Daniel 5:28 (KJV)

What does Daniel 5:28 mean?

Daniel 5:28 means that the Babylonian kingdom will be broken up and handed over to the Medes and Persians. This is a direct message of judgment, declaring that Babylon’s rule is ending and new rulers will take control.

Daniel is speaking to King Belshazzar during a royal feast, interpreting mysterious writing that appeared on the wall. The verse is part of Daniel’s explanation that God has decided to end Belshazzar’s reign, and the Babylonian empire will be conquered and divided between two rising powers, the Medes and Persians.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 5:28

• פְּרֵס (peres): This word means "divided" and is also a play on the word for "Persians." It signals both the splitting of the kingdom and hints at the identity of the conquerors.
• מַלְכוּ (malku, "kingdom"): This refers to the Babylonian empire, highlighting that it is the entire realm being discussed, not just Belshazzar’s personal rule.
• יְהִיבָה (yehibah, "given"): This word emphasizes that the transfer of power is not just by human hands but is being allowed or caused by God.
• מָדַי (Madai, "Medes") and פָּרַס (Paras, "Persians"): These names identify the specific groups who will receive the kingdom, making the prophecy very concrete and historical.

Why Daniel 5:28 matters

• Daniel 5:28 clarifies that the fall of Babylon is not random but is a specific act of divine judgment, with the new rulers named in advance.
• The verse connects the mysterious word "PERES" from the writing on the wall to both the idea of division and the identity of the Persians, showing a wordplay that deepens the message.
• Daniel 5:28 sets up the immediate historical transition from Babylonian to Medo-Persian rule, which is confirmed by later historical events and ties the prophecy directly to real-world outcomes.