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InterlinearVerse GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOB JOS JDG RUTH 1 SAM 2 SAM PSA AMOS HOS 1 KI 2 KI 1 CHR 2 CHR PROV ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA (JNA) NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL LAO GES LES ESG DNG 2 PS TOB JDT WIS SIR BAR LJE PAZ SUS BEL MAN 1 MAC 2 MAC 3 MAC 4 MAC YHN (JHN) MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC (JAM) GAL 1 TH 2 TH 1 COR 2 COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1 TIM TIT 1 PET 2 PET 2 TIM HEB YUD (JUD) 1 YHN (1 JHN) 2 YHN (2 JHN) 3 YHN (3 JHN) REV
Dan C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12
Dan 5 V1 V2 V3 V4 V5 V6 V7 V8 V9 V10 V11 V13 V14 V15 V16 V17 V18 V19 V20 V21 V22 V23 V24 V25 V26 V27 V28 V29 V30 V31
OET (OET-LV) As_to because that a_spirit extraordinary and_understanding and_insight an_interpreter_of dreams and_declaring riddles and_untie/releaseing_of knots it_was_found in_him in_Dāniyyʼēl whom Oh/the_king he_made his/its_name Bēləţəshaʼʦʦar now Dāniyyʼēl let_him_be_summoned and_the_interpretation he_will_declare.
OET (OET-RV) because this Daniel had an excellent spirit, knowledge, and insight for interpreting dreams, explaining riddles, and solving problems. So summon Daniel who the king named Belteshatstsar and he’ll tell you the interpretation.”
The author continued to write in the Aramaic language. He wrote about how King Belshazzar gave a big banquet and made use of the sacred treasures from the Jerusalem temple. Belshazzar saw a hand writing a mysterious message on the wall. Only Daniel was able to explain the message, that God was about to punish Belshazzar. That same night an army of Medes and Persians conquered the city and killed Belshazzar.
English versions give different headings to Daniel 5. These include:
The Handwriting on the Wall (GW)
The Writing on the Wall (NIV)
King Belshazzar’s Banquet (CEV)
In some languages it may be more natural to write the heading in the form of a clause. For example, you could say:
King Belshazzar saw a hand write on the wall.
King Belshazzar had/gave a banquet/feast.
Some versions give headings to the subsections of Daniel 5. For example, the NLT has two headings:
The Writing on the Wall (5:1)
Daniel explains the writing (5:13)
The NRSV has three headings:
Belshazzar’s Feast (5:1)
The Writing on the Wall (5:5)
The Writing on the Wall Interpreted (5:13)
You should decide the number of headings that is best in your translation. The purpose of headings is to help readers to follow the events of the story. Headings also help the reader understand the relationships between the different parts of the story. You should try not to have more headings than necessary.
Historical Background:
Nabonidus was the king of Babylon from 556 to 539 B.C. Historical records indicate that he married Nitocris, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar, and that Belshazzar was their oldest son.See the ancient Greek historian Herodotus and the Nabonidus Chronicles. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon during the last ten years of his reign, Belshazzar acted as king in his place.
Daniel 5 describes the last night of the Babylonian empire. From other historic sources we know that Cyrus, the king of Persia, attacked the Babylonian army during the 7th month of the year 539 B.C. On the 15th day of that month, they attacked the town of Sippar and King Nabonidus fled. The next day Cyrus’ army entered the city of Babylon without any battle and killed its ruler, Belshazzar. Daniel 5 describes what Belshazzar was doing on the last day of the Babylonian empire.
The queen now entered the banquet hall and addressed the king.
did this because Daniel … was found to have an extraordinary spirit: There are two main ways to understand the function of the Aramaic phrase that the BSB translates as because:
It introduces the reason for the command to send for Daniel (5:12d). For example:
Since this man Daniel…is filled with such a marvellous spirit…send for him (NJB)
He has unusual ability and is wise and skillful…so send for this man Daniel (GNT) (NJPS, NJB, GNT, REB, implied in NCV, CEV, NLT, GW, NET)
It introduces the reason why the king had appointed Daniel as the head of his experts (5:11c). For example:
Your father…made him chief of the magicians…because an excellent spirit… (NRSV) (BSB, RSV/NRSV, NIV, NASB, ESV, probably KJV)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as do most modern English versions. The queen urged the king to summon Daniel because of Daniel’s many excellent qualities and abilities. The NJB is therefore used in the following notes on 5:12 and as the source line in the Display.
did this because Daniel, the one he named Belteshazzar,
This man, Daniel, was given by the king the name Belteshazzar.
