Daniel 5:25

KJV

And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

KJV (with Strong's)

And this {H1836} is the writing {H3792} that was written {H7560}, MENE {H4484}, MENE {H4484}, TEKEL {H8625}, UPHARSIN {H6537}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and the inscription says, 'M'ne! M'ne! T'kel ufarsin.'

Berean Standard Bible

Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.

American Standard Version

And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:25 records the mysterious, divinely inscribed words "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" that appeared supernaturally on the palace wall during King Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast. This enigmatic message, incomprehensible to Babylon's wise men, served as an immediate and terrifying divine judgment against Belshazzar for his profound pride and blasphemous desecration of the sacred temple vessels from Jerusalem. The words themselves, seemingly simple Aramaic terms related to weights and currency, held a profound prophetic significance that only Daniel, empowered by God, was able to unveil, sealing the imminent downfall of the Babylonian Empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The narrative of Daniel 5 commences with King Belshazzar's opulent and audacious feast, a scene of revelry marked by blatant defiance against the God of Israel. In a climactic act of sacrilege, Belshazzar commands that the gold and silver vessels plundered from the temple in Jerusalem by his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, be brought out for his nobles, wives, and concubines to drink from while praising their pagan gods ([Daniel 5:1-4](/daniel/5-1-4 "Daniel 5:1-4 - Belshazzar's Sacrilegious Feast")). This profound act of disrespect immediately precipitates the supernatural event described in [Daniel 5:5](/daniel/5-5 "Daniel 5:5 - The Hand Appears"), where a disembodied hand appears and inscribes mysterious words on the palace wall. The terrifying sight causes Belshazzar to tremble with fear, and his wise men are utterly unable to read or interpret the writing, intensifying the king's distress ([Daniel 5:6-9](/daniel/5-6-9 "Daniel 5:6-9 - Belshazzar's Terror and the Wise Men's Failure")). It is at this critical juncture that the queen mother suggests calling for Daniel, renowned for his wisdom and ability to interpret divine mysteries ([Daniel 5:10-12](/daniel/5-10-12 "Daniel 5:10-12 - The Queen Mother Suggests Daniel")). Before revealing the meaning of the words, Daniel delivers a powerful, convicting rebuke to Belshazzar, reminding him of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience and Belshazzar's willful failure to learn from it ([Daniel 5:18-23](/daniel/5-18-23 "Daniel 5:18-23 - Daniel Rebukes Belshazzar")). Verse 25 then presents the exact, uninterpreted words that were written, setting the stage for Daniel's divinely inspired revelation in the subsequent verses.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dramatic events of Daniel 5 unfold in 539 BC, on the very eve of Babylon's fall to the formidable Medo-Persian Empire. Babylon, once the dominant world power under Nebuchadnezzar, was by Belshazzar's time (who served as co-regent with his father Nabonidus) in decline and under siege. The use of the sacred temple vessels from Jerusalem was far more than mere revelry; it was a profound cultural and religious insult. In the ancient Near East, the defeat of a nation often signified the defeat of its gods, and the plundering of temple artifacts was a symbolic act of subjugation. Belshazzar's act, however, went beyond triumphalism; it was a direct and deliberate blasphemy, a defiant taunt against the God of Israel, whose power Nebuchadnezzar himself had once been forced to acknowledge ([Daniel 4:34-37](/daniel/4-34-37 "Daniel 4:34-37 - Nebuchadnezzar Praises God")). The appearance of a divine omen, particularly a mysterious writing, would have been deeply unsettling in a culture that placed immense stock in omens, diviners, and astrologers. The abject failure of Belshazzar's own wise men to interpret the message underscored the unique, transcendent nature of the God of Daniel, whose communication bypassed human wisdom and required divine insight.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Daniel 5, culminating in the words of verse 25, powerfully illustrates several core themes found throughout the book of Daniel. Foremost is **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's absolute and unchallengeable control over human history, the rise and fall of kingdoms, and the fate of rulers. He is the one who "changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). Closely related is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where God directly intervenes to hold powerful rulers accountable for their actions, particularly their egregious pride and blasphemy. Belshazzar's swift and terrifying fate serves as a stark warning against **Human Pride and Arrogance**, contrasting sharply with Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humility and repentance. The story also highlights **Accountability**, emphasizing that despite worldly power and perceived invincibility, all individuals, especially those in positions of authority, are ultimately answerable to God. Finally, the event underscores the **Supremacy of God's Revelation** over human wisdom, as only Daniel, empowered by the Spirit of God, could understand the divine message, reinforcing the theme that true wisdom and understanding come from God alone ([Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20-23 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel Praises God for Wisdom")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **MENE (Aramaic, _mᵉnêʼ'_):** From the passive participle of מְנָא, meaning "numbered" or "counted." Its repetition in the inscription underscores the divine certainty and finality of God's accounting of Belshazzar's reign and the Babylonian kingdom, indicating that their allotted time had definitively run out. This word signifies a completed divine audit, leaving no room for negotiation or extension.
* **TEKEL (Aramaic, _tᵉqal'_):** Corresponding to שָׁקַל, meaning "to balance" or "be weighed." This term signifies a divine assessment or evaluation, implying that Belshazzar's character, actions, and reign had been placed on God's perfect scales of justice and found to be utterly insufficient or "wanting." He failed to meet the divine standard of righteousness and reverence.
* **UPHARSIN (Aramaic, _pᵉraç'_):** The plural form of "Peres," derived from a root meaning "to split up" or "to divide." The prefixed "U" means "and." This word carries a profound double meaning: it literally declares the kingdom's imminent division and points phonetically to the "Persians" (Pâras) and the "Medes," the very powers destined to conquer Babylon, thus revealing the instruments of God's judgment and the precise manner of the kingdom's downfall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this [is] the writing that was written":** This opening clause immediately establishes the supernatural origin and divine authority of the message. The phrase "this [is] the writing" points to the visible, tangible inscription, while "that was written" (passive voice, Aramaic _rᵉsham_) subtly indicates an unseen, non-human agent—the finger of God—was responsible for its manifestation. This sets a tone of awe and dread, signaling that the following words are not merely human script but a direct, unalterable divine decree intended for King Belshazzar.
* **"MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN":** These four enigmatic Aramaic words form the core of the divine message. Their literal meanings as units of weight (mina, shekel, half-mina) veiled their deeper prophetic significance, which only Daniel, empowered by divine wisdom, could unravel. The repetition of "MENE" emphasizes the absolute certainty and completion of the divine counting, signifying the end of Babylon's dominion. "TEKEL" highlights the divine assessment and finding of utter deficiency in Belshazzar. "UPHARSIN" not only declares the kingdom's imminent division but also cleverly alludes to the specific conquering powers, the Medes and Persians, making the divine judgment both precise and terrifyingly immediate.

