Daniel 5:20

"Because of the greatness that he gave him, all the peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. He killed whom he wanted to, and he kept alive whom he wanted to. He raised up whom he wanted to, and he put down whom he wanted to."

Key Reflection

Daniel 5:20 highlights the immense power and authority of Belshazzar's father, Nabonidus, who was king of Babylon at the time. The verse emphasizes that this sovereignty extended over all peoples, nations, and languages; he had the ultimate say in life and death, raising up and putting down whomever he pleased. This reflects the cultural context where monarchs were seen as divine or semi-divine figures, their power absolute and feared by all subjects. Such a passage underscores the震慑力 of Babylonian kingship during that era, illustrating how it contrasted with the sovereignty of God in subsequent biblical narratives, particularly in the accounts of Daniel himself and his prophetic ministry.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

But when his heart was lifted up -SeeDaniel 4:30. And his mind hardened in pride -Margin, “to deal proudly.” The state of mind indicated here is that in which there is no sense of dependence, but where one feels that he has all resources in himself, and need only look to himself. He was deposed from his kingly throne -Margin, “made to come down.” That is, he was so deposed by the providence of God, not by the acts of his own subjects.

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