ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Belshazzar and the writing on the wall: the kingdom “given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5)

Belshazzar’s Feast, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (around 1635-1638, National Gallery, London): the hand writes on the wall.
Artist’s impression Belshazzar’s Feast, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (around 1635-1638, National Gallery, London): the hand writes on the wall. — Rembrandt, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written 539 BC according to tradition; c. 167–164 BC according to historians. Event: 539 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. The book of Daniel tells how in 539 BC, during a feast, a hand writes on the wall of the palace of Babylon, and Daniel announces to King Belshazzar that his kingdom will be given to the Medes and Persians.

What happened. In October 539 BC, Babylon is taken by the army of the Persian king Cyrus. Babylonian tablets confirm that Belshazzar existed: the eldest son of King Nabonidus, he governed the city in his father's absence. His death “that very night” is confirmed by no source.

What is still debated. in the account, the announcement comes only a few hours before the event, and according to scholars the chapter was written centuries later.

What would be striking if the text came first

The account knows that the reigning king was absent and had entrusted power to his son, a detail lost by the Greeks. As a prediction, it carries little weight: the announcement comes one night before the fall, and historians date the book to 167–164.

Main objection (in French for now)

Ce n’est pas une prédiction à distance : dans le récit même, l’annonce précède l’événement de quelques heures. Et dans la datation critique, le chapitre est écrit des siècles après 539.

The text (World English Bible)

“This is the writing that was inscribed: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’ “This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God has counted your kingdom, and brought it to an end. TEKEL: you are weighed in the balances, and are found wanting. PERES: your kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Dan 5:25-28

In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain. Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Dan 5:30-31

Sources