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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Upharsin</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/u/upharsin.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/daniel/5-25.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/u/upharsin.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Upharsin</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/u/upbuilds.htm" title="Upbuilds">◄</a> Upharsin <a href="/topical/naves/u/upharsin--divided.htm" title="Upharsin: Divided">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition and Context:</b> <br>Upharsin is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Daniel. It appears in the context of the mysterious writing on the wall during the feast of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon. The term is part of the phrase "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin," which is interpreted by the prophet Daniel. The event is recorded in <a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25-28</a>.<br><br><b>Biblical Account:</b> <br>In <a href="/bsb/daniel/5.htm">Daniel 5</a>, King Belshazzar holds a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and, in a display of arrogance, uses the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to drink wine. During the feast, a disembodied hand appears and writes a message on the wall. The king is terrified and calls for his wise men to interpret the writing, but they are unable to do so. The queen suggests calling Daniel, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and visions.<br><br>Daniel is brought before the king and offers the interpretation of the writing. The phrase "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" is explained by Daniel as a divine message of judgment against Belshazzar and his kingdom. The Berean Standard Bible records Daniel's interpretation as follows:<br><br>· <b>Mene:</b> "God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end." (<a href="/daniel/5-26.htm">Daniel 5:26</a>)<br>· <b>Tekel:</b> "You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient." (<a href="/daniel/5-27.htm">Daniel 5:27</a>)<br>· <b>Peres (Upharsin):</b> "Your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." (<a href="/daniel/5-28.htm">Daniel 5:28</a>)<br><br><b>Etymology and Meaning:</b> <br>The term "Upharsin" is the plural form of "Peres," which means "divided" or "broken." The prefix "U" in Aramaic can mean "and," indicating a conjunction in the phrase. The word "Peres" is also a play on words with "Persians," suggesting the impending conquest by the Medes and Persians. This linguistic nuance underscores the prophetic nature of the message, as it foretells the division and fall of the Babylonian Empire.<br><br><b>Historical and Theological Significance:</b> <br>The writing on the wall and its interpretation by Daniel is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, symbolizing the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations. It serves as a reminder of divine justice and the consequences of pride and sacrilege. The fulfillment of this prophecy is historically corroborated by the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, shortly after the events described in <a href="/bsb/daniel/5.htm">Daniel 5</a>.<br><br>Theologically, the account of Upharsin emphasizes the theme of God's ultimate authority and the transient nature of earthly kingdoms. It illustrates the biblical principle that God raises up and deposes rulers according to His divine will and purpose. The account of Belshazzar's feast and the writing on the wall continues to be a powerful illustration of the need for humility and reverence before God.<a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Upharsin</span><p>divided<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Upharsin</span><p>And they are dividing, a Chaldee word, an active plural form with the conjunction prefixed; while <a href="../p/peres.htm">PERES</a> or <a href="../p/phares.htm">PHARES</a>, from the same root, is a passive participle, and means divided, <a href="/context/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25</a>,28. </p><a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>And they divide, one of the words written by the mysterious hand on the wall of Belshazzar's palace (<a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Dan. 5:25</a>). It is a pure Chaldean word. "Peres" is only a simple form of the same word. <a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN</span><p>me'-ne, me'-ne, te'-kel, u-far'-sin, men'-a, men'a, tek'-el, oo-far'-sin (mene' mene' teqel upharcin; Theodotion, Mane, thekel, phares): These are the words that, according to Daniel's reading, were inscribed on the walls of Belshazzar's palace and that caused the great commotion on the occasion of his last feast (<a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25</a>). As the only authority that we have for the reading is that of Daniel, it seems but fair that the interpretation of the terms be left to the person who gave us the text. According to his interpretation, there is a double sense to be found in the three different words of the inscription (<a href="/daniel/5-26.htm">Daniel 5:26-28</a>).<br><br>Mene', which, however it is pointed, must be taken from the verb menah (Hebrew manah; Babylonian manu), is said to have indicated that God had numbered (the days of) Belshazzar's kingdom and finished it (or delivered it up). Both of these meanings can be shown to be proper to the menah.<br><br>Teqel, on the contrary, is interpreted as coming from two roots: the first, teqal, "to weigh," and the second, qal, "to be light or wanting" (Hebrew qalal; Babylonian qalalu).<br><br>Perec (or parcin) also is interpreted as coming from two roots: first, perac, "to divide" (Hebrew paras or parash; Babylonian parasu), and the second as denoting the proper name Parac, "Persia." Thus interpreted, the whole story hangs together, makes good sense, and is fully justified by the context and by the language employed. If the original text was in Babylonian, the signs were ambiguous; if they were in Aramaic, the consonants alone were written, and hence, the reading would be doubtful. In either case, the inscription was apparent but not readable, except by Daniel with the aid of God, through whom also the seer was enabled to give the proper interpretation. That Daniel's interpretation was accepted by Belshazzar and the rest shows that the interpretation of the signs was reasonable and convincing when once it had been made. We see, therefore, no good reason for departing from the interpretation that the Book of Daniel gives as the true one.<br><br>As to the interpretation of the inscription, it makes no difference whether the signs represented a mina, a shekel, and two perases, as has been recently suggested by M. Clermont-Ganneau. In this case the meaning was not so apparent, but the puns, the play upon the sounds, were even better. We doubt, however, if it can be shown that teqel means sheqel. On the old Aramaic documents of Egypt and Assyria, it is with one exception spelled sheqel. In the Targum of Onkelos, sheqel is always rendered by cela`; in the Peshitta and Arabic VSS, by mathqal; in the Samaritan Targum, by mathqal (except only perhaps in <a href="/genesis/23-16.htm">Genesis 23:16</a>, where we have ethqel). In the Targum of Onkelos, wherever tiqla' occurs, it translates the Hebrew beqa` (<a href="/genesis/24-22.htm">Genesis 24:22</a> and <a href="/exodus/38-26.htm">Exodus 38:26</a> only). Mene', to be sure, may have meant the mina, and perec, the half-mina. The parash is mentioned in the inscription of Panammu and in an Aramaic inscription on an Assyrian weight. Besides this, it is found in the New Hebrew of the Mishna It is not found, however, in the Targum of Onkelos, nor in Syriac, nor in the Old Testament Hebrew; nor in the sense of half-shekel in the Aramaic papyri. While, then, it may be admitted that Daniel may have read, "A mina, a mina, a shekel, and two half-minas," it is altogether unlikely, and there is certainly no proof that he did. Yet, if he did, his punning interpretations were justified by the usage of ancient oracles and interpreters of signs, and also by the event.