The name of this man was Daniel, but the king gave him the new/Babylonian name “Belteshazzar.”
(NJB) Since this man Daniel, whom the king had renamed Belteshazzar: The Aramaic phrase that the NJB translates as Since here introduces the reason for a command that the queen was about to give. She began to explain why she wanted the king to send for Daniel. See the General Comment on 5:12 for another way to show this logical connection.
(NJB) Daniel, whom the king had renamed Belteshazzar: See the Notes at 1:7b. Many years before King Nebuchadnezzar had given Daniel the Babylonian name Belteshazzar. English versions have translated this clause in different ways. For example:
The king gave him the name Belteshazzar
whom the king named Belteshazzar (NIV)
This clause repeats information that was given in previous chapters. In some languages it may be more natural to present this information in a different way. For example, you may:
Translate this clause as a parenthesis within 5:12b.
This Daniel (whom the king renamed Belteshazzar)… (GW)
Translate this clause at the beginning of the verse (5:12a).
The King changed the man’s named from Daniel to Belteshazzar. (CEV)
Translate this clause after the name Daniel in 5:12c.
so send for this man Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar (GNT)
Present this information in a way that is natural in your language.
(NJB) is filled with such a marvellous spirit and such knowledge and intelligence in interpreting dreams, solving enigmas, and unravelling difficult problems: The MT describes Daniel’s excellence by referring to six qualities or abilities:
an extraordinary spirit and understanding and insight, an interpreter of dreams, and declaring of riddles, and loosening of knots was found in him
Here are some other ways to translate this list of qualities:
He has unusual ability and is wise and skillful in interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining mysteries (GNT)
an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel (NRSV)
was found to have knowledge, judgment, and an extraordinary spirit. He has the ability to interpret dreams, solve riddles, and untangle problems. (GW)
was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems (NIV)
was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding,
Daniel showed/proved himself extraordinarily intelligent and wise, and he had the ability
He was very smart and he knew many things. He was skilled/good
(NJB) is filled with: The Aramaic phrase that the NJB translates as is filled with is more literally “was found in him.” This is a passive verb. See 5:11c, where the same verb is used. Here are some other ways to translate it in this context:
Using a passive verb. For example:
was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding (BSB)
Using an active verb. It may be necessary to use the present tense (“is” or “has”) rather than the past tense (“was found to have”). For example:
This man Daniel is extremely intelligent. He also has/possesses unusual ability and wisdom.
(NJB) such a marvellous spirit: In this context, the Aramaic phrase that the NJB translates as a marvellous spirit refers to great or unusual human intelligence. The English word such has been supplied by the NJB to create a natural style. It does not represent a specific word in the Aramaic. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
a keen mind (NIV)
a sharp mind (NLT)
very smart (NCV)
(NJB) marvellous: The Aramaic word that the NJB translates as marvellous means “excellent, extraordinary.”
(NJB) such knowledge: The Aramaic word that the NJB translates as knowledge also occurs in 2:21e and 4:34–36. It refers to the ability to discern things. Most English versions translate this as knowledge. In some languages it may be natural to translate this idea using a verb phrase. For example:
and he knows many things
and he is able to discern things
(NJB) intelligence: The Aramaic word that the NJB translates as intelligence also occurs in 5:11b. Here are some other ways to translate it:
understanding (BSB)
insight (REB)
In some languages it may be natural to translate this idea using a verb phrase. For example:
He understands how…
he is skilled…
and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems.
to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems.
at interpreting dreams, explaining riddles, and solving all kinds of problems.
