Topical Bible: King: Belshazzar

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Introduction:
Belshazzar is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Daniel. He is depicted as the last king of Babylon, known for his impious actions and the dramatic events that led to the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. His account is a powerful illustration of divine judgment and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms.

Historical Context:
Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, engaged in religious and military activities elsewhere, Belshazzar was appointed as co-regent and effectively ruled the city. This historical arrangement is supported by archaeological findings, such as the Nabonidus Cylinder, which mention Belshazzar's role in the administration of the kingdom.

Biblical Account:
The primary biblical account of Belshazzar is found in Daniel 5. The chapter opens with Belshazzar hosting a great feast for a thousand of his nobles. During this feast, he commits a grave sacrilege by using the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to drink wine and praise the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Daniel 5:1-4).

As the revelry continues, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall of the banquet hall. The king is terrified and calls for his wise men to interpret the writing, but they are unable to do so. The queen suggests that Daniel, known for his wisdom and insight, be brought in to interpret the message (Daniel 5:5-12).

Daniel is summoned and interprets the writing, which reads "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." He explains that these words signify God's judgment on Belshazzar's reign: "MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians" (Daniel 5:25-28).

The Fall of Babylon:
True to Daniel's interpretation, that very night, Belshazzar is slain, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom (Daniel 5:30-31). This event marks the end of the Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Medo-Persian dominance, fulfilling the prophecy of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2).

Theological Significance:
Belshazzar's account serves as a cautionary tale about pride, idolatry, and the consequences of defying the God of Israel. His downfall illustrates the biblical theme that God is the ultimate ruler over all nations and that human power is transient and subject to divine authority. The narrative underscores the importance of humility and reverence for God, as well as the certainty of divine justice.

Legacy:
Belshazzar's legacy is one of infamy, remembered for his arrogance and the dramatic end of his reign. His account is often cited in discussions of biblical prophecy and the historical accuracy of the Scriptures. The phrase "the writing on the wall" has entered common parlance as a metaphor for impending doom or inevitable judgment, rooted in the events of Daniel 5.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 5:1-4,23
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

1112. Beleshatstsar -- "Bel, protect the king," a Bab. king
... Or Belshatstsar {bale-shats-tsar'}; of foreign origin (compare Beltsha'tstsar);
Belshatstsar, a Babylonian king -- Belshazzar. see HEBREW Beltsha'tstsar. ...
/hebrew/1112.htm - 6k

1113. Belshatstsar -- a Bab. king
... Belshazzar. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to Beleshatstsar Definition
a Bab. king NASB Word Usage Belshazzar (7). Belshazzar. ...
/hebrew/1113.htm - 6k

Library

Belshazzar's Feast
... interpretation. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance
was changed in him, and his lords were perplexed. Now ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii belshazzars feast.htm

The Handwriting on the Wall
... king what it meant. So King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, and his face
grew pale, and his nobles were thrown into confusion. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the handwriting on the wall.htm

Weighed in the Balances
... Weighed in the Balances. In the fifth chapter of Daniel we read the history of
King Belshazzar. One chapter tells us all we know about him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

The vision of Belshazzar
... A Captive in the land, A stranger and a youth, He heard the king's command, He ...
"Belshazzar's grave is made, His kingdom pass'd away, He, in the balance weigh'd ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the vision of belshazzar.htm

The Measure of Sin.
... King Belshazzar had committed many transgressions, he was weighed in the balances,
but still found wanting in the final and irreversible act of wickedness ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xliv the measure of sin.htm

Mene, Tekel, Peres
... third ruler in the kingdom.30. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the
Chaldeans slain.31. And Darius the Median took the kingdom ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/mene tekel peres.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... revelers. "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain,"
and an alien monarch sat upon the throne. Clearly had ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

The Master of the Magicians.
... Belshazzar was the next king of Babylon. He made a great feast, and a thousand
of his lords were bidden to sit around his tables ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxii the master of.htm

There is a Blessedness in Reversion
... the wrath of the Lord' (Ezekiel 7:19). King Belshazzar was carousing and
ranting it. He drank wine in the golden vessels of the ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/2 there is a blessedness.htm

Cyrus.
... he kept these hardy, simple ways, even after he was a great king over both ... He beat
Belshazzar in battle, and then besieged him in his city; but the Babylonians ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xii cyrus.htm