The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

DANIEL 5:7KJV
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Daniel 5:7 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:7 mean?

Daniel 5:7 describes King Belshazzar urgently calling for his wise men—astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers—to interpret mysterious writing that has appeared, promising great rewards and high rank to anyone who can explain its meaning. The king is desperate for answers and offers to make the successful interpreter the third highest ruler in his kingdom.

In this scene, King Belshazzar is frightened by the supernatural writing on the wall during a royal feast. He commands his advisors to be brought in and promises them riches and authority if they can solve the mystery. The verse shows the king’s anxiety and the importance he places on understanding the message, as well as the high stakes involved in interpreting it.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:7

  • "Astrologers" (אַשָּׁפַיָּא, ’ashshaphayya): This word refers to a specific group of Babylonian wise men known for interpreting omens and mysteries. Their mention highlights the king’s reliance on traditional sources of wisdom.
  • "Chaldeans" (כַּשְׂדָּיֵא, kasdāye): In this context, "Chaldeans" means a class of scholars and magicians, not just people from Chaldea. They were considered experts in the occult and dream interpretation.
  • "Soothsayers" (גָּזְרַיָּא, gazrayya): This term points to those who claimed to predict the future or interpret signs, emphasizing the king’s search for supernatural insight.
  • "Third ruler" (תַּלְתָּא, taltā): The promise of being "third ruler" is significant because Belshazzar himself was likely the second ruler under his father Nabonidus, so the next highest position was third in command.

Why Daniel 5:7 matters

  • Daniel 5:7 clarifies that Belshazzar was not the sole king, explaining why he could only offer the position of "third ruler"—this fits with historical records about the Babylonian monarchy.
  • The verse highlights the limits of human wisdom and the desperation of the king, setting the stage for Daniel’s later involvement and the contrast between God’s wisdom and Babylon’s traditions.
  • This moment connects directly to the dramatic events of the chapter, showing the seriousness with which the king treats the mysterious message and his willingness to reward anyone who can help.