#### Literary Devices
The inscription in Daniel 5:25 is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact and theological significance. The most prominent is **Wordplay** (or pun), a sophisticated literary technique where the Aramaic words for units of weight or currency (mina, shekel, half-mina) are ingeniously used to convey prophetic messages through their phonetic similarity to other Aramaic verbs. "Mene" sounds like "numbered," "Tekel" like "weighed," and "Upharsin" (the plural of "Peres") like "divided," while also phonetically resembling "Persia" and the "Medes." This clever **double entendre** allows the divine message to be both mysterious and profoundly precise once interpreted by Daniel. The **Repetition** of "MENE, MENE" serves as an emphatic device, underscoring the absolute certainty and finality of God's judgment—the counting of Belshazzar's kingdom is not merely happening; it is definitively complete and irreversible. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as potent **Symbolism**: the disembodied hand symbolizes the unseen, irresistible power and direct intervention of God; the writing itself symbolizes divine judgment and an unalterable decree; and Belshazzar's feast, with its audacious sacrilege, symbolizes the ultimate hubris and rebellion that inevitably invite divine wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:25 serves as a potent theological statement about God's active and sovereign involvement in human affairs, particularly His absolute authority over nations and their rulers. It underscores that no earthly power, however mighty or self-assured, operates outside of God's ultimate jurisdiction. The "writing on the wall" is a vivid and undeniable demonstration of divine judgment, a direct consequence of Belshazzar's blasphemous pride and his willful failure to acknowledge the true God, even after having witnessed Nebuchadnezzar's humbling. This event highlights that God keeps meticulous accounts, weighing the actions and character of individuals and nations, and that His patience, while vast, has limits, leading to inevitable accountability. It is a powerful reminder that human history is not random but unfolds according to God's predetermined plan, and He often uses seemingly small, enigmatic signs to communicate monumental shifts in power and destiny, revealing His unparalleled wisdom and control.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Revelation 18:2](/revelation/18-2 "Revelation 18:2 - Babylon the Great Has Fallen")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The chilling account of the writing on the wall in Daniel 5:25 transcends its ancient setting to offer timeless and profound lessons for all generations. It serves as a stark reminder that our lives, our actions, and our stewardship of any power, influence, or resources we possess are constantly observed and weighed by a holy and righteous God. Belshazzar's fatal error was not merely his revelry, but his defiant sacrilege and his willful ignorance of God's power, despite having witnessed the humbling of his predecessor. This narrative calls us to a posture of profound humility and reverence, recognizing that true authority belongs to God alone and that all earthly power is ultimately delegated and temporary. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: are we living in a way that honors God, or are we, like Belshazzar, indulging in pride, self-sufficiency, or a casual disregard for spiritual truths and the sacred? The swift and decisive judgment upon Babylon underscores the seriousness with which God views impiety and arrogance, urging us to live with a keen awareness of our accountability to Him in every facet of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be acting with a "Belshazzar-like" pride or a disregard for God's holiness and sovereignty?**
* **How does the swiftness and certainty of God's judgment in this passage challenge or deepen my understanding of His patience and justice?**
* **What "sacred vessels" (e.g., time, talents, resources, relationships, the church) has God entrusted to me, and am I using them for His glory or for my own indulgence and self-aggrandizement?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of accountability to God in my daily decisions, interactions, and the exercise of any influence I may possess?**

