In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon hosts a grand feast for his nobles and introduces sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem, disrespecting God. Suddenly, a mysterious hand appears, writing on the wall. Troubled and frightened, the king calls for the wise men, but none can interpret the message. The queen then remembers Daniel, a man renowned for his wisdom. Daniel is summoned, and the king promises great rewards if he can decipher the writing.
Daniel refuses the rewards and instead explains the meaning of the words. The inscription, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin,” signifies that Belshazzar’s kingdom is numbered and finished, and he has been weighed and found wanting. Daniel further reveals that the kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
True to Daniel’s interpretation, that very night, the Persian king, Cyrus, invades and conquers Babylon, and Belshazzar is slain. The prophecy comes to pass, highlighting the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers and the consequences of pride and disrespect.