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◄ Daniel 5:29►

New International Version
Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

New Living Translation
Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was dressed in purple robes, a gold chain was hung around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

English Standard Version
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

King James Bible
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, andput a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

New King James Version
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple andput a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

New American Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple andput a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that henow had authority as the thirdruler in the kingdom.

NASB 1995
Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom.

NASB 1977
Then Belshazzar gave orders, and they clothed Daniel with purple andput a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that henow had authority as the thirdruler in the kingdom.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar saidthe word, and they clothed Daniel with purple andput a necklace of gold around his neck and issued a proclamation concerning him that henow would be the third powerful ruler in the kingdom.

Amplified Bible
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple and a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation concerning him was issued [declaring] that he now had authority as the thirdruler in the kingdom.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar gave an order, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

American Standard Version
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Contemporary English Version
Belshazzar gave a command for Daniel to be made the third most powerful man in his kingdom and to be given a purple robe and a gold chain.

English Revised Version
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Belshazzar ordered that Daniel be dressed in purple and wear a gold chain on his neck. He made Daniel the third-highest ruler in the kingdom.

Good News Translation
Immediately Belshazzar ordered his servants to dress Daniel in a robe of royal purple and to hang a gold chain of honor around his neck. And he made him the third in power in the kingdom.

International Standard Version
Then Belshazzar gave orders to clothe Daniel in purple, to place a chain of gold around his neck, and to proclaim him the third highest ruler of the kingdom.

NET Bible
Then, on Belshazzar's orders, Daniel was clothed in purple, a golden collar was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom.

New Heart English Bible
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

World English Bible
Then Belshazzar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Then Belshazzar has spoken, and they have clothed Daniel with purple, and a bracelet of gold [is] on his neck, and they have proclaimed concerning him that he is the third ruler in the kingdom.

Young's Literal Translation
Then hath Belshazzar said, and they have clothed Daniel with purple, and a bracelet of gold is on his neck, and they have proclaimed concerning him that he is the third ruler in the kingdom.

Smith's Literal Translation
At that time Belshazzar said, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and a necklace of gold upon his neck, and they cried out concerning him, for him to rule the third in the kingdom.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Then by the king's command Daniel was clothed with purple, and a chain of gold was put about his neck: and it was proclaimed of him that he had power as the third man in the kingdom.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, by the king’s command, Daniel was dressed with purple, and a chain of gold was placed around his neck, and it was proclaimed of him that he held power as the third in the kingdom.

New American Bible
Then by order of Belshazzar they clothed Daniel in purple, with a chain of gold around his neck, and proclaimed him third in governing the kingdom.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed in purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made concerning him that he should rank third in the kingdom.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Then commanded King Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold about his neck and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be a ruler over a third of the kingdom.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then King Beltshatsar spoke and they clothed Daniel in purple and a necklace of gold on his neck, and they proclaimed concerning him that he would be Ruler of a third of the kingdom

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with purple, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made proclamation concerning him, that he should rule as one of three in the kingdom.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then Baltasar commanded, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put the golden chain about his neck, and proclaimed concerning him that he was the third ruler in the kingdom.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
…28PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”29Then Belshazzar gave the command,and they clothed Daniel in purple,placed a gold chain around his neck,and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.30That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Daniel 2:48
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.

Genesis 41:42
Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.

Esther 8:15
Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal garments of blue and white, with a large gold crown and a purple robe of fine linen. And the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

1 Samuel 2:7-8
The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. / He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.

Proverbs 3:16
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Isaiah 45:1
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

Ezekiel 21:26-27
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted. / A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

Revelation 18:16
saying: “Woe, woe to the great city, clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.

Romans 13:1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Treasury of Scripture

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

they clothed.

Daniel 5:7,16
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…

Jump to Previous

Authority Belshazzar Belshaz'zar Belshazzar's Chain Clothed Command Commanded Daniel Gold Highest Issued Kingdom Neck Necklace Order Orders Placed Proclaimed Proclamation Public Purple Robe Round Rule Ruler Scarlet Statement Third Three

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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

Then Belshazzar gave the command
Belshazzar, the co-regent of Babylon, is acting with authority, though his power is limited compared to his father, Nabonidus. This command reflects the urgency and desperation of the moment, as the writing on the wall has just been interpreted by Daniel, foretelling the imminent fall of Babylon.

and they clothed Daniel in purple
Purple was a color associated with royalty and high status in ancient times, due to the expense of the dye. This act signifies Daniel's elevation to a position of honor and authority, despite the impending doom of the Babylonian empire. It also echoes Joseph's rise to power in Egypt (Genesis 41:42).

placed a gold chain around his neck
The gold chain is a symbol of authority and distinction, often given to those who are granted significant power or favor. This parallels the honor given to Joseph by Pharaoh, further highlighting Daniel's role as a wise and divinely favored advisor.

and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom
Daniel's position as the third ruler is due to Belshazzar being the second, under his father Nabonidus. This title, though prestigious, is short-lived due to the imminent conquest by the Medes and Persians. The elevation of Daniel here underscores God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His purposes, as Daniel remains faithful amidst a pagan empire.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Belshazzar
The last king of Babylon, known for his pride and defiance against God. He hosted a great feast using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple, which led to the divine judgment.

