Daniel 5:28

PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

PERES {H6537}; Thy kingdom {H4437} is divided {H6537}, and given {H3052} to the Medes {H4076} and Persians {H6540}.

'P'res'- your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians."

PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Daniel 5:28 delivers the final and most direct part of Daniel's interpretation of the mysterious handwriting on the wall for King Belshazzar: "PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." This declaration sealed the fate of the Babylonian Empire, announcing its imminent collapse and the transfer of power to a new world empire.

Context

This verse is the climax of Daniel's interpretation of the divine message written on the wall during King Belshazzar's impious feast. The king, in a display of arrogance and disrespect, had ordered the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, to be used for drinking wine and praising pagan gods. This act of blasphemy provoked divine judgment, manifested by the appearance of a hand writing an cryptic message: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" (Daniel 5:25). Daniel, known for his wisdom and connection to God, was the only one able to decipher the words, revealing a prophecy of the kingdom's downfall. Verse 28 specifically interprets the final word, PERES (or Upharsin), leaving no doubt about Babylon's destiny.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over human kingdoms and history. Belshazzar's kingdom was not merely conquered by human armies, but "divided, and given" by divine decree, a direct consequence of his pride and sacrilege. This echoes the theme of God setting up and removing kings found elsewhere in Daniel.
  • Consequences of Pride and Blasphemy: Belshazzar's disregard for God and his sacred things led directly to his swift destruction. His failure to humble himself, despite knowing how God had dealt with Nebuchadnezzar, sealed his fate. This serves as a stark warning against spiritual arrogance and disrespect for the divine.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Daniel's interpretation was not just a warning but an immediate pronouncement of judgment. The very night this message was delivered, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians, precisely as foretold. This highlights the certainty and precision of God's prophetic word.
  • Transition of World Powers: This verse marks a significant moment in biblical prophecy and world history—the end of the Babylonian Empire and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire, consistent with the visions Daniel received earlier (e.g., the statue in Daniel 2 and the beasts in Daniel 7).

Linguistic Insights

The word PERES (from Upharsin in the full phrase) is a crucial linguistic play. It is derived from the Aramaic root meaning "to divide" or "to split." However, it also sounds very similar to Paras, the Aramaic word for "Persia." Thus, the single word carries a powerful double meaning: the kingdom would be both divided and given to the Persians (and Medes).

Practical Application

Daniel 5:28 serves as a timeless reminder of several enduring truths:

  • God is ultimately sovereign over all earthly powers and nations. No human kingdom, however mighty, can stand against His will.
  • Pride and rebellion against God, especially when manifested through blasphemy or profaning what is holy, invite divine judgment. Humility and reverence are essential.
  • God's word, including His prophecies, is always true and will be fulfilled. This provides assurance for believers in His promises and warnings.
  • We are called to recognize God's authority in our own lives and societies, avoiding the arrogance that led to Belshazzar's downfall.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • Isaiah 13:17

    Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and [as for] gold, they shall not delight in it.
  • Daniel 6:28

    So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
  • Isaiah 21:2

    A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.
  • Daniel 5:31

    And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.
  • Daniel 9:1

    ¶ In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans;
  • Isaiah 45:1

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
  • Isaiah 45:2

    I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

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