Daniel 5:23 - but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know; and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways.

Generated Verse: Daniel 5:23

What does "Daniel 5:23" mean?


Daniel 5:23 is a powerful indictment against King Belshazzar of Babylon, delivered by Daniel after he interprets the mysterious writing on the wall. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"but have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven": This highlights Belshazzar's arrogance and defiance. Instead of acknowledging God's power and sovereignty, he has placed himself above or in opposition to the true God. It's a statement about pride and rebellion.

"and they have brought the vessels of his house before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them": This describes a sacrilegious act. The vessels were taken from the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Belshazzar's predecessor) and were meant to be treated with reverence. By using them for a drunken party, Belshazzar is desecrating sacred objects and showing contempt for God. It's an act of defilement and mocking of the God of Israel.

"You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which don’t see, or hear, or know": This exposes the folly of idolatry. Belshazzar is worshipping idols made of inanimate materials. These idols have no power, no perception, and no knowledge. They are incapable of doing anything, and it is foolish to give them praise and adoration.

"and you have not glorified the God in whose hand your breath is, and whose are all your ways": This is the crux of the issue. Belshazzar has failed to acknowledge and glorify the true God, who is the source of all life and the controller of all destinies. God is the one who gives Belshazzar breath, power, and dominion, yet Belshazzar ignores Him and attributes his success to himself and false gods. This is an act of profound ingratitude and a denial of reality.

In summary, Daniel 5:23 condemns Belshazzar for:

Arrogance and rebellion against God.
Sacrilege and desecration of sacred objects.
Idolatry and the worship of powerless idols.
Failure to acknowledge and glorify the true God who is the source of all life and authority.

The verse highlights the importance of humility, reverence, and recognizing God's sovereignty over all things. It underscores the consequences of pride, idolatry, and failing to give God the glory He deserves. The message is that true power and authority come from God, and those who reject Him will ultimately face judgment.