Belshazzar

Belshazzar was a Neo-Babylonian prince and co-regent of Babylon, governing on behalf of his father, King Nabonidus, while Nabonidus was absent from Babylon from 553 BC to 543 or 542 BC. He is notably recognized from the biblical Book of Daniel, where he is depicted hosting the infamous feast leading to the divine writing on the wall, foretelling the Fall of Babylon.

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Historical Context

The period of Belshazzar's co-regency falls within the final years of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His father, Nabonidus, was the last king of Babylon, and his mother is speculated to be Nitocris, possibly a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar II. During Nabonidus's prolonged absence from Babylon, when he took residence in the Arabian oasis of Tayma, Belshazzar was entrusted with the administration of the empire, effectively serving as king in Babylon.

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Reign and Historical Role

Belshazzar's role as co-regent involved significant administrative responsibilities, as evidenced by cuneiform records. The Nabonidus Chronicle details his involvement in governance and military affairs, although his reign faced political instability and the looming threat of Persian expansion under Cyrus the Great. Upon Nabonidus's return to Babylon, Belshazzar was demoted from his administrative responsibilities, and by 539 BC Cyrus's forces advanced towards Babylon.

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Historical Evidence

• The primary attestation of Belshazzar comes from the Nabonidus Cylinder from Ur, which names him as “Belshazzar, my firstborn son.”

• Numerous economic tablets and administrative records from Babylonian sites during Nabonidus's reign mention Belshazzar, confirming his status and role in the court.

• The Cyrus Cylinder provides context to the political dynamics and the transition of power from Babylon to Persia, depicting Cyrus as a liberator.

These sources collectively affirm Belshazzar's historical existence and his significant role in the Neo-Babylonian administration.

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Biblical Significance

In Daniel 5, Belshazzar's feast is interrupted by a mysterious hand writing a message on the wall, interpreted by the prophet Daniel as divine judgment against Belshazzar and a prophecy of Babylon's fall. The narrative concludes with Babylon's capture by the Persians that very night and Belshazzar's death, underscoring themes of divine sovereignty and judgment.

Daniel 5:16 has Belshazzar offer Daniel the position of "third ruler in the kingdom" rather than the second, and the Babylonian records supply the reason the text does not give for itself. The cylinders Nabonidus deposited in the ziggurat at Ur name Belshazzar only as his "first-born son", in a closing prayer, and give him no title at all; what shows him governing is the body of administrative tablets, oath formulas and chronicles from the years his father spent at Tayma. Those same records mark the limit of his position. He is always the son of the king and never the king, no document is dated to a reign of his own, and he did not officiate at the New Year festival, which only a king could do. Nabonidus remained king while Belshazzar governed in his place, so the highest office Belshazzar had left to give away was the third.

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Historical Assessment

Belshazzar's historical significance, though overshadowed by the political upheaval of his time, is cemented through the biblical narrative. His story serves as a theological illustration of the dangers of pride and the certainty of divine justice. While his documented achievements are limited, his legacy persists through the biblical account, which has captured the imagination of generations and underscores the providential role of God in history.

See also: Babylon, Cyrus Cylinder, Cyrus the Great