(NJB) in interpreting dreams: Daniel was able to explain the meaning or symbolism of peoples’ dreams. Here are some other ways to translate this:
the ability to interpret dreams (NIV)
He can interpret dreams (NLT)
he can explain dreams (CEV)
(NJB) solving enigmas: Daniel also had the ability to explain the meaning of things that were hard to understand. The Aramaic word that the NJB translates as solving is a synonym to “interpret” and means “making known.”HALOT, 1871. For example:
solve riddles (GW)
explain riddles (NIV)
(NJB) enigmas: The Aramaic expression that the NJB translates as enigmas literally means “things that have been closed up tightly.” In this context, it has the sense of a “puzzle” or “riddle.”HALOT, 1809. Here are some other ways to translate this:
secrets (NCV)
riddles (NIV)
(NJB) and unravelling difficult problems: The Aramaic expression that the NJB translates as unravelling difficult problems literally means “loosening of knots.” In this context, it is a figure of speech that means “solving difficulties.”HALOT, 2003. The Aramaic word that the BSB translates as “solve” is a pael participle mišraʾ . It literally means to “untie, loosen.” Here it means to “solve.” The Aramaic word that the BSB translates “difficult problems” is qeṭar. It means, “joint” or “knot.” Here it has the figuratively meaning, “difficulties.” See HALOT, 1069. The author may have used this phrase in a humorous or ironic way. In 5:6 the king was so alarmed that the “knots” of his hips were loosened. In 5:12 the king said that he had heard that Daniel could “loosen knots.” In some languages you may be able to translate this irony by translating the two phrases literally. Here are some other ways to translate this idea:
untangle problems (GW)
solving difficult problems (NIV)
explaining mysteries (GNT)
The author may have intentionally used this phrase in a humorous way, as a joke or pun. In 5:6 the king was so alarmed that the “knots” of his hips were “loosened.” Here the queen says that she has heard that Daniel can “loosen knots.” In some languages, you may be able to translate literally and maintain the pun. If that is unnatural, translate the meaning in a more direct way.
Summon Daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation.”
So tell Daniel to come to you and he will tell you what the writing means.”
So you should send your servants to bring Daniel here and he will explain/interpret the meaning of the words/letters on the wall.”
The Aramaic text connects this verse part to the previous verse part with an adverb that the RSV translates as “Now.” This connector here introduces the conclusion of the queen’s speech, her advice to Belshazzar. Here are some other ways to introduce the queen’s concluding advice:
Therefore
so (GNT)
(NJB) send for him: The queen encouraged the king to call for or send for Daniel. The king was not going to call or summon Daniel himself. So in some languages it may be natural to indicate this by saying:
Send your servants to get Daniel…
Tell them (indefinite) to bring Daniel here
If it is more natural and polite in your language to use a passive verb, you may say:
Let Daniel be summoned
(NJB) he will be able to tell you what this means: The Aramaic text is literally “and he will declare the interpretation.” In some languages it may be natural to indicate what Daniel was to interpret, that is, what the word this represents. For example::
and he will tell you what the writing means (NIV)
He will tell you what the writing on the wall means (NCV)
In some languages it may be natural to reorder the information in 5:12d and translate the queen’s advice at the end of her speech. For example:
12dHe will be able to tell you what the writing means. You should send for him.
Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ר֣וּחַ ׀ יַתִּירָ֡ה וּמַנְדַּ֡ע וְשָׂכְלְתָנ֡וּ מְפַשַּׁ֣ר חֶלְמִין֩ וַֽאַֽחֲוָיַ֨ת אֲחִידָ֜ן וּמְשָׁרֵ֣א קִטְרִ֗ין הִשְׁתְּכַ֤חַת בֵּהּ֙ בְּדָ֣נִיֵּ֔אל דִּֽי־מַלְכָּ֥א שָׂם־שְׁמֵ֖הּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר
spirit excellent and,understanding and,insight interpret_of dreams and,declaring riddles and,loosening_of problems found in,him in,Daniel that/who Oh/the=king he_made his/its=name Beltesatstsar
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “this same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, had an excellent spirit, knowledge, and insight for interpreting dreams, explaining riddles and solving problems”
5:1-30 Earthly kingdoms all pass away. As Nebuchadnezzar’s dream implied, Babylon would pass away and a new sovereign kingdom would take its place (2:39). After Nebuchadnezzar’s death in 562 BC, violence and debauchery increased in the palaces of Babylon until, during Belshazzar’s feast in 539 BC, even God’s holy vessels were polluted and defiled. God’s judgment came with lightning swiftness that night (5:30), and the next kingdom took over (see 2:32, 39; 5:31).
OET (OET-LV) As_to because that a_spirit extraordinary and_understanding and_insight an_interpreter_of dreams and_declaring riddles and_untie/releaseing_of knots it_was_found in_him in_Dāniyyʼēl whom Oh/the_king he_made his/its_name Bēləţəshaʼʦʦar now Dāniyyʼēl let_him_be_summoned and_the_interpretation he_will_declare.
OET (OET-RV) because this Daniel had an excellent spirit, knowledge, and insight for interpreting dreams, explaining riddles, and solving problems. So summon Daniel who the king named Belteshatstsar and he’ll tell you the interpretation.”
Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.
Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.
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