Belteshazzar is the Babylonian name given to Daniel, a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Daniel. The name Belteshazzar is derived from the Akkadian language, and it is believed to mean "Bel, protect the king" or "Bel's prince," with "Bel" referring to a Babylonian deity. This name change was part of a broader effort by the Babylonians to assimilate Daniel and his companions into their culture following their exile from Judah.

Biblical Context

Daniel was among the young men of noble or royal lineage taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon during the first deportation of Jews in 605 B.C. As part of their integration into Babylonian society, these young men were educated in the language and literature of the Chaldeans (Daniel 1:4). Daniel, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, was given a new name to reflect his new identity in the Babylonian court. Daniel 1:7 states, "The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego."

Role and Significance

Daniel, or Belteshazzar, quickly distinguished himself in the Babylonian court due to his wisdom, understanding, and ability to interpret dreams and visions. His faithfulness to God and adherence to Jewish dietary laws, even in exile, earned him favor and respect. Daniel 1:8-9 notes, "But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself. Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official."

Daniel's ability to interpret dreams was first demonstrated when he successfully interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dream, which none of the Babylonian wise men could explain. In Daniel 2:26-28, the king asks Daniel, "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?" Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries."

Prophetic Ministry

Throughout his life, Daniel, as Belteshazzar, served under multiple Babylonian and Medo-Persian kings, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus. His prophetic ministry is marked by visions and revelations concerning the future of Israel and the coming of God's kingdom. Daniel's prophecies include the vision of the four beasts (Daniel 7), the seventy weeks (Daniel 9), and the end times (Daniel 12).

Legacy

Daniel's unwavering faith and integrity in a foreign land serve as an enduring example of devotion to God amidst adversity. His life as Belteshazzar in the Babylonian court highlights the tension between cultural assimilation and religious fidelity, a theme that resonates with believers facing similar challenges today. Daniel's account is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as He protected and elevated Daniel, using him as a vessel to reveal divine mysteries and future events.Belteshazzar

who lays up treasures in secret

Belteshazzar

(favored by Bel .) [DANIEL, DANIEL, THE BOOK OF]

Beltis protect the king!, the Chaldee name given to Daniel by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1:7). BELTESHAZZAR

bel-te-shaz'-ar (belTsha'tstsar Babylonian BalaT-sharucur "protect his life"; Daniel 4:8): The Bah name given to Daniel (Daniel 1:7; Daniel 2:26; Daniel 5:12). Not to be confounded with Belshazzar.

1096. Belteshatstsar -- Bab. name of Daniel
... Belteshatstsar. 1097 . Bab. name of Daniel. Transliteration: Belteshatstsar Phonetic
Spelling: (bale-tesh-ats-tsar') Short Definition: Belteshazzar. ... Belteshazzar ...
/hebrew/1096.htm - 6k

1095. Belteshatstsar -- Bab. name of Daniel
... Belteshatstsar. 1096 . Bab. name of Daniel. Transliteration: Belteshatstsar Phonetic
Spelling: (bale-tesh-ats-tsar') Short Definition: Belteshazzar. ... Belteshazzar ...
/hebrew/1095.htm - 6k

The Dream of the Tree Cut Down
... But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according
to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and I told ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vi the dream of the.htm

True Greatness
... When Daniel, in response to the royal summons, stood in the king's presence,
Nebuchadnezzar said, "O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 42 true greatness.htm

Christian Names.
... names were to them witnesses for God, mementoes of the faith of their fathers; hence
the king, to destroy their influence, called Daniel, Belteshazzar, ie "the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xii christian names.htm

For whom and with what Object Written.
... dislodge. The frequent compounding of Bel' with proper names (Belshazzar and
Belteshazzar) [65] shews the regard in which he was held. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/for whom and with what 3.htm

Religious and Social State.
... Yet his own name, Belteshazzar,' may have implied [73] Bel's existence; still, even
if it was so, we must remember that it was not self-assumed, but given by ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/religious and social state 3.htm

Belshazzar's Feast
... understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of dark sentences, and dissolving
of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

In the Court of Babylon
... The prince in whose charge the captive youth were placed, "gave unto Daniel the
name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 39 in the court.htm

The Master of the Magicians.
... is King. Daniel, named by the king Belteshazzar, was called to interpret
the dream, and the Lord gave him power to do it. "The tree ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxii the master of.htm

The Courage of Four Captives
... them. To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah, Shadrach,
and to Mishael, Meshach, and to Azariah, Abednego. But ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the courage of four captives.htm

A King's Strange Dream
... I have found a man among the captives from Judah who will tell you what this dream
means." The king said to Daniel (whose name was Belteshazzar), "Can you make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a kings strange dream.htm

Belteshazzar (8 Occurrences)
... 1:7). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BELTESHAZZAR. ... Not to be confounded with
Belshazzar. Multi-Version Concordance Belteshazzar (8 Occurrences). ...
/b/belteshazzar.htm - 10k

Belteshaz'zar (8 Occurrences)
Belteshaz'zar. Belteshazzar, Belteshaz'zar. Belts . Multi-Version
Concordance Belteshaz'zar (8 Occurrences). Daniel 1:7 and the ...
/b/belteshaz'zar.htm - 9k

Perplexed (16 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT RSV). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,
was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. ...
/p/perplexed.htm - 11k

Astonied (12 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied
for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king ...
/a/astonied.htm - 12k

Affright (10 Occurrences)
... (Root in YLT). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was
appalled for a while, and his thoughts affrighted him. The ...
/a/affright.htm - 10k

Applied (22 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was appalled
for a while, and his thoughts affrighted him. The king ...
/a/applied.htm - 13k

Alarmed (28 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken
mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The ...
/a/alarmed.htm - 14k

Interpret (27 Occurrences)
... Daniel 2:26 The king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are you able
to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation? ...
/i/interpret.htm - 15k

Stricken (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,
was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. ...
/s/stricken.htm - 15k

Appalled (31 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NAS RSV NIV). Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar,
was stricken dumb for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. ...
/a/appalled.htm - 15k

Why did Nebuchadnezzar change Daniel's name to Belteshazzar? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Daniel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Daniel | GotQuestions.org

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