It was hard for the Babylonians to believe that even the Medes and the Persians who had surrounded their beloved city could possibly breach the fortifications or exhaust their supplies which were intended to be ample for a siege of many years. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain He and all his nobles were slain together, in the midst of their feasting and revelling, as Herodotus, lib. Leupold suggests that PHARSIN could be understood by changing the vowels to be Persians284 and might have a double meaning as indicated by Daniels explanation given to the Medes and Persians. A pun may be intended on this third word. Although there are alternative explanations and some dates vary, this succession of kings and identification of characters seems to have reasonable justification. In any case Daniel read the writing as Aramaic, and the suggestion of puns in the language (see later discussion) depends upon the Aramaic. Daniel read the writing and Belshazzar made him the third ruler in the kingdom. How can we understand the different dates in Haggai & Daniel about King Montgomery, opposing the idea that the queen is Belshazzars wife, comments, Also the ladys masterful appearance on the scene betokens rather the queen-mother than the consort.274 Jeffery, likewise, writes, she speaks to him of his father in a way that suggests a mother speaking to a son rather than a wife to a husband.275. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? The battle probably took place much as Herodotus records it.286. [6] This is typical of the "tale of court contest" in which historical accuracy is not an essential element. In the ruins of Nebuchadnezzars palace archeologists have uncovered a large throne room 56 feet wide and 173 feet long which probably was the scene of this banquet. There was, however, nothing insolent or discourteous in Daniels address to the king; and the charges were stated in a factual and objective way. Daniel 6:23-24, Darius issues a decree proclaiming that people should fear the God of Daniel. Daniel 5 says Belshazzar was king, and was making a great feast when (famously) a hand appeared and wrote a message of judgment on the wall. [55] Daniel tells Belshazzar that because he has not given honor to God, his kingdom will be given to the Medes and Persians. The crisis produced by the inability of the wise men to interpret the handwriting on the wall is met by the entrance of one described as the queen. Much speculation surrounds the identity of this person as it is related to the larger question of Belshazzars lineage. 263-64. The effect upon the king and his associates was immediate. Nabonidus), but during the period of the regency there are references to both "offerings to the king" and "offerings to the son of the king". [50], In the Book of Daniel, Belshazzar (Hebrew: , Blaar)[1] plays a significant role in the tale of Belshazzar's feast, a variation on the story of Nebuchadnezzar's madness showing what happens when a king does not repent. In the midst of this atmosphere of consternation, apprehension, and fear, Daniels countenance alone reflected the deep peace of God founded on confidence in God and His divine revelation. 246 Eusebius, Praeper. The Jewish Encyclopedia. That such a large feast should be held by a monarch like Belshazzar is not at all strange. According to the queen, Daniel had the spirit of the holy gods. In the time of Nebuchadnezzar, to whom she refers as thy father, Daniel had been found to have the wisdom of gods and possessing light, that is, enlightenment, understanding or insight, and in general wisdom comparable to the wisdom of the gods. In addressing the king, Daniel does not begin with a formal salutation as he does for instance in connection with Darius in Daniel 6:21 where he says, O king, live for ever. No doubt Daniel holds Belshazzar in contempt for his desecration of the sacred vessels. [54] Belshazzar is killed that night, and Darius the Mede takes the kingdom. Isaiah and Jeremiah had prophesied that Babylon would fall to the Medes on just such a night of revelry as Daniel records (Is 13:17-22; 21:1-10; Jer 51:33-58). Nebuchadnezzar's . The latter relates the story thus, Cyropd., lib. If in cuneiform, the vowels would be included. Too often the world, like Belshazzar, is not willing to seek the wisdom of God until its own bankruptcy becomes evident. There was plenty of water from the Euphrates River which bisected the city. Belshazzar, son of Nabonidus, was the last king of Babylon during the time of Daniel . Daniel spoke in measured tones the condemnation of that which was blasphemous in the sight of the holy God. According to Berosus, Nebuchadnezzar died after a reign of 43 years and was followed by his son Evil-Merodach. A Summary and Analysis of the Writing on the Wall at Belshazzar's Feast The drama of the writing on the wall and its interpretation is now brought to its fulfillment as Belshazzar keeps his promise. D. N. Freedman (Prayer of Nabonidus, Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 145 [1957]: 32) identifies the three kings as Nebuchadnezzar, Nabonidus and Belshazzar. He died about 561 and was succeeded by his son Awil-Marduk (Evil-Merodach of 2 Kings). Though he is referred to in the Book of Daniel as the son of Nebuchadrezzar, the Babylonian inscriptions indicate that he was in fact the eldest son of Nabonidus, who was king of Babylon from 555 to 539, and of Nitocris, who was perhaps a daughter of Nebuchadrezzar. Under these circumstances, Belshazzar would indeed be king of Babylon in the absence of his father. Daniel, in his condemnation of Belshazzar before interpreting the handwriting on the wall, honors King Nebuchadnezzar . Like the other words, it is a passive participle. 