Boy Old Testament Known
Belshazzar
master of the treasure
בֵּֽלְאשַׁצַּר, בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר be.le.shats.tsar
Belshazzar (Hebrew: בֵּֽלְאשַׁצַּר, בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר, be.le.shats.tsar) means “master of the treasure”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 8 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Daniel in Daniel 5.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Belshazzar
son of Nabonidus; son of Nebuchadnezzar
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 8 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Exile
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Daniel 5:1 |
| Last appears | Daniel 8:1 |
| Cross-references | 225 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Daniel co-occurrence Appears with Daniel in Daniel 5.
- Darius co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Darius.
- Nebuchadnezzar co-occurrence Appears with Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 5.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.5.1;
son of: Nebuchadnezzar (H5019)
Also named: be.le.shats.tsar (בֵּֽלְאשַׁצַּר, בֵּלְשַׁאצַּר "Belshazzar" H1113)
§ Belshazzar = "Bel protect the king"
king of Babylon at the time of its fall; he to whom Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall
Belshazzar, the last Emperor of Babylon, is mentioned in the book of Daniel as the son of Nebuchadnezzar (though historically known as the son of Nabonidus).
The biblical story
Belshazzar is a prominent figure in the book of Daniel, mentioned in chapters 5, 7, and 8. He is introduced as the king of Babylon and the son of Nebuchadnezzar (Dan.5.1, 22), although historical records identify him as the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Belshazzar is known for holding a great feast, during which he and his nobles drank from the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem (Dan.5.1-4). During this feast, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall, which only Daniel could interpret (Dan.5.5-28). The message foretold the end of Belshazzar's kingdom, and that very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom (Dan.5.30-31). Belshazzar is also mentioned in Daniel's visions (Dan.7.1; 8.1), providing a historical context for the prophetic revelations. Belshazzar's reign and his sudden downfall serve as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and the consequences of disregarding God's authority.
Key verses
Belshazzar appears in 8 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
Daniel 5:1 -
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.
Daniel 5:2 -
Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.
Daniel 5:9 -
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;
Daniel 5:22 -
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 5:29
Show all 8 references
Daniel (8)
- Daniel 5:1
- Daniel 5:2
- Daniel 5:9
- Daniel 5:22
- Daniel 5:29
- Daniel 5:30
- Daniel 7:1
- Daniel 8:1