mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
[ mee-nee, mee-nee, tek-uhl, yoo-fahr-sin ]
/ ˈmi ni, ˈmi ni, ˈtɛk əl, yuˈfɑr sɪn /
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Aramaic.
numbered, numbered, weighed, divided: the miraculous writing on the wall interpreted by Daniel as foretelling the destruction of Belshazzar and his kingdom. Daniel 5:25–31.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
Ultimately from Aramaic mnʾ mnʾ tql prs (without vowel markings) and in Daniel's first reading (with vowel markings) mĕnēʾ mĕnēʾ tĕqēl ūpharsīn , equivalent to mĕnēʾ “a mina (a unit of weight and value)” + tĕqēl “a shekel (a unit of weight and a coin, especially the ancient Hebrew silver shekel)” + ū- “and” + pharsīn “two (?) half minas.” Daniel's interpretation is an elaborate pun, mnʾ mnʾ tql prs now being read mĕnāh “he has measured” + tĕqal “he has weighed” + pĕras “he has divided (your kingdom).” Prs may also be read pāras “Persia, Persians,” a punning reference to the Medes and Perisans, who will capture Babylon; see Parsee,
Words nearby mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
Meneer, menel, Menelaus, Menelik II, Menem, mene, mene, tekel, upharsin, Menéndez de Avilés, Meneptah, Menes, Ménétrièr's disease, menfolk
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
/ (ˈmiːniː ˈmiːniː ˈtɛkəl juːˈfɑːsɪn) /
noun
Old Testament the words that appeared on the wall during Belshazzar's Feast (Daniel 5:25), interpreted by Daniel to mean that God had doomed the kingdom of Belshazzar
Word Origin for mene, mene, tekel, upharsin
Aramaic: numbered, numbered, weighed, divided
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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