Belshazzar

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: From Akkadian Bēl-šar-uṣur, “Bel protect the king” (reflected in Aramaic/Hebrew forms in Daniel).
• Period/Era: Exilic
• Main References: Daniel 5; Daniel 7:1; Daniel 8:1
• Key Connections: Babylon; Nebuchadnezzar (presented as his “father” in Daniel’s court narrative); Daniel

Who was Belshazzar?

Belshazzar is portrayed as a Babylonian king during Judah’s exile, ruling on the eve of Babylon’s collapse.
Daniel presents him as hosting a royal feast that profaned vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple.
He is addressed by Daniel with a warning grounded in Babylon’s prior dealings with Israel’s God.
That same night his rule ends as a new imperial power takes Babylon.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Held a state banquet and used sacred temple vessels while praising Babylonian gods (Daniel 5:1–4).
• Event 2: Witnessed the “writing on the wall,” then summoned Daniel to interpret its message of judgment (Daniel 5:5–17, 25–28).
• Event 3: Elevated Daniel with honors, and later that night Belshazzar was killed as the kingdom changed hands (Daniel 5:29–31).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Belshazzar’s account highlights the biblical theme that imperial authority is accountable to God’s judgment, especially when sacred things are treated with contempt.

Key Verse

“This is the inscription that was written: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin.” — Daniel 5:25, NIV