The phrase “the writing on the wall” has grown to be a popular idiomatic expression referring to the foreshadowing of any impending doom, misfortune, or end.
What is the biblical meaning of the writing on the wall?
While a king was holding the Jews (see also Jews) captive in the foreign land of Babylon (see also Babylon), in the sixth century b.c., a mysterious hand appeared, writing on the wall of the king’s palace. The king called upon Daniel, who interpreted it to mean that God intended the king and his kingdom to fall.
What does it mean to see the writing on the wall?
Definition of see/read the writing/handwriting on the wall
: to be aware that something bad will probably happen soon No one told him he was going to be fired, but he could see the writing on the wall.
Where did the saying the writing on the wall come from?
This idiom comes from the Biblical story of Belshazzar’s feast, Daniel 5:5-31, in which, in the presence of the king, a disembodied hand appears and writes on the palace wall. The king, frightened, called for astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers and offered rewards to whoever could interpret the writing.
What did the finger of God write on the wall?
In Exodus 31:18 and Deuteronomy 9:10 it refers to the method by which the Ten Commandments were written on tablets of stone that were brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses. It was also used once by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke to describe how he had cast out demons.
What does against the wall mean?
Definition of up against a/the wall
: in a very bad position or situation The team was up against a wall in the first half of the game.
Who wrote the writing on the wall?
According to the accounts in the Bible and Xenophon, Belshazzar held a last great feast at which he saw a hand writing on a wall the following words in Aramaic: “mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.” The prophet Daniel, interpreting the handwriting on the wall as God’s judgment on the king, foretold the imminent destruction of …
Was Nebuchadnezzar good or bad?
In addition to his military campaigns, Nebuchadnezzar is remembered as a great builder-king. The prosperity ensured by his wars allowed Nebuchadnezzar to conduct great building projects in Babylon, and elsewhere in Mesopotamia.
Can you read the handwriting on the wall?
read the (hand)writing on the wall
To notice and interpret apparent signs or indications that something will or is about to happen in the future, especially something bad or unfortunate.