You, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
Parallel translations
- KJV And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
- BSB But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.
- ESV And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,
- NKJV “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.
- NASB Yet you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this,
- NLT “You are his successor, O Belshazzar, and you knew all this, yet you have not humbled yourself.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Daniel charges Belshazzar with refusing to humble himself though he knew all that happened to Nebuchadnezzar. His sin is willful pride against clear knowledge.
Overview
The accusation is pointed: Belshazzar had the example of his predecessor before him yet remained proud. Knowing the truth and rejecting it deepens guilt rather than excuses it. Scripture warns that greater knowledge brings greater accountability, and the king stands condemned by what he already knew.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 2 Chr 33:23He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.
- Exod 10:3Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me.
- 2 Chr 36:12He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight. He didn’t humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from Yahweh’s mouth.
- Jas 4:17To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
- 1 Pet 5:5–6Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Jas 4:6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Matt 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
- Luke 12:47That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
- Isa 26:10Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet he will not learn righteousness. In the land of uprightness he will deal wrongfully, and will not see Yahweh’s majesty.
- Dan 5:18You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
- Matt 14:4For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
- Ps 119:46I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
- Acts 5:29–33But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
- John 13:17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- Acts 4:8–13Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Daniel sees the stone cut without hands that shatters the kingdoms, and 'one like a son of man' given everlasting dominion — titles and visions Jesus claims as his own.
How Daniel 5:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.