DAN 5:16 Interlinear View

1. Hebrew word
2. Hebrew lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. Gloss
8. CAPS codes
9. OET tags
10. OET word #
1. וַ,אֲנָה
2. 514252,514253
3. And I
4. But
6. S-C,Pp1cs
7. and,I
8. S
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359598
1. שִׁמְעֵת
2. 514254
3. I have heard
4. I've heard
5. 8086
6. V-Vqp1cs
7. I_have_heard
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359599
1. עלי,ך
2. 514255,514256
3. concerning you
4. about
5. 5922
6. -R,Sp2ms
7. concerning,you
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359600
2. 514257
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359601
1. דִּי
2. 514258
3. that
4. -
5. 1768
6. S-Tr
7. (diy)_that
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359602
2. 514259
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 359603
1. תוכל
2. 514260
3. you are able
4. -
5. 3202
6. O-Vqi2ms
7. you_are_able
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359604
2. 514261
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359605
2. 514262
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359606
1. פִּשְׁרִין
2. 514263
3. interpretations
4. interpretations
5. 6591
6. -Ncmpa
7. interpretations
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359607
1. לְ,מִפְשַׁר
2. 514264,514265
3. to interpret
4. give
5. 6590
6. V-R,Vqc
7. to,interpret
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359608
1. וְ,קִטְרִין
2. 514266,514267
3. and knots
4. problems
5. 7001
6. O-C,Ncmpa
7. and,knots
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359609
1. לְ,מִשְׁרֵא
2. 514268,514269
3. to untie/release
4. solve
5. 8271
6. OV-R,Vqc
7. to,loosen
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359610
1. כְּעַן
2. 514270
3. now
4. -
5. 3705
6. O-D
7. now
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359611
1. הֵן
2. 514271
3. if
4. -
6. OV-C
7. if
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359612
1. תוכל
2. 514272
3. you will be able
4. -
5. 3202
6. S-Vqi2ms
7. you_will_be_able
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359613
2. 514273
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359614
1. כְּתָבָ,א
2. 514274,514275
3. the writing
4. writing
5. 3792
6. S-Ncmsd,Td
7. the,writing
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359615
1. לְ,מִקְרֵא
2. 514276,514277
3. to read aloud
4. -
5. 7123
6. -R,Vqc
7. to,read_aloud
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359616
1. וּ,פִשְׁרֵ,הּ
2. 514278,514279,514280
3. and its interpretation
4. -
5. 6591
6. V-C,Ncmsc,Sp3ms
7. and=its=interpretation
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359617
1. לְ,הוֹדָעֻתַ,נִי
2. 514281,514282,514283
3. to make know me
4. -
5. 3046
6. O-R,Vhc,Sp1cs
7. to=make_know=me
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359618
1. אַרְגְּוָנָ,א
2. 514284,514285
3. (the) purple
4. -
5. 711
6. SV-Ncmsd,Td
7. (the),purple
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359619
1. תִלְבַּשׁ
2. 514286
3. you will be clothed
4. clothed
5. 3848
6. S-Vqi2ms
7. you_will_be_clothed
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359620
1. ו,המונכ,א
2. 514287,514288,514289
3. and (the) necklace
4. chain
5. 2002
6. VO-C,Ncmsd,Td
7. and,(the),necklace
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359621
2. 514290
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359622
2. 514291
3. -
4. -
6. -
8. -
9. -
10. 359623
1. דִי
2. 514292
3. of
4. -
5. 1768
6. O-Tr
7. (diy)_of
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359624
2. 514293
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 359625
1. דַהֲבָ,א
2. 514294,514295
3. (the) gold
4. gold
5. 1722
6. V-Ncmsd,Td
7. (the),gold
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359626
1. עַֽל
2. 514296
3. +will be on
4. -
5. 5922
6. -R
7. [will_be]_on
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359627
2. 514297
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 359628
1. צַוְּארָ,ךְ
2. 514298,514299
3. neck of your
4. -
5. 6676
6. S-Ncmsc,Sp2ms
7. neck_of,your
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359629
1. וְ,תַלְתָּא
2. 514300,514301
3. and third
4. -
5. 8531
6. S-C,Aobsa
7. and,third
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359630
1. בְ,מַלְכוּתָ,א
2. 514302,514303,514304
3. in the kingdom
4. with in kingdom
5. 4437
6. S-R,Ncfsd,Td
7. in,the,kingdom
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359631
1. תִּשְׁלַֽט
2. 514305
3. you will rule
4. -
5. 7981
6. P-Vqi2ms
7. you_will_rule
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359632
2. 514306
3. -
4. -
6. -x-sof-pasuq
8. -
9. -
10. 359633
2. 514307
3. -
4. -
6. -x-pe
8. S
9. -
10. 359634

5:16 OSHB variant note: עלי/ך: (x-qere) ’עֲלָ֔/ךְ’: lemma_5922 n_1.1 morph_AR/Sp2ms id_27Pym עֲלָ֔/ךְ

5:16 OSHB variant note: תוכל: (x-qere) ’תִיכּ֥וּל’: lemma_3202 morph_AVqi2ms id_27nrb תִיכּ֥וּל

5:16 OSHB note: We read one or more consonants in L differently from BHS.

5:16 OSHB variant note: תוכל: (x-qere) ’תִּכ֨וּל’: lemma_3202 morph_AVqi2ms id_27Wj8 תִּכ֨וּל

5:16 OSHB variant note: ו/המונכ/א: (x-qere) ’וְ/הַֽמְנִיכָ֤/א’: lemma_c/2002 morph_AC/Ncmsd/Td id_27r2t וְ/הַֽמְנִיכָ֤/א

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–31: God judged King Belshazzar

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.

Paragraph 5:13–16

The king summoned Daniel and asked him to interpret the writing on the wall. Some versions have a new heading at this verse.The NLT has: “Daniel Explains the Writing.” The NRSV has: “The Writing on the Wall Interpreted.” The GNT has: “Daniel Explains the Writing.”

5:16a

But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems.

However, I have heard that you^(sing) can interpret things/messages and solve problems.
But someone has told me that you^(sing) can explain mysteries and that you can solve problems.

But: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as But here introduces a contrast with 5:15c. The king’s experts were not able to interpret the writing on the wall, but the king had heard that Daniel had the ability to do this. Here is another way to translate this:

Now (NIV)

Translate the contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

I have heard about you: See the Notes at 5:12a. In some languages it may be more natural to say who told the king this information. For example:

The queen has told me:

Someone has told me:

you are able to give interpretations: The Aramaic expression that the BSB translates as to give interpretations is literally “to interpret interpretations.” Other ways English versions say this are:

You can interpret such things (GW)

You are able to explain what things mean (NCV)

Translate this phrase in a way that is natural in your language.

and solve difficult problems: The Aramaic phrase is literally “loosen knots.” This is the second thing that the king had heard that Daniel was able to do. In some languages it may be natural to make this explicit and translate this as a separate clause:

I have also heard that you can solve difficult problems

A similar phrase occurs at 5:12b-c. See how you translated it there. For example:

untangle problems (GW)

unravel problems (REB)

explain 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 king says that he 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.

5:16b

Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation,

Now if you^(sing) can read the writing and interpret what it means,
So if you^(sing) can now read the words and explain to me what it means,

Therefore: The BSB translates the Aramaic conjunction that connects this verse part to the previous verse part as Therefore because, in this context, it introduces what the king planned to do in light of what he had heard. Other ways to translate it include:

Now then (CEV)

So then

if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation: This is a conditional clause with two parts. The king wanted Daniel to read aloud to him the writing on the wall and to explain its meaning. See the Notes at 5:12c, 5:15a.

if you can read this inscription: See the Notes at 5:7c; 5:15b.

and give me its interpretation: See the Notes at 5:7c; 5:15b. You can also say:

and tell me its meaning (GW)

and explain it to me (NCV)

5:16c

you will be clothed in purple

you^(sing) will be given purple robes to wear
I will give you^(sing) royal purple clothes to wear.
you^(sing) will receive magnificent purple robes.

you will be clothed in purple: See the Notes at 5:7d. This is a passive clause. It indicates that the king would reward Daniel by giving him expensive beautiful clothes. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you can say:

They will clothe you in purple robes.

I will give you purple clothes to wear.

My servants will give you purple clothes to wear.

In some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that purple clothes were beautiful and expensive clothes such as a king would wear. For example:

You will wear royal purple robes (CEV)

I will give you purple clothes fit for a king (NCV)

They will clothe you in magnificent robes.

