Daniel 5:28 — Word Study
WLCפְּרֵ֑ס פְּרִיסַת֙ מַלְכוּתָ֔ךְ וִיהִיבַ֖ת לְמָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס׃
BSAPERESpᵉraç [divided, split apart] means that your kingdommalkûw [realm, territory] has been dividedpᵉraç [cut up, severed] and given overyᵉhab■ [handed over, delivered] to the MedesMâday [people of Media, a region in central Asia] and PersiansPâraç [inhabitants of Persia, an ancient Eastern country]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| פְּרֵ֑ס | peres | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| פְּרִיסַת֙ | it has been broken in two | Verb plural, third person feminine singular |
| מַלְכוּתָ֔ךְ | kingdom your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וִיהִיבַ֖ת | and it has been given | Conjunction, verb plural third person feminine singular |
| לְמָדַ֥י | to Medes | Preposition, noun proper |
| וּפָרָֽס׃ | and Persians | Conjunction, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” |
| KJV | PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. |
| ASV | PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. |
| YLT | Divided — Divided is thy kingdom, and it hath been given to the Medes and Persians.' |
| WEB | PERES: your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” |
| BBE | Peres; your kingdom has been cut up and given to the Medes and Persians. |
Where they part company is פְּרֵס — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured with a main clause followed by a description of the action taken regarding the kingdom.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
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 5:28
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
Daniel 5:28 reveals the interpretation of the writing on the wall, where Daniel informs King Belshazzar that his kingdom is to be divided and handed over to the Medes and Persians. This moment signifies the end of Babylonian rule and the rise of a new empire, as foretold by the earlier prophecies in the book of Daniel, highlighting God's sovereignty over kingdoms and rulers.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 5:31 | and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two. |
| 2 | Daniel 6:28 | So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. |
| 3 | Daniel 8:3–4 | Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one grew up later. |
| 4 | Daniel 9:1 | In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes, a Mede by descent, who was made ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans — |
| 5 | Isaiah 13:17 | Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פְּרֵס, pe.Resgenerated
The word פְּרֵס (pe.Res) is a noun meaning 'to divide' or 'split apart'. It is derived from a root that conveys the action of breaking or dividing something into parts. In this context, it indicates the division of the kingdom, symbolizing a significant change in power.
This term appears in the context of measurement, often associated with dividing goods or wealth. Here, it underscores the gravity of the message delivered to Belshazzar regarding the fate of his kingdom.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the word divided to convey the meaning of פְּרֵס. Other translations, such as the KJV and ASV, also use divided, maintaining the same interpretation.
The translations agree on the meaning of פְּרֵס as 'divided', with only a few versions like the BBE and GNV opting to retain the transliteration peres.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of multiple clauses, with the main action centered around the verb וִיהִיבַ֖ת (and it has been given). The structure indicates a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the division of the kingdom and the new rulers.
The order of the Hebrew phrases emphasizes the division of the kingdom first, followed by the identification of the new rulers, the Medes and Persians, as the recipients of this transfer of power.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word פְּרֵס is rendered as διεῖλον — to divide. This choice reflects a clear understanding of the division being a significant and deliberate act.
The translation captures the essence of the division, indicating a transition of power rather than a mere change in measurement or quantity.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 5:28 tells us that the writing on the wall means that King Belshazzar's kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. This signifies a major shift in power from Babylon to the new rulers, highlighting God's control over nations.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
'PERES' means that the kingdom has been divided, indicating a significant change in power.
The Medes and Persians were ancient peoples who established a powerful empire that succeeded Babylon.
This verse illustrates God's authority to raise and lower kingdoms according to His divine plan.
The division of the kingdom and the rise of the Medes and Persians fulfill the prophecies regarding the fall of Babylon and the establishment of new powers.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the division of the kingdom teach us about the nature of power and authority?
- How can we see God's hand in the rise and fall of nations today?
- In what ways does this passage encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty?
- What lessons can we learn about humility and leadership from Belshazzar's downfall?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 5:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePERES,.... The singular of "Pharsin", Daniel 5:25. The sense of this word is, thy kingdom is divided: which, though it consisted of various provinces, united under Belshazzar, now should be broken
Read John Gill on Daniel 5 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 5 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleSeparated, divided, broken. Peres signifies two things, broken off, and Persian; noting, first, That this kingdom was broken from Belshazzar, and his line and family. Secondly, That it was given from the Chaldeans to the Persians. Then it was divided between the Medes and Persians; for Cyrus took Babylon, he was a Persian; after that he gave part of it to Darius his son-in-law, and he was a Mede; and so they were as it were partners. So this vast empire, that was one sole, entire thing under Belshazzar, becomes now as it were two, divided betwixt the Medes and Persians, which thing is curious to observe, from this word Phars, Pharsin, Peres, which signifies not only dividing, but Persian…
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 5 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 5:28 PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.Ver. 28. PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes.] This had been long before prophesied, Isaiah 13:17; yea, Genesis 9:25; and now Ham’ s posterity felt his father’ s curse. Nimrod, the founder of Babylon, came of Ham, Madai or the Medes were of Japhet, and Elam or the Persians of Shem. God’ s forbearances are no acquittances. Let all wicked ones look to it. What is Mene but death? Tekel but judgment? Peres but hell or utter separation from God? and all to be passed through by their poor souls if timely course be not taken. Hear this, all ye drunkards, who glory in drinking the three outs &c.
