשְׁמָה, nishmah): This word refers to the very breath or life of a person. Daniel emphasizes that Belshazzar’s life is literally in God’s hand, underscoring how dependent the king is on the God he dishonored.
  • "Glorified" (יְהַרְבֵּה, yeharbeh): This means to honor or give glory. Daniel stresses that Belshazzar failed in the most basic duty to acknowledge and honor the true God.

Why Daniel 5:23 matters

  • Daniel 5:23 clarifies that Belshazzar’s sin was not ignorance but deliberate disrespect and pride against God, using what was holy for his own pleasure.
  • The verse highlights the contrast between lifeless idols and the living God, making it clear that only God has real power over life and destiny.
  • Daniel 5:23 sets up the reason for the judgment that follows in the chapter, showing that Belshazzar’s downfall is directly tied to his failure to honor God.

Where else these words appear

“ways” Hebrew H735 · used in 2 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.

“wives” Hebrew H7695 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 5:2 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 5:3 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.

“concubines” Hebrew H3904 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 5:2 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 5:3 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.

“glorified” Hebrew H1922 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
  • 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.