Daniel Chapter 5 Questions & Answers

Daniel Chapter 5 1. Who was Belshazzar and how was he related to Nebuchadnezzar? Grandson, after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, his son Evil-Merodach became king. After two years he was assassinated by his brother-in-law, Neriglissar. Nabonidus was selected to succeed, and he had a son named Belshazzar by a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Because of his royal blood Belshazzar was made co- regent with his father and given the special assignment to govern Babylon and its province.

Daniel Chapter 5 2. Why was it so wrong to drink wine from the vessels that were taken out of the Temple of God? Give examples how this applies today. These vessels had been used in the service of God. Belshazzar would know their source, and to take and use them this way was to desecrate God. God sent a swift punishment. Not treating God's word with respect, using blasphemous language, listening to profane music, watching evil films and going to worldly functions but what is missing? Pot, drugs, but what about wine? More subtle is mixing false worship with elements of the true worship. This is more dangerous than straight idolatry because people can be fooled. The New Testament warns us against apostate (false) religion. Galatians1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. John4:24 … and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Daniel Chapter 5 3. In v.5, the fingers of a man's hand wrote over against the candlestick. What is the spiritual significance of the candlestick in Scripture? The candlestick in Scripture is used to give spiritual light as seen in Zech.4:2. Zechariah4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: Here “candlestick” is the word "nabrasha" meaning "to shine". It is not “menorah” as used in Zech.4:2 but this part of Daniel is in Arabic. It probably wasn’t the candlestick taken from the Temple however it would have given light to the handwriting on the wall.

Daniel Chapter 5 4. Give three other Old Testament prophecies that tell about the destruction of Babylon and one New Testament prophecy of the destruction of Babylon the Great. A. Isaiah 13:17-22 B. Jer. 51:25,26,29,58,62,64 C. Isa. 45:1 D. Rev. 18:10

Daniel Chapter 5 5. Who was the queen in v.10 and why wasn't she at the feast? The Queen was the Queen-mother, Nitocris the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar's wives were already in the hall feasting (v.3), but we can't be sure why she wasn't at the feast but how many would invite their mother to a party like this!

Daniel Chapter 5 6. Why in verse 16 didn't Belshazzar offer to make Daniel the second ruler in the kingdom. Daniel5:16 And I have heard of thee, …and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, … and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Because Belshazzar was co-regent with his father, Nabonidus who was not in Babylon at this time. The only opening was the 3rd place in the kingdom.

Daniel Chapter 5 7. Why did Daniel reject the gifts offered by Belshazzar while he accepted them from Nebuchadnezzar in Dan. 2:48? Belshazzar was a blasphemous king. Daniel did not want gifts from such a wicked man just as Abram rejected the gifts offered by the King of Sodom. (Gen. 14:22-24) Nebuchadnezzar's heart could be touched so accepting the gifts would help in developing a good relationship with opportunity to teach and as seen Daniel was successful. Dan.4:2 “I thought it good to show the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom …”

Daniel Chapter 5 8. What is the meaning of "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" and why is “Mene” repeated twice? The meaning is "Numbered, Numbered, Weighed, Divided.” "MENE" was doubled as was the dream to Pharaoh, because the outcome was established by God, and God would shortly bring it to pass. Genesis41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Daniel Chapter 5 9. Who in history was "Darius the Median" in verse 31? Darius is a title meaning "subduer". It is thought "Darius" was a title given to Cyaxares II son of Astyages and the Uncle or father-in-law of Cyrus. Various historians have worked out who they think this man was.

Daniel Chapter 5 Why is "upharsin" changed to "peres" in verse 28? Dan.5:28 “PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” “Pares” is singular whereas “upharsin” is plural v.25 since the kingdom was divided between Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian. "Upharsin" is a participle (form of a verb used as an adjective) of the same verb from which "peres" is derived.