PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

DANIEL 5:28KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“PERES” Hebrew H6537 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.

“Medes” Hebrew H4076 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 6:2 And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written:
  • Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
  • 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.

“Persians” Hebrew H6540 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
  • 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.

“given” Hebrew H3052 · used in 28 verses

  • Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
  • Daniel 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
  • Daniel 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.