Daniel 5:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.

NIV: "This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin

NASB: Now this is the inscription that was written: ‘ MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’

CSB: "This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.

NLT: This is the message that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.

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

NKJV: “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

Disembodied fingers wrote these words in the hall where Babylon's King Belshazzar was drunkenly defiling sacred Jewish objects (Daniel 5:1–5). Only Daniel can explain what this means (Daniel 5:6–17). He began by making it clear that Belshazzar was an arrogant, idolatrous man who had spit in the face of the Most High God (Daniel 5:22–24).

The words described here are Aramaic, the language in which Daniel recorded this entire section (Daniel 2:4—7:28). The fact that the other wise men cannot even read them (Daniel 5:8) implies the words were written in some kind of code, or foreign script. Translators sometimes decide to translate only one of the words, leaving the others in their original form. Others note that the word "and" was also recorded in Aramaic, and in those cases the last word is recorded as uparsin or upharsin, rather than "and parsin."

Mene refers to a particular weight; the term comes from a root word meaning "to number" or "to gauge." It leans more towards the idea of a quantity—a number—than other terms. That this is repeated suggests a careful, thorough examination.

Similarly, tekel represents measurement, but is more closely tied to weight. Weights were often used to check the purity of substances: ensuring they were made of the correct material. Failing this test implied that something inferior had been found.

Peres was also used for counting, since the root word suggests something being split or separated into smaller parts.

One possible rendering of these words might be, "a counting, a counting…a weighing and divisions!" As Daniel will explain, these terms combine to proclaim that God has assessed Babylon, found it lacking, and will split it apart (Daniel 5:26–28).

Daniel 5:17–28 reveals Daniel's humility, his loyalty to the Most High God, and his courage. Daniel read and interpreted the handwriting. God is judging Babylon: the empire will be defeated and split among the Medes and Persians. Though Daniel said he wanted no payment, his interpretation prompts the rewards from Belshazzar, which were likely as short-lived as he was (Daniel 5:29–30).

After Nebuchadnezzar's humiliation, a succeeding ruler, Belshazzar, fails to learn the proper lesson. During a drunken party, he brings out Jewish objects to use in idolatry. The celebration is interrupted by disembodied fingers leaving strange markings on the wall. Daniel is summoned when no one else can read or interpret these. After boldly rebuking Belshazzar's immorality, Daniel explains the event as a prophecy of doom. That same night, Belshazzar dies, and the kingdom eventually comes under a new leader.

The first four chapters of Daniel occur under the rule of Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar. This chapter falls between his reign and when the Medo-Persians conquered in 539 BC. This chapter focuses on Belshazzar, who may have ruled Babylon concurrently with his father Nabonidus. This was probably from 553 BC until his death in 539 BC, when the city was captured. After this, Daniel serves under Darius and / or Cyrus.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.