Lexical Summary Belteshatstsar: Belteshazzar Original Word: בֵּלְטְשַׂאצַּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Belteshazzar (Aramaic) corresponding to Beltsha'tstsar -- Belteshazzar. see HEBREW Beltsha'tstsar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Belteshatstsar Definition Bab. name of Daniel NASB Translation Belteshazzar (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר8 proper name, masculine Babylonian name of Daniel (Biblical Hebrew id.); — Daniel 2:26; Daniel 4:5 6t. Daniel; Βαλτασαρ. Topical Lexicon Identity within the Book of Daniel Belteshazzar is the Babylonian court name given to the prophet Daniel after his exile from Judah (Daniel 1:7). Whenever the narrative uses this name, it highlights Daniel’s official standing in the royal court and underscores the tension between his covenant identity and his service within a pagan empire. Distribution of the Name Eight occurrences are recorded, all in the Aramaic section of Daniel: Daniel 2:26; 4:8; 4:9; 4:18; 4:19 (three times); and 5:12. These references fall into two clusters: Nebuchadnezzar’s earlier reign (chapters 2 and 4) and the description of Daniel’s reputation at a later point (chapter 5). Role in Royal Dialogues 1. Daniel 2:26 – In the first account of Nebuchadnezzar’s forgotten dream, the king addresses him: “Are you able to tell me the dream that I saw, and its interpretation?” Historical Setting The use of Belteshazzar spans approximately three monarchs—Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach (indirectly), and Belshazzar—covering more than sixty years of exile. Each occurrence reinforces Daniel’s endurance and God’s faithfulness, regardless of shifting political landscapes. Theological Emphases • Divine Sovereignty: Every citation of Belteshazzar occurs in passages that proclaim the supremacy of the Most High over earthly kingdoms (Daniel 2:21; 4:17). Practical Applications for the Church • Cultural Engagement without Compromise: Believers are called to participate in secular institutions yet retain distinct allegiance to God, as Daniel did while bearing a name that invoked Babylonian deity. Literary Observations The narrative alternates between “Daniel” and “Belteshazzar” to cue the reader: “Daniel” emphasizes covenant identity, “Belteshazzar” emphasizes court position. This duality frames each prophetic interpretation as a contest between the God of Israel and Babylon’s gods. Christological Foreshadowing Daniel’s experience anticipates the incarnate Christ, who entered a foreign realm yet remained sinless (John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15). As Daniel bore a foreign name, so Jesus was numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), yet both testified to a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36). See Also Daniel; Nebuchadnezzar; Belshazzar; Exile; Divine Sovereignty; Wisdom. Forms and Transliterations בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֗ר בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֜ר בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר֮ בֵלְטְשַׁאצַּר֙ בלטשאצר ḇê·lə·ṭə·šaṣ·ṣar ḇêləṭəšaṣṣar beleteshatzTzar veleteshatzTzarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:26 HEB: דִּ֥י שְׁמֵ֖הּ בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר [הַאִיתַיִךְ כ] NAS: name was Belteshazzar, Are you able KJV: whose name [was] Belteshazzar, Art INT: whose name was Belteshazzar art thou able Daniel 4:8 Daniel 4:9 Daniel 4:18 Daniel 4:19 Daniel 4:19 Daniel 4:19 Daniel 5:12 8 Occurrences |
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