Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.

DANIEL 5:24KJV
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Daniel 5:24 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:24 mean?

Daniel 5:24 explains that the mysterious hand and the writing on the wall came directly from God. This verse makes clear that the supernatural message Belshazzar saw was not a random event, but a deliberate act sent as a warning or judgment.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking to King Belshazzar during a royal feast after the king has seen a hand appear and write a message on the wall. Daniel is explaining to Belshazzar that the hand was sent by God in response to the king’s actions, setting the stage for Daniel to interpret the meaning of the message in the following verses.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:24

  • "hand" (יָד, yad): The word refers to an actual hand, emphasizing the visible and physical nature of the miracle. This detail underlines that what Belshazzar saw was not just a vision or a feeling, but something concrete.
  • "sent" (שְׁלַח, shĕlach): This word means to send or dispatch, highlighting that the hand’s appearance was intentional and purposeful, not accidental.
  • "writing" (כְּתָב, kĕthāb): This term points to a written message, stressing that the communication was clear and specific, not just a vague sign.

Why Daniel 5:24 matters

  • Daniel 5:24 makes it clear to the reader and to Belshazzar that the writing on the wall was a direct response from God, not a trick or a natural phenomenon.
  • This verse sets up the seriousness of the message that follows, showing that it carries divine authority and is not to be ignored.
  • By stating the source of the writing, Daniel 5:24 connects the king’s actions with God’s judgment, making the coming interpretation personal and urgent for Belshazzar.

Where else these words appear

“part” Hebrew H6447 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

“written” Hebrew H7560 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.
  • Daniel 6:9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
  • Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

“writing” Hebrew H3792 · used in 12 verses

  • Ezra 6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
  • Daniel 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
  • Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

“sent” Hebrew H7972 · used in 14 verses

  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Ezra 5:6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:
  • Ezra 6:13 Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.