Topical Bible: The Death of the Wicked: Belshazzar

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Introduction

Belshazzar, a figure of significant historical and theological interest, is primarily known from the biblical account in the Book of Daniel. He was the last king of Babylon, whose reign ended with the city's fall to the Medes and Persians. His death is emblematic of divine judgment against pride and impiety, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of defying the God of Israel.

Historical Context

Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, Belshazzar ruled as co-regent. This arrangement is supported by historical records, which indicate that Belshazzar held significant authority in Babylon during his father's prolonged absence.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Belshazzar's demise is found in Daniel 5. The chapter opens with Belshazzar hosting a grand feast for a thousand of his nobles. In a display of arrogance and sacrilege, he orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple by Nebuchadnezzar, his predecessor, to be used for drinking wine. As they drank, they praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone (Daniel 5:1-4).

In the midst of the revelry, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall. Terrified, Belshazzar 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 summoned. Daniel is brought before the king and offers the interpretation, reminding Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God due to his pride. Daniel rebukes Belshazzar for not humbling his heart despite knowing all this, and for exalting himself against the Lord of heaven (Daniel 5:22-23).

The Writing on the Wall

The inscription on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," is interpreted by Daniel as a divine message of judgment. "MENE" means that God has numbered the days of Belshazzar's kingdom and brought it to an end. "TEKEL" signifies that Belshazzar has been weighed and found wanting. "PARSIN" indicates that the kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:25-28).

The Fulfillment of Judgment

That very night, Belshazzar is slain, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom (Daniel 5:30-31). The swift fulfillment of the prophecy underscores the certainty of divine judgment and the futility of human arrogance against God's sovereign will.

Theological Implications

Belshazzar's death serves as a powerful reminder of the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). His account illustrates the inevitable downfall of those who defy God and place their trust in earthly power and wealth. The narrative also highlights the sovereignty of God over the nations, as He raises and deposes kings according to His divine purpose.

Conclusion

The account of Belshazzar's death is a sobering testament to the consequences of pride and irreverence towards God. It serves as a warning to all who would exalt themselves above the Creator, emphasizing the importance of humility and reverence in the sight of the Almighty.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:30
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Death of the Christian
... Death said to him, "I have worn these skeleton bones to frighten wicked men; but
I ... The hand that wrote upon Belshazzar's wall was terrible because no man ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the death of the christian.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... 'And thou his son, O Belshazzar,' says he ... Well, but what makes you think he is gone
to hell? WISE. His wicked life, and fearful death, especially since the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

The Vengeance of Heaven
... the sacrilegious patron of sacrilege; not only not a Christian, but worse than a
Belshazzar; a hypocrite ... He lived in perpetual dread of death. ... Wicked man! ...
/.../chapter lx the vengeance of.htm

Babylon.
... judged among the Jews, and confuted the two wicked elders who ... made him eat at his
own table until his death. ... but a few years, and then came Belshazzar, in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

The Scattering of the People
... if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods ... that he left to his eldest
son, Belshazzar, who seems ... Before the death of Ezra and Nehemiah, or else ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter v the scattering of.htm

Man.
... art thou resolved to sleep the sleep of death? ... the Lord have mercy upon thee: "Upon
the wicked shall the ... Judas will hang himself; and both Belshazzar and Felix ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

Olney Hymns
... JEREMIAH. Hymn 66 Trust of the wicked, and the righteous compared. Jer 17:5-8. ... Dan
3:6. Hymn 74 BELSHAZZAR. Dan 5:5,6. ... Jn 21:16. ACTS. Hymn 120 The death of STEPHEN ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

A Table to the First Book, According to the Order and Subject of ...
... 60 JEREMIAH 66 Trust of the righteous and wicked 17 67 ... The power and triumph of faith
3,6 74 Belshazzar 5 JONAH ... 21 ACTS 120 Death of Stephen 7 121 The rebel's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/a table to the first.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... When Belshazzar "saw the fingers of a man's hand that wrote ... have no fellowship with
him, nor the wicked inhabit the ... men in the world; but when death awakes them ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

part vi.
... as the great Hosius escaped their wicked machinations ... others, that they should rather
suffer death, than become ... this modern Ahab, this second Belshazzar of our ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part vi.htm