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 5:3KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 5:3 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:3 mean?

Daniel 5:3 describes how the golden vessels, which had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem, were brought out so that King Belshazzar, his officials, his wives, and his concubines could drink from them during a royal feast. The verse highlights that these sacred objects, originally dedicated to the God of Israel, were now being used in a pagan celebration.

This scene takes place in the Babylonian palace, where King Belshazzar is hosting a lavish banquet. The vessels mentioned were looted years earlier from the Jewish temple by Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar’s predecessor. Their use in this party is meant to show not only the king’s disregard for the God of Israel but also the arrogance and excess of the Babylonian court on the night before its downfall.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:3

  • "vessels" (מָאנֵי, mānē) refers to the sacred containers or utensils from the Jerusalem temple. The use of this word emphasizes their original holy purpose, which is being violated here.
  • "God" (אֱלָהּ, ʾĕlāh) is the Aramaic word for "God," specifically pointing to the God worshipped in Jerusalem. This makes clear that the vessels belonged to the God of Israel, not just any deity.
  • "drank" (שְׁתִּיו, shetiv) shows that the vessels were not just displayed but actively used for drinking, underlining the disrespect shown by the king and his guests.

Why Daniel 5:3 matters

  • Daniel 5:3 clarifies that the vessels were not ordinary items but sacred objects from the Jewish temple, making their misuse a serious act of disrespect in the story.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic tension for the rest of the chapter, showing why the events that follow—such as the mysterious writing on the wall—are seen as divine judgment.
  • Understanding the background of these vessels helps explain why Daniel and the biblical narrative treat Belshazzar’s actions as especially offensive and significant.

Where else these words appear

“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 5:23 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 5:2 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 5:23 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:

“drank” 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 5:2 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 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

“vessels” Hebrew H3984 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • Ezra 6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
  • 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.