Daniel 5:1

Authorized King James Version

Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֣ר
Belshazzar
belshatstsar, a babylonian king
#2
מַלְכָּ֗א
the king
a king
#3
עֲבַד֙
made
to do, make, prepare, keep, etc
#4
לְחֶ֣ם
feast
(for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#5
רַ֔ב
a great
abundant
#6
לְרַבְרְבָנ֖וֹהִי
of his lords
a magnate
#7
אַלְפָּ֖א
the thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#8
וְלָקֳבֵ֥ל
before
(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence
#9
אַלְפָּ֖א
the thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
חַמְרָ֥א
wine
wine
#11
שָׁתֵֽה׃
and drank
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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