Daniel 5:27

Daniel 5:27 presents a powerful and ominous declaration from God to King Belshazzar, delivered through the prophet Daniel. It is one of the three words inscribed by the mysterious hand on the palace wall during the king's blasphemous feast, signifying the immediate and irreversible judgment about to befall his kingdom.

Context

This verse is part of the dramatic narrative in Daniel chapter 5, which describes King Belshazzar of Babylon holding a lavish feast. In an act of profound disrespect and sacrilege, he commanded that the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, be used for drinking wine and praising pagan gods. In the midst of this revelry, a disembodied hand appeared and wrote four words on the palace wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Unable to interpret the writing, the king summoned Daniel, who, filled with God's wisdom, fearlessly declared the divine message. Daniel 5:27 provides the interpretation of the second word, "TEKEL," directly addressing Belshazzar's spiritual and moral standing before God.

Key Themes

• Divine Judgment and Accountability: The primary theme is God's absolute right and power to judge nations and individuals. Belshazzar's actions, particularly his blasphemy and pride, brought about swift and severe judgment. The image of being "weighed in the balances" emphasizes that actions and character are meticulously assessed by a holy God.
• The Consequences of Pride and Blasphemy: Belshazzar's arrogance and desecration of sacred objects, ignoring the lessons of his ancestor Nebuchadnezzar (see Daniel 4:37), led directly to his downfall. This verse serves as a stark warning against human pride that challenges divine authority.
• God's Sovereignty: Despite the apparent power of earthly kings and empires, Daniel's interpretation underscores that God is the ultimate ruler, who sets up and pulls down kingdoms according to His will.

Linguistic Insights

The word TEKEL (Aramaic: תְקֵל, *teqel*) literally means "weighed" or "to be weighed." In this context, it implies a judicial weighing, as if on a scale. The phrase "found wanting" or "found deficient" (often rendered as "light" or "insufficient" in other translations) completes the metaphor. It means that when Belshazzar's life, character, and deeds were measured against God's perfect standard, he failed to meet the required weight; he was found to be utterly lacking in righteousness, humility, and reverence for God.

Practical Application

Daniel 5:27 carries timeless relevance for believers today. It reminds us that:

• God is the Ultimate Judge: Every life and every action is ultimately weighed by God. This calls for introspection and a life lived with integrity and reverence.
• Accountability is Inescapable: Whether in positions of power or in daily life, we are all accountable for our choices, especially in how we treat the sacred and how we respond to God's truth. This echoes the New Testament teaching that each of us will give an account of himself to God.
• Pride Precedes a Fall: Belshazzar's story is a powerful illustration of the biblical principle that pride leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Humility before God is essential for true wisdom and lasting stability.

The message of "TEKEL" serves as a solemn warning against spiritual complacency and a call to continually examine our lives in light of God's perfect standards.