“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:”
My Notes
What Does Daniel 5:20 Mean?
Daniel recounts the lesson Nebuchadnezzar's grandson Belshazzar should have learned: 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.
When his heart was lifted up (rum — to rise, to be exalted, to elevate itself) — Nebuchadnezzar's heart rose. The elevation was internal — the heart lifted itself above where it belonged. The problem was not the throne or the power. It was the heart's response to the throne and the power: self-exaltation. The heart rose when it should have bowed.
And his mind hardened (taqaph — to become strong, to grow firm, to become obstinate) in pride (zud — to act presumptuously, to boil over with arrogance) — the hardening is progressive. The lifted heart produced a hardened mind. The self-exaltation solidified into permanent arrogance. The pride was not a momentary lapse. It became the fixed condition of the mind — hardened, set, immovable. The progression: lifted heart → hardened mind → permanent pride.
He was deposed (nechath — brought down, caused to descend, cast down) from his kingly throne — the consequence was proportional: the heart that lifted itself up was brought down. Deposed — removed from the very throne that produced the pride. The one who elevated himself was lowered by God. The self-exaltation triggered the divine humiliation.
They took his glory from him — the glory (yeqar — honor, splendor, dignity) was removed. Not gradually diminished. Taken — seized, stripped, removed completely. The glory that Nebuchadnezzar assumed was his own belonged to God — and God reclaimed it. The king who said 'is not this great Babylon, that I have built?' (4:30) discovered that the building and the glory were loans, not possessions.
Daniel tells this story to Belshazzar (5:22): and thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this. Belshazzar knew his grandfather's story — the madness, the humiliation, the restoration through humility (4:34-37). He knew. And he did not humble himself. The lesson was available. The grandson refused to learn it.
The verse teaches that pride has a consistent trajectory: lifted heart → hardened mind → deposition. And the lesson of one generation's humbling, when ignored by the next, produces an even worse fall.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the progression from 'heart lifted up' to 'mind hardened in pride' describe the way arrogance solidifies from feeling to condition?
- 2.What does Nebuchadnezzar's deposition teach about the relationship between self-exaltation and divine humiliation?
- 3.Why is Belshazzar's failure to learn from his grandfather's story the most condemning detail — and what does it teach about ignoring available lessons?
- 4.Where is your heart being lifted up — and what would humbling yourself before the deposition look like?
Devotional
When his heart was lifted up. The heart rose. Not the throne — the throne was given by God (2:37). The heart — the internal response to the external position. Nebuchadnezzar had the mightiest throne on earth. And instead of recognizing who gave it, his heart lifted itself above the giver. The power went to his head. And then his head hardened in pride.
His mind hardened in pride. The lifted heart became a hardened mind. The momentary arrogance solidified into permanent presumption. The pride was no longer a feeling. It was a fixed condition — the mind set in the concrete of self-importance, unable to bend, unable to bow, unable to recognize anyone above itself.
He was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. The deposition was as sudden as the pride was gradual. The heart lifted slowly. The mind hardened over time. And the removal was instant — deposed, stripped, glory taken. The glory Nebuchadnezzar assumed was his was actually God's. And God took back what belonged to him.
The story is told to Belshazzar — Nebuchadnezzar's grandson — on the night Babylon falls (chapter 5). Belshazzar knew the story. He knew his grandfather was humbled for pride, went mad, ate grass like an animal, and was restored only when he acknowledged that the Most High rules (4:34-37). The lesson was family history. And Belshazzar did not learn it.
Though thou knewest all this (5:22). The most damning words Daniel spoke to Belshazzar: you knew. You saw what happened to your grandfather. You watched the pride, the hardening, the deposition, the madness. And you did not humble your heart. The lesson was right in front of you — and you repeated the pattern anyway.
The trajectory is consistent: lifted heart → hardened mind → deposition. It happened to Nebuchadnezzar. It was happening to Belshazzar. And it happens to every person whose heart rises above where it belongs. The question is not whether the trajectory will reach its destination. It is whether you will humble yourself before it does.
What lesson is available to you that you are refusing to learn?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened it pride,.... When his heart was elated with his successes and…
But when his heart was lifted up - See Dan 4:30. And his mind hardened in pride - Margin, “to deal proudly.” The state…
He was deposed from his kingly throne - Became insane; and the reins of government were taken out of his hands.
Here is, I. The information given to the king, by the queen-mother, concerning Daniel, how fit he was to be consulted in…
was lifted up Cf. Deu 8:14; Deu 17:20; Eze 31:10, &c.
and his spirit was hardened that he dealt proudly (R.V.)] -was…
Cross References
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