Daniel 5:6
Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings prided themselves on courage and composure. Royal ideology presented monarchs as fearless, divinely empowered, and unshakeable. Belshazzar's public terror before his entire court (a thousand nobles, v.1) represented complete loss of regal dignity. The physical symptoms described—trembling, weakness, losing control—match modern descriptions of panic attacks or extreme fear responses. That a supernatural sign could instantly reduce a powerful monarch to this state demonstrated the living God's superiority over Babylon's impotent idols. For Jewish exiles witnessing or hearing of this event, it vindicated Yahweh's supremacy and promised eventual deliverance from captivity.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Belshazzar's instant transformation from pride to terror teach about human vulnerability before God?
- How do God's judgments unmistakably identify themselves, leaving no room for doubt or rationalization?
- Why is it significant that the king's terror was publicly visible to his entire court?
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Analysis & Commentary
The king's terrified response to the supernatural handwriting: his countenance changed, thoughts troubled him, joints of his loins loosened, and knees knocked together. This physical description depicts complete terror—loss of color (countenance changed), mental distress (thoughts troubled), loss of strength (loins loosened suggesting collapse of strength/courage), and uncontrollable trembling (knees knocking). The Hebrew/Aramaic idiom 'loins loosened' may suggest loss of bladder control—ultimate humiliation for a proud monarch. This immediate transformation from drunken revelry to abject terror demonstrates God's power to humble pride instantly. One moment Belshazzar commanded thousands, mocked God, and reveled; the next he's paralyzed with fear. This illustrates Proverbs 16:18 ('Pride goeth before destruction') and shows that God's judgments, when they come, are unmistakable and terrifying.