Meaning of Daniel 5:21-29
Daniel 5:21-29 Exposition
The passage in Daniel 5:21-29 recounts the interpretation of the mysterious handwriting on the wall by Daniel, a Jewish exile, to King Belshazzar of Babylon. The king, facing an existential crisis due to the supernatural writing, calls upon Daniel to decipher its meaning [1].
The text begins by recalling Nebuchadnezzar's experience, where he was "driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys" until he acknowledged the sovereignty of the Most High God (Daniel 5:21) [2]. This allusion serves as a warning to Belshazzar, implying that he has not learned from his predecessor's mistakes.
The handwriting on the wall reads "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN" (Daniel 5:25). Daniel interprets these Aramaic words as a dire prophecy: "MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; TEKEL; you are weighed on the scales and are found lacking; PARSIN; your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians" (Daniel 5:26-28) [1, 5]. The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 22a.9) provides a similar interpretation, highlighting the wordplay between the Aramaic words and their meanings [5].
The passage highlights the theological theme of divine sovereignty, emphasizing that God "rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will" (Daniel 5:21) [2, 8]. This echoes the message delivered to Nebuchadnezzar and serves as a warning to Belshazzar. The Protestant academic commentary from Tyndale House notes that Belshazzar's failure to measure up to God's demands for righteousness and mercy seals his fate [7].
Despite the ominous prophecy, Belshazzar honors Daniel, proclaiming him the third highest ruler in the kingdom (Daniel 5:29) [9]. This act is seen as a hollow gesture, as the kingdom is on the brink of collapse. The narrative concludes with the fulfillment of the prophecy, as the kingdom is indeed handed over to the Medes and Persians that very night (Daniel 5:30-31) [8].
The passage has been influential in the broader biblical tradition, with cross-references to other scriptures that emphasize the themes of divine judgment and the importance of righteousness (e.g., Matthew 25:31; Romans 2:6; Revelation 22:15) [3, 4]. one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown notes that Daniel's acceptance of the honor is not inconsistent with his earlier statement, as it was likely urged upon him without his desire [6].
Sources
- Daniel “This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God has numbered your kingdom, and brought it to an end; -- Daniel 5:26”
- Daniel “and he was driven from the sons of men, and his heart was made like the animals’, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys; he was fed with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky; until he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and that he sets up over it whomever he will. -- Daniel 5:21”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “John 5:29 cross-references: Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31, Luke 14:14, Acts 24:15, Romans 2:6, Galatians 6:8, 1 Timothy 6:18, Hebrews 13:16, 1 Peter 3:11”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Galatians 5:21 cross-references: Deuteronomy 21:20, Isaiah 3:11, Matthew 25:34, Luke 21:34, Romans 2:8, Romans 8:13, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Ephesians 5:5, Ephesians 5:18, Colossians 3:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:5, 1 Peter 4:3, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 22:15”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 22a.9: What did Daniel explain to them? The letters stand for the terms: “ Mene mene tekel ufarsin ” (Daniel 5:25). He then explained the meaning: “ Mene ”: God has numbered [ mena ] the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. “ Tekel ”: You are weighed [ tekilta ] on the scale and are found lacking. “ Parsin ”: Your kingdom is divided [ perisat ] and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26–28).”
- Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 5:17: Not inconsistent with Dan 5:29. For here he declares his interpretation of the words is not from the desire of reward. The honors in Dan 5:29 were doubtless urged on him, without his wish, in such a way that he could not with propriety refuse them. Had he refused them after announcing the doom of the kingdom, he might have been suspected of cowardice or treason.”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 5:27: 5:27 Tekel means ‘weighed’—you . . . have not measured up: Babylon’s king would be destroyed because he did not measure up to God’s demand for righteousness and mercy (see 4:27; 5:22-24).”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 5:21: 5:21 the Most High God rules . . . and appoints anyone he desires: God had taught Nebuchadnezzar this lesson, and it was the heart of God’s message to Belshazzar. God would appoint a new ruler that very night (5:30-31).”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 5:29: 5:29 Instead of responding to the message, Belshazzar honored Daniel. • proclaimed the third highest ruler: Daniel did not desire the honor, and in a few hours it would be meaningless. God would reward Daniel in due time (12:13).”