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Daniel 5:26 — Word Study

Depth

WLCדְּנָ֖ה פְּשַֽׁר־ מִלְּתָ֑א מְנֵ֕א מְנָֽה־ אֱלָהָ֥א מַלְכוּתָ֖ךְ וְהַשְׁלְמַֽהּ׃

BSA[And] thisdên [therefore, as a result] is the interpretationpᵉshar [explanation, meaning] of the messagemillâh MENEmᵉnêʼ [numbered, counted] means that Godʼĕlâhh [Eloah, the one true God] has numberedmᵉnâʼ [reckoned, appointed] the days of your reignmalkûw [kingdom, rule] and brought it to an endshᵉlam [finished, completed]

Word
Listen & take awayDaniel 5
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 26 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ve.hash.le.Mah) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Daniel 5:26quick helps
In a sentenceDaniel interprets the message written on the wall, indicating the end of King Belshazzar's reign.
Who is speakingDaniel, the prophet, speaking to King Belshazzar.
Where we areThe interpretation of the mysterious writing that appeared during a feast.
The hard wordמְנֵ֕א
Take awayGod has measured the king's days and brought his reign to a close.
6 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbמְנָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Daniel 5:26

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Writing on the Wallgenerated

25Now this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.
26And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
27TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.
28PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

Daniel 5:26 reveals the interpretation of the mysterious writing on the wall during King Belshazzar's feast. Daniel explains that the word 'MENE' signifies that God has counted the days of Belshazzar's reign and has brought it to an end. This moment serves as a warning and a divine judgment, emphasizing God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Daniel 9:2in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.
2Job 14:14When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.
3Isaiah 13:1–14This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
4Isaiah 21:1–10This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
5Isaiah 47:1–15“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of Chaldea! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word מְנֵ֕א, me.Ne'generated

The word מְנֵא (me.Ne') refers to a mina, a unit of weight or measurement, often used to denote a specific amount. In this context, it signifies that God has counted or numbered something significant.

The parsing as a noun indicates that it stands alone as a subject in the sentence. It emphasizes the act of counting, which is central to the message conveyed to Belshazzar.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses numbered for מְנֵ֕א. The KJV and ASV also use numbered, maintaining the sense of divine reckoning.

Where translations differ, מְנֵ֕א is rendered as counted (WEB) or simply left as mene (GNV), indicating different approaches to conveying the meaning of the term.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb מְנָֽה (he has numbered) governs the sentence, with several phrases detailing the subject and object. The structure indicates a clear statement of God's action regarding the king's reign.

The main clause is followed by additional clauses that elaborate on the interpretation of the message, showing the relationship between the divine action and its implications for Belshazzar.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, מְנֵ֕א is rendered as ἠρίθμηται, meaning 'has been numbered.' This choice emphasizes the aspect of divine counting or reckoning, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.

The translation reflects a narrowing of the term's significance, focusing on the act of counting as a divine judgment.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Daniel 5:26 explains that the word 'MENE' means God has counted the days of King Belshazzar's reign and has brought it to an end. This interpretation serves as a warning of divine judgment on the king's rule.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does 'MENE' mean in this context?

'MENE' signifies that God has counted or numbered the days of Belshazzar's reign, indicating that it is coming to an end.

Why is the interpretation important?

The interpretation reveals God's judgment on Belshazzar, emphasizing the sovereignty of God over earthly rulers.

How does this verse relate to the overall message of Daniel?

This verse highlights the theme of divine authority and the consequences of pride and disobedience among rulers.

What can we learn from Belshazzar's fate?

Belshazzar's fate serves as a warning about the importance of recognizing God's authority and the consequences of ignoring divine signs.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways do I recognize God's authority in my life?
  2. How can I be more aware of the signs and messages God may be sending?
  3. What lessons can I learn from the downfall of King Belshazzar?
  4. How does understanding God's sovereignty affect my perspective on current events?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Theodoret of Cyrus comments on this passage, interpreting the message as a divine judgment against King Belshazzar.

Theodoret of CyrusCOMMENTARY ON Daniel 5:25-28 c. 393–460
By “interpretation,” he refers to the meaning. “Mane: God has measured your kingdom and brought it to an end,” that is, he has seen you are unworthy of kingship, and he decided to leave you bereft of it.
Early Church Fathers on Daniel 5 →

Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Daniel 5:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

This is the interpretation of the thing,.... Or, "word" (z); for they might all seem as one word; or this is the sense of the whole: MENE; as for this word, it signifies, God hath numbered thy

Read John Gill on Daniel 5 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom. God hath fixed the number of years of thine empire, and that number is now complete.

Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 5 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Mene, Mene; He hath numbered, or, It is numbered, it is numbered. These words are doubled for the greater confirmation, to note that the number of his sins and of his days, both of life and reign, are full. It relates to the number of the seventy years’ captivity now completed, or to the seventy years for the overthrow of the Babylonish empire, or the translation of it to the Medes and Persians, foretold Isaiah 13$ Isaiah 14$ Jeremiah 1$, and in the dream, .

Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 5 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Daniel 5:26 This [is] the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.Ver. 26. MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom.] He hath cast up thy reckonings, taken account of thy maladministration, and calleth for satisfaction. So he dealt with Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Cum duplicarentur lateres, venit Moses, when the tale of bricks was doubled, then came Moses; and when the four hundred, or the four hundred and thirty, years of their captivity in Egypt were exactly expired, the same night were the firstborn slain. So the tyranny of the Roman emperors was numbered at the end of three hundred years after Christ, when they, sounding the triumph before the victory…

Read John Trapp on Daniel 5 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26. finished it] completed it, given it its full and complete measure of time. Cp. the cognate adj. in Genesis 15:16 (‘full,’ ‘complete’).

Read Cambridge on Daniel 5 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

This is the interpretation of the thing - It may seem not to have been difficult to interpret the meaning of the communication, when one was able to read the words, or when the sense of the words was understood.

Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 5 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God has counted your kingdom, and brought it to an end.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

And this is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

NETBNew English Translation2006

This is the interpretation of the words: As for mene – God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end.

RVARevised Version, American1894

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

This is the interpretation of the thing, MENE, God hath nombred thy kingdome, and hath finished it.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it;

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

This [is] the interpretation of the thing: Numbered — God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

This [is] the interpretation of the thing: Numbered—God has numbered your kingdom, and has finished it.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

This the interpretation of the matter: M'ne, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and made an end of it.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

This is its meaning: 'Mene,' 'God has numbered your kingdom and brought it to an end.'

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And this is the interpretation of the word. MANE: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Here is the meaning: Number—God has numbered your reign and brought it to an end.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

This is the sense of the words: Mene; your kingdom has been numbered by God and ended.

Word by word, the decisions they made

מְנֵ֕אme.Ne' mene H4484 3 different renderings
numberedASV BBE BSB DBY DRA FBV ILT KJV LSV MSB NETB NWB RVA ULB YLT
countedWEB
meneGNV

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clausepredicateדְּנָ֖הthisnoun phrase · subjectפְּשַֽׁר[is].the.interpretationnoun phraseמִלְּתָ֑ofאthe.matterclauseclauseמְנֵ֕אmeneclauseclauseverbמְנָֽהhe.has.numberednoun phrase · subjectאֱלָהָ֥(the)אGodnoun phrase · objectמַלְכוּתָ֖kingdomךְyourוְandclauseverbהַשְׁלְמַֽheobjectהּhas.finished.it

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in the main terms of the verse, although the Septuagint's word order differs. The key concepts remain consistent across both texts.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

דְּנָ֖ה פְּשַֽׁר־ מִלְּתָ֑א מְנֵ֕א מְנָֽה־ אֱלָהָ֥א מַלְכוּתָ֖ךְ וְהַשְׁלְמַֽהּ׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
דְּנָ֖הτοῦτοמִלְּתָ֑אγραφῆςמְנָֽה־ἠρίθμηταιמַלְכוּתָ֖ךְβασιλείαςוְהַשְׁלְמַֽהּ׃συντετέλεσται

