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◄ Daniel 5:15►

New International Version
The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it.

New Living Translation
My wise men and enchanters have tried to read the words on the wall and tell me their meaning, but they cannot do it.

English Standard Version
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.

King James Bible
And now the wisemen, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:

New King James Version
Now the wisemen, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing.

New American Standard Bible
Just now the wise menand the sorcerers were brought in before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message.

NASB 1995
“Just now the wise men and the conjurers were brought in before me that they might read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message.

NASB 1977
“Just now the wise menand the conjurers were brought in before me that they might read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message.

Legacy Standard Bible
Just now the wise menand the conjurers were brought in before me that they might read this writing and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not declare the interpretation of the message.

Amplified Bible
Now the wise men and the enchanters, were brought in before me so that they might read this writing and reveal its meaning to me, but they could not give the interpretation of the message.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the wise men and mediums were brought before me to read this inscription and make its interpretation known to me, but they could not give its interpretation.

American Standard Version
And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

Contemporary English Version
Neither my advisors nor the men who talk with the spirits of the dead could read this writing or tell me what it means.

English Revised Version
And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The wise advisers and the psychics were brought to me to read this writing and tell me its meaning. But they couldn't tell me its meaning.

Good News Translation
The advisers and magicians were brought in to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not discover the meaning.

International Standard Version
Take note that the advisors and enchanters were brought before me to read the writing and explain its meaning, but they were unable to do so.

NET Bible
Now the wise men and astrologers were brought before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation. But they were unable to disclose the interpretation of the message.

New Heart English Bible
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

Webster's Bible Translation
And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it, but they could not show the interpretation of the thing:

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.

World English Bible
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And now, caused to come up before me have been the wise men, the enchanters, that they may read this writing, and its interpretation to cause me to know: and they are not able to show the interpretation of the thing:

Young's Literal Translation
'And now, caused to come up before me have been the wise men, the enchanters, that this writing they may read, and its interpretation to cause me to know: and they are not able to shew the interpretation of the thing:

Smith's Literal Translation
And now the wise ones, the enchanters, were brought in before me that they shall read this writing, and to make known to me its interpretation: and they were not able to show the interpretation of the word:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And now the wise men the magicians have come in before me, to read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof: and they could not declare to me the meaning of this writing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And now the wise astrologers have entered into my presence, so as to read this writing and to reveal to me its interpretation. And they were not able to tell me the meaning of this writing.

New American Bible
The wise men and enchanters were brought in to me to read this writing and tell me its meaning, but they could not say what the words meant.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and tell me its interpretation, but they were not able to give the interpretation of the matter.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And now the magicians and the astrologers have been brought in before me, that they might read this writing and make known to me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show me the interpretation of the thing;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Sorcerer Enchanters entered before me that they would read this writing and would show me its interpretation, and they were unable to make known the interpretation of the words to me

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not declare the interpretation of the thing.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now, the wise men, magicians,and soothsayers, have come in before me, to read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation: but they could not tell it me.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
…14I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.15Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me,but they could not give its interpretation.16But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Genesis 41:8
In the morning his spirit was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

Exodus 7:11
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts.

Isaiah 47:13
You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.

Jeremiah 27:9
But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’

Ezekiel 21:21
For the king of Babylon stands at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He shakes the arrows, he consults the idols, he examines the liver.

1 Kings 4:30-31
Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Isaiah 44:25
who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,

Isaiah 19:3
Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.

Acts 8:9-11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Acts 13:6-8
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

Acts 16:16-18
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

2 Timothy 3:8
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith.

Matthew 2:1-2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

Matthew 12:38-39
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Treasury of Scripture

And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing:

Daniel 5:7,8
The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.And the king spake, and said to the wisemen of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, andhave a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom…

Daniel 2:3-11
And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream…

Isaiah 29:10-12
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered…

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Daniel 5

1.Belshazzar's impious feast.
5.A hand-writing unknown to the magicians, troubles the king.
10.At the commendation of the queen Daniel is brought.
17.He, reproving the king of pride and idolatry,
25.reads and interprets the writing.
30.The monarchy is translated to the Medes

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me
In the Babylonian empire, wise men and enchanters were often consulted for their supposed ability to interpret dreams, signs, and omens. These individuals were part of a class of magicians, astrologers, and diviners who held significant influence in the royal court. The reliance on such figures reflects the pagan practices of the time, where supernatural insight was sought from sources other than the God of Israel. This practice contrasts with the biblical teaching that true wisdom and understanding come from God alone (Proverbs 2:6).

to read this inscription and interpret it for me
The inscription referred to here is the mysterious writing on the wall, which appeared during King Belshazzar's feast. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, highlighting the limitations of human wisdom and the sovereignty of God. The inability of the wise men to interpret the writing underscores the theme that divine revelation cannot be understood through human means alone. This mirrors other biblical instances where God reveals mysteries that only His chosen servants can interpret, such as Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams (Genesis 41).

but they could not give its interpretation
The failure of the wise men to interpret the writing serves as a critique of the Babylonian reliance on human wisdom and occult practices. It emphasizes the futility of seeking understanding apart from God. This moment foreshadows the introduction of Daniel, a man of God who possesses the divine insight necessary to interpret the message. It also parallels the New Testament teaching that spiritual truths are discerned through the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:14). The inability of the wise men highlights the distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom that comes from God, a recurring theme throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Belshazzar
The king of Babylon during this event, who is hosting a great feast and witnesses the mysterious writing on the wall.

2.Wise Men and Enchanters
The group of Babylonian magicians, astrologers, and diviners summoned by Belshazzar to interpret the writing.

