Daniel 5:10-31 meaning
The woman who speaks next does not seem to be one of Belshazzar's wives or concubines. She is most likely the widow of a former king, or possibly the "queen mother." She arrives at the banquet hall and suggests Belshazzar to consult with Daniel. She refers to Daniel using phrases like those spoken by Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:8). She notes Daniel's ability to explain such things and encourages the terrified king to call the captive Hebrew. When Daniel arrives, the king once again promises great rewards if Daniel can explain what has happened (Daniel 5:10–16).
As a captive of Babylon, in a hall surrounded by nobles, facing the king, and likely nearly eighty years old, one might expect Daniel to cower (draw back or crouch down in fearful submission) and choose delicate words. Instead, he begins by rejecting Belshazzar's offer of payment. Then he briefly explains the incident when Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God (Daniel 4:28–33). Daniel ruthlessly proclaims that Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's descendant, has not learned the same lesson. Instead, he is rebellious, profane, and dishonorable (Daniel 5:17–23).
For that reason, says Daniel, God sent the hand to write a message for Belshazzar. This comes in the form of four words which are either Aramaic or derived from Aramaic language: mene mene tekel upharsin. In some thanslations upharsin is written as peres.
Mene implies counting, tekel refers to weights, and upharsin means separation or splitting. Daniel explains that these words are an omen (something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event). God has assessed Babylon, counted out its days, found it inferior, and planned to divide it. The nation will be conquered; Daniel subtly changes the last word from plural to singular to highlight how similar peres is to Paras, or Persia (Daniel 5:24–28).
Belshazzar makes good on his promise to give Daniel riches and honor. No other details of his reaction are given. Whatever he might have thought or said, the prophecy is fulfilled immediately! The king dies that very night; while the Bible does not say exactly how. It's possible the city fell to a siege which had been ongoing. Daniel's summary is extremely brief, skipping to the next important figure in his story (Daniel 5:29–31).
(BibleRef)
As a captive of Babylon, in a hall surrounded by nobles, facing the king, and likely nearly eighty years old, one might expect Daniel to cower (draw back or crouch down in fearful submission) and choose delicate words. Instead, he begins by rejecting Belshazzar's offer of payment. Then he briefly explains the incident when Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by God (Daniel 4:28–33). Daniel ruthlessly proclaims that Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's descendant, has not learned the same lesson. Instead, he is rebellious, profane, and dishonorable (Daniel 5:17–23).
For that reason, says Daniel, God sent the hand to write a message for Belshazzar. This comes in the form of four words which are either Aramaic or derived from Aramaic language: mene mene tekel upharsin. In some thanslations upharsin is written as peres.
Mene implies counting, tekel refers to weights, and upharsin means separation or splitting. Daniel explains that these words are an omen (something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event). God has assessed Babylon, counted out its days, found it inferior, and planned to divide it. The nation will be conquered; Daniel subtly changes the last word from plural to singular to highlight how similar peres is to Paras, or Persia (Daniel 5:24–28).
Belshazzar makes good on his promise to give Daniel riches and honor. No other details of his reaction are given. Whatever he might have thought or said, the prophecy is fulfilled immediately! The king dies that very night; while the Bible does not say exactly how. It's possible the city fell to a siege which had been ongoing. Daniel's summary is extremely brief, skipping to the next important figure in his story (Daniel 5:29–31).
(BibleRef)