Daniel 5:22 Meaning and Explanation
“And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Daniel charges Belshazzar with refusing to humble himself, though he knew his predecessor's story.
What Does Daniel 5:22 Mean?
Daniel turns from history to indictment: Belshazzar, the heir, has not humbled his heart even though he knew all that happened to Nebuchadnezzar. The knowledge was available, but it changed nothing in him. The phrase though thou knewest all this lands as the heart of the charge.
Knowledge without humility hardens rather than helps. Belshazzar had the warning in plain view and chose pride anyway, making his guilt greater than ignorance ever could. To know how God deals with the arrogant and still walk in arrogance is to defy Him with open eyes. The verse presses a sobering truth on every reader: that what we know of God's ways demands a humbled heart, and that received light unheeded becomes the ground of judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 5:22
What does Daniel 5:22 mean?
Daniel charges Belshazzar with refusing to humble himself, though he knew his predecessor's story.