mene

Mene is a term with several uses in language and culture. The most widely known is biblical: Mene is an Aramaic word that appears on the wall in the Book of Daniel (5:25–28) as part of the royal inscription "Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." In traditional interpretation, Mene means "numbered" and is part of a message declaring that God has numbered the days of a king's reign. The expression is often paired with Tekel ("weighed") and Upharsin ("divided"), and the passage is associated with the fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Less common uses of the form Mene occur as a personal name or surname in various cultures, and may appear in place names or texts without relation to the biblical word. In such cases, the meaning, origin, and significance can vary and may not be connected to the Aramaic root.

In linguistic discussions, Mene is typically treated within biblical exegesis and Aramaic linguistics, where it is linked to counting or measuring in the royal inscription. The term is most frequently encountered in studies of Daniel and the broader context of Mesopotamian history and language.

See also: Mene mene tekel upharsin; Daniel 5.