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Belshazzar’s Feast: Babylon’s last night
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trologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers. ... Now let Daniel be called,
and he will give the interpretation.”
“Then Daniel was brought in before the king.” Making an effort
to regain his composure, Belshazzar said to the prophet, “I have
heard of you, that you can give interpretations and explain enigmas.
Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its inter-
pretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold
around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.”
Unmoved by the promises of the king, Daniel stood in the quiet
dignity of a servant of the Most High. “Give your rewards to another,”
he said, “yet I will read the writing to the king, and make known to
him the interpretation.”
Daniel Holds the King’s Sin Up Before Him
The prophet first reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar’s sin
and fall, of the divine judgment for his pride, and his subsequent
acknowledgment of the power and mercy of the God of Israel. Then
in bold, emphatic words he rebuked Belshazzar for his great wicked-
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ness and pointed out the lessons he might have learned but did not.
Belshazzar had not heeded the warning of events so significant to
himself. He was about to reap the consequence of his rebellion.
“You ..., Belshazzar, ... have lifted yourself up against the Lord
of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you,
and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk
wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold,
bronze and iron, wood and stone ...; and the God who holds your
breath in his hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.
Then the fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing
was written.”
Interpretation of the Writing on the Wall
Turning to the message on the wall, the prophet read, “MENE,
MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” The hand was no longer visible,
but these words were still gleaming with terrible distinctness; and
now, holding their breath, the people listened while the aged prophet
declared: “This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has