1., and Xenophon, inform us. E. G. Kraeling (The Handwriting on the Wall, Journal of Biblical Literature 63 [1944]: 11-18) assuming that five kings are in viewi.e., mene is given twice and the upharsin equals two half-minassuggests that the five kings following Nebuchadnezzar were intended, viz., Evil-Merodach, Neriglissar, Labashi-Marduk, Nabonidus and Belshazzar. [27][28] During Nabonidus's absence, Belshazzar was put in charge of the administration in Babylonia. This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 23:09. Belshazzar was not allowed to date documents after his own "regnal years". Verse 2 cites that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines drink from them; and this fact is restated in the actual act in verse 3 where only the golden vessels are mentioned. On the other hand, such a careful scholar as Edward J. This text indicates that a person known as Bel-sarra-usur was a res sarri, an officer of the king, under Neriglissar who came to the throne in 560 B.C., as had been earlier pointed out in a text YBC 3765:2 published by R. P. Dougherty in 1929 in Nabonidus and Belshazzar, pp. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Young in his discussion on this point gives J. Dymeley Prince282 the credit for the suggestion that the maneh refers to Nebuchadnezzar, the shekel (of much less value) to Belshazzar, and the half-minas refers to the Medes and the Persians.283 Daniels explanation, however, is far more cogent and reasonable, and does not give any indication that the words mean other than he indicates. Daniel 6:10-15, Darius orders Daniel to be thrown into the lions den and wishes Daniel that he be saved by his God. Even while Daniel was interpreting the writing on the wall, the prophecy was being fulfilled as the Medes and the Persians poured into the city. 24-26) as holding that only three kings are referred to, viz., Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach and Belshazzar. Daniel 4:27-37. [15] Belshazzar's father came to the throne as a result of a conspiracy that saw the deposition and murder of the previous king, Labashi-Marduk. 00:00. Herodotus's description of Nitocris contains a wealth of legendary material that makes it difficult to determine whether he uses the name to refer to Nabonidus's wife or mother, but William H. Shea proposed in 1982 that Nitocris may tentatively be identified as the name of Nabonidus's wife and Belshazzar's mother. In the seventeenth year of his reign Cyrus advanced from Persia with a large army, and, after subjugating the rest of the kingdom, marched upon Babylonia. This same son of the king is most probably mentioned . 2 Kings 25:1-3, Jerusalems wall breaks and the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem, setting fire to the temple and the palace. In its rise to power the Babylonian Empire had conquered Jerusalem, taken its inhabitants into captivity, looted its beautiful temple, and completely destroyed the city. In the same hour came forth fingers of a mans hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the kings palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. The only other similar case is Neriglissar, though Neriglissar lacked royal blood and had not been the intended successor to the throne, and abandoned his estates upon becoming king, seemingly entrusting them to Labashi-Marduk, his crown prince, and a figure of unclear connections called Nabu-sabit-qate. Critics of the authenticity and historicity of Daniel accordingly were free to question whether any such person as Belshazzar existed. He appears on the Bible Timeline Poster right before the fall of Babylon. But for Belshazzar, Daniel immediately speaks out and delivers the cold hard facts. The long chapter devoted to this incident which brought the Babylonian Empire to its close is undoubtedly recorded in the Word of God not only for its historic fulfillment of the prophecies relative to the Babylonian Empire but also as an illustration of divine dealing with a wicked world. Updates? 11 or 12) 539 B.C., as indicated in the Nabonidus Chronicle,288 so the world will be overtaken by disaster when the day of the Lord comes (1 Th 5:1-3). Now Belshazzar was all too eager to have the gifts of this man exercised to interpret the writing. . Who succeeded Belshazzar as king of Babylon? He eventually led his forces into Arabia, conquering several cities, including the city of Tayma. What Did Belshazzar Use In His Feast? - On Secret Hunt Finally, the tidings come, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground (Is 21:9). 