What happened to Belshazzar during the feast?

I. Historical Context

Belshazzar emerges in the Book of Daniel as a ruler of Babylon (Daniel 5:1). For a long time, some doubted his historicity because ancient records seemed silent about him. However, cuneiform inscriptions—especially the “Nabonidus Chronicle” and related tablets—confirm that Belshazzar was the eldest son of King Nabonidus and served as co-regent. These findings resolve older scholarly debates by demonstrating that Belshazzar held significant power in Babylon during his father’s absences.

Babylon’s historical setting (6th century BC) is significant, as the empire was at its zenith yet facing imminent decline. Numerous clay tablets discovered in southern Mesopotamia corroborate the existence of Belshazzar’s rule, offering archaeological support for the biblical narrative. Such evidence aligns with the reliability of the biblical text that has been preserved across centuries, as likewise exemplified by discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which confirm astonishingly consistent manuscripts of Daniel and other Scriptural writings.

II. Setting the Scene: The Great Feast

According to Daniel 5:1, “Belshazzar the king held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.” This large-scale banquet occurred while the Persian army, led by King Cyrus or his generals, pressed toward the city. Historical sources reflect that Babylon’s leadership was complacent and unconcerned, trusting the city’s fortified walls and abundant provisions.

The Book of Daniel underscores how Belshazzar entertained his nobles in a lavish spectacle of power. Babylon’s opulent palaces and walled fortresses lend credence to the biblical portrayal of a vibrant, self-assured empire. While some might see this feast as mere political revelry, the text highlights a deeper spiritual reality unfolding.

III. Profaning the Sacred Vessels

The biblical account emphasizes that Belshazzar crossed a grave boundary by profaning vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple. Daniel 5:2 reads, “Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines could drink from them.”

By using these vessels—once consecrated for worship of the Most High—Belshazzar treated sacred objects with irreverence. This act not only revealed irreligious disregard but also symbolized an arrogant posture toward the God of Israel. Such sacrilege becomes the pivot of the narrative because it illustrates humanity’s misuse of what is sacred—an offense the biblical text regards seriously.

IV. The Mysterious Handwriting

Scripture recounts that suddenly, as the guests indulged in these sacred vessels, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote upon the wall. Daniel 5:5 states, “At that moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. As the king watched the hand that was writing.”

Belshazzar was seized by terror, and we read in Daniel 5:6, “his face grew pale and his thoughts so alarmed him that his hips gave way and his knees knocked together.” Despite his outward show of pomp and power, this sudden event revealed the king’s vulnerability and inability to control even his own fate.

V. Summoning the Wise Men and the Arrival of Daniel

Attempting to avert disaster, Belshazzar called for Babylon’s enchanters, astrologers, and diviners (Daniel 5:7). However, none could explain the writing. This echoes earlier accounts, such as Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2; 4), wherein Babylon’s wise men similarly failed to interpret divine messages.

At the advice of the queen (likely the queen mother), Daniel was summoned. Notably, Daniel had distinguished himself under Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2–4). Belshazzar promised great rewards—clothing in purple, a gold chain, and the third-highest position in the kingdom—if Daniel could read and interpret the writing (Daniel 5:16).

VI. Daniel’s Interpretation

Before interpreting, Daniel reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling under God’s hand (Daniel 5:18–21). He rebuked Belshazzar for not learning from that history (Daniel 5:22–23). Then, Daniel disclosed the meaning of the writing: “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN” (Daniel 5:25).

• “MENE” signified God had numbered the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and would bring it to an end.

• “TEKEL” indicated Belshazzar had been weighed on the scales and found deficient.

• “PERES” (the singular form of PARSIN) symbolized that his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:26–28).

VII. The Sudden Judgment

True to Daniel’s interpretation, that very night the empire was conquered. Daniel 5:30–31 records, “That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two.” Later historical documents, including the Nabonidus Chronicle, note that Babylon fell swiftly to the Mede-Persian coalition around 539 BC. The city’s extensive network of canals was strategically exploited, allowing the Persian troops to enter under Babylon’s walls. This lines up with the abrupt nature of judgment described in Scripture.

VIII. Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

Archaeology testifies to the intricate defenses of Babylon, yet also to the catastrophic collapse to the Persians. Clay cylinders, royal inscriptions, and the Nabonidus Chronicle confirm that Babylon fell in a manner consistent with Daniel 5’s portrayal of a sudden transition in power.

This biblical account harmonizes with other parts of the ancient Near East record. Discoveries from sites like Qumran (e.g., Dead Sea Scrolls containing portions of Daniel) demonstrate that the text has been reliably transmitted over centuries. This remarkable textual preservation underscores the historical credibility of Daniel’s account, reinforcing the broader trustworthiness of Scripture.

IX. Theological Implications

1. Divine Sovereignty: The swift judgment on Belshazzar illustrates that no human kingdom can stand unopposed against the eternal sovereignty of the Creator. The passage highlights God’s authority to raise rulers and bring them down, echoing Daniel 4:17: “the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.”

2. Reminder of Sacredness: Belshazzar’s offense in misusing temple vessels underscores the seriousness of disregarding what God sets apart. In Scripture, sacred space, objects, and worship aid in directing hearts to the Almighty. Treating holy items with contempt reveals a deeper rebellion.

3. Learning from the Past: Daniel’s admonition to Belshazzar (Daniel 5:22) emphasizes accountability and the necessity of humility. Belshazzar had a cautionary example in Nebuchadnezzar but refused to submit. This theme remains relevant for all generations: ignoring history is perilous.

4. Alignment with Divine Prophecy: The overthrow of Babylon fulfills earlier prophecies, such as Isaiah 13:17–19, which declared that Babylon would fall. Demonstrating consistent integrity, Scripture shows God at work in history—past, present, and future.

5. Evidence of a Providential Plan: Many see Daniel’s precise predictions—both in his lifetime and in future visions—as confirming the existence of an all-knowing, eternal God who orchestrates history. This parallels Scripture’s broader teaching that the same God ultimately acted in the resurrection of Christ, signifying divine power to judge and to save.

X. Conclusion

Belshazzar’s demise during the feast was both immediate and inevitable once the writing on the wall was revealed. He profaned sacred vessels, ignored the lessons of his predecessor, and embodied a pride that Scripture repeatedly condemns. In the midst of Babylon’s downfall, Daniel stood firm as a faithful servant who trusted in the overarching sovereignty of God.

Archaeological evidence, cuneiform tablets, and corroborating historical sources provide substantial confirmation that Belshazzar and the events of Daniel 5 are firmly grounded in history. The coherence and reliability of these accounts bolster the broader trust in the Scriptures as accurate and divinely inspired.

Thus, what happened to Belshazzar was not merely the political result of a superior Persian strategy; it was the unfolding of divine judgment. The story highlights the futility of defying the One who formed the heavens and the earth, further attesting that every person—and every nation—must ultimately answer to God’s ordained plan. As with countless other biblical accounts, this narrative reveals that the vision of Scripture extends beyond a single event, pointing toward an eternal kingdom that will never end.