Lexical Summary Belshatstsar: Belshazzar Original Word: בֵּלְשַׁאצּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Belshazzar (Aramaic) corresponding to Belsha'tstsar -- Belshazzar. see HEBREW Belsha'tstsar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Beleshatstsar Definition a Bab. king NASB Translation Belshazzar (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר proper name, masculine king of Babylonian, according to Daniel 5:1,2,9,22,29 (Biblical Hebrew id., p. 128) = בֵּלְאשַׁצַּר Daniel 5:30; Daniel 7:1; Βαλτασαρ; see BevEncy. Bib. Belshazzar DrDu xxviii f.. Topical Lexicon Historical Setting Belshazzar was the last reigning monarch of Babylon mentioned in Scripture, functioning as co-regent with his father Nabonidus (556–539 B.C.). While Nabonidus spent extended periods in Arabia, Belshazzar exercised royal authority in the capital, making him “king” in the practical sense Daniel records. The Neo-Babylonian Empire stood at its zenith in wealth and cultural influence, yet it was spiritually bankrupt, having defied the God who had earlier humbled Nebuchadnezzar. Scriptural Occurrences Belshazzar’s name appears seven times, all in the Book of Daniel: Daniel 5:1, 5:2, 5:9, 5:22, 5:29, 5:30, and Daniel 7:1. Six references surround the narrative of the fateful banquet; the seventh (Daniel 7:1) timestamps Daniel’s apocalyptic vision. The Banquet and the Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5) Belshazzar’s opulent feast for a thousand nobles showcased Babylon’s luxury and irreverence. In a deliberate act of defiance he “gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem” (Daniel 5:2). As wine flowed, so did blasphemy: “You praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone…but you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your very breath” (Daniel 5:23). A mysterious hand inscribed on the plaster wall: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. Summoned from obscurity, Daniel interpreted the message: “MENE means that God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26–28). That same night, while drunken revelry still echoed, “Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain” (Daniel 5:30), and Darius the Mede received the kingdom. Role in Daniel’s Visions (Daniel 7:1) The first apocalyptic vision of Daniel, outlining four successive world empires, is dated “in the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon.” This timing underscores that God granted prophetic insight to His servant while Babylon’s throne still appeared secure, emphasizing divine sovereignty over future history. Prophetic and Redemptive Themes 1. Divine sovereignty: The swift collapse of Belshazzar’s rule fulfills Jeremiah 27:7 and Isaiah 13:17-22 concerning Medo-Persian conquest. Archaeological Corroboration Babylonian documents such as the Nabonidus Cylinder and the Verse Account confirm Belshazzar’s position as crown prince and regent, explaining why Daniel offers him third place in the kingdom (Daniel 5:7). These findings harmonize Scripture with history, countering earlier critical claims that Belshazzar never existed. Theological Lessons • Sacred things are not to be profaned. Belshazzar converted consecrated vessels into party ware and paid with his life. Application for Believers Belshazzar’s account urges vigilance against complacency. Material prosperity, cultural sophistication, or political security cannot replace reverence for God. Individual and national destinies rest in the hands of the One who “changes times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). A sober heart, humility, and respect for what God calls holy remain essential marks of faithfulness today. Forms and Transliterations בֵּלְאשַׁצַּ֖ר בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֔ר בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֗ר בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֞ר בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֣ר בֵלְשַׁאצַּר֙ בלאשצר בלשאצר לְבֵלְאשַׁצַּר֙ לבלאשצר ḇê·lə·šaṣ·ṣar ḇêləšaṣṣar beleshatzTzar lə·ḇê·lə·šaṣ·ṣar ləḇêləšaṣṣar leveleshatzTzar veleshatzTzarLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:1 HEB: בֵּלְשַׁאצַּ֣ר מַלְכָּ֗א עֲבַד֙ NAS: Belshazzar the king held KJV: Belshazzar the king made INT: Belshazzar the king held Daniel 5:2 Daniel 5:9 Daniel 5:22 Daniel 5:29 Daniel 5:30 Daniel 7:1 7 Occurrences |
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