### FAQ
**What do the words "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" mean?**

Answer: While the words themselves are Aramaic terms related to units of weight or currency (mina, shekel, half-mina), Daniel's inspired interpretation reveals their profound prophetic meaning through a clever wordplay. "MENE" (repeated for emphasis) means "numbered," signifying that God had numbered and brought to an end Belshazzar's kingdom and his reign. "TEKEL" means "weighed," indicating that Belshazzar had been weighed in God's balances and found deficient or "wanting" in character and righteousness. "UPHARSIN" (the plural of "Peres") means "divided," foretelling that the kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. It also phonetically alludes to "Persia" and "Medes," the conquering powers, making the prophecy remarkably specific.

**Why did God choose to write on the wall rather than speak directly or send a prophet initially?**

Answer: God chose this dramatic and undeniable method to communicate His judgment for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it was a public, undeniable spectacle that directly confronted Belshazzar in the midst of his blasphemous feast, leaving no room for doubt about its divine origin. A disembodied hand writing on the wall was an unprecedented and terrifying sign, designed to shatter the king's arrogance and instill immediate fear. Secondly, the enigmatic nature of the writing, unreadable by the Babylonian wise men, served to highlight the unique wisdom and power of Daniel's God, setting Him apart from the pagan deities and their impotent diviners. It underscored that only through divine revelation could the true meaning of God's actions be understood, preparing the way for Daniel's powerful rebuke and interpretation, thereby exalting the God of Israel.

**What was the immediate consequence of this divine message for Belshazzar and Babylon?**

Answer: The consequence was swift and absolute, demonstrating God's immediate and decisive judgment. As Daniel concluded his interpretation, the prophecy of "UPHARSIN" was immediately fulfilled. That very night, Belshazzar was slain, and the Babylonian Empire fell to the Medes and Persians, led by Darius the Mede ([Daniel 5:30-31](/daniel/5-30-31 "Daniel 5:30-31 - Belshazzar Slain and Babylon Falls")). This rapid fulfillment underscored the certainty and immediacy of God's judgment when His patience is exhausted, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and His unwavering commitment to justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic scene of the writing on the wall in Daniel 5:25, with its pronouncement of divine judgment and the sudden fall of a great kingdom, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Belshazzar's being "weighed in the balances and found wanting" foreshadows the universal truth that all humanity, apart from Christ, stands condemned before God's perfect standard of righteousness. Just as God's hand wrote the judgment against Babylon, so too does He hold all creation accountable, but now, all judgment has been entrusted to the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son")). The fall of Babylon, a powerful symbol of worldly power, rebellion against God, and spiritual corruption, points forward to the ultimate downfall of all earthly kingdoms and the establishment of Christ's eternal, unshakeable kingdom ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). While Belshazzar was found deficient, Christ alone lived a perfect, sinless life, fulfilling all righteousness, and through His atoning sacrifice, He provides the perfect righteousness that we desperately lack, imputed to all who believe ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2-corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Made Him Who Knew No Sin To Be Sin For Us")). The "division" of Belshazzar's kingdom ultimately gives way to the unified, everlasting reign of Christ, in whom all things hold together and find their purpose ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - All Things Created Through and For Christ")). Thus, Daniel 5:25 not only declares God's sovereignty in judgment but also implicitly points to the necessity of Christ as the one who perfectly fulfills God's righteous demands and establishes a kingdom that will never be weighed and found wanting.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.