<br><br>R. Dick Wilson<p><span class="encheading">UPHARSIN</span><p>u-far'-sin (upharsin).<br><br>See <a href="../m/mene.htm">MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN</a>.<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/6537b.htm"><span class="l">6537b. peres -- half-mina</span></a><br><b>...</b> half-mina. Transliteration: peres Short Definition: PERES. Word Origin (Aramaic)<br> from peras Definition half-mina NASB Word Usage PERES (1), <b>UPHARSIN</b> (1). <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/6537b.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/6537.htm"><span class="l">6537. prac -- to break in two</span></a><br><b>...</b> divide, <b>Upharsin</b> (Aramaic) corresponding to parac; to split up -- divide, (U-)pharsin.<br> see HEBREW parac. 6536, 6537. prac. 6537a . Strong's Numbers. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/6537.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 5k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/moody/weighed_and_wanting/weighed_in_the_balances.htm"><span class="l">Weighed in the Balances</span></a> <br><b>...</b> So Daniel was sent for. He was very familiar with it. He knew his Father's handwriting.<br> "This is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, <b>Upharsin</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_a/mene_tekel_peres.htm"><span class="l">Mene, Tekel, Peres</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.25. And<br> this is the writing that was written, 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>.' 26. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/mene tekel peres.htm</font><p><a href="/library/white/the_story_of_prophets_and_kings/chapter_43_the_unseen_watcher.htm"><span class="l">The Unseen Watcher</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Turning to the Heaven-sent message on the wall, the prophet read, "Mene, Mene, Tekel,<br> <b>Upharsin</b>." The hand that had traced the characters was no longer visible <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm</font><p><a href="/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_e/fear_and_faith.htm"><span class="l">Fear and Faith</span></a> <br><b>...</b> was captured. When the Finger came out and wrote upon the wall, 'Mene, Mene,<br> Tekel, <b>Upharsin</b>,' it did not stop the feast. They went <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/fear and faith.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_4_1858/self-examination.htm"><span class="l">Self-Examination</span></a> <br><b>...</b> at the thought of ever being there, lest we should have to come out of the scale<br> with this verdict, "Tekel,""("Mene, mene, tekel, <b>upharsin</b>")""thou art <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/self-examination.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/sermons_on_proverbs/last_things.htm"><span class="l">Last Things</span></a> <br><b>...</b> In that dreadful day shall I see the handwriting on the wall, "Mene, Tekel,<br> <b>Upharsin</b>"""Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting"? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/u/upharsin.htm"><span class="l"><b>Upharsin</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> "Peres" is only a simple form of the same word. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.<br> MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. <b>...</b> R. Dick Wilson. <b>UPHARSIN</b>. u-far'-sin (<b>upharsin</b>). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/upharsin.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tekel.htm"><span class="l">Tekel (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5:27). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. <b>...</b> TEKEL.<br> te'-kel (teqel). See MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tekel.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/u/upharsinupharsin.htm"><span class="l">Upharsinupharsin (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance Upharsinupharsin (1 Occurrence). Daniel 5:25 And this<br> is the writing that was inscribed: MENE MENE, TEKEL <b>UPHARSIN</b>. (See NAS). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/upharsinupharsin.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/mene.htm"><span class="l">Mene (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. <b>...</b> Mene (2 Occurrences). Daniel<br> 5:25 This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/mene.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/u/upbuilds.htm"><span class="l">Upbuilds (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/u/upbuilds.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/inscribed.htm"><span class="l">Inscribed (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> inscribed. (WEB JPS ASV RSV). Daniel 5:25 This is the writing that was<br> inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. (WEB JPS ASV RSV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/inscribed.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/parsin.htm"><span class="l">Parsin (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance Parsin (1 Occurrence). Daniel 5:25 This is the writing<br> that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <b>UPHARSIN</b>. (See RSV NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/parsin.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/inscription.htm"><span class="l">Inscription (18 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> inscribed. (See NAS NIV). Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was inscribed:<br> MENE MENE, TEKEL <b>UPHARSIN</b>. (See NAS NIV). Zechariah <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/inscription.htm - 12k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/mene-mene-tekel-upharsin.html">What is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/questions-about-Daniel.html">Questions about Daniel | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Belshazzar.html">Who was Belshazzar? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Upharsin (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/daniel/5-25.htm">Daniel 5:25</a></span><br />This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, <span class="boldtext">UPHARSIN</span>.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/u/upharsin.htm">Upharsin</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/u/upharsin--divided.htm">Upharsin: Divided</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tekel.htm">Tekel (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/upharsinupharsin.htm">Upharsinupharsin (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mene.htm">Mene (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/upbuilds.htm">Upbuilds (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/inscribed.htm">Inscribed (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/parsin.htm">Parsin (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/inscription.htm">Inscription (18 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/u/upbuilds.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Upbuilds"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Upbuilds" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/u/upharsin--divided.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Upharsin: Divided"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Upharsin: Divided" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>