An emperor during the time of Israelite exile and return of the Israelites. He was a son of King Nebuchadnezzar.
About Belshazzar
Belshazzar was a Babylonian king who ruled alongside his father, Nabonidus, during the final days of the Babylonian Empire. His name means “Bel protect the king.”
The book of Daniel calls Belshazzar the son of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:2, 11, 13, 18). However, he was actually the son of Nabonidus. In Hebrew literature, "son" can mean "descendant," and "father" can mean "ancestor." Some believe that Belshazzar’s mother might have been Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter, making him the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. Nabonidus, Belshazzar’s father, took the throne in 555 BC.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Nebuchadnezzar
Key References
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.
Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.
That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,
All Scripture References (8)
Daniel (8)
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.
Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines.
Then King Belshazzar became even more terrified, his face grew even more pale, and his nobles were bewildered.
But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, even though you knew all this.
Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,
In the first year of the reign of Belshazzar over Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he lay on his bed. He wrote down the dream, and this is the summary of his account.
In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one that had appeared to me earlier.