מְנֵא
numbered
Definition
The Aramaic noun מְנֵא (mᵉnêʼ) is a passive participle meaning 'numbered,' 'counted,' or 'appointed.' It appears exclusively in the dramatic scene of Daniel 5:25-26, where it is the first word of the divine inscription on the wall of Belshazzar's palace: 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.' The prophet Daniel interprets this word for the king, declaring, 'God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end' (Daniel 5:26). Here, the term conveys a sovereign, divine assessment and decree, signifying that a limit has been set and a conclusion is irrevocably determined.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel. Its two occurrences are in the same narrative context (Daniel 5:25, 26), forming the core of God's judgment message to King Belshazzar. It is used in a prophetic, judicial context to declare that the time of the Babylonian kingdom has been measured and finished by God's authority.
Etymology
מְנֵא is an Aramaic word, the passive participle of the verb מְנָא (mᵉnāʼ, H4483), which means 'to count, number, or appoint.' It shares a common Semitic root with the Hebrew verb מָנָה (mānâ, H4487). The participle form carries the sense of something that has been counted or numbered.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as a direct revelation of God's sovereign control over human kingdoms and history. It underscores that God sets the limits of power and human authority (Daniel 2:21). The word 'MENE' serves as a stark reminder of divine judgment, accountability, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes on His timetable. Understanding this Aramaic term enriches the reading of Daniel 5 by highlighting the precision and finality of God's decree.
In the context of Daniel 5, the inscription appeared during a lavish royal feast, a setting where the king was exalting himself. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such divine writing on a wall would have been seen as an omen of supreme importance, typically interpreted by court sages. The inability of Belshazzar's wise men to read it heightened the tension and demonstrated that this was a message from the God of Israel, not a local deity.
מִסְפָּר (mispar, H4557) — A common Hebrew noun for 'number' or 'count,' used in general contexts, not a judicial decree. סָפַר (sāphar, H5608) — A Hebrew verb meaning 'to count, recount, or tell,' with a broader range of use including narration.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →