A RIDDLE SOLVED!

The aged prophet now proceeded to do what had proved impossible for all the wise men of Babylon.  He read and interpreted the handwriting inscribed on the wall. The words were: "ME'NE, TE'KEL AND PAR'SIN." (Daniel 5:24, 25)  What do they mean? 

Literally, the words mean "a mina, a mina, a shekel, and half shekels." Each word was a measurement of monetary weight, listing in descending order of value.  How puzzling!  Even if the Babylonian wise men were able to make out the letters, it is still little wonder that they could not interpret them.

Under the influence of God's holy spirit, Daniel explained: "This is the interpretation of the word: ME'NE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and has finished it." (Daniel 5:26)  The consonants of the first word allowed for both the word "mina" and a form of  the Aramaic word for "counted out," or "numbered," depending on the vowels  supplied  by the reader.  Daniel well knew that the exile of the Jews was drawing to a close.  Of its foretold 70-year duration, 68 years had already passed.  (Jeremiah 29:10)  The Great Timekeeper, Jehovah had numbered the days of Babylon's reign as a world power, and the end was closer than anyone at Belshazzar's banquet thought. In fact, time had run out-not only for Belshazzar but also for his father, Nabonidus.  That may be the reason why the word "ME'NE"  was written twice -to announce the end of both these kingships. 

"TE'KEL," on the other hand, was written only once and in the singular form.  This may indicate that it was directed primarily to Belshazzar.  And this would be appropriate, for he had personally show gross disrespect for Jehovah.  The word itself means "shekel," but the consonants also allow for the word "weighed."  Thus Daniel said to Belshazzar:  "TE'KEL," you have been weighed in the balances and have been found deficient." (Daniel 5:27)  To Jehovah, entire nations are as insignificant  as the film of dust on  a pair of scales.  (Isaiah 40:15)  They are powerless to thwart his purposes.  What, then, could one arrogant king amount to? Belshazzar had tried to exalt himself above the Sovereign of the universe.  This mere human had dared to insult Jehovah and ridicule pure worship but had been "found deficient."  Yes, Belshazzar fully merited the judgment that was swiftly approaching!

The final word on the wall was "PAR'SIN." Daniel read it in the singular form, "PE'RES,"probably because he was addressing one king while the other was absent.  This word capped off Jehovah's great riddle with a threefold play on words.  Literally, "par'sin." Daniel thus foretold: "PE'RES, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians." -Daniel 5:28. 

Thus the riddle was solved.  Mighty Babylon was about to fall to the Medo-Persian forces.  Though crest-fallen in the face of this pronouncement of doom, Belshazzar kept his word.  He had his servants clothe Daniel with purple, bedeck him with a golden necklace, and herald him as the third ruler in the kingdom. (Daniel 5:29) Daniel did not refuse these honors, recognizing that they reflected the honor due Jehovah.   Of course, Belshazzar may have hoped to soften Jehovah's judgment by honoring His prophet.  If so, it was a case of too little too late. 

Next time:  THE FALL OF BABYLON

From the book:  PAY ATTENTION TO DANIEL'S PROPHECY! 1999