Read John Trapp on Daniel 5 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. the Medes and Persians] See on Daniel 5:31.
Read Cambridge on Daniel 5 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BiblePeres - In Daniel 5:25 this is “Upharsin.” These are but different forms of the same word - the word in Daniel 5:25 being in the plural, and here in the singular.
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
PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
PERES: your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”
PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
As for peres– your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”
Tyndale line
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
PERES; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
PERES, thy kingdome is deuided, and giuen to the Medes and Persians.
Strictly literal
PERES, Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
Divided — Divided is thy kingdom, and it hath been given to the Medes and Persians.'
Divided—Your kingdom is divided, and it has been given to the Medes and Persians.”
P'ress; Thy kingdom hath been divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians.
'Peres,' 'your kingdom is divided and is given to the Medes and Persians.'”
From the Latin
PHARES: thy kingdom is divided, and is given to the Medes and Persians.
Simplified
Divided—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and the Persians.”
Peres; your kingdom has been cut up and given to the Medes and Persians.
Word by word, the decisions they made
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.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads פְּרֵ֑ס פְּרִיסַת֙ מַלְכוּתָ֔ךְ וִיהִיבַ֖ת לְמָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס׃, and this aligns with the readings found in other ancient witnesses, confirming the interpretation of the kingdom's division.
פְּרֵ֑ס פְּרִיסַת֙ מַלְכוּתָ֔ךְ וִיהִיבַ֖ת לְמָדַ֥י וּפָרָֽס׃
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.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 5:28
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.
פְּרַס (pras) means to break in two or divide. It appears in the context of splitting, particularly in Aramaic, and is associated with a measurement, specifically a half-mina or half-shekel. The word's usage is noted in Daniel 5:28.
[פְּרַס] vb. break in two;—Pe‛îl Dn 5:28.
ref
פְּרֵס prob. n.[m.] half-mina
base
H6537a פְּרַס break in two H6537b פְּרֵס prob. n. [m.] half-mina
6537 prac per-as'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6536; to split up:--divide,
(U-)pharsin.
see HEBREW for 06536
פְּרַס (pe.ras) — to divide.
v
(P'al) to break in two, divide
Aramaic of pa.ras (פָּרַס "to divide" H6536)
פְּרֵס (pe.res) — half.
1) half-mina, half-shekel
1a) a unit of measure and weight
Adj — Noun common · both singular absoluteANcbsa
pe'-rez.
See MENE.
Peres
Divided, one of the mysterious words “written over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall” of king Belshazzar’s palace (Dan. 5:28). (See MENE.)
פְּרַס (pras) means to break in two or divide. It appears in the context of splitting, particularly in Aramaic, and is associated with a measurement, specifically a half-mina or half-shekel. The word's usage is noted in Daniel 5:28.
[פְּרַס] vb. break in two;—Pe‛îl Dn 5:28.
ref
פְּרֵס prob. n.[m.] half-mina
base
H6537a פְּרַס break in two H6537b פְּרֵס prob. n. [m.] half-mina
6537 prac per-as'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6536; to split up:--divide,
(U-)pharsin.
see HEBREW for 06536
פְּרַס (pe.ras) — to divide.
v
(P'al) to break in two, divide
Aramaic of pa.ras (פָּרַס "to divide" H6536)
פְּרֵס (pe.res) — half.
1) half-mina, half-shekel
1a) a unit of measure and weight
Adj — Verb plural · third person feminine singularAVQp3fs
too.
See NUMBER.
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.
מַלְכוּ n.f. royalty, reign, kingdom
base
H4437 מַלְכוּ
4437 malkuw mal-koo'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4438; dominion (abstractly or
concretely):--kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.
see HEBREW for 04438
מַלְכוּ (mal.khu) — kingdom.
1) royalty, reign, kingdom
1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority
1b) kingdom
1c) realm (of territory)
1d) reign (of time)
Adj | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixANcfsc/Sp2ms
יְהַב (yhab) means to give or provide, and it can also imply laying foundations or being paid. It is derived from an Aramaic root and covers various forms, including giving, placing, and being given. The entries suggest a range of uses in contexts related to provision and payment.
