What was Upharsin?

Upharsin is one of the mysterious words written by a divine hand on the wall during King Belshazzar’s feast in Daniel 5:25, forming part of the cryptic message: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.” The word Upharsin (אוּפַרְסִין, upharsin) is the plural form of a related term Peres (פְּרֵס, peres), which is also mentioned in the same passage as Daniel interprets the writing. Both derive from the Aramaic root “פרס” (prs), meaning to divide or to break apart. In Daniel 5:28, Daniel explains that Peres means “Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

The prefix “U” in Upharsin is the conjunction “ו” (vav) in Aramaic and Hebrew, meaning “and.” So, Upharsin essentially means “and Parsin,” with Parsin being another plural form or variant spelling of Peres, carrying the same meaning: divisions or being divided.

Thus, Upharsin is not a name or person but a symbolic, prophetic word used by God to announce judgment. It emphasizes the divine division and destruction of Babylon’s kingdom.

Biblical Context and References

• Daniel 5:1-31 – The entire chapter gives the narrative of Belshazzar’s feast, the mysterious handwriting on the wall, Daniel’s interpretation, and the subsequent fall of Babylon.

• Daniel 5:25 – The inscription: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.”

• Daniel 5:28 – Daniel explains Peres: “Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

What Happened in the Bible

King Belshazzar, successor to Nebuchadnezzar, held a grand and sacrilegious feast using the gold and silver vessels from the Jerusalem temple. During this event, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the wall. This terrified the king, and none of his wise men could interpret it.

Daniel, summoned to interpret the message, revealed that the inscription was from God. He explained:

• MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

• TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

• PERES (UPHARSIN): Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

That very night, Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom. Upharsin signifies the final blow — the division and end of the Babylonian empire.

Theological Significance

Upharsin symbolizes God’s righteous judgment and sovereignty over all human kingdoms. It reveals the certainty of divine justice against blasphemy, pride, and unrepentant sin. The message was a divine verdict pronounced upon a pagan king who desecrated holy things and exalted himself above the Lord.

This incident demonstrates that God is not passive toward sin. Even the mightiest of rulers will fall if they oppose Him. Upharsin is a stark reminder that earthly power is temporary, but God’s authority is eternal.

Literary Analysis

The structure of the inscription—MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN—uses monetary and legal terms. Each word, rooted in weights and measures, metaphorically denotes the evaluation and end of Belshazzar’s reign. The poetic repetition of MENE emphasizes certainty. The climax comes with Upharsin, the plural of Peres, indicating the actual division of the kingdom.

Additionally, there is wordplay involved in the use of Parsin, which resembles Persians, indicating who would take over the kingdom. The Hebrew and Aramaic roots allow this word to operate at multiple levels — linguistic, prophetic, and theological.

Connection to Jesus and the Gospel

Though Upharsin represents judgment, it points forward to a greater reality: Jesus Christ, who alone can endure the scales of God’s justice. Where Belshazzar was found wanting, Jesus was found worthy. All men, like Belshazzar, fall short (Romans 3:23), but Christ bore the judgment of our sin on the cross.

The divided kingdom of Babylon ultimately gave way to the rise of Persia, which would allow the return of the Jews to their homeland — part of God’s redemptive plan leading to the birth of the Messiah. The judgment of Upharsin made way for God’s deliverance of His people and the continuation of the covenant line.

Broader Biblical Themes

• God’s Sovereignty Over Nations – God raises and removes kings (Daniel 2:21).

• Judgment for Pride and Sacrilege – Belshazzar’s arrogance resulted in swift condemnation (Proverbs 16:18).

• The Writing on the Wall – A timeless idiom originating from this event, symbolizing inevitable judgment.

• Faithfulness of God’s Servants – Daniel remained faithful and fearless in delivering God’s message.

• Typology of the Kingdoms – The fall of Babylon prefigures the ultimate fall of all worldly kingdoms before Christ’s eternal reign (Revelation 11:15).

Reflection Questions

1. How does the story of Upharsin challenge our views of worldly power and security?

2. In what ways does God still “weigh” individuals and nations today?

3. Are there “sacred things” in our lives we might be misusing, like Belshazzar did?

4. What does the sudden fall of Babylon teach us about the importance of repentance?

5. How can we live like Daniel, boldly speaking God’s truth even when it’s unpopular?

6. How does the justice revealed in Upharsin deepen your appreciation for the mercy of Jesus?

7. What role does humility play in avoiding God’s judgment?

8. How does Upharsin remind us that history is under God’s control, not man’s?

Upharsin is more than an ancient Aramaic term—it is a solemn symbol of divine judgment and a powerful testimony of God’s justice and sovereignty. It calls us to humility, repentance, and trust in the only One who can bear the weight of divine scrutiny—Jesus Christ.