117-20. According to Daniel, his countenance changed, that is, changed color and became pale. Belshazzar - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - StudyLight.org This, no doubt, prepared the way for the co-regency under Nabonidus which probably began 553 B.C., supporting Daniel 5. The storehouses of Babylon were still abundant with food and wine, and there is evidence that there was plenty of both at this feast. The solution to the problem which the queen suggested was that they invite Daniel the prophet, who had been discovered as a man of wisdom by Nebuchadnezzar, to interpret the writing. Belshazzar then offers Daniel the same promise he made to the others of being clothed with scarlet and having a chain of gold and the privilege of being the third ruler in the kingdom, that is, the triumvir. 5:1-30) and during whose reign he received two visions (Dan. Some have claimed that the text does not plainly indicate the language. Belshazzar's fate is not known, but is often assumed that he was killed during Cyrus the Great's Persian invasion of Babylonia in 539 BC, presumably at the fall of the capital Babylon on 12 October 539 BC. Cf. Under this interpretation, the writing would read, A maneh, a marieh, a shekel, and a half-maneh. Having arrived at this conclusion, however, it still remains to be determined what it means. [42], It is possible that a noteworthy return to orthodox Babylonian religion, following early attempts by Nabonidus to exalt the moon god Sn over the traditional Babylonian supreme deity Marduk, can be attributed to Belshazzar. On his return, the doorkeepers refused to admit him. Through his mother, he might have been a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar II (r.605562 BC), though this is not certain and the claims to kinship with Nebuchadnezzar may have originated from royal propaganda. [6] In the story, the conqueror who inherits Babylon is Darius the Mede, but no such individual is known to history, and the invaders were actually Persians. He was succeeded by Laborosoarchad, also known as Labashi-Marduk, a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, who was assassinated after less than a year. The implication in the clause whiles he tasted the wine is that Belshazzar in his right mind probably would not have committed this sacrilegious act. Instead, documents from the period in which Belshazzar was regent continued to be dated after the years of Nabonidus's reign. (30-31) The death of Belshazzar and the rise of Darius the Mede. : heart) (and therefore) ordered him to march against his city Babylon He made him set out on the road to Babylon going at his side like a real friend. Young suggests, after some of the rabbis, that the characters may have been written vertically,281 and in that case in the Aramaic order they would have appeared as follows: If, in addition to the complications of the Aramaic, a language which was known, some unfamiliar form of their characters was used, it would indeed have required divine revelation to give a suitable explanation and interpretation, and may account for the difficulty in reading the writing. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Still, orders by Nabonidus superseded orders by Belshazzar. Belshazzar's fate is not known, since none of the sources record it. 162-79; and Leupold, pp. 287 J. when conquered by the Medes. Daniel 3:12, Nebuchadnezzar confronts Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego about their disobedience. In the Book of Daniel in the Hebrew Bible, Belshazzar is referred to as Nebuchadnezzar's (grand)son. Herodotus pictures hundreds of towers at appropriate intervals reaching another 100 feet into the air above the top of the wall.266, Modern interpreters view Herodotus figures as greatly exaggerated, with the real dimensions only about one-fourth of what Herodotus claimed. Contemporary civilization is similar to ancient Babylon in that it has much to foster human pride but little to provide human security. Although the author of the Book of Daniel describes Belshazzar as the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar as king of Babylon, Belshazzar was, in fact, neither. Norman Porteous, Daniel: A Commentary, p. 76. [16] The sources suggest that while he was part of the conspiracy, Nabonidus had not intended, nor expected, to become king himself and he was hesitant to accept the nomination. According to Rex A. Turner, in his book "Daniel . Belshazzar Bible Story - Deadly Mistakes & History - Crosswalk.com [49] The last tablet dated to Nabonidus's reign is from Uruk and is dated to 13 October, which is considered the end date of his reign. [24] Nabonidus made Tayma his provisional seat and he would stay there for about a decade, not returning to Babylon until September or October of 543 or 542 BC. He was known for his military might, the splendour of his capital, Babylon, and his important part in Jewish history. A great bridge spanned the Euphrates River, connecting the eastern section and the western or new section of the city. Only when Nebuchadnezzar was properly humbled did God restore him to his glory and kingdom. In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. Honoring of parents was characteristic of the Israelites (Ex 20:12; 1 Ki 2:13-20; 2 Ki 24:12-15). His widespread troopstheir number, like that of the water of a river, could not be establishedstrolled along, their weapons packed away. "That two deserters, Gadatas and Gobryas, having assisted some of the Persian army to kill the guards, and seize upon . For discussion of Josephus account, see Keil, pp. (Daniel 5) and predicted the assassination of the corrupt King Belshazzar (her grandfather) by Medean spies. In his reign the walls of Babylon abutting on the river were magnificently built with baked brick and bitumen. Was Belshazzar actually king of Babylon and was he murdered on the night that Babylon was conquered? For example, in the passage, "As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him" (Amos 5:19), the lion is said to represent Nebuchadnezzar, and the bear, equally ferocious if not equally courageous, is Belshazzar. Discoveries since Keil tend to support Herodotus and Xenophon, although not accounting for Darius the Mede. exhibits its remarkable accuracy.249 The controversy over Belshazzar, because of the extensive investigation and great variety of findings, has become one of the most complicated problems in the entire book, but the problem itself is comparatively simple. For further discussion, see exposition of Daniel 5:25-27. As Belshazzar was drinking his wine, he ordered his servants to bring the gold and silver cups. They were said to have had enough food stored up for 20 years. Daniel 5:5-29, Belshazzar is killed when Cyrus of Persia invades Babylon. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. King Belshazzar wanted his royal people, his wives . Suiting the action to the word, Cyrus and Darius grasped a heavy ornament forming part of a candelabrum, and with it shattered the skull of their royal master (Shir ha-Shirim Rabbah 3:4).[58]. [46][47] The sources also do not make Belshazzar's location clear, but it appears that he was stationed some distance away from Babylon, but that he also was no longer in Sippar, where he had stationed himself in 546 BC out of fear of Cyrus. This would be understandable if she was elderly and the widow of Nebuchadnezzar. 315-16. Prior to and after Belshazzar's regency, surviving texts only contain references to offerings to the king (i.e. 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. [50] It is often assumed that Belshazzar was killed by the Persians at Babylon when the city fell, on 12 October. Belshazzar (Babylonian cuneiform: Bl-ar-uur,[1][2] meaning "Bel, protect the king";[3] Hebrew: .mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey Frank CLM","Frank Ruehl CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans} Blaar) was the son and crown prince of Nabonidus (r.556539 BC), the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. [20], By examining surviving documents from Belshazzar's time as crown prince, it appears that the estates of Neriglissar's family were confiscated after Labashi-Marduk's death and that they were claimed and taken over by Belshazzar. Nebuchadnezzar II was the eldest son and successor of Nabopolassar, founder of the Chaldean empire. According to Herodotus, Babylon was about fourteen miles square, with great outer walls 87 feet thick and 350 feet high, with a hundred great bronze gates in the walls. In many respects, Babylon was the most fabulous city of the ancient world both for the beauty of its architecture and for the safety of its huge walls and fortifications. Darius notes Daniels good qualities and plans to elevate him to the highest administrative position. The disaster of the world, however, does not overtake the child of God; Daniel survives the purge and emerges triumphant as one of the presidents of the new kingdom in chapter 6. Belshazzar was killed that night, and the city taken by the Medes and Persians. In this period, a number of monarchs had succeeded Nebuchadnezzar. Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied. Babylonian chronicles refer to the crown prince being stationed at home in Babylonia with "his army". A favorite target of critics of faith concerns two kings mentioned eight times each in the book of Daniel: Belshazzar and Darius the Mede. Belshazzar was not even the first ruler in the kingdom and was humiliated by the fact that Babylon was besieged and had already lost its power over the provinces surrounding the city. Belshazzar informs Daniel of the inability of all the wise men either to read or to interpret the writing. He knew Daniel and knew the history of Nebuchadnezzars experience with Gods chastening. Daniel 5:2 Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to [35] These include: The events that transpired in Babylonia during Belshazzar's regency are not well known, owing to a lack of surviving sources. Belshazzar, being greatly alarmed at the mysterious handwriting on the wall, and apprehending that someone in disguise might enter the palace with murderous intent, ordered his doorkeepers to behead anyone who attempted to force an entrance that night, even though such person should claim to be the king himself. Before morning they killed Belshazzar and took over his kingdom (v 31). The Cross And Unjust Suffering (1 Peter 2:19-25). [20] This is supported by documents describing business transactions of Belshazzar mentioning the same locations, and even the same household and servants, as similar earlier documents of Neriglissar. Belshazzar under Nabonidus was considered the second ruler, and the position of a third ruler would be the highest that he could offer. 