Daniel 5:28

5:28 As for peres ¹  – your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

Daniel 5:26

5:26 This is the interpretation of the words: ²  As for mene ³  – God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end.

Daniel 4:26

4:26 They said to leave the taproot of the tree, for your kingdom will be restored to you when you come to understand that heaven ⁴  rules.

¹ sn Peres (פְּרֵס) is the singular form of פַרְסִין (pharsin) in v. 25.

² tn Or “word” or “event.” See HALOT 1915 s.v. מִלָּה.

³ tn The Aramaic term מְנֵא (mÿne’) is a noun referring to a measure of weight. The linkage here to the verb “to number” (Aram. מְנָה, mÿnah) is a case of paronomasia rather than strict etymology. So also with תְּקֵל (tÿqel) and פַרְסִין (farsin). In the latter case there is an obvious wordplay with the name “Persian.”

³ sn The reference to heaven here is a circumlocution for God. There was a tendency in Jewish contexts to avoid direct reference to God. Cf. the expression “kingdom of heaven” in the NT and such statements as “I have sinned against heaven and in your sight” (Luke 15:21).