Therefore He sent the handThis phrase indicates divine intervention. The "He" refers to God, who is actively involved in the events of human history. The sending of the hand is a supernatural act, demonstrating God's power and authority over earthly kingdoms. This event occurs during the reign of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, highlighting the theme of God's sovereignty over nations. The hand is a visible manifestation of God's judgment, similar to other instances in Scripture where God uses physical signs to communicate His will, such as the burning bush in
Exodus 3 or the pillar of cloud and fire in
Exodus 13.
that wrote the inscription
The inscription is a message from God, written on the wall of the royal palace during Belshazzar's feast. This act of writing is significant, as it conveys a divine message that is both immediate and authoritative. The writing on the wall is a well-known idiom today, symbolizing an ominous warning or inevitable fate. In the biblical context, it serves as a direct communication from God, bypassing human intermediaries. The content of the inscription, revealed later in the chapter, is a prophecy of judgment against Babylon, foretelling its imminent fall to the Medes and Persians. This event fulfills earlier prophecies, such as those found inIsaiah 13 andJeremiah 51, which predicted Babylon's downfall. The use of writing as a medium underscores the permanence and unchangeability of God's decrees, similar to the written law given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
BelshazzarThe king of Babylon during the time of this event. He is known for his pride and sacrilegious actions, particularly using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for a feast.
2.
DanielA Jewish exile in Babylon, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and signs. He is called upon to interpret the mysterious writing on the wall.
3.
The HandA divine manifestation that appears during Belshazzar's feast, writing a mysterious message on the wall. This event signifies God's direct intervention and judgment.
4.
BabylonThe setting of this event, a powerful empire known for its wealth and idolatry. It represents human pride and opposition to God.
5.
The InscriptionThe mysterious writing on the wall, which Daniel interprets as a message of judgment against Belshazzar and the Babylonian empire.
Teaching Points
God's SovereigntyGod is in control of all nations and rulers. He raises up and brings down according to His will.
The Consequences of PridePride leads to downfall. Belshazzar's arrogance and disrespect for God resulted in his judgment.
The Importance of ReverenceTreating what is sacred with respect is crucial. Belshazzar's misuse of the temple vessels was a direct affront to God.
Divine InterventionGod intervenes in human history to accomplish His purposes. The writing on the wall was a clear sign of His active involvement.
The Role of God's ServantsLike Daniel, believers are called to be faithful and wise, ready to speak God's truth in challenging situations.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 5:24?
2.How does Daniel 5:24 illustrate God's sovereignty over human affairs and kingdoms?
3.What can we learn about God's judgment from Daniel 5:24?
4.How does Daniel 5:24 connect with other instances of divine intervention in Daniel?
5.How should the message in Daniel 5:24 influence our daily decision-making?
6.What actions can we take to align with God's will as seen in Daniel 5:24?
7.What is the significance of the hand writing in Daniel 5:24?
8.How does Daniel 5:24 demonstrate God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 5:24?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 5?
11.Is God aware of future events?
12.What are examples of miracles in the Bible?
13.In Daniel 5:5, how could a disembodied hand literally write on the wall, and isn't this account scientifically implausible?
14.What happened to Belshazzar during the feast?What Does Daniel 5:24 Mean
Therefore- “Therefore” ties the handwriting on the wall directly to Belshazzar’s arrogance (Daniel 5:22-23). God’s judgments always flow from righteous cause (Genesis 6:5-7;Proverbs 1:24-26;Romans 1:24).
- He had warned through Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling; Belshazzar ignored the lesson, so consequence follows.
He sent- “He” is the Most High God (Daniel 5:18). The Lord Himself initiates this intervention (Isaiah 37:35-36).
- Scripture often notes God’s sending action—whether sending His word (Psalm 107:20) or His Son (John 3:17)—showing His active rule.
the hand- A disembodied hand—the same “finger of God” that etched the Law (Exodus 31:18;Deuteronomy 9:10;Luke 11:20)—now appears in Babylon’s palace.
- The hand illustrates God’s nearness and power; “the hand of the Lord” also judges (Acts 13:11) and delivers (Isaiah 59:1).
that wrote- God communicates in writing so the message is permanent and undeniable (Habakkuk 2:2;Revelation 20:12).
- Written words fix responsibility: Belshazzar cannot claim ignorance, echoing Job’s longing for words “engraved in rock” (Job 19:23-24).
the inscription- Verse 25 reveals it: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.” Each term weighs and divides the kingdom, fulfilled that very night (Daniel 5:30).
- Prophets had foretold Babylon’s fall to the Medes (Isaiah 13:17-19;Jeremiah 51:29-31). God’s word stands literal and sure.
• Every ruler and nation is measured by God’s standard.
• Once His verdict is written, the outcome is certain.
• Reverence for what is holy guards us from similar judgment.
summaryBelshazzar’s contempt for the holy brought an immediate, personal response from God. The Lord sent His own hand to inscribe a non-negotiable verdict, proving that His written word is final, His justice exact, and His sovereignty unchallenged.
(24)
Then.--Not only "at that time," but also "because of this." Daniel here expressly designates the writing as something proceeding from God.
Verse 24. -
Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. As we have seen, the real equivalent of this verse in the Septuagint is a clause in ver. 17, "And the hand which had written (
γράφασα) stood." If we take this to mean that the band now "
ceased to write," then the original text might be
פְסִאָק יָדִא כְתָבָא, the verb being written
fleaum, in Mandaean manner. Then it would easily happen that
ק (in the older script and ) was resolved into
ד (in the older script and ). In support of this, it may be observed that while in the fifth verse the older construction of construct state and
status emphalicus is used to exhibit the genitival connection, in the present case the relative
די is used as a sign of the genitive. Starting with this, it is easy to see how the Massoretic text arose; but, on the other hand, it is difficult to see the sense of the reading of the Septuagint, unless this fiery hand is to be imagined as tracing and retracing the characters on the wall of the palace, and that the hand only ceased when Daniel stood before the inscription to read. Thec-dotion differs very little from the Massoretic text, and the Peshitta coincides with it. The word for "writing,"
רְשִׁים (
resheem), is really "engraving," and therefore peculiarly descriptive of the Assyrian mode of impressing on clay tablets or incising in stone the thing to be preserved.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thereforeבֵּאדַ֙יִן֙(bê·ḏa·yin)Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116:Then, thereuponHe sentשְׁלִ֖יַחַ(šə·li·ya·aḥ)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7972:To send away, for, outthe handיְדָ֑א(yə·ḏā)Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 3028:A handthat wroteרְשִֽׁים׃(rə·šîm)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7560:To inscribe, signtheדְנָ֖ה(ḏə·nāh)Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836:Thisinscription.וּכְתָבָ֥א(ū·ḵə·ṯā·ḇā)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3792:Something written, a writing, record, book
Links
Daniel 5:24 NIVDaniel 5:24 NLTDaniel 5:24 ESVDaniel 5:24 NASBDaniel 5:24 KJV
Daniel 5:24 BibleApps.comDaniel 5:24 Biblia ParalelaDaniel 5:24 Chinese BibleDaniel 5:24 French BibleDaniel 5:24 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Daniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand (Dan. Da Dn) 
