Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous event of the handwriting on the wall is a significant biblical narrative found in the Book of Daniel, chapter 5. This event occurs during the reign of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, and serves as a divine message of judgment against him and his kingdom.Context and Setting Belshazzar, the son of Nabonidus, was co-regent of Babylon and is depicted in the Book of Daniel as hosting a grand feast for a thousand of his nobles. During this feast, Belshazzar, in an act of sacrilege, orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem by his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar to be brought out so that he and his guests might drink from them. As they drank, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, demonstrating their disregard for the God of Israel. The Miracle of the Handwriting In the midst of this revelry, a miraculous event occurs. A disembodied hand appears and writes on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king witnesses this and is immediately struck with fear. Daniel 5:5-6 describes the scene: "At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing, his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together." The Interpretation by Daniel The king's wise men and enchanters are unable to interpret the writing, which further intensifies Belshazzar's fear. The queen suggests that Daniel, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and signs, be summoned. Daniel is brought before the king and offers to interpret the writing without accepting the rewards offered by Belshazzar. Daniel reminds Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God and rebukes him for his pride and idolatry. He then interprets the writing, which consists of the Aramaic words "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." Daniel 5:26-28 provides the interpretation: "This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." Fulfillment of the Prophecy That very night, the prophecy is fulfilled. The narrative concludes with the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, as recorded in Daniel 5:30-31 : "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two." Significance The handwriting on the wall serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and justice. It illustrates the consequences of pride and idolatry and underscores the truth that God holds the nations and their leaders accountable. This miraculous event is a testament to the divine authority and the fulfillment of God's prophetic word, demonstrating that no earthly power can withstand His judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 5:5,25-28In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources What is the significance of the walls of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Who was Nehemiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics of the Cities Walls of Babylon of the Cities Walls of Bashan, Destroyed by the Israelites of the Cities Walls of Beth-Shan of the Cities Walls of Jericho of the Cities Walls of the New Jerusalem of the Cities Walls: Houses Built Upon Walls of Cities were Battered by Besieging Armies Walls of Cities were Broad and Places of Public Resort Walls of Cities were Strongly Manned in War Walls of Cities: Adroitness of Soldiers in Scaling Alluded To Walls of Cities: Custom of Dedicating Walls of Cities: Danger of Approaching Too Near To, in Time of War Walls of Cities: Destruction of, a Punishment and Cause of Grief Walls of Cities: Frequently Laid in Ruins Walls of Cities: had Towers Built on Them Walls of Cities: Houses often Built On Walls of Cities: Houses Sometimes Broken Down to Repair, and Fortify Walls of Cities: Idolatrous Rites Performed On Walls of Cities: Kept by Watchmen Night and Day Walls of Cities: Often Very High Walls of Cities: Persons Let Down From Walls of Cities: Sometimes Burned Walls of Cities: Strongly Fortified Walls of Cities: The Bodies of Enemies Sometimes Fastened On, As a Disgrace Walls of Cities: The Falling of, Sometimes Occasioned Great Destruction Walls of Houses: Could be Easily Dug Through Walls of Houses: had Nails or Pegs Fastened Into Them when Built Walls of Houses: Liable to Leprosy Walls of Houses: Often Infested With Serpents Walls of Houses: The Seat Next, Was the Place of Distinction Walls of Houses: Usually Plastered Walls of Ordinances As a Protection to the Church Walls of the Church As a Protection to the Nation Walls of the Protection of God Walls of the Wealth of the Rich in his own Conceit Walls of Those Who Afford Protection Walls were Probably often Strengthened With Plates of Iron or Brass Walls: (Bowing or Tottering) of the Wicked Under Judgments Walls: (Brazen) of Prophets in Their Testimony Against the Wicked Walls: (Daubed With Untempered Mortar) of the Teaching of False Walls: (Of Partition) Separation of Jews and Gentiles Walls: Designed for Separation Walls: Frequently Made of Stone and Wood Together Walls: Hyssop Frequently Grew On Walls: Miracles Connected With: Falling of the Walls of Jericho Walls: Miracles Connected With: Handwriting on the Wall of Belshazzar's Palace Walls: Small Towns and Villages Were not Surrounded By Related Terms |
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