Daniel 5:25

Daniel 5:25 (KJV): "And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN."

Context

This verse occurs during a lavish feast held by King Belshazzar of Babylon. In a display of arrogance and disrespect towards God, Belshazzar ordered the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, to be used for drinking wine and praising pagan gods (see Daniel 5:1-4). Suddenly, a disembodied hand appeared and wrote mysterious words on the palace wall (Daniel 5:5). This terrifying event sent Belshazzar into a panic, and none of his wise men could read or interpret the writing (Daniel 5:7-8). The queen mother suggested calling for Daniel, known for his ability to interpret dreams and difficult matters (Daniel 5:11-12). Before giving the interpretation, Daniel rebuked Belshazzar for his pride and failure to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience (Daniel 5:18-23). Verse 25 presents the exact words written on the wall.

The Writing Itself: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN

This verse simply records the four words that appeared on the wall. Their meaning is not immediately clear from the words themselves in Aramaic; their significance comes from Daniel's inspired interpretation which follows in the subsequent verses. The repetition of "MENE" emphasizes the certainty and finality of that part of the message. "UPHARSIN" is the plural form, linked to "PERES," which appears in Daniel's interpretation and relates to the division of the kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The words written on the wall are Aramaic terms related to weights and currency, but they also function as wordplays in Daniel's interpretation:

• MENE (מְנֵא): Related to the word for "to number" or "counted."
• TEKEL (תְּקֵל): Related to the word for "to weigh."
• UPHARSIN (וּפַרְסִין): The plural form of "PERES" (פְּרֵס), related to "to divide." It also sounds similar to "Persia" and "Medes," the kingdoms that would conquer Babylon.

Interpretation (Daniel 5:26-28)

Daniel's interpretation of the writing is provided in Daniel 5:26-28:

• MENE: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it." (Your reign is counted and ending).
• TEKEL: "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." (You have been tested and failed).
• PERES (from UPHARSIN): "Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." (Your kingdom will be broken and given to others).

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment: The writing is a direct message of God's impending judgment upon Belshazzar and the Babylonian kingdom due to their impiety and pride.
• God's Sovereignty: The event dramatically demonstrates God's absolute control over human kingdoms and history, showing that He sets up and pulls down rulers (see Daniel 2:21).
• Accountability: Belshazzar is held accountable for his actions, particularly his blasphemy and failure to learn from the past.
• Warning Against Pride: The immediate cause for the judgment was Belshazzar's arrogant defiance of God.

Reflection

The story of the writing on the wall serves as a powerful reminder that human actions are observed by God and that there is accountability, especially for those in positions of power. Belshazzar's feast, marked by sacrilege and arrogance, brought swift divine consequence. The message "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" is a timeless symbol of God's ultimate judgment and control over the rise and fall of individuals and nations. It calls us to humility and reverence before God, recognizing that we too are weighed in His balances.