דניאל, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ט

Despite his drunkenness and deep fear, King Belshazzar is profoundly moved by the words of the Jewish sage [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The harsh prophecy penetrates his mind, leading him to fully accept the truth of the message [יוסף אבן יחיא]. True to his earlier promise, the king immediately orders that Daniel be honored with the symbols of royalty and power. Daniel is clothed in purple, a golden chain is placed around his neck, and an official proclamation is made declaring him the ruler over a third of the kingdom.

Bestowing such immediate and grand rewards in the face of a prophecy predicting total destruction happens because Belshazzar mistakenly believes that the predicted ruin will only occur in the distant future. He assumes the prophecy will take a long time to materialize, leaving his current reign secure.

However, the decree unfolds without delay. That very night, Belshazzar is murdered by his own servants. The assassins quickly send word to the armies of Media and Persia, who enter the city. The people of Babylon then immediately accept the rule of King Darius [מלבי״ם].