Topical Bible: Polygamy: Belshazzar

◄ Polygamy: Belshazzar ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Polygamy in the Ancient Near East

Polygamy, the practice of having more than one wife simultaneously, was a common cultural practice in the ancient Near East, including among the peoples surrounding Israel. The Old Testament records instances of polygamy among the patriarchs and kings of Israel, though it often led to familial strife and spiritual decline. While the Mosaic Law regulated certain aspects of marriage, it did not explicitly prohibit polygamy, reflecting the cultural norms of the time. However, the biblical narrative often highlights the negative consequences of polygamous relationships, suggesting a divine preference for monogamy as exemplified in the creation account of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:24).

Belshazzar: Historical Context

Belshazzar, a figure mentioned in the Book of Daniel, was a Babylonian prince and co-regent with his father, Nabonidus, during the Neo-Babylonian Empire. He is best known for the dramatic account of the "writing on the wall" in Daniel 5, which foretold the fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians. The historical Belshazzar was not a king in the traditional sense but acted with kingly authority in Babylon during his father's absence.

Belshazzar and Polygamy

The biblical text does not provide specific details about Belshazzar's marital practices or whether he engaged in polygamy. However, as a member of the Babylonian royal family, it is plausible that Belshazzar, like many rulers of his time, may have had multiple wives or concubines. The Babylonian culture, similar to other ancient Near Eastern societies, often practiced polygamy, especially among the elite, as a means of securing political alliances and producing heirs.

Biblical Account: The Feast of Belshazzar

In Daniel 5, Belshazzar hosts a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, during which he orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple to be used for drinking wine. The text notes that "while 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" (Daniel 5:2). This passage indicates that Belshazzar had multiple wives and concubines present at the feast, consistent with the polygamous practices of Babylonian royalty.

Theological Implications

The account of Belshazzar's feast serves as a backdrop for the divine judgment pronounced against him and the Babylonian Empire. The presence of multiple wives and concubines at the feast underscores the opulence and moral decadence of Belshazzar's court. The use of sacred temple vessels for a profane celebration further highlights the king's irreverence and pride, leading to his downfall. The narrative implicitly contrasts the excesses of Babylonian polygamy and idolatry with the biblical ideal of monogamous fidelity and reverence for God.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly address Belshazzar's marital practices, the cultural context and biblical narrative suggest that polygamy was likely part of his royal lifestyle. The account of Belshazzar serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, idolatry, and moral corruption, themes that resonate throughout the biblical text.

Nave's Topical Index

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

Library

Babylonia and Assyria
... standing army, however, under the command of the king's son, Belshazzar, prevented
this ... Polygamy was not common; indeed, we find it stipulated in one instance ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... because it symbolizes mortification and the overcoming of passions; for this good
man had conquered extreme temptations to commit idolatry, polygamy, and to ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm