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Peres

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The Aramaic word in Daniel 5 meaning “divided,” used in the judgment pronounced over Belshazzar’s kingdom.

At a Glance

Aramaic word in Daniel 5 meaning “divided.”

Key Points

Description

Peres appears in Daniel 5 as part of the mysterious writing on the wall during Belshazzar’s feast. Daniel interprets the message as announcing that the Babylonian kingdom has been judged and divided, with its power given over to the Medes and Persians. The term functions as a wordplay within the narrative rather than as a broad theological concept. Its significance lies in the certainty of God’s judgment and the demonstration of his sovereignty over human rulers and empires.

Biblical Context

Daniel 5 records Belshazzar’s impious feast, the appearance of the writing on the wall, and Daniel’s interpretation. Peres belongs to that judgment oracle and helps explain the meaning of the inscription.

Historical Context

The scene takes place in the final phase of the Babylonian Empire, when the Medo-Persian power was rising. The wording reflects the fall of Babylon and the transfer of imperial rule.

Jewish and Ancient Context

The term is Aramaic and belongs to the language of the narrative in Daniel 5. Ancient readers would have recognized the wordplay with the fuller form of the inscription and with the idea of division or splitting.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Aramaic perēs, meaning “divided,” with wordplay in the fuller inscription "Upharsin."

Theological Significance

Peres highlights God’s authority to judge proud rulers and to divide or remove kingdoms according to his purpose. It reinforces the biblical theme that human power is accountable to God.

Philosophical Explanation

The term illustrates moral and historical accountability: public power is not self-grounded but answerable to divine judgment. Human rule is temporary, while God’s verdict is decisive.

Interpretive Cautions

Peres should be read within Daniel 5, not treated as a stand-alone code word or mystical symbol. Its force comes from the narrative and Daniel’s own interpretation.

Major Views

Readers generally agree that Peres means “divided” and refers to the judgment on Babylon, though translations vary slightly in handling the related form "Upharsin."

Doctrinal Boundaries

The passage teaches divine judgment and sovereignty, but it should not be extended into speculative end-times schemes beyond what Daniel 5 states.

Practical Significance

Peres warns against pride, irreverence, and presuming on God’s patience. It reminds readers that God can bring down human greatness in a moment.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Peres

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