Well, not quite. They knew what the words literally meant: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" - "numbered, numbered, weighed, divisions" (Dan.5:25) but what they didn't understand was what the actual supernatural message was.

Why not? They were as skilled in the Chaldean language as Daniel was but still they were clueless, just as occultists and atheists are clueless about what the Bible is really saying to the world. And the interpretation posed no problem whatsoever for Daniel.

The truth is, any educated man could have recognised what the four inscribed words literally meant just as unbelieving scholars pour over the Bible and render the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek into our own language today. But like the Chaldean magi, they were impotent as to the words' spiritual meaning - only the uncompromising man of emunah (faith) and Torah-obedience could spell out the actual message because of his daily fellowship and communion with Yahweh. Only the Ruach haQodesh (Holy Spirit) could do that.

The only reason Daniel alone was given the prophetic message was because he was totally dedicated to his Elohim (God) who could naturally speak through him. The rest were blind then and they are still blind today.

From these four words Yahweh poured fourth His revelation:

"MENE, Elohim (God) has numbered the days of your kingship and brought them to an end. TEKEL, You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting. PERES (the singular form, and same root as Upharsin), Your kingdom and your kingship are divided and given to the Medes and Persians" (Dan.5:26-28, Amp.V.)

The same message is being given to the rulers of this world in our time. Their reign may not end tonight or for a number of years yet but it will be ended ignominiously for sure when Yah'shua (Jesus) returns, and that won't be long. It would be better for them to repent now than meet their fate in the place which burns.