Definition and Meaning:
The term "Peres" is derived from the Hebrew root "paras," meaning "to divide" or "to break." In the biblical context, it is most notably associated with the interpretation of the writing on the wall in the Book of Daniel. The word "Peres" signifies division and is linked to the judgment and downfall of a kingdom.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to "Peres" is found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 5:25-28. During the reign of King Belshazzar of Babylon, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall during a feast. The inscription read, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." Daniel was called to interpret the writing, and he explained that "Peres" (the singular form of "Upharsin") meant that the kingdom of Babylon would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows:

· Daniel 5:28 : "Peres: Your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians."

Historical Context:
The event described in Daniel 5 took place during the final days of the Babylonian Empire. King Belshazzar, the son of Nabonidus, was co-regent and held a feast using the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple. The writing on the wall was a divine message foretelling the imminent fall of Babylon. That very night, the city was captured by the Medo-Persian forces under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, fulfilling the prophecy of division and conquest.

Theological Significance:
The account of "Peres" in Daniel underscores the sovereignty of God over the nations and His ability to execute judgment according to His divine will. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly kingdoms and the ultimate authority of God in the affairs of men. The division of Babylon as prophesied through "Peres" illustrates the fulfillment of God's word and the precision of biblical prophecy.

Related Concepts:
· Divine Judgment: The use of "Peres" in Daniel highlights the theme of divine judgment against pride and impiety. Belshazzar's desecration of the temple vessels and his failure to honor God led to the swift execution of judgment.
· Prophecy and Fulfillment: The interpretation of "Peres" as a division of the kingdom is a clear example of prophecy and its fulfillment, reinforcing the reliability of God's word.
· Sovereignty of God: The narrative emphasizes God's control over history and His power to raise and depose rulers according to His purposes.

Cultural and Linguistic Notes:
The term "Peres" is linguistically connected to the Aramaic and Hebrew languages, with its root meaning "to divide." In the context of Daniel 5, it also carries a play on words with "Persians," as the kingdom was indeed divided and given to the Medes and Persians. This linguistic nuance adds depth to the interpretation provided by Daniel.

Conclusion:
While the entry does not include a conclusion, the account of "Peres" in the Book of Daniel remains a powerful testament to God's judgment and sovereignty, serving as a historical and theological lesson for believers.Divided, one of the mysterious words "written over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall" of king Belshazzar's palace (Dan. 5:28). (see MENE.) PERES

pe'-rez.

See MENE.

6537b. peres -- half-mina
... 6537a, 6537b. peres. 6538 . half-mina. Transliteration: peres Short
Definition: PERES. Word Origin (Aramaic) from peras Definition ...
/hebrew/6537b.htm - 5k

6538. peres -- (a bird of prey) perhaps bearded vulture
... peres. 6539 . (a bird of prey) perhaps bearded vulture. Transliteration: peres
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-res) Short Definition: vulture. ... peres. 6539 . ...
/hebrew/6538.htm - 6k

6542. Parsi -- inhab. of Persia
... of Persia NASB Word Usage Persian (1). Persian. Patrial from Parac; a Parsite (ie
Persian), or inhabitant of Peres -- Persian. see HEBREW Parac. 6541, 6542. ...
/hebrew/6542.htm - 6k

Mene, Tekel, Peres
... THE BOOK OF DANIEL MENE, TEKEL, PERES. 'Then Daniel ... 28. PERES; Thy kingdom
is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.29. Then ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/mene tekel peres.htm

The Handwriting on the Wall
... "Then the hand was sent out before him and traced this writing: MENE, TEKEL, PERES. ...
Peres: your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.". ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the handwriting on the wall.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... Tekel"Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Peres"Thy
kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

Appendix (D). Some Account of victor of Antioch's Commentary on S. ...
... C'est un recueil de plusieurs Peres, dont on a marque les noms dans quelques
exemplaires; et si ces noms ne se trouvent point dans d'autres, cela est assez ...
/.../appendix d some account of.htm

How the Zealots when they were Freed from the Idumeans, Slew a ...
... Nor did Niger of Peres escape their hands; he had been a man of great valor in their
war with the Romans, but was now drawn through the middle of the city, and ...
/.../chapter 6 how the zealots.htm

How Herod the Tetrarch was Banished.
... 1. But Herodias, Agrippa's sister, who now lived as wife to that Herod who was tetrarch
of Galilee and Peres, took this authority of her brother in an envious ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how herod the.htm

Daniel
... than the middle. The precise interpretation of the enigmatic writing on
the wall (mene, tekel, peres, v.28) is uncertain. It has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

Belshazzar's Feast
... TEKEL. Thou art WEIGHED in the balances: And art found wanting! PERES. Thy
kingdom is DIVIDED: And given to the Medes and Persians! ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

How Alexander [Bala] in his War with Demetrius, Granted Jonathan ...
... ought to be given me for every head of the inhabitants of Judea, and of the three
toparchies that adjoin to Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, and Peres, that I ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how alexander bala.htm

An Embassage to Caesar; and How Caesar Confirmed Herod's Testament ...
... Now to him it was that Peres and Galilee paid their tribute, which amounted annually
to two hundred talents, [21] while Batanea, with Trachonitis, as well as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 an embassage to.htm

Peres (2 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PERES. pe'-rez. See MENE. ...Peres (2 Occurrences). Daniel
5:25 And this is the writing which was recorded, Mene, tekel, peres. (BBE). ...
/p/peres.htm - 7k

Upharsin (1 Occurrence)
... 5:25). It is a pure Chaldean word. "Peres" is only a simple form of the same word.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. ...
/u/upharsin.htm - 11k

Ossifrage (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hebrews peres = to "break" or "crush", the lammer-geier,
or bearded vulture, the largest of the whole vulture tribe. ...
/o/ossifrage.htm - 10k

Tekeltekel (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tekeltekel (1 Occurrence). Daniel 5:25 And this is
the writing which was recorded, Mene, tekel, peres. (See NAS). ...
/t/tekeltekel.htm - 6k

Menemene (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Menemene (1 Occurrence). Daniel 5:25 And this is the
writing which was recorded, Mene, tekel, peres. (See NAS). ...
/m/menemene.htm - 6k

Peresh (1 Occurrence)

/p/peresh.htm - 7k

Perennially (2 Occurrences)

/p/perennially.htm - 7k

Medes (15 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:28 PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Micah (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/medes.htm - 18k

Persians (6 Occurrences)
... she. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV). Daniel 5:28 PERES; your kingdom
is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Micah (WEB ...
/p/persians.htm - 20k

Divided (102 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Daniel 5:28 PERES; your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and
Persians. Micah (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/divided.htm - 37k

What is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.org

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