The Book of Daniel, specifically chapter 5, recounts the dramatic fall of Babylon during a feast held by King Belshazzar. This event, often referred to as "Belshazzar's feast" or "the writing on the wall," details how the Neo-Babylonian king blasphemed God by drinking from sacred vessels looted from the First Temple in Jerusalem. In response, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote an indecipherable message on the wall. Belshazzar's wise men were unable to interpret the writing, leading the queen to suggest summoning Daniel, known for his wisdom and connection to the "spirit of the holy gods."[1] [2]

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Daniel, an elderly figure by this time, was brought before the king. He rebuked Belshazzar for his arrogance and failure to learn from the humbling experience of his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar, who had acknowledged God's sovereignty after a period of divine judgment.[1] [2] [3] Daniel then interpreted the cryptic message: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." He explained that "MENE" meant God had numbered Belshazzar's days and brought his kingdom to an end; "TEKEL" indicated he had been weighed and found wanting; and "UPHARSIN" (or "PERES") signified that his kingdom would be divided and given to the Medes and Persians.[1] [2] [3] That very night, Belshazzar was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom.[1] [2] [4] [5]

Historical Context and Prophecy Fulfillment

The narrative of Belshazzar's feast is set around the fall of Babylon to the Persian conqueror Cyrus the Great in 539 BCE.[1] While the biblical account portrays Belshazzar as king and son of Nebuchadnezzar, historical and archaeological evidence, particularly the Nabonidus Cylinder, clarifies that Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, and served as co-regent while Nabonidus was away in Teima.[1] [3] [6] The Book of Daniel's use of "father" for Nebuchadnezzar can be understood in the broader ancient sense of an ancestor or predecessor, as there was no specific word for "grandfather" in Aramaic or Hebrew.[3] [6]

The conqueror is identified as Darius the Mede, a figure whose exact historical identity is debated among scholars. Some suggest he was a title for Gubaru, a governor under Cyrus, or possibly another name for Cyrus himself.[1] [5] Regardless of the specific individual, the transition of power from Babylon to the Medes and Persians aligns with prophecies found in other biblical books, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, which foretold Babylon's downfall to these empires.[3] [7] Isaiah, for instance, prophesied the Medes would be stirred up against Babylon, and Jeremiah spoke of Babylon's destruction as vengeance for God's temple.[7] The fall of Babylon, a city renowned for its immense walls and perceived impregnability, was achieved through a strategic diversion of the Euphrates River, allowing the Medo-Persian army to enter the city through the riverbed, often described as happening during a night of revelry and lax security.[3] [6] [8]

Significance and Legacy

The story of Belshazzar's feast serves as a powerful theological and moral lesson. It contrasts Nebuchadnezzar's eventual humility and restoration with Belshazzar's unrepentant pride and subsequent destruction, emphasizing God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms and His judgment against arrogance and blasphemy.[1] [3] The idiom "the writing on the wall" has entered common parlance, signifying an obvious sign of impending doom or failure, stemming directly from this biblical narrative.[1] [3] The swift and decisive judgment on Belshazzar underscores the certainty of God's judgment and the importance of reverence for the sacred.[5]