Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionDrunkenness is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with moral and spiritual decline. One of the most illustrative examples of the consequences of drunkenness is found in the account of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, as recorded in the Book of Daniel. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess and the neglect of divine reverence. Biblical Account The account of Belshazzar is primarily found in Daniel 5. Belshazzar, the son of Nabonidus, was co-regent of Babylon and is depicted as a ruler who indulged in excess and failed to honor the God of Israel. The account begins with Belshazzar hosting a grand feast for a thousand of his nobles. During this feast, he and his guests drank wine from the gold and silver vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. This act of sacrilege was compounded by their praise of the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Daniel 5:1-4 states: "Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he 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." The Writing on the Wall In the midst of this revelry, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace. The king, terrified and unable to understand the writing, called for his wise men, but they could not interpret the message. Finally, Daniel was summoned to interpret the writing. Daniel reminded Belshazzar of his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience and rebuked him for his arrogance and idolatry. Daniel 5:22-23 records Daniel's words: "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this. Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You had the vessels from His temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives, and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze and iron, of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways." Divine Judgment The writing on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," was interpreted by Daniel as a divine judgment against Belshazzar. The message indicated that God had numbered the days of Belshazzar's reign, weighed him and found him wanting, and decreed that his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Daniel 5:30-31 concludes the account: "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom at the age of sixty-two." Theological Implications The account of Belshazzar serves as a powerful reminder of the perils of drunkenness and the importance of humility before God. Belshazzar's downfall was precipitated by his lack of reverence for the sacred and his indulgence in excess. His account underscores the biblical principle that pride and irreverence, often exacerbated by drunkenness, lead to destruction. The narrative warns believers to remain vigilant and sober-minded, recognizing the sovereignty of God and the consequences of disregarding His holiness. Nave's Topical Index Daniel 5:1-6Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Nave's Topical Index Library Mene, Tekel, Peres Man. There is a Blessedness in Reversion The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest. Letter xxii. To Eustochium. The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, A Few Sighs from Hell; The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment: An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Resources How should a Christian view alcoholics? What does the Bible say about drunkards? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus drink wine/alcohol? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.org Drunkenness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Drunkenness is a Work of the Flesh Drunkenness: Avoid Those Given To Drunkenness: Ben-Hadad and his Thirty-Two Confederate Kings Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Given To Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Who Encourage Drunkenness: Excludes from Heaven Drunkenness: False Teachers often Addicted To Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of Hannah Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of Jesus Drunkenness: Falsely Accused of The Apostles Drunkenness: Folly of Yielding To Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning Drunkenness: Leads to Contempt of God's Works Drunkenness: Leads to Rioting and Wantonness Drunkenness: Leads to Scorning Drunkenness: Leads to Woe and Sorrow Drunkenness: Overcharges the Heart Drunkenness: Takes Away the Heart Drunkenness: The Wicked Addicted To Related Terms Licentiousness (10 Occurrences) Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences) |
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