דניאל, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ח

The climax of the mysterious message written on the palace wall reveals the immediate and total collapse of the Babylonian empire. The power that once ruled the known world is about to be dismantled and handed over to emerging global forces. The interpretation of the message relies on a brilliant double meaning. On one level, it signifies a complete breaking and dividing, much like the slicing of bread [מצודת ציון]. The Babylonian kingdom is entirely shattered and broken apart [רש״י, יוסף אבן יחיא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. At the same time, it serves as a direct reference to the nation of Persia, the very empire destined to inherit the ruins of Babylon. The primary approach among commentators is that the plural form used in the original writing was specifically chosen to merge both realities: the splintering of the current kingdom and its immediate transfer to Persian hands.

Beyond the primary message, a subtle grammatical addition in the original writing points to another key player. The inclusion of a connecting letter hints directly at the nation of Media. This suggests that the conquered empire is handed over to both Media and Persia simultaneously, uniting them as a single conquering force [מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, this subtle addition serves as a chronological marker indicating that Media will actually take power first, with Persia stepping in afterward to complete the conquest [אלשיך]. This perspective aligns with prophetic insight revealing that Darius the Mede would rule for only a single year before being succeeded by his son-in-law, Cyrus the Persian, ultimately cementing Persian dominance [מלבי״ם].

For King Belshazzar, the message is deeply personal and fatal. His life is abruptly cut short and surrendered to the invaders. However, the ordinary citizens of the empire will survive the transition, continuing their lives under the new regime until the prophesied seventy years of exile come to a close [מלבי״ם, אלשיך]. This sudden collapse marks the final fulfillment of an earlier prophetic dream regarding a great statue, which indicated that Babylonian dominance was exclusively granted to Nebuchadnezzar and his direct descendants. Once his royal line ends, global leadership must pass to a foreign power [אלשיך].

The realization of this prophecy was swift and violent. According to the tradition of the Sages, one of the king's own bodyguards overheard the definitive interpretation and realized that his master's doom was sealed. Seizing the moment, the guard assassinated Belshazzar on the spot. He then severed the king's head and smuggled it out of the city directly to Cyrus and Darius, who were actively besieging Babylon. This gruesome delivery ignited the fighting spirit of the besieging armies, paving the way for the rapid and decisive capture of the city [חומת אנך].