5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Daniel 5:26דְּנָהthisthisדְּנָהפְּשַׁר[is] [the] [is] [the] inteפְּשַׁרמִלָּהmatter thematter theמִלָּהמְנֵאmenemeneמְנֵאמְנָהhe has numbhe has numberedמְנָהאֱלָהּGodGodאֱלָהּמַלְכוּkingdom youkingdom yourמַלְכוּשְׁלֵםand he has and he has finiשְׁלֵםפְּשַׁרto interprto interpretפְּשַׁרדֵּךְthisthisדֵּךְמִלָּהspeechspeechמִלָּהמְנָהto reckon/to reckon/appoiמְנָהמָנָהto countto countמָנָהאֱלֹהַּgodgodאֱלֹהַּמַלְכוּתroyaltyroyaltyמַלְכוּתשָׁלֵםto completto completeשָׁלֵםבְּנָהto buildto buildבְּנָהקֳבֵלbefore: bebefore: becauseקֳבֵלחֲוָהto showto showחֲוָהחֵ֫לֶםdreamdreamחֵ֫לֶםפְּשַׁרinterpretainterpretationפְּשַׁריְדַעto knowto knowיְדַעתְּקַלto weighto weighתְּקַלעֲבִידָהserviceserviceעֲבִידָהעַלsincesinceעַליְרוּשְׁלֵםJerusalemJerusalemיְרוּשְׁלֵם
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Daniel 5:26

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
דְּנָ֖הde.Nah this H1836 Particle
58× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means 'this' or 'therefore' and is used to point to something specific. It is often used in the Bible to connect ideas or explain a reason.
Amplified meaning
therefore, as a result
Tyndale gloss
this
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דְּנָה (denah) is an Aramaic word meaning 'this' and is used as a demonstrative pronoun. It can also imply 'therefore' or 'on account of this.' The entries indicate that it is an orthographical variation of another word, דָּן (dan), but do not provide specific Old Testament references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דְּנָה 57 demonstr.pr.comm. this

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1836 דְּנָה, דֵּן

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1836 den dane

(Aramaic) an orthographical variation of 1791; this:--

(afore-)time, + after this manner, here (-after),

one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), +

thus, where(-fore), which.

see HEBREW for 01791

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דְּנָה (de.nah) — this.

demons pron

1) this, on account of this

adv

2) therefore

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Particle
ATm
this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
פְּשַֽׁר־pe.shar- [is] [the] interpretation of H6591 Noun common · both singular construct
31× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to the explanation or meaning of something, like a dream. It is used in Daniel 2 and 4 to describe the interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. The word is about finding the solution to a mystery.
Amplified meaning
explanation, meaning
Tyndale gloss
interpretation
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

פְּשַׁר (pshar) is an Aramaic noun meaning 'interpretation,' specifically referring to the interpretation of dreams. It is derived from a root that also relates to the concept of interpretation. The entries consistently emphasize its use in the context of dream interpretation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

פְּשַׁר 31 n.m. interpretation (of dream)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6591 פְּשַׁר

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6591 pshar pesh-ar'

(Aramaic) from 6590; an interpretation:--interpretation.

see HEBREW for 06590

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

פְּשַׁר (pe.shar) — interpretation.

interpretation (of dream)

Aramaic of pit.ron (פִּתְרוֹן "interpretation" H6623)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both singular construct
ANcbsc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ov:

(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.

English usagewhat the translators’ English meant
Webster's Dictionary (1828), Webster's Unabridged (1913), Webster's Dictionary (1806)

OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]

1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.

I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.

For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.

Lamentations 3:1.

The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.

Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.

That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.

Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…

this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
מִלְּתָ֑אmi.le.Ta' matter the H4406 Noun common feminine singular determined · particle
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Similar to H4405, this word means a word, command, or subject. It's used in the Bible to describe what God commands or what people discuss.
Tyndale gloss
word
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מִלָּה (millah) refers to a 'word' or 'thing' in Hebrew, encompassing meanings such as command, discourse, or subject. It is derived from an Aramaic root and is used to denote utterances or matters of importance. The entries consistently highlight its application in various contexts, including commands and affairs.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מִלָּה n.f. word, thing

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4406 מִלָּה

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4406 millah mil-law'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4405; a word, command, discourse,

or subject:--commandment, matter, thing. word.

see HEBREW for 04405

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מִלָּה (mil.lah) — word.

1) word, thing

1a) word, utterance, command

1b) thing, affair, matter

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Noun common feminine singular determined · particle
ANcfsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mat'-er: This word being a very general term may express various ideas. the Revised Version (British and American) therefore frequently changes the reading of the King James Version in order to state more definitely the meaning of the context (compare Ex 24:14; 1Sa 16:18; 1Ki 8:59; 2Sa 11:19; Es 3:4; Ps 35:20; 64:5; Pr 16:20; 18:13). dabhar, and the Greek logos, both meaning "word," are very frequently translated by "matter." hule, "wood," is rendered "matter" in

this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
מְנֵ֕אme.Ne' mene H4484 Noun common · both singular absolute
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A mina is a unit of weight or measurement, often 50 or 60 shekels, used in biblical times. In Daniel 5, the word 'Mene' is written on the wall, meaning a mina or unit of measurement. This term is used to signify a specific amount or weight.
Amplified meaning
numbered, counted
Tyndale gloss
mina
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְנֵא (mene') refers to a mina, a unit of weight or measurement, typically around 50 to 60 shekels. The term is derived from the Aramaic passive participle of a related word. It is mentioned in contexts related to weights in the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְנֵא n.[m.] maneh, mina, a weight

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4484 מְנֵא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4484 mene' men-ay'

(Aramaic) passive participle of 4483; numbered:--Mene.

see HEBREW for 04483

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְנֵא (me.ne) — mina.

1) (P'al) mina, maneh

1a) a weight or measurement; usually 50 shekels but maybe 60 shekels

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Noun common · both singular absolute
ANcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Mene

(Dan. 5:25, 26), numbered, one of the words of the mysterious inscription written “upon the plaister of the wall” in Belshazzar’s palace at Babylon. The writing was explained by Daniel. (See BELSHAZZAR.)

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(numbered), the first word of the mysterious inscription written upon the wall of Belshazzar’s palace, in which Daniel read the doom of the king and his dynasty. (Daniel 5:25,26)

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

He is numbered; TEKEL, he is weighed; UPHARSIN, and they are dividing; Chaldee words supernaturally traced on the wall at Balshazzar’s impious feast, and significant of his impending doom, Da 5:1-31. The astrologers could not read them, perhaps because they were written in antique Hebrew characters; still less could they explain, even if they had dared to do it, what was so portentous. Daniel, however, received skill to understand and courage to declare their awful meaning; and the same night witnessed their fulfillment. Over how many proud heads often found in scenes of ungodliness and reveling, the hand that has recorded their past history is even now preparing to record their doom

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

who reckons or is counted

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
מְנָֽה־me.nah- he has numbered H4483 Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
5× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To reckon or appoint means to count or assign something, like a number or a task, and is used in the Bible to describe God's actions and plans.
Amplified meaning
reckoned, appointed
Tyndale gloss
to reckon/appoint
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מְנָה (mənā) means to count or appoint, with uses in both the P'al and Pael forms indicating numbering and appointing. The entries suggest a focus on the act of reckoning or ordaining something. The word is linked to the Aramaic roots, indicating a broader linguistic connection.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מְנָה vb. number, reckon

Pe. God has numbered

Pa. appoint

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4483 מְנָה, מְנָא

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4483 mna' men-aw'

(Aramaic) or mnah (Aramaic) {men-aw'}; corresponding to 4487;

to count, appoint:--number, ordain, set.

see HEBREW for 04487

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מְנָה (me.nah) — to reckon/appoint.

1) to number, reckon

1a) (P'al) to number

1b) (Pael) to appoint

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singular
AVqp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
אֱלָהָ֥א'e.la.Ha' God H426 Noun common both singular determined · particle
95× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means God, referring to the God of Israel or a heathen deity, as seen in various KJV translations. It is used to describe a divine being.
Amplified meaning
Eloah, the one true God
Tyndale gloss
god
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֱלָהּ (elah) refers to a deity, encompassing both the concept of God in a general sense and specifically the God of Israel. It can also denote heathen deities. The word is rooted in Aramaic, corresponding to another term for God.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֱלָהּ 94 n.m. god, God

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H426 אֱלָהּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

426 'elahh el-aw'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 433; God:--God, god.

see HEBREW for 0433

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֱלָהּ (e.lah) — god.

1) god, God

1a) god, heathen deity

1b) God (of Israel)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Art — Noun common both singular determined · particle
ANcbsd/Ta
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

god ('Elohim, 'El, [`Elyon], Shadday, Yahweh; Theos):

