Daniel 5:20
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Study Note
Study Note
Belshazzar's predecessor Nebuchadnezzar is cited as a cautionary example: when his heart was lifted up and his spirit hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne. The passive 'was deposed' (hanzar) emphasizes the divine agency in the king's humiliation, while 'mind hardened in pride' uses the same language applied to Pharaoh in Exodus, linking Babylonian and Egyptian imperial arrogance. The historical Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation and restoration (Daniel 4) stands as evidence that Belshazzar should have known better — making his pride culpable rather than merely ignorant. Proverbs 16:18 ('pride goes before destruction') and James 4:6 ('God opposes the proud') articulate the same divine response to human arrogance.
Other Translations
But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
and when his heart was high, and his spirit was strong to act proudly, he hath been caused to come down from the throne of his kingdom, and his glory they have caused to pass away from him,
But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became hard with pride, he was put down from his place as king, and they took his glory from him:
Cross References
As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he …
Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully …
Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe …
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and …
For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.
Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall …