Belshazzar
maleExileMeaning: “Bel, protect the king”
The Babylonian ruler who desecrated the temple vessels at a feast and saw the mysterious handwriting on the wall; he was slain that very night as Babylon fell.
Biography
Belshazzar was the ruler of Babylon at the time of its fall, a successor (called "son") of Nebuchadnezzar. His name is forever tied to one dramatic night recorded in Daniel 5.
The writing on the wall
At a great feast, Belshazzar profanely drank wine from the sacred gold and silver vessels taken from God's temple in Jerusalem, praising idols of gold and silver. Suddenly the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote on the palace wall. The terrified king's knees knocked together (Daniel 5:1–6).
MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
None could read it until Daniel was summoned. He interpreted the words as God's verdict: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it... Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting... Thy kingdom is divided" (Daniel 5:25–28). "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain," and Darius the Mede took the kingdom (Daniel 5:30–31) — a vivid lesson in the swift fall of pride.
Life Timeline
Profanes the temple vessels; sees the handwriting on the wall
Slain the same night as Babylon falls
On the Bible timeline
Belshazzar belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Themes & lessons from Belshazzar
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Belshazzar appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
8 verses in 1 bookDaniel8 verses
Daniel 5:1
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
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. father: or, grandfather taken: Cald. brought forth
Daniel 5:9
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. countenance: Cald. brightnesses
Daniel 5:22
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
Daniel 5:29
Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel 5:30
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
Daniel 7:1
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. had: Cald. saw matters: or, words
Daniel 8:1
In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.
Frequently asked about Belshazzar
Who was Belshazzar in the Bible?
The Babylonian ruler who desecrated the temple vessels at a feast and saw the mysterious handwriting on the wall; he was slain that very night as Babylon fell.
What does the name Belshazzar mean?
The name Belshazzar means “Bel, protect the king”.
What did Belshazzar do in the Bible?
Belshazzar served as ruler of babylon.
Where does Belshazzar appear in the Bible?
Belshazzar is mentioned 8 times across 1 book: Daniel.
What can we learn from Belshazzar?
The story of Belshazzar touches on themes of belshazzar, babylon, drunkenness, feasts — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Belshazzar's life.
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