Lexical Summary tqal: To be light, to be insignificant, to be trifling Original Word: תְּקַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Tekel, be weighed (Aramaic) corresponding to shaqal; to balance -- Tekel, be weighed. see HEBREW shaqal Topical Lexicon Root and Background תְּקַל (teqal) belongs to the Aramaic section of Daniel and relates to the common Semitic root for “to weigh.” In the ancient Near East, scales symbolized both commerce and justice; a dishonest scale was an affront to deity (Proverbs 11:1). In Daniel 5 it becomes a metaphor for divine judgment rather than mere economic activity. Occurrences in Scripture Daniel 5:25 records the mysterious inscription, “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN,” written by the hand that appeared during Belshazzar’s feast. Daniel 5:27 interprets the second term: “TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient”. The repetition in the text (verse 25 for the inscription, verse 27 for the interpretation) underscores the certainty of the verdict. Historical Setting Belshazzar’s banquet took place on the final night of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (539 B.C.). While reveling with the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, the king and his nobles mocked the God of Israel. The sudden appearance of the hand and the word תְּקַל sealed Babylon’s doom. Hours later the city fell to the Medo-Persians (Daniel 5:30-31). Thus תְּקַל is inseparably tied to the collapse of a world power and the vindication of God’s sovereignty over nations (cf. Jeremiah 27:5-7). Theological Significance 1. Divine Standard of Righteousness: The verb highlights that God alone fixes the true “weight” or value of human deeds. “All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives” (Proverbs 16:2). Prophetic Implications The weighing of Babylon foreshadows future judgments on the “mystery Babylon” of Revelation 17–18. Just as Belshazzar’s empire was evaluated and found wanting, so the eschatological world system will be measured and overthrown. The consistency between Daniel and Revelation highlights the unchanging character of God’s justice across covenants and eras. Ministry Applications • Call to Self-Examination: Pastors and believers may use תְּקַל to urge personal holiness—“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Christological Connections Christ fulfills the righteous standard implied by תְּקַל. In Him the believer is “complete” (Colossians 2:10) and will not be “found deficient” at the final judgment. The hand that wrote on the wall anticipates the incarnate Word whose own hands were pierced to satisfy divine justice. Cross-References on Divine Weighing Job 31:6; Psalm 62:9; Proverbs 21:2; Isaiah 26:7; Habakkuk 2:6. These passages reinforce the motif that God measures hearts and deeds, preparing readers to understand Daniel’s use of תְּקַל. Summary תְּקַל encapsulates the sobering truth that God weighs every life and kingdom against His perfect righteousness. In Daniel it marks the downfall of Babylon; in theology it reminds all humanity of its need for salvation; in ministry it fuels both warning and hope—the warning of certain judgment and the hope found in the One who perfectly satisfies the scales of divine justice. Forms and Transliterations תְּקִ֥ילְתָּה תְּקֵ֑ל תְּקֵ֥ל תקילתה תקל tə·qêl tə·qî·lə·tāh teKel teKiletah təqêl təqîlətāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:25 HEB: מְנֵ֥א מְנֵ֖א תְּקֵ֥ל וּפַרְסִֽין׃ NAS: out: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' KJV: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. INT: MENE MENE TEKEL UPHARSIN Daniel 5:27 Daniel 5:27 3 Occurrences |
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