Daniel 5:2

Authorized King James Version

Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֞ר
Belshazzar
belshatstsar, a babylonian king
#2
אֲמַ֣ר׀
commanded
to speak, to command
#3
בִּטְעֵ֣ם
whiles he tasted
properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)
#4
חַמְרָ֗א
the wine
wine
#5
לְהַיְתָיָה֙
to bring
to come, to bring
#6
לְמָאנֵי֙
vessels
a utensil
#7
דַּהֲבָ֣א
the golden
gold
#8
וְכַסְפָּ֔א
and silver
silver money
#9
דִּ֤י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#10
הַנְפֵּק֙
had taken
to issue; causatively, to bring out
#11
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר
Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#12
אֲב֔וּהִי
H2
which his father
father
#13
מִן
out of
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#14
הֵיכְלָ֖א
the temple
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
#15
דִּ֣י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#16
בִירוּשְׁלֶ֑ם
which was in Jerusalem
jerusalem
#17
וְיִשְׁתּ֣וֹן
might drink
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#18
בְּה֗וֹן
H0
#19
מַלְכָּא֙
that the king
a king
#20
וְרַבְרְבָנ֔וֹהִי
and his princes
a magnate
#21
שֵׁגְלָתֵ֖הּ
his wives
a (legitimate) queen
#22
וּלְחֵנָתֵֽהּ׃
and his concubines
a concubine

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Daniel. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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