Daniel 5:6 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:6 mean?

Daniel 5:6 describes King Belshazzar’s immediate, overwhelming fear when he sees the mysterious hand writing on the wall. The verse paints a vivid picture of the king’s terror, showing both his facial expression and his physical reaction as his confidence collapses.

In this scene, King Belshazzar is hosting a lavish feast when a supernatural event interrupts the celebration. The king’s “countenance was changed,” meaning his face showed shock and fear, and his thoughts deeply troubled him. The description of his “joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another” uses strong language to show just how frightened and shaken he was, both mentally and physically.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:6

• “Countenance” (זִיו, ziv): This word refers to the brightness or appearance of the king’s face. The change in his “countenance” signals a dramatic shift from pride or joy to visible fear.
• “Troubled” (בְּהַל, behal): This word means to be alarmed or greatly disturbed. It emphasizes that the king’s fear was not just mild anxiety but deep, unsettling panic.
• “Joints of his loins were loosed” (קִטְרֵי חַרְצֵהּ הִשְׁתָּרִי, qitrei chartzeh hishtari): This phrase is a vivid way of saying the king lost control of his body, possibly even suggesting his legs gave out or he was physically weakened by fear.
• “Knees smote one against another” (בִּרְכוֹהִי נָקְשָׁן לְדָא לְדָא, birkohi naqshan leda leda): This phrase paints a clear picture of the king’s knees knocking together, a classic sign of extreme fright.

Why Daniel 5:6 matters

• Daniel 5:6 clears up any idea that King Belshazzar was calm or in control during the writing on the wall; the verse emphasizes just how terrified and powerless he felt.
• The strong physical language connects the king’s fear to the seriousness of the event, showing that this was no ordinary disturbance but a supernatural warning.
• This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, highlighting the contrast between the king’s earlier arrogance and his sudden, total fear in the face of God’s message.