Daniel 5:23 Meaning and Explanation
“But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Daniel names the king's sin: defying God, profaning the holy vessels, and praising lifeless idols.
What Does Daniel 5:23 Mean?
Daniel states the full charge: Belshazzar has exalted himself against the Lord of heaven, defiled the vessels of God's house in drunken revelry, and praised idols of metal, wood, and stone that cannot see, hear, or know, while refusing to glorify the God who holds his very breath and all his ways. The sins of the feast are gathered into one verdict.
The deepest offense is named last and clearest: failing to honor the God in whose hand our breath rests. Every life depends moment by moment on the Lord, and to enjoy His gifts while despising Him is the height of folly. The idols cannot do what God does, yet they received the praise He alone deserves. Daniel exposes the heart of all sin, the refusal to glorify the One to whom we owe everything.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 5:23
What does Daniel 5:23 mean?
Daniel names the king's sin: defying God, profaning the holy vessels, and praising lifeless idols.