Daniel 5:1-4
Summary for Dan 5:1-30: 5:1-30 a Earthly kingdoms all pass away. As Nebuchadnezzar’s dream implied, Babylon would pass away and a new sovereign kingdom would take its place (2:39 b). After Nebuchadnezzar’s death in 562 BC, violence and debauchery increased in the palaces of Babylon until, during Belshazzar’s feast in 539 BC, even God’s holy vessels were polluted and defiled. God’s judgment came with lightning swiftness that night (5:30 c), and the next kingdom took over (see 2:32 d, 39 e; 5:31 f). 5:1 g Many years later: This chapter opens in October 539 BC (see study note on 5:30).• The name Belshazzar means “Bel Protects [the King]” (Bel was a Babylonian god). Nabonidus (556–539 BC) placed his son Belshazzar on the Babylonian throne around 553 BC as ruler in his stead. Then Nabonidus moved to Tema in northwest Arabia, where he stayed for ten years. He returned to Babylon only in the unsuccessful attempt to oppose the Persians (cp. 5:30-31 h).
Summary for Dan 5:2-4: 5:2-4 i The gold and silver cups from the Temple in Jerusalem had been taken into captivity along with the people (1:2 j), but previous Babylonian kings had not defiled them. They were eventually returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:7-11 k).
• predecessor (literally father): Belshazzar was the oldest son of Nabonidus; his relationship with Nebuchadnezzar is uncertain.
• While they drank from them they praised their idols: If Belshazzar had ever known of the honor Nebuchadnezzar had shown toward the Most High God decades earlier (Dan 4:34-37 l), he had long forgotten it. Two ancient Greek historians, Herodotus and Xenophon, record the all-night festivities, dancing, and excessive drinking that took place as the city was taken by Persia.
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