This chapter begins with a new king and no mention of the end of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
The golden head of the statue remains the ‘head’ until the events in this chapter take place. In other words, through the first four chapters, we see the growth of Babylon, the changes in Nebuchadnezzar, and now Daniel reveals how the golden head is destroyed and the bronze, Medo-Persian Empire begins.
A Little History:
Nebuchadnezzar reigns 43 years and dies. His son, Merodach, (2 Kings 25:27-30, Jeremiah 52:31-34) rules for only two years when he is assassinated by Neriglassar because his reign was evil. Neriglassar (Jeremiah 39:3,13) rules for four years until he dies a natural death. His son, Laborosoarchod, rules for nine months when he is murdered through conspiracy. Nabonidus is appointed king. He rules until Cyrus the Persian conquers Babylon. Belshazzar was the eldest son of Nabonidus and the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar; ’father’ being used to mean lineage of family rather than literal offspring.
During the last years of Nabonidus’ reign, he lived in Arabia and left the Kingdom of Babylon to Belshazzar. He became co-regent in 553 BCE and continued reigning until the fall of Babylon in 539 BCE. During the time of Daniel chapter 5, Nabonidus had already gone out to fight the Medo-Persian war and had been captured. The armies surrounded Babylon and searched for a way to enter the city.
Belshazzar was not afraid of the siege because of Babylon’s defense system. The outer walls were 17 miles long, 22 feet thick and 90 feet high. There were guard towers another 100 feet high. The gates to the city were made of bronze. A system of inner and outer walls made the moats secure.
Belshazzar was so confident about his city that he held a party while being under siege. He got intoxicated, as did his 1000 dignataries, and mocked the God of Israel. Using the plundered items from the Temple in Jerusalem was a way to remind his guests of Babylon’s previous victories while current armies were attacking them.
1. Who is Belshazzar?
2. How much time has passed since Daniel came to Babylon?
3. How old is Daniel about this time? (Introduction timeline)
4. What did Belshazzar request at his feast?
5. What did the dignitaries do over the gold and silver Temple objects?
6. Define abomination.
7. What is significant about the “back of the hand?”
8. How did King Belshazzar react?
9. Who tells the king about Daniel and what is said?
10. How does the king question Daniel to make sure he is the right man?
11. What do you think Daniel has been doing for the years between Nebuchadnezzar’s death and this event?
12. Using the introduction timeline, how long has it been since the Temple was destroyed?
13. What is promised to Daniel for interpreting the writing?
14. Does Daniel want the gifts?
15. What does Daniel do before he interprets the writing?
16. Does knowing this encourage you in today’s world of godless kings and rulers?
Exodus 9:12
Proverbs 21:1
Romans 13:1-2
1 Peter 2:13.
17. What is Belshazzar’s problem?
18. Why couldn’t Belshazzar read the writing even though it was in Aramaic?
19. What do each of the Aramaic words mean?
Mene:
Mene:
Tekel:
Upharsin:
20. What happened that very night?
21. How does God feel/react about people who profane His holy things? How does he feel about those he calls to be priests?
Ezekiel 22:26
1 Peter 2:9.
A Little Manna: The Babylonian kingdom is divided at this time between the Medes and the Persians. Esther was crowned Queen of Persia; however, she did not come to royal stature until sometime after 486 BCE. The Temple had been restored by that time and the first wave of Jews had been freed from captivity to live in Jerusalem. Many Jews were comfortable with their lives in Babylon and remained there until after the events in Esther when there was a second exodus from Persia back to Jerusalem.
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