Daniel 5:30
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Jeremiah 51:31One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end,Jeremiah 51:57And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 47:9But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Jeremiah 51:39In their heat I will make their feasts, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Historical sources (Xenophon, Herodotus) describe Babylon's capture during a feast. While details vary, extra-biblical sources confirm sudden conquest with minimal resistance. Belshazzar's death marked dynastic end. The city's capture involved diverting the Euphrates River and entering through lowered waterways. The Persians entered the city during night hours. Archaeological evidence including the Nabonidus Chronicle documents the conquest in 539 BC, with Cyrus entering Babylon peacefully after initial military victory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the immediate timing of judgment teach that presuming on God's patience eventually leads to sudden, irreversible consequences?
- What does Belshazzar's abrupt end despite apparent security teach about the illusory nature of human power when under divine judgment?
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Analysis & Commentary
Judgment strikes immediately: 'In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.' The timing 'in that night'—the same night as the feast and writing—emphasizes immediate fulfillment. No delay, no opportunity for repentance (unlike Nebuchadnezzar who had twelve months, 4:29). Belshazzar's death represents the kingdom's end. The verse's brevity mirrors the judgment's swiftness—one moment feasting in apparent security, next moment dead and kingdom transferred. This demonstrates that God's patience has limits; there comes a time when judgment cannot be delayed further.