Daniel Interprets the Handwriting
April 26, 2022
Commentary
A hand appeared writing an inscription on the wall (vv. 24-25). Daniel interpreted it as follows:
(1) “Mene” = “numbered” – “God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it (v. 26).” “Mene” was repeated a second time which stressed the certainty of it. Similarly, Joseph explained to Pharaoh why he had received 2 dreams communicating the same message. “And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.” (Gen. 41:32). (2) “Tekel” = “weighed” – “Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting (v. 27).” Without God in his life, Belshazzar had nothing of substance. (3) “Upharism” or “Peres” = “divisions” – “The kingdom is divided and given to Medes and Persians (v. 28).”
Belshazzar kept his promise, proclaiming Daniel the third highest ruler in the kingdom (v. 29). Daniel’s new position was short lived, however. Before the night had ended King Belshazzar was dead, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two (vv. 30-31). Men today should remember that the rewards of a condemned world are so small and insignificant in comparison to eternal things.
Babylon’s walls were impressive, but they had one great weakness, the Euphrates River, which flowed under the walls and through the center of the city. The Persians were able to divert the waters of the Euphrates upstream of the city. Under cover of darkness, the Persian army marched right under the walls, along the empty riverbed.
Application
It is easy to spend a lot of my time trying to get ahead in this life rather than doing things for the kingdom of God. What priority changes do I need to make? (See Matthew 6:33).
Daniel 5:24– 31 (NET)
24 Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed.
25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: mene, mene, teqel, and pharsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the words: As for Mene —God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. 27 As for Teqel —you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. 28 As for Peres —your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
29 Then, on Belshazzar’s orders, Daniel was clothed in purple, a golden collar was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed third ruler in the kingdom. 30 And that very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. 31 (6:1) So Darius the Mede took control of the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old.