5:16d

and have a gold chain placed around your neck,

and have a gold chain placed around your neck,
I will give you^(sing) a gold chain to wear around your neck.
You^(sing) will also receive the honor of wearing a gold necklace.

and have a gold chain placed around your neck: See the Notes at 5:7e. This is the second part of the reward. It is also a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you can say:

You will…have a gold chain around your neck. (CEV)

I will place a gold chain around your neck.

They/Someone will put a gold chain around your neck.

5:16e

and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

And I will make you^(sing) the third highest ruler in the/my kingdom.”
I will appoint you^(sing) as the third most powerful ruler in Babylon.”

and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom: This is the third part of the reward. See the Notes at 5:7f, and translate it here as you did there. This is also a passive clause. If it is more natural in your language to use an active verb, you can say:

I will appoint you as the third highest ruler in the kingdom

General Comment on 5:16c–e

In some languages it is more natural to change the order of these clauses. For example:

^eI will appoint you as the third most powerful man in my kingdom. ^cI will give you royal purple robes to wear ^dand a gold chain around your neck.

you will become the third most powerful man in my kingdom. You will wear royal purple robes and have a gold chain around your neck. (CEV)

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Hebrew word
5. Hebrew lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. Gloss
8. CAPS codes
9. OET tags
10. OET word #
1. And I
2. But
3. 1987,186
4. A
5. 514252,514253
6. S-C,Pp1cs
8. S
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359598
1. I have heard
2. I've heard
3. 7489
4. A
5. 514254
6. V-Vqp1cs
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359599
1. concerning you
2. about
4. AK
5. 514255,514256
6. -R,Sp2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359600
1. that
2. -
3. 5837,1978
4. A
5. 514258
6. S-Tr
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359602
1. you are able
2. -
3. 1654
4. AK
5. 514260
6. O-Vqi2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359604
1. interpretations
2. interpretations
4. A
5. 514263
6. -Ncmpa
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359607
1. to interpret
2. give
3. 2939
4. A
5. 514264,514265
6. V-R,Vqc
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359608
1. and knots
2. problems
3. 6186
4. A
5. 514266,514267
6. O-C,Ncmpa
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359609
1. to untie/release
2. solve
3. 3705,6186
4. A
5. 514268,514269
6. OV-R,Vqc
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359610
1. now
2. -
3. 1987,6753
4. A
5. 514270
6. O-D
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359611
1. if
2. -
3. 3705,7986
4. A
5. 514271
6. OV-C
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359612
1. you will be able
2. -
3. 3459
4. AK
5. 514272
6. S-Vqi2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359613
1. the writing
2. writing
3. 1878
4. A
5. 514274,514275
6. S-Ncmsd,Td
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359615
1. to read aloud
2. -
4. A
5. 514276,514277
6. -R,Vqc
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359616
1. and its interpretation
2. -
3. 2939
4. A
5. 514278,514279,514280
6. V-C,Ncmsc,Sp3ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359617
1. to make know me
2. -
3. 3476,1
4. A
5. 514281,514282,514283
6. O-R,Vhc,Sp1cs
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359618
1. (the) purple
2. -
3. 3705,6782
4. A
5. 514284,514285
6. SV-Ncmsd,Td
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359619
1. you will be clothed
2. clothed
3. 1987,6186,1978
4. A
5. 514286
6. S-Vqi2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359620
1. and (the) necklace
2. chain
3. 3705,2892,1978
4. AK
5. 514287,514288,514289
6. VO-C,Ncmsd,Td
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359621
1. of
2. -
3. 556,1
4. A
5. 514292
6. O-Tr
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359624
1. (the) gold
2. gold
3. 3711
4. A
5. 514294,514295
6. V-Ncmsd,Td
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359626
1. +will be on
2. -
4. A
5. 514296
6. -R
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359627
1. neck of your
2. -
3. 1987,1901,1
4. A
5. 514298,514299
6. S-Ncmsc,Sp2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359629
1. and third
2. -
3. 1654
4. A
5. 514300,514301
6. S-C,Aobsa
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359630
1. in the kingdom
2. with in kingdom
3. 1623,1
4. A
5. 514302,514303,514304
6. S-R,Ncfsd,Td
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359631
1. you will rule
2. -
3. 5837
4. A
5. 514305
6. P-Vqi2ms
8. -
9. Y-538; TProphecies_of_Daniel
10. 359632