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

DANIEL 5:25KJV
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Daniel 5:25 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:25 mean?

Daniel 5:25 records the mysterious writing that appeared on the wall during King Belshazzar’s feast: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” These words are a message of judgment, written in a language the king and his wise men could not understand, signaling the end of Belshazzar’s reign.

In the story, Daniel is called to interpret this writing after the king’s advisors fail. The setting is a royal banquet in Babylon, where a supernatural hand writes these words on the wall. The verse marks the turning point in the chapter, as Daniel prepares to explain the meaning of each word, which predicts the fall of Babylon and the king’s fate.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:25

  • מְנֵא (MENE, transliteration: mene) means “numbered.” The repetition (“MENE, MENE”) emphasizes the certainty that God has numbered the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom.
  • תְּקֵל (TEKEL, transliteration: tekel) means “weighed.” This word points to the idea that Belshazzar has been weighed and found lacking.
  • וּפַרְסִין (UPHARSIN, transliteration: u-pharsin) means “and divided.” This word signals that the kingdom will be divided and given to others. The “U” at the beginning means “and.”

Why Daniel 5:25 matters

  • Daniel 5:25 shows that the message was not just a warning but a direct verdict from God, using words that carried specific meanings about Belshazzar’s fate.
  • The verse highlights the dramatic moment when human wisdom fails, and only God’s messenger can reveal the truth.
  • Understanding the original Aramaic words helps clarify that this was not just a mysterious phrase, but a deliberate, layered message about judgment, measurement, and division.

Where else these words appear

“MENE” Hebrew H4484 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

“TEKEL” Hebrew H8625 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

“UPHARSIN” Hebrew H6537 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

“written” Hebrew H7560 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.
  • 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.