ke.tal denotes a wall surface or structural wall in the two attested contexts.

The term denotes a wall: in Daniel 5:5 it is the palace wall bearing the writing, and in Ezra 5:8 it refers to walls receiving timber in a building project.

1. Wall surface or built wall · dominant

   In Daniel 5:5, the singular construct form occurs in the clause locating the writing on the plaster of the king's palace wall; the APB renders this setting as “the wall of the king's palace.” In Ezra 5:8, the determined plural occurs where timber is being placed during construction; the APB renders the clause “timber is being placed in the walls.”

   Daniel 5:5Ezra 5:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB presents the term as “wall” in the palace scene of Daniel 5:5 and as “walls” in the construction scene of Ezra 5:8. These renderings confirm the verses' settings rather than isolate every feature of the Aramaic form.