Daniel 5:27

KJV

TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

KJV (with Strong's)

TEKEL {H8625}; Thou art weighed {H8625} in the balances {H3977}, and art found {H7912} wanting {H2627}.

Complete Jewish Bible

'T'kel'- you are weighed on the balance-scale and come up short.

Berean Standard Bible

TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

American Standard Version

TEKEL; thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:27 delivers a stark divine verdict to King Belshazzar, declaring "TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." This pronouncement, part of the mysterious handwriting on the wall during Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast, signifies God's meticulous assessment of the king's character and actions, revealing his profound deficiency in righteousness, humility, and reverence, and foreshadowing the imminent downfall of his Babylonian kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic narrative of [Daniel chapter 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Feast and the Handwriting on the Wall"), which recounts King Belshazzar's impious feast. In a defiant act of sacrilege, Belshazzar commanded the use of the sacred gold and silver vessels plundered from the Jerusalem Temple by Nebuchadnezzar for pagan worship and revelry. Amidst this blasphemous celebration, a disembodied hand appeared and inscribed four Aramaic words on the palace wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Terrified and bewildered, the king's wise men were unable to interpret the cryptic message. It was Daniel, renowned for his divine wisdom and prophetic insight, who was summoned and fearlessly declared God's judgment. Daniel 5:27 specifically interprets the second word, "TEKEL," revealing the divine assessment of Belshazzar's spiritual and moral standing, directly preceding the interpretation of "PERES" (Upharsin) which foretold the division of his kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Daniel chapter 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - Belshazzar's Reign and the Fall of Babylon") unfold in Babylon during the final hours of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, around 539 BC. Belshazzar, acting as co-regent with his father Nabonidus, was the last king of Babylon. His feast, likely a grand celebration, was held at a time when the Persian army, led by Cyrus the Great, was already at the city gates. The use of the sacred vessels from the Temple in Jerusalem was not merely an act of revelry but a profound cultural and religious insult to the God of Israel, a direct challenge to His sovereignty and power. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the use of conquered gods' artifacts in one's own temple or for profane purposes was a common display of dominance, but in this case, it was a direct affront to the living God, whose power Belshazzar had witnessed through Nebuchadnezzar's humbling (as recounted in [Daniel chapter 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling")). The swift and violent overthrow of Babylon by the Medes and Persians, which occurred that very night, underscores the immediate and irreversible nature of divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 5:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over nations and individuals. Belshazzar's actions, particularly his blatant pride and blasphemy against the Most High God, directly provoked this swift and severe judgment. The imagery of being "weighed in the balances" vividly illustrates that all human actions, character, and reigns are meticulously assessed by a holy and just God, who holds even the most powerful kings accountable. This narrative also highlights the **Consequences of Pride and Blasphemy**, serving as a stark warning against human arrogance that defies divine authority, a lesson Belshazzar failed to heed despite the powerful example of his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, whose humbling is detailed in [Daniel 4:37](/daniel/4-37 "Daniel 4:37 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise to God"). Ultimately, the verse reinforces **God's Unquestionable Sovereignty**, demonstrating that despite the apparent might of earthly empires, it is God alone who establishes and depuses kings and kingdoms according to His divine will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **TEKEL (Aramaic, _tᵉqal'_):** This word, derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew `shaqal` (שָׁקַל), literally means "to weigh" or "to be weighed." In this context, it functions as a divine declaration that Belshazzar's life, reign, and actions have been placed on God's scales for assessment. It signifies the commencement of a divine audit, a judicial process where the king's worth and integrity are meticulously measured against a perfect, divine standard.
* **balances (Aramaic, _môʼzên'_):** Corresponding to the Hebrew `mo'zen` (מֹאזֵן), this term specifically refers to "a pair of scales." Its use emphasizes the precise, impartial, and judicial nature of the divine weighing. The balances are not merely symbolic but represent the instrument of God's perfect justice, implying that every aspect of Belshazzar's character and conduct is being scrutinized with ultimate accuracy.
* **found (Aramaic, _shᵉkach'_):** This word, corresponding to the Hebrew `shakach` (שָׁכַח), carries the sense of "to discover" or "to be disclosed," often implying the revelation of something previously hidden or forgotten. In this context, it highlights that Belshazzar's deficiency was not merely suspected but unequivocally revealed and confirmed by the divine weighing process. The truth of his inadequacy was laid bare for all to see.
* **wanting (Aramaic, _chaççîyr'_):** Derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew `chaser` (חָסֵר), this word means "deficient," "lacking," or "insufficient." It is the damning verdict delivered by the divine scales. Belshazzar, when measured against God's standards of righteousness, humility, and proper governance, utterly failed to meet the required "weight." He was found to be spiritually, morally, and ethically bankrupt, lacking the necessary qualities to continue ruling.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"TEKEL;":** This single word, presented first, serves as the immediate and unyielding declaration of the divine action. It is the announcement of the audit, the pronouncement that the judgment process has begun. It carries the weight of divine authority, signifying that Belshazzar's time of reckoning has arrived.
* **"Thou art weighed in the balances,":** This clause elaborates on the meaning of "TEKEL," directly addressing Belshazzar. It vividly portrays the king's entire being—his character, his reign, his decisions, and his relationship with God—as having been placed upon God's perfect scales of justice. The "balances" underscore the impartiality and precision of this divine assessment, leaving no room for human manipulation or appeal.
* **"and art found wanting.":** This is the devastating verdict. After the meticulous weighing, Belshazzar is declared utterly deficient. He did not measure up to the divine standard of righteousness, humility, and respect for God. This "wanting" implies a lack of moral substance, spiritual integrity, and proper reverence, leading directly to the forfeiture of his kingdom and his life.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:27 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the act of being "weighed in the balances" serves as a profound representation of divine judgment and assessment. This isn't a literal weighing but a figurative one, where Belshazzar's life and reign are measured against God's perfect standard of righteousness and justice. The **Symbolism** of the scales themselves is potent, representing God's absolute fairness, His meticulous scrutiny, and the inescapable nature of His judgment. The phrase "found wanting" employs **Understatement** to convey a catastrophic failure; it's not merely a slight deficiency but a complete and fatal lack of spiritual and moral substance. The entire scene, with the mysterious handwriting and its immediate, devastating fulfillment, functions as a powerful **Divine Sign**, a supernatural intervention that underscores God's active involvement in human history and His ultimate sovereignty over earthly rulers and empires.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:27 serves as a timeless theological anchor, reinforcing the biblical truth that God is the supreme arbiter of all human affairs, holding individuals and nations accountable for their actions, particularly those marked by pride, blasphemy, and disregard for divine authority. Belshazzar's dramatic downfall illustrates that no earthly power, however mighty, can escape the scrutiny of the Almighty. His failure to learn from Nebuchadnezzar's humbling (as detailed in [Daniel chapter 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling")) underscores the peril of unrepentant pride and the necessity of humility before God. The verse powerfully communicates God's meticulous justice: every life is weighed, every deed assessed, and every heart examined against His perfect standard, revealing humanity's inherent inability to measure up on its own.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Each Will Give an Account to God")
* [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - The Books Were Opened for Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The message of Daniel 5:27 resonates deeply with believers today, serving as a profound call to introspection and humility. While we may not face a literal hand writing on a wall, the principle remains: our lives, our character, our decisions, and our stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us are continually being weighed in the divine balances. This truth should cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but a reverent awe that motivates us to live with integrity, purpose, and a constant awareness of God's holy standards. It challenges us to examine areas where we might be "found wanting"—whether in our love for God and neighbor, our pursuit of justice, our humility in success, or our faithfulness in trials. Belshazzar's fate reminds us that spiritual complacency, pride, and the desecration of what is sacred, whether physical or spiritual, carry severe consequences. Our ultimate security lies not in our own strength or accomplishments, but in continually aligning our lives with God's will and relying on His grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "found wanting" when weighed against God's perfect standards of righteousness and love?**
* **How does the story of Belshazzar's pride and fall challenge my own tendencies toward arrogance or self-sufficiency?**
* **What "sacred vessels" (e.g., time, talents, relationships, the Church) might I be treating with irreverence or using for profane purposes?**
* **How does the certainty of divine accountability motivate me to live a more intentional and God-honoring life?**

### FAQ

**What does "TEKEL" mean and why is it significant?**

Answer: "TEKEL" (Aramaic, _tᵉqal'_) literally means "weighed" or "to be weighed." Its significance lies in its declaration of divine judgment. It signifies that King Belshazzar's life, character, and reign have been placed on God's scales for a meticulous assessment. This word, along with the subsequent interpretation, revealed that Belshazzar was found deficient in the divine reckoning, leading directly to the immediate downfall of his kingdom. It underscores God's ultimate authority and His right to judge even the most powerful earthly rulers, as seen in [Daniel 5:26-28](/daniel/5-26 "Daniel 5:26-28 - The Interpretation of the Writing").

**What was Belshazzar's primary sin that led to this judgment?**

Answer: Belshazzar's primary sin was profound pride and blasphemy against the God of heaven. He not only ignored the powerful lesson of his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, who was humbled by God for his arrogance (recounted in [Daniel chapter 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling")), but he actively defied God by using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem Temple for a drunken pagan feast. This act was a deliberate desecration of holy objects and a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the God of Israel, demonstrating a complete lack of reverence and an inflated sense of his own power, as described in [Daniel 5:23](/daniel/5-23 "Daniel 5:23 - Belshazzar's Blasphemy").

**How does Daniel 5:27 relate to the broader theme of God's sovereignty in the book of Daniel?**

Answer: Daniel 5:27 is a powerful affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty. Despite the apparent might of the Babylonian Empire and the arrogance of its king, God demonstrates His ultimate control over human history and the destinies of nations. The miraculous handwriting and its immediate fulfillment show that God "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). Belshazzar's judgment reinforces that no earthly ruler can withstand God's will or escape His righteous judgment, highlighting that true power and authority reside with the Most High God, who rules over the kingdom of mankind ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules Over the Kingdom of Mankind")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ominous verdict of "TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting" in Daniel 5:27 profoundly foreshadows humanity's universal predicament before a holy God. Just as Belshazzar was weighed and found deficient, so too are all people, by their own merits, found wanting when measured against the perfect standard of God's law and righteousness. [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") declares that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This inherent spiritual bankruptcy, our inability to meet the divine standard, necessitates a divine solution. Christ Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this need. He is the only One who, when "weighed," was found perfectly righteous, having lived a life of complete obedience to God's will ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ Was Tempted Yet Without Sin")). In His sacrificial death, He bore the judgment that humanity's "wanting" deserved, taking upon Himself the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through faith in Him, believers are not weighed by their own deficient works but are clothed in His perfect righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")), declared righteous not because of what they have done, but because of what Christ has done for them. Thus, while Belshazzar was found wanting unto condemnation, in Christ, believers are found righteous unto eternal life, fulfilling God's perfect justice and boundless grace.

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.

Cross-References

Job 31:6

Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

1 Corinthians 3:13

Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Psalms 62:9

Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.

Jeremiah 6:30

Reprobate silver shall [men] call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

Ezekiel 22:18

Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they [are] brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are [even] the dross of silver.

Ezekiel 22:20

[As] they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt [it]; so will I gather [you] in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave [you there], and melt you.

Matthew 22:11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: