Daniel 5 NIV - The Writing on the Wall - King - Bible Gateway Daniel 5New International Version (NIV) The Writing on the Wall 5 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. 2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father[ a ] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.

7 The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers[ b ] and diviners. Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled. 10 The queen,[ c ] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.

12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” 13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

18 “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[ d ] have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven.

You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. 25 “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin 26 “Here is what these words mean: Mene[ e ]: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. 27 Tekel[ f ]: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. 28 Peres[ g ]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians,[ h ] was slain, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.[ i ] Footnotes: Bible Study - The Writing On The Wall Questions? Search all 6,500+ Bible studies on this website. Just type in topic word(s) or a question. Due to extensive use of high-quality maps and illustrations, this educational website is best-viewed with a minimum screen-resolution width of 1280 pixels The Writing On The Wall by Wayne Blank Belshazzar was a successor of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (see Ancient Empires - Babylon ). In October 539 B.C., he held a great feast in which the sacred vessels that had been looted from the Temple in Jerusalem were brought out and used for drunken and pagan revelry. That same night, Belshazzar was killed and the Babylonian kingdom fell to the Medo-Persians under Darius (see Ancient Empires - Persia ). Belshazzar's Feast "King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and drank wine in front of the thousand.

Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the Temple (see Temples and Temple Mount Treasures ) in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden and silver vessels which had been taken out of the Temple, the house of God in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone." "Immediately the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand; and the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together." "The king cried aloud to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers.

The king said to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." "Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation. Then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed, and his color changed; and his lords were perplexed." "The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting hall; and the queen said, "O king, live for ever! Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is in your kingdom a man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.

In the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers, because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel (see also Daniel In The Lion's Den and Daniel's Statue ), whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation." "Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king said to Daniel, "You are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah. I have heard of you that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this writing and make known to me its interpretation; but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems.

Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." "Then Daniel answered before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation." "O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty; and because of the greatness that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him; whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive; whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down.

But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him; he was driven from among men, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild asses; he was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of men, and sets over it whom he will." "And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven; and the vessels of His house have been brought in 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, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. Then from His presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.

"And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN." "This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." "Then Belshazzar commanded, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put about his neck, and proclamation was made concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom." "That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain. And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old." (Daniel 5:1-31 RSV) Daily Bible Study - The Prophet Daniel: The Hand Writing On The Wall The Prophet Daniel: The Hand Writing On The Wall 11. Kings Of The North and South As prophesied to Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar himself (see The Prophet Daniel: Nebuchadnezzar's Image ), the Empire of Babylon would be superseded by another great power.

That fall of Babylon to Persia is recorded in the book of Daniel with the famous "handwriting on the wall" (actually, "a hand writing on the wall") incident with Belshazzar, the successor to Nebuchadnezzar. It began when Belshazzar used "the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem" for a heathen feast. "5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem [see the Fact Finder question below]; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone." (Daniel 5:1-3 KJV) Suddenly, "came fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace." "5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." (Daniel 5:5 KJV) As Nebuchadnezzar had done earlier, Belshazzar first sought the help of the "astrologers" and "soothsayers." As before, they proved themselves to be worthless frauds. "5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers.

And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 5:9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied." (Daniel 5:7-9 KJV) Belshazzar was then reminded of a great true prophet who was in Babylon - Daniel.

"5:10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and showing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation." (Daniel 5:10-12 KJV) Daniel then delivered the meaning of the writing to Belshazzar.

The fall of Babylon came because Belshazzar used the Temple vessels for a drunken party of idolatry. "5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 5:14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not show the interpretation of the thing: 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 5:18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." (Daniel 5:13-28 KJV) Belshazzar responded as Nebuchadnezzar did, by appointing him to a high position in his government, but it was too late. Belshazzar was killed and Darius of Persia conquered Babylon. "5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old." (Daniel 5:29-31 KJV) Fact Finder: Why do some historians believe that the Temple vessels, as recorded in the verses quoted above, are now in Rome?

The Spirit World This Day In History, October 13 539 BC: As prophesied (see The Prophet Daniel: Nebuchadnezzar's Image ), Persian forces under Cyrus the Great captured Babylon (see Iran's Greatest Leader Was Pro-Zionist ). The LORD had the Babylonians conquer the southern kingdom of Judah (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Kingdom Of Judah ) and destroy the idol-infested Temple in Jerusalem in 586 BC (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Temple ) because of their defiant corruption. The Persians under Cyrus permitted the people of Judah to return, after their prophesied seventy years in exile, in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah (see Israel In History and Prophecy: The Return Of Judah ). 54: The Roman emperor Claudius (see also New Testament Roman Emperors ) died after eating poisoned mushrooms given to him by his wife Agrippina. He was succeeded by Agrippina's son Nero (see also Did Nero Really Fiddle While Rome Burned? ), who reigned 54-68. 409: Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees to Hispania.

1399: Henry IV of England was crowned. 1601: Tycho Brahe died at age 55. The Danish astronomer made many important discoveries of the heavens, all before the invention of the telescope (see also No 'Flat Earth' In The Bible ). 1792: The cornerstone of the original White House was laid in a ceremony by George Washington. The building survived only until 1814 when, during the War of 1812 (1812-1814), British Marines burned it, and much of Washington, in retaliation for the U.S. looting and burning of the Upper Canada Parliament Building in Toronto earlier that same year. 1812: During the War of 1812 (1812-1814), British Infantry and Canadian militia Sir Isaac Brock repelled U.S. invaders at the Battle of Queenston Heights near Niagara Falls in southern Ontario (the War of 1812 was declared by U.S. President James Madison with the stated intention of annexing Canada). General Brock was killed in the battle while fighting on the front lines with his troops.

1854: The Battle of Balaklava, an indecisive engagement during the Crimean War, best known as the inspiration of the English poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Charge of The Light Brigade." In the battle, the Russians failed to capture Balaklava, the Black Sea supply port of the British, French and Turkish forces in the southern Crimea, but the British lost control of their best supply road connecting Balaklava with the heights above Sevastopol, the major Russian naval center that was under siege. The battle ended with the loss of 40% of the Light Brigade. 1884: Greenwich was established as the universal time meridian of longitude. 1917: The last "appearance of the Virgin Mary" to 3 shepherd children near Fatima, Portugal. Six "visions" were reported between May and October, each on the 13th of the month. The last claimed sighting was attended by over 50,000 people. If the children actually saw something, it was not of God; Mary is dead, awaiting her resurrection (see What Happens When You Die? ).

1923: Ankara, formerly Angora, became the capital of Turkey. 1939: The German submarine U-47 entered the Scapa Flow anchorage off Scotland and sank the British battleship Royal Oak. The submarine was able to enter the normally inaccessible area due to extraordinarily high tides caused by the coincidence of new moon and perigee (moon at its closest to earth). 1946: France adopted the Constitution of the Fourth Republic. 1988: The Shroud of Turin (see Shroud Of Turin: A Miraculous Fake? ), revered by many as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, was determined by carbon dating to have been made during the Middle Ages, centuries after He was Crucified. 1990: Slavonic chant was heard across Red Square when the first Russian Orthodox service in more than 70 years was held in St. Basil's Cathedral next to the Kremlin. editionDBSx201503et Bible Study on Daniel Chapter 5 - Handwriting on the Wall - Leader's Guide LEADER'S GUIDE Daniel Chapter 5 - Handwriting on the Wall NOTE: Answers are provided for only some of the questions.

Many questions are primarily to stimulate discussion and there are no right or wrong answers. 1. In the first four chapters, we have read about King Nebuchadnezzar. Now, King Belshazzar appears, Who is he? What does his name mean? In verse 13 and 18, Nebuchadnezzar is referred to as Belshazzarï¿½s father, although the Aramaic term could also mean that Belshazzar was the grandson or descendant or even successor of Nebuchadnezzar. Actually, 66 years have passed since Chapter 1 and Nebuchadnezzar died after reigning for 43 years. Since his death, there were four other rulers, the current one being Nabonidus. Actually, Belshazar is Nabonidusï¿½ son and he is currently serving as co-regent with his father. The name means, ï¿½Bel, protect the king.ï¿½ (Remember, Danielï¿½s new name, Beltshazzar means ï¿½Bel, protect his life.ï¿½) Bel is another name for Marduk, one of the Babylonian gods. 2.

How do you think that God would have regarded using the gold goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem for drinking wine at a drunken orgy at which other gods were praised? (2 Samuel 6:6-7) You almost have to be surprised that God didnï¿½t strike everyone dead. After all, when Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of the Covenant, he was immediately struck dead. 3. In Verse 7, Belshazzar promises to make whoever interprets the writing on the wall the third highest ruler in the kingdom. Who were the first two? As weï¿½ve discussed, Belshazzar was co-reigning with his father, Nabonidus, so Nabonidus was the highest ruler; Belshazzar was second, and the person who interpreted the writing on the wall would be number 3. 4. The writing on the wall was only three words in Aramaic (see Verse 25). Why do you suppose the kingï¿½s wise men (or anyone else at the banquet) were unable to determine what they meant?

(Job 32:8-9) The pagan wise men were ignorant of Godï¿½s wisdom, no matter how great the reward. 5. Who was the queen who appeared in Verse 10? Since Belshazzarï¿½s wives were with him at the banquet, it was probably the wife of Nabonidus or one of his predecessors, possibly even Nebuchadnezzarï¿½s wife. This makes the most sense since she would have known about Danielï¿½s ability to interpret dreams from many years before. 6. What does Danielï¿½s rejection of flattery and rewards (verse 17) say about the authenticity of the man and his message? How would you respond if you were in a similar situation? Clearly, Daniel is not doing this for the rewards. He already had a high position under Nebuchadnezzar, although he is now quite old and with four other rulers having been in power, it may well be that he has retired from active service. 7. How would you interpret the following words on a wall: DOLLAR DOLLAR PENNY QUARTER 8. What does the handwriting on the wall mean? How is this prophecy fulfilled?

Does this also fulfill one of Danielï¿½s earlier prophecies? (Dan 2:36-39) The interpretation is actually a pun on the words. The words represent three coins: MENE (or mina), TEKEL (or shekel, which is one sixtieth of a mina), and PARSIN (which means two half minas). Danielï¿½s interpretation changes the nouns to verbs so that MENE becomes ï¿½numbered,ï¿½ TEKEL becomes ï¿½weighed,ï¿½ and PARSIN becomes ï¿½divided.ï¿½ Hence, the interpretation in Verses 26-28. The prophecy is fulfilled that same night when Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom. 9. What contemporary examples come to mind of people mocking God by demeaning sacred things as Belshazzar did with the temple goblets? Religious ikons become household decorations or works of art. In Christmas mangers, the holy family is joined by snowmen and reindeer. 10.

Then and now, does it seem that God is quick or slow to judge such sacrilegious behavior? (Psalm 90:4, Habakkuk 2:3, Luke 12:20) Despite the fact that Belshazzar and the rich man in Jesusï¿½ parable were judged immediately, in general God tends to be quite patient. Indeed sometimes God seems to let things go on today without judging at all. But if we believe the words in Habakkuk, we can be confident that eventually God will judge everyone. 11. What would you do if you were offered a position of power as a way to buy your vote or predetermine your thinking? Does this happen today? 12. Why do people often fail, as Belshazzarr did, to learn from the past? Bible study courtesy of Bible Prophecy Numbers: The Writing on the Wall. On the night mighty Babylon fell to the Persians, this writing appeared on the palace wall: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN", written with the finger of God, (Daniel 5:25). The king of Babylon was having a huge drunken party.

They felt safe and secure surrounded by the cities massive walls. But suddenly the hand of God came writing on the wall. Revelry became fear. The wicked king and his astrologers were baffled. They could neither read nor interpret the writing! Then the terrified king called for Daniel the prophet. By the light of a candlestick, Daniel both decoded and interpreted the writing. It foretold the immediate end of Babylon and her king. And so it came to pass. On that same night the king of Babylon was slain by her Persian conquers; a new era was born. The writing on the palace wall is comparable to the greatest writing of all, the Bible. For like the writing on the wall, some things in the Bible are mysterious and hard to understand apart from Godï¿½s help. Only by the light of the candlestick (that is, by the Spirit of God) can a man understand its mysteries. Most mysteries in the Bible have already been unveiled by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mk. 4:11; Rom. 16:25; 1Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:9; 3:3-9; Col.

1:26-2:2; Revelation 1:20). All further illumination of the Scriptures must therefore conform to and be built upon this finished apostolic foundation (Eph. 2:20), otherwise it is error. There is one mystery expressly said to be "sealed until the time of the end," (Daniel 12:4, 9-12). "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the endï¿½None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1335 days" (Daniel 12:9-11). In this online book, "The Writing on the Wall," the decoding of these and other puzzling bible prophecy numbers are detailed. {1} However, their full interpretation and actual fulfillment await a future day. This final fulfillment awaits a future day because there are three stages to the detailing of this great mystery (i.e., of Daniel 12).

These three stages are again occurring in the same order in which they did when Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall at the fall of Babylon. First, there is the decoding of the writing itself; (i.e., understanding the function of Bible prophecy numbers). Secondly, there is the interpretation of that which is decoded, (i.e., the Scriptural interpretation of these numbers). Thirdly, there is the fulfillment, (i.e., the culminated fulfillment of all things). {2} By God's grace, this book unravels the first-stage of this mystery, the decoding of the numbers in the bible, with the date of the fall of Babylon, (and hence, "the writing on the wall") its dominate theme. Furthermore, the second stage has already begun upon completion of this first stage. The understanding of the numbers is giving fresh new insight into all of the scriptures, especially the writings of the prophets. Daniel 5: The Handwriting on the Wall - kjv Bible8.com Daniel 5: The Handwriting on the Wall > ~ The Writing on the Wall Dan 5:1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.

Dan 5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. Dan 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. Dan 5:4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. Dan 5:5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Dan 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Dan 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Dan 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. Dan 5:9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

Dan 5:10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: Dan 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; Dan 5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. Dan 5:13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king.

And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? Dan 5:14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. Dan 5:15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: Dan 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. Dan 5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

Dan 5:18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: Dan 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. Dan 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: Dan 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

Dan 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; Dan 5:23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: Dan 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. Dan 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. Dan 5:26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Dan 5:27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

Dan 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Dan 5:29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. Dan 5:30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. Dan 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. DANIEL CHAPTER 5 KJV + Text Size — 1 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king.

And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: 16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Writing On The Wall Stories From The Hebrew Bible THE WRITING ON THE WALL The great kingdom or empire of Nebuchadnezzar was made up of smaller kingdoms which he had conquered. As long as he was alive, his kingdom or empire was strong. But, as soon as he died it began to fall to pieces. His son became king in his place, but was soon killed. One king quickly followed another for several years. The last king was named Nabonidus. He also appointed his son, Belshazzar, to share the title of king with him. While Nabonidus was caring for the more distant regions of the kingdom, Belshazzar ruled over the city of Babylon. But a new nation was rising to power. Far to the east were the kingdoms of Media and Persia.

These two peoples had become one, and were at war with Babylon, under their great leader, Cyrus. While Belshazzar was ruling in the city of Babylon, Cyrus and his Persian soldiers were on the outside, around the walls, trying to take the city. These walls were so great and high that the Persian soldiers could not break through them. But inside the city were many enemies of Belshazzar, who were friendly with Cyrus. These people opened the gates of Babylon to Cyrus. At night he brought his army quietly into the city and surrounded the palace of King Belshazzar. On that night in the palace, King Belshazzar was having a great feast in honor of his god. On the tables were the golden cups and vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem; and around the tables sat the king, his many wives, and a thousand of his princes and nobles. They did not know that their city was taken and that their enemies were at the very doors of the palace. While they were drinking wine together, suddenly a strange thing was seen. On the wall appeared a great hand. The hand was writing letters and words that no one could read.

Every eye was drawn to the spot. They watched the fingers moving on the wall and the letters being written. The king was filled with fear. His face became pale and his knees shook. He called for the wise men of Babylon, who were there in the palace, to explain what the writing meant. He said, “Whoever can read the words on the wall shall be dressed in a purple robe and shall have a chain of gold around his neck, and he shall rank next to King Belshazzar as the third ruler in the kingdom.” But not one of the wise men could read it, because God had not given them the power. At last the queen of Babylon said to Belshazzar, O king, may you live forever! There is one man who can read this writing, a man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods, a man whom Nebuchadnezzar, your father, made master of all the wise men. His name is Daniel. Send for him, and he will tell you what these words are and what they mean. Daniel was now an old man. Since the death of Nebuchadnezzar, he had no longer been in his high place as ruler and chief adviser of the king.