268 Cf. On the other hand, Cyrus found himself in difficulty, since much time had elapsed, and his affairs were not at all advanced. [26] The purpose for this prolonged stay, effectively self-exile, in Tayma are unclear and debated. They would naturally want to hear what he had to say. Daniel 5:1-25 King Belshazzar gave a big party for 1000 of his - Bible What do I do about calling a priest father at my Catholic University? Nabonidus also sometimes sent orders to Belshazzar, which Belshazzar was forced to respect and implement. [25] In 546 BC, Cyrus the Great crossed the Tigris to invade Lydia, ostensibly a Babylonian ally, and though Belshazzar took up a defensive position with his army, perhaps expecting a sudden Persian attack against Babylonia itself, no aid was sent to the Lydians, who were swiftly conquered by Cyrus. Possibly to reassert their faith in their Babylonian gods and to bolster their own courage, this feast in the form of a festival had been ordered. Daniel the Prophet of the Bible, His Life and Accomplishments She had not attended the banquet. In beginning his explanation of the handwriting on the wall, Daniel first of all reads the writing; and for the first time, the words are introduced into the text of this chapter. Writing on the Wall - Mission Bible Class The king was drinking wine with them. The identity of this conqueror, unknown outside the Bible by this name, has touched off endless controversy and discussion which will be considered in the next chapter. During his coregency Belshazzar administered the government, his own estates, and those of his father, though, according to the Book of Daniel, famine and economic setbacks occurred late in his rule. [57], In the Book of Daniel, Belshazzar is not malevolent (he rewards Daniel and raises him to high office). 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. The large reward that was offered, however, was to no avail, for the wise men who assembled could not read the writing nor interpret it. This articleincorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:Singer, Isidore; etal., eds. [29] It is probable that Nabonidus, a reformer, and Belshazzar, apparently more religiously conservative, did not see eye to eye in religious matters. H. C. Leupold, Exposition of Daniel, p. 210; and George A. Barton, Archaeology and the Bible, p. 481 ff. As in the previous instances in Daniel 2 and 4, the wisdom of the world is demonstrated to be totally unable to solve its major problems and to understand either the present or the future. How old was Daniel when he was taken into captivity? They said, "Has not the king ordered us to put to death anyone who attempts to enter the palace, though he claims to be the king himself?" According to Berosus, Nebuchadnezzar died after a reign of 43 years and was followed by his son Evil-Merodach. This would mean right about the time of his death, around 490-485 BC, since he was born around 550 BC, and lived for about 65 years. 208-14. Daniel 10:2-3, Daniel dies at 84 years old. As he could lease out temple land, this suggests that Belshazzar, in administrative matters, could act with full royal power. Old Testament Table of Contents Here was Daniel, an old man well in his eighties, with the marks of godly living evident in his bearingin sharp contrast to the wine-flushed faces of the crowd. In many respects, modern civilization is much like ancient Babylon, resplendent with its monuments of architectural triumph, as secure as human hands and ingenuity could make it, and yet defenseless against the judgment of God at the proper hour. Daniel 7:1-7, Daniel receives a vision of a ram and a goat. It would have been quite improper for the entire company to keep on talking, especially in these dramatic circumstances, when Daniel was reporting to the king. This is another illustration of how critical objections based on lack of external evidence are frequently overthrown when the evidence is uncovered.253, Additional evidence that Nabonidus was away from Babylon on the night of Daniel 5 is given in the fragment from Berosus, previously cited, which indicates that Nabonidus had left Babylon only to be vanquished in battle and flee to Borsippa. Was Nebuchadnezzar a believer? Man may have the first word, but God will have the last word. As the writing according to Daniel was written over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the kings palace, it may have appeared in an area of greater illumination than the rest of the room and thus also have attracted more attention. Charles, for instance, suggests that the writing was in unfamiliar ideograms.272 This, however, is mere conjecture. Bible Q | How old was Belshazzar when he died? New York: Funk & Wagnalls. This prince, whose government was arbitrary and licentious, fell a victim to a plot, being assassinated by his sisters husband, Neriglisar, after a reign of two years. John F. Walvoord, long-time president of Dallas Theological Seminary, was one of the most prominent evangelical scholars of his generation. Belshazzar may have been the son of the king who is said in the same chronicle to have commanded the Babylonian army in Accad from the 6th to the 11th year of Nabunaid I; or, possibly longer, for the annals before the 6th and after the 11th year are broken and for the most part illegible.