2.Daniel
A Jewish exile in Babylon, known for his wisdom and faithfulness to God. He interpreted the mysterious writing on the wall for Belshazzar, predicting the fall of Babylon.

3.Babylon
The powerful empire and city known for its grandeur and idolatry. It was the setting for the events ofDaniel 5 and was soon to fall to the Medes and Persians.

4.The Writing on the Wall
A miraculous event where a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall during Belshazzar's feast, interpreted by Daniel as a divine judgment against Babylon.

5.The Third Highest Ruler
The position given to Daniel by Belshazzar as a reward for interpreting the writing. This title reflects the limited power Belshazzar had, as he was co-regent with his father, Nabonidus.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty
God's control over nations and rulers is evident. Belshazzar's reward to Daniel, though significant, was ultimately meaningless in the face of God's judgment.

Faithfulness in Exile
Daniel's consistent faithfulness to God, even in a foreign land, serves as a model for believers living in secular societies.

The Futility of Earthly Honors
Earthly rewards and positions are temporary. Daniel's promotion was short-lived, reminding us to seek eternal rewards.

Divine Judgment
God's judgment is certain and just. Belshazzar's fate warns against pride and irreverence towards God.

Wisdom and Discernment
Daniel's ability to interpret the writing highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in understanding and responding to life's challenges.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Daniel 5:29?

2.How does Daniel 5:29 demonstrate God's sovereignty in elevating His faithful servants?

3.What can we learn from Daniel's response to receiving "purple clothing and gold chain"?

4.How does Daniel's promotion relate to Matthew 23:12 about humility and exaltation?

5.In what ways can we remain faithful like Daniel amidst worldly recognition?

6.How should Daniel's example influence our response to earthly rewards and honors?

7.Why was Daniel rewarded with a purple robe and gold chain in Daniel 5:29?

8.How does Daniel 5:29 reflect God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms?

9.What is the significance of Belshazzar's actions in Daniel 5:29?

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

11.In Daniel 5:2, how do we reconcile calling Belshazzar the 'son' of Nebuchadnezzar with known Babylonian lineage?

12.Why is Daniel unknown to Belshazzar (Daniel 5:7-13) despite his prominent role under Nebuchadnezzar described in earlier chapters?

13.In Daniel 5:30, how could Belshazzar be slain 'that very night' if some records suggest Babylon surrendered peacefully?

14.Why does the Book of Daniel misidentify Belshazzar as a king when he was only a prince?

What Does Daniel 5:29 Mean

Then Belshazzar gave the command

Belshazzar had promised rewards to anyone who could read the writing on the wall (Daniel 5:7,16). After Daniel’s fearless interpretation—which exposed the king’s sin and announced imminent judgment—Belshazzar still follows through. His word keeps the outward appearance of integrity, yet it cannot undo the verdict God has just delivered (cf.Numbers 23:19;Psalm 33:10–11). We see how human authority remains subject to God’s sovereign timetable (Daniel 2:21).

and they clothed Daniel in purple

Purple cloth signified royalty and wealth—dye so costly that only kings could afford it (Esther 8:15;Luke 16:19). By dressing Daniel in this color, the court publicly acknowledges him as a man worthy of honor, though moments earlier he stood as a Jewish exile speaking hard truth. God often elevates His servants in surprising ways (1 Samuel 2:7–8;Proverbs 22:29), reminding us that faithfulness matters more than pedigree or position.

placed a gold chain around his neck

The gold chain adds another layer of distinction, much like Pharaoh’s reward to Joseph (Genesis 41:42). Chains in Scripture symbolize authority granted by a ruler (Proverbs 1:9). Here, the ornament announces that Daniel now carries royal favor, even while Babylon is moments from collapse. Earthly accolades are fleeting, yet God’s commendation endures (1 Corinthians 9:25;Revelation 22:12).

and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom

Belshazzar was co-regent under his father Nabonidus, making “third” the highest available slot. Daniel’s elevation fulfills the king’s offer but also highlights God’s irony: Daniel becomes third ruler of an empire that will fall before sunrise (Daniel 5:30–31). The scene underscores how kingdoms rise and fall under God’s hand (Isaiah 40:23–24;Daniel 4:17). It also spotlights Daniel’s integrity—he accepted honor yet never compromised truth, showing that godly wisdom can stand untainted amid political upheaval.

summary

Daniel 5:29 records Babylon’s last attempt to bestow glory, inadvertently vindicating God’s faithful servant. The verse showcases:

• A king keeping his promise, yet powerless against God’s decree.

• Visible symbols of royalty—purple and gold—affirming Daniel’s God-given stature.

• A promotion to “third ruler,” emphasizing both the immediacy of God’s judgment and the futility of earthly power.