They sent for Daniel, and he came. The king said to him, Are you that Daniel who was brought many years ago by my father to this city? I have heard of you, that the spirit of the holy gods is upon you and that you have wisdom and knowledge. If you can read this writing upon the wall and tell me what it means, I will give you a purple robe and a gold chain and a place next to myself as the third ruler in the kingdom. And Daniel answered the king, You may keep your rewards yourself and may give your gifts to whom you please, for I do not want them; but I will read to you the writing. O king, the Most High God gave to Nebuchadnezzar this kingdom and great power and glory. But when Nebuchadnezzar became proud and boasted of his greatness, then the Lord took from him his crown and his throne and let him live among the beasts of the field until he knew that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of men. O Belshazzar, you knew all this, yet you have not been humble in heart.

You have risen up against the Lord, you have taken the vessels of his house, and have drunk wine in them in honor of your own gods of wood and stone; but you have not praised the Lord God who has given to you your kingdom and your power. For this reason God has sent this hand to write these words upon the wall. This is the writing, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. And this is the meaning, MENE: God has counted the years of your kingdom and has brought it to an end. TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and have been found wanting. UPHARSIN: Your kingdom is divided and taken from you, and given to the Medes and the Persians. King Belshazzar could scarcely believe what he heard; but he commanded that the promised reward be given to Daniel. And almost while he was speaking, his end came. The Persians and the Medes burst into his palace; they seized Belshazzar and killed him in the midst of his feast. On that night the empire or great kingdom set up by Nebuchadnezzar came to an end.

A new empire arose, greater than that of Babylon, called the Persian Empire. And in the place of Belshazzar, Cyrus, the commander of the Persians, made an old man named Darius king until the time when he was ready to take the kingdom for himself. This empire of Persia was the third of the world kingdoms mentioned in the Bible. The first was the Assyrian kingdom, with Nineveh as its capital. This was the kingdom that carried the Ten Tribes of Israel into captivity. The second was the Babylonian, or Chaldean kingdom, which carried the Jews into captivity. And the third was the Persian kingdom, which lasted two hundred years, ruling all the lands named in the Bible. Daniel 5 NIV;KJV - The Writing on the Wall - King - Bible Gateway Daniel 5New International Version (NIV) The Writing on the Wall 5 King Belshazzar gave a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them.

2 While Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he gave orders to bring in the gold and silver goblets that Nebuchadnezzar his father[ a ] had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines might drink from them. 3 So they brought in the gold goblets that had been taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. 4 As they drank the wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone. 5 Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. 6 His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking. 7 The king summoned the enchanters, astrologers[ b ] and diviners.

Then he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 8 Then all the king’s wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant. 9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled. 10 The queen,[ c ] hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. “May the king live forever!” she said. “Don’t be alarmed! Don’t look so pale! 11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.

12 He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means.” 13 So Daniel was brought before the king, and the king said to him, “Are you Daniel, one of the exiles my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom. 15 The wise men and enchanters were brought before me to read this writing and tell me what it means, but they could not explain it. 16 Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” 17 Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

18 “Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 19 Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him. Those the king wanted to put to death, he put to death; those he wanted to spare, he spared; those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled. 20 But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21 He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22 “But you, Belshazzar, his son,[ d ] have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven.

You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. 25 “This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin 26 “Here is what these words mean: Mene[ e ]: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. 27 Tekel[ f ]: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. 28 Peres[ g ]: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 29 Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians,[ h ] was slain, 31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.[ i ] Footnotes: Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Daniel 5King James Version (KJV) 5 Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

4 They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 5 In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 9 Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

10 Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: 11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers; 12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. 13 Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

14 I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 15 And now the wise men, the astrologers, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known unto me the interpretation thereof: but they could not shew the interpretation of the thing: 16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom. 17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

18 O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: 21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 23 But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 25 And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 28 Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

29 Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 30 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

Question: In the Bible, who was asked to interpret the 'writing on the wall'?
Answer: DANIEL