How to pronounce "belshazzar" and what does "belshazzar" mean?
belshazzar
noun
How to pronounce belshazzar?
The word belshazzar sounds like bel-shaz-zar
/bɛl'ʃæzər/
What is the definition of belshazzar?
noun(Old Testament) Babylonian general and son of Nebuchadnezzar II; according to the Old Testament he was warned of his doom by divine handwriting on the wall that was interpreted by Daniel (6th century BC)
What is the meaning of the word 'belshazzar'?
- Belshazzar is a proper noun and a biblical name.
- In the Bible, Belshazzar is the last king of Babylon before it was overthrown by the Medes and Persians.
What is the origin of the word 'belshazzar'?
- The word 'belshazzar' originates from the Hebrew name 'Belshatzzar', which means 'Bel, protect the king'.
- Bel is a Babylonian god and the name 'Belshazzar' can be translated as 'Bel protect the king'.
Who was Belshazzar in the Bible?
- Belshazzar was the son of King Nabonidus and the grandson of King Nebuchadnezzar.
- According to the book of Daniel in the Bible, Belshazzar was the last king of Babylon.
- He ruled during a great feast and saw a mysterious handwriting on the wall, which was interpreted by Daniel as a sign of Babylon's downfall.
- That night, the city was invaded and Belshazzar was killed.
What is the story of Belshazzar's feast?
- The story of Belshazzar's feast is described in the book of Daniel in the Bible.
- During the feast, Belshazzar and his guests used the gold and silver vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem.
- Suddenly, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall, which frightened Belshazzar.
- Daniel was called to interpret the writing, and he revealed that the message meant the end of Belshazzar's kingdom.
- Later that night, the city was invaded and Belshazzar was killed.
What is the significance of the handwriting on the wall?
- The handwriting on the wall was a supernatural occurrence during Belshazzar's feast.
- It consisted of mysterious words and was interpreted by Daniel as a message from God.
- The message foretold the downfall of Belshazzar's kingdom and the rise of the Medes and Persians.
- It served as a warning and judgement for Belshazzar's actions of using the holy vessels from the temple.
What happened to Belshazzar's kingdom?
- Belshazzar's kingdom, Babylon, was overthrown by the Medes and Persians.
- After the mysterious handwriting on the wall, the city was invaded that very night.
- The Medes and Persians, led by Cyrus the Great, captured the city and killed Belshazzar.
- This marked the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Achaemenid Empire.
Was Belshazzar a real historical figure?
- Belshazzar is a historical figure mentioned in the Bible.
- There is also some historical evidence for his existence.
- Belshazzar is mentioned in the Nabonidus Chronicle, an ancient Babylonian text, as the son of Nabonidus.
What is the literary significance of Belshazzar?
- The story of Belshazzar and the handwriting on the wall is often regarded as a powerful literary symbol of impending doom and divine judgement.
- It has been referenced and interpreted in numerous works of literature, art, and music throughout history.
Are there any famous artistic representations of Belshazzar?
- Yes, there are famous artistic representations of Belshazzar and the handwriting on the wall.
- One of the most well-known depictions is the painting 'Belshazzar's Feast' by Rembrandt, which portrays the dramatic moment of the handwriting revelation.
Is there any other notable mention of Belshazzar outside the Bible?
- Apart from the Bible, Belshazzar is mentioned in other ancient texts.
- The Greek historian Herodotus briefly mentions Belshazzar's father, Nabonidus, and his rule over Babylon.
- There are also references to Belshazzar in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus.
