That very night
The phrase "that very night" indicates the immediacy and suddenness of the event. This highlights the fulfillment of the prophecy given earlier in the chapter, where Daniel interprets the writing on the wall. The timing underscores the certainty and swiftness of God's judgment. In biblical context, this reflects the theme of divine retribution and the idea that God's decrees are executed without delay when the time is appointed.

Belshazzar
Belshazzar was the co-regent of Babylon, ruling alongside his father Nabonidus. Historically, Belshazzar is known for his impious actions, such as using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for a feast, which led to the divine judgment. His reign is marked by arrogance and disregard for the God of Israel, contrasting with the humility shown by his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, after his own humbling experience. Belshazzar's story serves as a warning against pride and sacrilege.

king of the Chaldeans
The term "Chaldeans" refers to the people of Babylon, a dominant empire known for its wealth, power, and influence in the ancient Near East. The Chaldeans were renowned for their advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and architecture. However, their empire was also characterized by idolatry and opposition to the God of Israel. The fall of their king symbolizes the decline of a once-great empire and serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly power.

was slain
The slaying of Belshazzar marks the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Medo-Persian dominance, as prophesied in Daniel 2 with the transition from the head of gold to the chest and arms of silver. This event is historically corroborated by the accounts of the Persian conquest of Babylon under Cyrus the Great. Theologically, Belshazzar's death represents the ultimate consequence of defying God and serves as a type of final judgment, prefiguring the ultimate defeat of all earthly kingdoms opposed to God's rule.

1. Belshazzar
The last king of Babylon, known for his pride and blasphemy against God. He hosted a great feast using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple, which led to his downfall.

2. Chaldeans
Refers to the Babylonians, specifically the ruling class and wise men of Babylon. They were known for their knowledge and influence in the empire.

3. Babylon
The capital city of the Babylonian Empire, known for its grandeur and as a center of idolatry and pagan worship.

4. The Feast
A lavish banquet hosted by Belshazzar, during which he and his guests drank from the holy vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, leading to the writing on the wall.

5. The Fall of Babylon
The event where Babylon was conquered by the Medes and Persians, fulfilling the prophecy of its downfall due to its arrogance and defiance against God.The Consequences of Pride
Belshazzar's account is a stark reminder of the dangers of pride and arrogance, especially when it leads to defying God. Pride can blind us to the truth and lead to our downfall.

The Sovereignty of God
Despite the power and might of Babylon, God's sovereignty is evident as He orchestrates the rise and fall of kingdoms according to His will. We can trust in God's ultimate control over world events.

The Importance of Reverence
Belshazzar's misuse of the temple vessels shows a lack of reverence for what is holy. We are called to honor and respect the sacred, recognizing God's holiness in our lives.

The Certainty of God's Judgment
The swift judgment on Belshazzar serves as a warning that God's judgment is certain and will come to pass. We must live with an awareness of God's righteous standards.Verse 30. - In that night was Belshazzar the King of the Chaldeans slain. The version of the LXX. is here very different, "And the interpretation came upon Belshazzar the king, and the kingdom was taken from the Chaldeans, and given to the Medes and the Persians. There seems no possibility of connecting these two readings so that either should be shown to have come from the other. The Massoretic text, which is here supported by Theodotion and the Peshitta, is the shorter; but in this instance, as neither can have sprung from the other, Brevity has less probative force. If we look at the probability of the situation, we are compelled to accept the Septuagint reading. If the Massoretic reading had been the original, the dramatic completeness of the disaster, following with such rapidity on the back of the prophecy, would certainly have been preserved in every translation. Whereas the desire for this dramatic completeness might lead to the Massoretic verse being fabricated. Further, when we look at the events of the night, it seems impossible to place all of them in the short interval of one night. The feast had begun after sundown, for the lamps were lighted. It had already gone on some time ere Belshazzar thought of the vessels of the house of God. Then, in contempt of Jehovah, the guests sang praises to the gods of Babylon. it is after all this that the writing appears. There is next the calling of the wise men, who were in the vicinity of the palace. On their failure to explain the writing, the other wise men are summoned by proclamation; they assemble, essay the reading, and fail. The queen-mother comps - either is called, or, hearing the tumult, comes in herself - and tells Belshazzar of Daniel. Daniel is summoned, and reads the writing. Even if we maintain - although it does not seem the natural reading of the passage - that the proclamation of a reward to him who could read the writing followed immediately on the order to call in the astrologers and other wise men, still, it is difficult to imagine all the events, especially the summoning of all the wise men in Babylon by proclamation, and the finding out of Daniel and bringing him to the court, taking place in one night, and that in that very night was Belshazzar slain. On the other hand, the Septuagint makes no such demand on our belief. According to it, the prophecy was not so closely connected with its fulfilment. The feast recorded here may have taken place six, eight, or ten )ears before the actual fall of Babylon. We know that from his seventh year till some time between his eleventh and seventeenth year Nahunahid was in Tema. This feast might be the inauguration of Belshazzar's viceroyalty; in that case it would be nearly ten years before the capture of Babylon by Cyrus. If that is so, the supposed contradiction between this verse and Daniel 8:1 vanishes. We need only look at the various theories of who Belshazzar was. Niebuhr assumes it as a second name for Evil-Merodach - a view for which Keil has some sympathy. Niebuhr ingeniously combines the statement from Berosus, that his reign was ἀνόμως καὶ ἀσελγῶς. This, however, might mean a favour for the Jews, shown by the special honour given to Jehoiachin - a thing which would be readily regarded by the Babylonians as "lawless and outrageous." lie maintains that the change of dynasty implied in Babylon was the assumption of the supremacy by Astyages the Mede, who, according to Niebuhr, is Darius the Mede. After one year's personal reign, he placed Neriglissar on the throne. This view is definitely contradicted by the contract tables, which have no reference to a reign between Evil-Merodach and Neriglissar. The other theory is that he is Labasi-Marduk. This view is maintained by Delitzsch and Ebrard. All of them assume the murder of the king the very night of the feast - a thing which is in the teeth of probability, and not supported by the Septuagint reading.

Parallel Commentaries ...


That very night
בְּלֵ֣ילְיָ֔א (bə·lê·lə·yā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 3916: Night

Belshazzar
בֵּלְאשַׁצַּ֖ר (bê·lə·šaṣ·ṣar)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1113: Belshazzar -- a Babylonian king

king
מַלְכָּ֥א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

of the Chaldeans
כַשְׂדָּאָֽה׃ (ḵaś·dā·’āh)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3779: Chaldeans -- a Chaldaean

was slain,
קְטִ֕יל (qə·ṭîl)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6992: To kill


Daniel 5:30 NIV
Daniel 5:30 NLT
Daniel 5:30 ESV
Daniel 5:30 NASB
Daniel 5:30 KJV

Daniel 5:30 BibleApps.com
Daniel 5:30 Biblia Paralela
Daniel 5:30 Chinese Bible
Daniel 5:30 French Bible
Daniel 5:30 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Daniel 5:30 In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King (Dan. Da Dn)