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Introduction:
Belshazzar is a prominent figure in the Book of Daniel, known for his role as the last king of Babylon before its conquest by the Medes and Persians. His account is primarily recounted inDaniel 5, where he is depicted as a ruler who defied the God of Israel and faced divine judgment.

Historical Context:
Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. While Nabonidus was absent from Babylon, engaged in religious and military activities, Belshazzar was appointed as co-regent, effectively ruling the city in his father's stead. This arrangement explains why Belshazzar is referred to as "king" in the Book of Daniel, despite not being the sole monarch.

Biblical Account:
The most significant biblical account of Belshazzar is found inDaniel 5. The chapter opens with Belshazzar hosting a great feast for a thousand of his nobles. During the feast, he orders the gold and silver vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought out, so that he and his guests might drink from them. This act of sacrilege is a direct affront to the God of Israel.

As the revelry continues, a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall of the banquet hall. The king is terrified and 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 ability to interpret dreams, be summoned.

Daniel is brought before the king and offers an interpretation of the writing, which reads "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN." Daniel explains that these words signify God's judgment on Belshazzar's reign: "MENE" means that God has numbered the days of his kingdom and brought it to an end; "TEKEL" means that he has been weighed and found wanting; "PARSIN" (or "PERES") indicates that his kingdom will be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

Despite the dire prophecy, Belshazzar rewards Daniel with purple clothing, a gold chain, and a proclamation that he be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom. However, the prophecy is fulfilled that very night, as the Medes and Persians invade Babylon, and Belshazzar is slain.

Theological Significance:
Belshazzar's account serves as a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms. His pride and sacrilege are met with divine judgment, illustrating the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (cf.James 4:6). The narrative underscores the theme of God's ultimate authority and the futility of human arrogance.

Archaeological and Historical Insights:
For many years, Belshazzar's existence was questioned due to the lack of historical records outside the Bible. However, archaeological discoveries, such as the Nabonidus Cylinder, have confirmed his role as co-regent in Babylon. These findings have provided valuable context and corroboration for the biblical account, affirming the historical reliability of the Scriptures.

Conclusion:
Belshazzar's narrative in the Book of Daniel is a testament to the enduring truth of God's word and His control over the affairs of nations. His account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of honoring God above all else.

Belshazzar's Feast
... STORIES VIIBELSHAZZAR'S FEAST.Belshazzar the king made a great feast to
a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand....

The Voices of the Dead
... touching are those sketched forms, those unfilled outlines in that picture which
employed so fully the time and genius of the great artist"Belshazzar's feast...

The Conquest of Babylon.
... people consult the oracle."Reply of the oracle."Aristodicus and the birds'
nests."Capture of Pactyas."Situation ofBelshazzar."Belshazzar's feeling...

Mysterious visits.
... If letters of light traced by a mysterious hand upon the wall caused the joints
ofBelshazzar's loins to be loosed, what awe overcomes our spirits when we see...

Reference Table
... V The Expedition against Elisha II Kings VI 8 Minor Prophets 15 VI The Dream of
the Tree cut down Daniel IV 1 Minor Prophets 20 VIIBelshazzar's Feast Daniel V...

The vision ofBelshazzar
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE VISION OFBELSHAZZAR. The King was
on his throne, The Satraps throng'd the hall; A thousand...

Daniel
... v. affords another illustration of the wisdom of Daniel, and of the humiliation
of impiety and pride, this time in the person ofBelshazzar, who is regarded as...

The Handwriting on the Wall
... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.Belshazzar, the king, made a great
feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine before them all....

The Scattering of the People
... 'There never was a ruler over Babylon namedBelshazzar' so these people said; 'the
last Babylonian king was Nabonides.' A few years ago, however,Belshazzar's...

How to Discern Our Title to the Saints' Rest.
... Methinks every leaf should be to thee asBelshazzar's writing on the wall,
except only that which draws thee to try and reform....

Belshazzar's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceBelshazzar's (1 Occurrence). Daniel 8:1 In the
third year of the reign ofBelshazzar the king, a vision...

Upharsin (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary And they divide, one of the words written by the
mysterious hand on the wall ofBelshazzar's palace (Dan. 5:25)....

Mene (2 Occurrences)
... (Dan. 5:25, 26), numbered, one of the words of the mysterious inscription written
"upon the plaister of the wall" inBelshazzar's palace at Babylon....

Tekel (2 Occurrences)
... upharcin; Theodotion, Mane, thekel, phares): These are the words that, according
to Daniel's reading, were inscribed on the walls ofBelshazzar's palace and...

Belshaz'zar (8 Occurrences)
Belshaz'zar.Belshazzar, Belshaz'zar.Belshazzar's . Multi-Version
Concordance Belshaz'zar (8 Occurrences). Daniel 5:1Belshazzar...

Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... dream; and many years afterwards, when he was now an old man, amid the alarm and
consternation of the terrible night ofBelshazzar's impious feast, he was...

Belt (32 Occurrences)

Knees (47 Occurrences)
... Fear effected the same condition inBelshazzar's case, when he saw the writing on
the wall (Daniel 5:6), "The joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees...

Feeble (147 Occurrences)
... Fear effected the same condition inBelshazzar's case, when he saw the writing on
the wall (Daniel 5:6), "The joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees...

Peres (2 Occurrences)
... Divided, one of the mysterious words "written over against the candlestick upon
the plaster of the wall" of kingBelshazzar's palace (Dan. 5:28). (see MENE.)....

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What is the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin”? What is the meaning of the handwriting on the wall? | GotQuestions.org

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