יְהַב vb. give
Pe.
give
place, lay foundations
Pe‛îl, be given
Hithpe.
be given
be paid, of cost
base
H3052 יְהַב
3052 yhab yeh-hab'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 3051; -deliver, give, lay, +
prolong, pay, yield.
see HEBREW for 03051
יְהַב (ye.hav) — to give.
1) to give, provide
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to give
1a2) to place, lay (foundations)
1b) (Hithp'al)
1b1) to be given
1b2) to be paid
Adj | V-Q-Perf-3fs — Conjunction · verb plural third person feminine singularAC/VQp3fs
מָדַי (Maday) refers to the Medes or Media, a region and its inhabitants located northwest of Persia. The term is derived from Aramaic and is associated with the concept of a 'middle land.' The entries indicate that it is linked to the territory inhabited by the Medes, situated near the Caspian Sea and surrounding regions.
מָדַי n.pr.gent. et terr. Medes, Media
base
H4076 מָדַי
4076 Maday maw-dah'-ee
(Aramaic) corresponding to 4074:--Mede(-s).
see HEBREW for 04074
מָדַי (ma.day) — Mede.
also called Mede frequently
Aramaic of me.dan (מְדָן "Medan" H4091)
§ Medes = "middle land"
1) the territory inhabited by the Medes
2a) located northwest of Persia proper, south and southwest of the Caspian Sea, east of Armenia and Assyria, and west and northwest of the great salt desert of Iram
מָדַי (ma.day) — Media.
Aramaic of ma.day (מָדַי "Media" H4074H)
§ Medes = "middle land"
the territory inhabited by the Medes
located northwest of Persia proper, south and southwest of the Caspian Sea, east of Armenia and Assyria, and west and northwest of the great salt desert of Iram
Adj | Ngmsd — Preposition · noun properAR/Npl
medz (madhi; Assyrian Amada, Mada; Achaem. Persian Mada; Medoi (Ge 10:2; 2Ki 17:6; 18:11; 1Ch 1:5; Ezr 6:2; Es 1:3,14,18,19; 10:2; Isa 13:17; 21:2; Jer 25:25; 51:11,28; Da 5:28; 6:1,9,13,16; 8:20; 9:1; 11:1)): Mentioned as Japhethites in Ge 10:2, i.e. Aryans, and accordingly they first called themselves Arioi (Herod. vii.62), in Avestic Airya = Skt. Arya, "noble." They were closely allied in descent, language…
פָּרַס (parac) refers to Persia and the Persians, derived from the Aramaic term for the region. The term encompasses the vast Persian Empire, which extended from India to Egypt and Thrace, covering significant parts of Europe and Asia. The entries highlight that Persia is associated with meanings like 'pure' or 'splendid.'
פָּרַס n.pr.terr. et gent. Persia (as kingdom), Persians
base
H6540 פָּרַס
6540 Parac paw-ras'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6539:--Persia, Persians.
see HEBREW for 06539
פָּרַס (pa.ras) — Persia.
Aramaic of pa.ras (פָּרַס "Persia" H6539)
§ Persia = "pure" or "splendid"
the empire Persia; encompassed the territory from India on the east to Egypt and Thrace on the west, and included, besides portions of Europe and Africa, the whole of western Asia between the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian and the Jaxartes on the north, the Arabian desert, the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean on the south
1a) Persia proper was bounded on the west by Susiana or Elam, on the north by Media, on the south by the Persian Gulf and on the east by Carmania
Persian, of Persia "pure" or "splendid"
Adj | Ngmsd — Conjunction · noun properAC/Npl
pur'-shanz, -zhanz (parac, also equals PERSIA, PERSIS (which see); adjective parci Hebrew, and parcay, Aramaic.; Persai, adjective only in Ne 12:22; Da 6:28; Achaem. Persian Parsa, name of both country and people; does not occur in Avesta):
I. AFFINITY
1. Three Classes
2. Tribal and Clan Divisions
3. Achemenian Dynasty
II. CIVILIZATION
1. Writing
2. Institutions and Customs
III. HISTORY
1. Cyrus
2. Capture of Babylon
3. Cambyses
4. Pseudo-Smerdis
5. Darius I
6. Darius' Suez Canal
7. Xerxes I
8. Artaxerxes II
9. Xerxes II
10. Later Persian Kings
IV. FIRST MENTION IN INSCRIPTIONS
LITERATURE
The Persians are not mentioned in the Bible until the exilic books (2Ch 36:20,22,23; Ezr 1:1,2,8; 3:7;