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Daniel 5:15

13 So Daniel was brought before the king, who asked him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah?

14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that you have insight, intelligence, and extraordinary wisdom.

Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.

16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Now the wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this inscription and interpret it for me, but they could not give its interpretation.
KJV
And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing:
WEB
Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
ASV
And now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing.
DARBY
And now the wise men, the magicians, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof; but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing.
BLB
And the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought before me that they might read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, and they are not able to show the interpretation of the matter.
ÅB
Nå er vismennene og åndemanerne blitt ført inn for meg for å lese denne skrift og kunngjøre meg dens uttydning; men de er ikke i stand til å kunngjøre meg noen uttydning av den.
OTB
De vise menn og åndemanerne ble ført inn for meg for å lese denne skriften og fortelle meg dens mening, men de kunne ikke forklare den.
B1930
Nu er vismennene og åndemanerne blitt ført inn for mig for å lese denne skrift og kunngjøre mig dens uttydning; men de er ikke i stand til å kunngjøre mig nogen uttydning av den.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Daniel 5:7–8

    The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 47:12

    So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

    Read in context

  • Isaiah 29:10–12

    For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.

    Read in context

  • Daniel 2:3–11

    he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.”

    Read in context