Tekel
Textsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A Hebrew and Aramaic word meaning 'weighed', appearing in the prophetic inscription on the wall of Babylon found in Daniel 5:25-28, where it constitutes the second of four words written by a disembodied hand.
What is the meaning of Tekel in the Bible?
A Hebrew and Aramaic word meaning 'weighed', appearing in the prophetic inscription on the wall of Babylon found in Daniel 5:25-28, where it constitutes the second of four words written by a disembodied hand.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Tekel clarifies the specific metaphor of divine judgment in Daniel 5, where the king's reign is measured against a standard of righteousness and found deficient, providing context for the immediate transfer of power to the Medes and Persians.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Tekel in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tekel clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.