3.Daniel
Although not mentioned directly in this verse, Daniel is the prophet who will later interpret the writing for Belshazzar.

4.Babylon
The setting of this event, a powerful empire known for its wealth and idolatry.

5.The Writing on the Wall
A mysterious inscription that appears during Belshazzar's feast, signifying divine judgment.

Teaching Points

The Limitations of Human Wisdom
The inability of the wise men to interpret the writing highlights the limitations of human wisdom and understanding when it comes to divine matters.

God's Sovereignty in Revelation
God chooses whom He will to reveal His mysteries, as seen in His choice of Daniel over the Babylonian wise men.

The Importance of a Godly Reputation
Daniel's reputation as a man of God precedes him, reminding us of the importance of living a life that reflects God's wisdom and power.

Divine Judgment and Accountability
The writing on the wall serves as a reminder of God's judgment and the accountability of leaders and nations to His standards.

Seeking Godly Counsel
In times of confusion and uncertainty, seeking counsel from those who are grounded in God's wisdom is crucial.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Daniel 5:15?

2.How does Daniel 5:15 highlight the limitations of human wisdom without God?

3.What role does divine intervention play in understanding mysteries, according to Daniel 5:15?

4.How can we seek God's wisdom when faced with challenges, as in Daniel 5:15?

5.Compare Daniel 5:15 with James 1:5 on seeking wisdom from God.

6.How does Daniel 5:15 encourage reliance on God over human experts?

7.What does Daniel 5:15 reveal about the limitations of human wisdom and understanding?

8.How does Daniel 5:15 challenge the reliability of earthly power and authority?

9.Why were the wise men unable to interpret the writing in Daniel 5:15?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5?

11.Who are the Chaldeans mentioned in the Bible?

12.What does 'Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin' mean?

13.In Daniel 4:18, why would Nebuchadnezzar trust Daniel's God-based interpretation over the Babylonian wise men if their religious context supposedly revered other deities?

14.What does 'Persecuted but not Forsaken' mean?

What Does Daniel 5:15 Mean

Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me

• King Belshazzar gathers the most esteemed members of Babylon’s intellectual elite, just as Nebuchadnezzar had done in earlier crises (Daniel 2:2, 4:7).

• Earthly wisdom, though impressive, stands exposed as powerless when God speaks directly. CompareIsaiah 19:11–13 and1 Corinthians 1:20.

• God’s pattern of allowing human expertise to exhaust itself before revealing His answer magnifies His sovereignty (Genesis 41:8,Daniel 2:27–28).

to read this inscription

• The “writing on the wall” (Daniel 5:5–6) is literal: God physically inscribes judgment where every eye can see.

• Reading alone will not suffice; comprehension is required.Habakkuk 2:2 shows God writing plainly so His message can be “read on tablets,” yet still demanding spiritual perception (1 Corinthians 2:14).

• The scene underscores that divine revelation is clear yet closed to the proud (Proverbs 3:34).

and interpret it for me

• Belshazzar seeks not only the words but their meaning, echoing Pharaoh’s plea to Joseph, “I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it” (Genesis 41:15–16).

• True interpretation belongs to God alone; His servants merely relay it (Daniel 2:28,Amos 3:7).

• The king’s insistence on an explanation reveals the emptiness of his idols (Isaiah 46:6–7).

but they could not give its interpretation

• Failure is immediate and complete, repeating earlier episodes where pagan specialists admitted, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king requests” (Daniel 2:10–11).

• God “frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners” (Isaiah 44:25), proving that every false system collapses before His truth (Jeremiah 10:14).

• The stage is now set for Daniel, whose Spirit-empowered insight will affirm that “the Most High God is ruler over the kingdom of mankind” (Daniel 5:21).

summary

Human wisdom shines only until God speaks; then its helplessness is exposed. Belshazzar’s experts, like all who rely on human intellect alone, can neither read nor interpret the divine message. Only the Lord’s servant, equipped by His Spirit, can reveal the meaning.Daniel 5:15 therefore highlights God’s supremacy, the insufficiency of worldly wisdom, and the necessity of humble dependence on the one true God who interprets His own words.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(15)The thing--i.e., the whole of this miraculous transaction.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now
וּכְעַ֞ן(ū·ḵə·‘an)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 3705:Now

the wise men
חַכִּֽימַיָּא֙(ḥak·kî·may·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 2445:Wise, a Magian

and enchanters
אָֽשְׁפַיָּ֔א(’ā·šə·p̄ay·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 826:A conjurer, enchanter

were brought
הֻעַ֣לּוּ(hu·‘al·lū)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5954:To enter, to introduce

before me
קָֽדָמַ֗י(qā·ḏā·may)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 6925:Before

to read
יִקְר֔וֹן(yiq·rō·wn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7123:To call, read out or aloud

this
דְנָה֙(ḏə·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836:This

inscription
כְתָבָ֤ה(ḵə·ṯā·ḇāh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3792:Something written, a writing, record, book

and interpret it
וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ(ū·p̄iš·rêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6591:An interpretation

for me,
לְהוֹדָעֻתַ֑נִי(lə·hō·w·ḏā·‘u·ṯa·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3046:To know

but they could
כָהֲלִ֥ין(ḵā·hă·lîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3546:To be able

not
וְלָֽא־(wə·lā-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809:Not, no

give
לְהַחֲוָיָֽה׃(lə·ha·ḥă·wā·yāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2324:To show

its
מִלְּתָ֖א(mil·lə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4406:A word, command, discourse, subject

interpretation.
פְּשַֽׁר־(pə·šar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6591:An interpretation

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OT Prophets: Daniel 5:15 Now the wise men the enchanters have (Dan. Da Dn)