The Riddle of the Scales in Daniel 5
We know from the ancient versions that the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5 originally consisted of the nine letters mnʾtqlprs, which can be divided and vocalized to yield a number of different Aramaic sentences. The interpretation given by Daniel divides this series into three words of three let...
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
College
1991
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| In: |
Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
Year: 1991, Volume: 62, Pages: 155-177 |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Bible. Daniel 5,26-28
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| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | We know from the ancient versions that the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5 originally consisted of the nine letters mnʾtqlprs, which can be divided and vocalized to yield a number of different Aramaic sentences. The interpretation given by Daniel divides this series into three words of three letters, each with three levels of meaning, depending on the vocalization chosen. The first level represents scale weights [not coins], vocalized mĕneʾ, tĕqēl, pĕrēs, 'mina, shekel, half-mina' (so the MT). The second level represents actions of evaluation on the part of God, vocalized mĕnāh, tĕqal, pĕras 'he has reckoned, he has weighed, he has assessed [not: divided]'. The third level represents the outcome of God's evaluation of Belshazzar and his empire, vocalized mĕnāh, tiqqal, pāras 'he has paid out, you are too light [Peʿal of qll], Persia!'. The three levels therefore all refer to a pair of scales as image of God's judgment. The prominence of this image gains further significance when we realize that the annual rising of Libra took place on the eve of Babylon's fall to the Persians. Daniel not only deciphers an exceedingly sophisticated verbal riddle, but also turns the tables on the Babylonian astrologers. |
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| ISSN: | 0360-9049 |
| Contains: | In: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
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