Daniel 5:9 net — Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded.

NET Bible

"Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded."

— Daniel 5:9, NET Bible

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Daniel 5:9 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Daniel 5 — Context

6

Then all the color drained from the king’s face and he became alarmed. The joints of his hips gave way, and his knees began knocking together.

7

The king called out loudly to summon the astrologers, wise men, and diviners. The king proclaimed to the wise men of Babylon that anyone who could read this inscription and disclose its interpretation would be clothed in purple and have a golden collar placed on his neck and be third ruler in the kingdom.

8

So all the king’s wise men came in, but they were unable to read the writing or to make known its interpretation to the king.

9

Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded.

10

Due to the noise caused by the king and his nobles, the queen mother then entered the banquet room. She said,“O king, live forever! Don’t be alarmed! Don’t be shaken!

11

There is a man in your kingdom who has within him a spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, he proved to have insight, discernment, and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father appointed him chief of the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners.

12

Thus there was found in this man Daniel, whom the king renamed Belteshazzar, an extraordinary spirit, knowledge, and skill to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. Now summon Daniel, and he will disclose the interpretation.”

Daniel 5:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Daniel 5:9 say?
Daniel 5:9 in the NET Bible reads: “Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded.”
Where is Daniel 5:9 in the Bible?
Daniel 5:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Daniel, chapter 5, verse 9.
Who wrote Daniel?
Daniel is traditionally attributed to Daniel (traditional). Conservative scholarship dates Daniel to the 6th century BC; critical scholarship often proposes a 2nd-century-BC date for the apocalyptic portions. It was written c. 605–530 BC.
What is the book of Daniel about?
Daniel is a young exile in Babylon who, with his three friends, refuses to bow to the world's gods. The book combines courageous narratives — the fiery furnace, the lions' den — with sweeping prophetic visions of the kingdoms of earth giving way to the everlasting kingdom of the Son of Man.
What are the major themes of Daniel?
Daniel explores themes including Sovereignty, Faithfulness, Prophecy, Kingdoms, Son of Man. These themes shape the meaning and context of Daniel 5:9.
What translation should I read Daniel 5:9 in?
Daniel 5:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Daniel 5:9?
Daniel 5:9 reads (NET): “Then King Belshazzar was very terrified, and he was visibly shaken. His nobles were completely dumbfounded.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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