Ultimately, the passage reminds believers that God honors those who honor Him, even in the twilight of worldly kingdoms, and that His purposes prevail long after human titles and treasures fade.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 29. -Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler inthe kingdom. The Septuagint runs thus: "Then Baltasar the king clothed Daniel in purple, and put on him a golden necklace, and gave authority to him over a third part of his kingdom." The only difference here is that there is no word of a proclamation. Theodotion and the Peshitta agree with the Massoretic text. We haveתַּלְתָא here instead ofתַּלְתִּי. The presence of the haphel form instead of the aphel, is to be noted. No reader whose attention is directed to it can fail to be struck with the magnanimity of Belshazzar; he had promised that whoever would interpret the inscription should be clothed in purple and gold, and be made third ruler of the kingdom. Had he been a mean man, he might have higgled about the matter; he might have declared an uncertainty as to whether Daniel did not, out of his spite against the murderers of the son of Nebuchadnezzar, invent the evil interpretation. The treatment Ahab meted out to Micaiah the son of Imlah sows the way a tyrannical monarch may a-t towards one who has uttered unpalatable prophecies against him. He might, according to the Persian story, have proclaimed Daniel exalted to all the promised honors, and then instantly had him executed. But, no; in noble simplicity he fulfils his promise to the last letter, without any apparent after-thought of vengeance. If Belshazzar is intended to represent Antiochus Epiphanes, certainly the portrait is singularly unlike anything we know of that monarch. Cruel and. treacherous, he was very unlikely to keep such a promise to one who had made such a prophecy concerning him. Even if lie could have done so, no Jew, with blood boiling from the indignities and cruelties heaped upon the Jewish race, could have pictured him doing this. Even the natural instinct that makes us think that specially terrible misfortune must be the result of specially unbroken wickedness, would certainly have led the writer of Daniel, if drawing on his imagination, to make Belshazzar meanly refuse his rewards, or, having given them, to threaten the receiver with death. It is no answer to say, with Ewald and Jephet-ibn-Ali. that the reward once promised was irrevocable, for the accuracy of the reading of the writing might have been contested, and the correctness of the interpretation denied. Further, as has been pointed out by Keil, there is no evidence that Epiphanes ever desecrated the sacred vessels at a banquet; he was regardless enough to have done so, but his financial necessities were too pressing for delaying the coining of these golden treasures. Moreover, in Antiochus such desecration would be without purpose, whereas, as we have seen, there might be a purpose in the action of Belshazzar. The idea maintained by commentators of the critical school, that there in any reference in the description given here of the feast of Belshazzar and its results to the feast which Antiochus gave to the peel,In of Antioch, as described by Polybius, 26, is mere nonsense. The ponts of contrast are vastly more prominent than the points of resemblance. Belshazzar's feast is over in one night; Antiochus's feast lasted several days. Belshazzar's feast was given in his palace, to "a thousand of his lords;" Antiochus invited the whole populace of Antioch to revel in the grove of Daphne. While, as we have seen, there is blasphemy against Jehovah and defiance of him in Belshazzar's feast, there in no kind of debauchery. In regard to the feast of Antiochus, on the other hand, while there is maddest excess of every kind, a very orgy of lust and drunkenness, there is no word, either in Polybius or in the Books of the Maccabees, of any special act of defiance to Jehovah, or blasphemy of his Name. The only point of identity is that both the banquet of Belshazzar and the orgy of Antiochus have been called "feasts." Altogether, the idea that Belshazzar represents Antiochus Epiphanes is nearly as absurd as that Nebuchadnezzar does. Did the orthodox interpretation involve such an identification, what boundless scorn would be poured on the unfortunate maintainers of such a view?

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then
בֵּאדַ֣יִן ׀(bê·ḏa·yin)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 116:Then, thereupon

Belshazzar
בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֗ר(bê·lə·šaṣ·ṣar)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1113:Belshazzar -- a Babylonian king

gave the command,
אֲמַ֣ר(’ă·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 560:To say, tell, command

and they clothed
וְהַלְבִּ֤ישׁוּ(wə·hal·bî·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3848:Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

Daniel
לְדָֽנִיֵּאל֙(lə·ḏā·nî·yêl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1841:Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon

in purple,
אַרְגְּוָנָ֔א(’ar·gə·wā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 711:Purple, red-purple

placed a gold
דַהֲבָ֖א(ḏa·hă·ḇā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1722:Gold

chain
וְהַֽמְנִיכָ֥א(wə·ham·nî·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2002:A chain, necklace

around
עַֽל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5922:Above, over, upon, against

his neck,
צַוְּארֵ֑הּ(ṣaw·wə·rêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6676:The back of the neck

and proclaimed
וְהַכְרִ֣זֽוּ(wə·haḵ·ri·zū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3745:To make proclamation

him
עֲל֔וֹהִי(‘ă·lō·w·hî)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5922:Above, over, upon, against

the third highest
תַּלְתָּ֖א(tal·tā)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 8531:A tertiary rank

ruler
שַׁלִּ֛יט(šal·lîṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7990:Mighty, permission, a premier

in the kingdom.
בְּמַלְכוּתָֽא׃(bə·mal·ḵū·ṯā)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4437:Royalty, reign, kingdom

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OT Prophets: Daniel 5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar and they clothed Daniel (Dan. Da Dn)