Concubinage, as understood in the context of the ancient Near East, refers to a recognized relationship between a man and a woman that is distinct from marriage. While concubines did not have the same status as wives, they were often afforded certain protections and rights. The practice of concubinage is mentioned in various parts of the Bible, reflecting the cultural and legal norms of the time.

Belshazzar and Concubinage

Belshazzar, a historical figure mentioned in the Book of Daniel, was a Babylonian prince and co-regent with his father, Nabonidus. He is most famously known for the "writing on the wall" incident during a lavish feast, as recorded in Daniel 5. This event provides insight into the practices and societal norms of the Babylonian court, including the presence and role of concubines.

In Daniel 5:1-4 , it is recorded:

"King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. 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 might drink from them. So they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone."

This passage highlights several key aspects of concubinage in the context of Belshazzar's reign:

1. Social Status and Participation: Concubines were present at significant social and political events, such as the feast described in Daniel 5. Their inclusion alongside wives and nobles indicates that they held a recognized, albeit secondary, status within the royal court.

2. Religious and Cultural Practices: The act of drinking from the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, involving both wives and concubines, underscores the integration of concubines into the religious and cultural life of the court. This participation suggests that concubines were not merely secluded figures but active participants in the king's household and its practices.

3. Legal and Cultural Norms: While the Bible does not provide explicit laws concerning concubinage in the Babylonian context, the narrative implies that concubinage was an accepted and institutionalized practice. The presence of concubines at the feast reflects the broader cultural acceptance of such relationships in ancient Near Eastern societies.

The account of Belshazzar and his concubines offers a glimpse into the complex social structures of ancient Babylon, where concubinage was a recognized and regulated institution. The biblical narrative, while primarily focused on the moral and spiritual lessons of the event, also provides valuable historical and cultural insights into the practices of the time.Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
Nave's Topical Index

What is a concubine? Why did God allow men to have concubines in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many wives did Abraham have? | GotQuestions.org

Concubinage: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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