Daniel 5:26 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:26 mean?

Daniel 5:26 means that God has counted the days of King Belshazzar’s kingdom and decided it is finished. The verse is Daniel’s explanation of the mysterious word “MENE” that appeared on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking to King Belshazzar of Babylon after a supernatural hand wrote words on the palace wall. Daniel explains that “MENE” means God has “numbered” (counted and limited) the days of Belshazzar’s rule, and now it is over. This is the first part of Daniel’s interpretation of the writing, and it signals the end of the Babylonian empire under Belshazzar.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:26

• מְנֵא (MENE; transliteration: mene) means “numbered.” Daniel explains that this word is a message from God, indicating that the days of the kingdom have been counted and are complete.
• מְנָה (numbered; transliteration: menah) is the verb form, reinforcing the idea that God has actively counted or set a limit on the kingdom’s duration.
• שְׁלֵם (finished; transliteration: shlem) means “finished” or “completed.” This word makes it clear that the counting is not just ongoing, but has reached its end—there is no more time left for the kingdom.

Why Daniel 5:26 matters

• Daniel 5:26 clarifies that the fall of Babylon is not just a random event, but a decision made by God, who is in control of history and kingdoms.
• The verse shows Daniel acting as God’s messenger, interpreting a supernatural sign that no one else could understand, which highlights his unique role and the seriousness of the message.
• Understanding the meaning of “MENE” helps make sense of the rest of the writing on the wall, which together announce the immediate end of Belshazzar’s reign and the Babylonian empire.