I. INTRODUCTION TO THE GENERAL IDEA

1. The Idea in Experience and in Thought

2. Definition of the Idea

3. The Knowledge of God

4. Ethnic Ideas of God

(1) Animism

(2) Fetishism

(3) Idolatry

(4) Polytheism

(5) Henotheism

(6) Pantheism

(7) Deism

(8) Semitic Monolatry

(9) Monotheism

II. THE IDEA OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. The Course of Its Development

2. Forms of Its Manifestation

(1) The Face or Countenance of God

(2) The Voice and Word of God

(3) The Glory of God

(4) The Angel of God

(5) The Spirit of God

(6) The Name of God

(7) Occasional Forms

3. The Names of God

(1) Generic

(2) Attributive

(3) Yahweh

4. Pre-prophetic Conceptions of God

(1) Yahweh Alone Is the God of Israel

(a) His Early Worship

(b) Popular Religion

(c) Polytheistic Tendencies

(i) Coordination

(ii) Assimilation

(iii) Disintegration

(d) No Hebrew Goddesses

(e) Human Sacrifices

Easton's Bible Dictionary

God

(A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew ’El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of ’Eloah_, plural _’Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by “LORD,” printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Ps. 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of the being of God are:

(1.) The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(good). Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures two chief names are used for the one true divine Being--ELOHIM, commonly translated God in our version, and JEHOVAH, translated Lord . Elohim is the plural of Eloah (in Arabic Allah); it is often used in the short form EL (a word signifying strength , as in EL-SHADDAI, God Almighty, the name by which God was specially known to the patriarchs. (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3) The etymology is uncertain, but it is generally agreed that the primary idea is that of strength, power of effect , and that it properly describes God in that character in which he is exhibited to all men in his works, as the creator, sustainer and supreme governor of the world. The plural form of Elohim has given rise to much discussion. The fanciful idea that it…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This name, the derivation of which is uncertain, we give to that eternal, infinite, perfect, and incomprehensible Being, the Creator of all things, who preserves and governs all by his almighty power and wisdom, and is the only proper object of worship. The proper Hebrew name for God is JEHOVAH, which signifies He is. But the Jews, from a feeling of reverence, avoid pronouncing this name, substituting for it, wherever it occurs in the sacred test, the word ADONAI, Lord; except in the expression, ADONAI JEHOVAH, Lord Jehovah, for which they put, ADONAI ELOHIM, Lord God. This usage, which is not without an element of superstition, is very ancient, dating its origin some centuries before Christ; but there is no good ground for assuming its existence in the days of the inspired Old Testament writers. The proper word for God is ELOHIM, which is plural in its form, being thus used to signify…

this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
מַלְכוּתָ֖ךְmal.khu.Takh kingdom your H4437 Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
57× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A kingdom refers to the territory or area ruled by a king, like King David's kingdom in Israel. It can also mean the reign or period of time a king is in power. The word is used in the Bible to describe royal authority and dominion.
Amplified meaning
kingdom, rule
Tyndale gloss
kingdom
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

מַלְכוּ (malkuw) refers to concepts of royalty and dominion, encompassing meanings like kingdom, reign, and kingly authority. It is used in both abstract and concrete contexts, indicating a realm or territory as well. The entries do not present any significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

מַלְכוּ n.f. royalty, reign, kingdom

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H4437 מַלְכוּ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

4437 malkuw mal-koo'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or

concretely):--kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.

see HEBREW for 04438

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

מַלְכוּ (mal.khu) — kingdom.

1) royalty, reign, kingdom

1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority

1b) kingdom

1c) realm (of territory)

1d) reign (of time)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
ANcfsc/Sp2ms
this [is] [the] interpretation of matter the mene he has numbered God kingdom your and he has finished it
וְהַשְׁלְמַֽהּ׃ve.hash.le.Mah and he has finished it H8000 Conjunction · verb hiphil perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
3× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to finish or complete something, like a task or a project. In the Bible, it's used to describe bringing something to an end or paying a debt in full.
Amplified meaning
finished, completed
Tyndale gloss
be complete
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שְׁלֵם (shlam) means 'to be complete' or 'to finish.' It can refer to something being finished or sound, and includes forms like 'finished' or 'to bring to an end.' The entries indicate its use in contexts like the completion of the temple and suggest a connection to the idea of restoration.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[שְׁלֵם] vb. be complete

Pe. finished, of temple

Haph. God has finished it (the kingdom; brought it to an end)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8000 שְׁלֵם be complete

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8000 shlam shel-am'

(Aramaic) corresponding to 7999; to complete, to

restore:--deliver, finish.

see HEBREW for 07999

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שְׁלֵם (she.lam) — be complete.

1) to be complete, be finished, be sound

1a) (P'al) finished (participle)

1b) (Aphel) to finish, bring to an end, render in full

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff — Conjunction · verb hiphil perfect third person masculine singular · suffix
AC/Vhp3ms/Sp3fs
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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