Book of Daniel - Chapter 5 - Verse 30

The verse "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain" is a pivotal moment in the Book of Daniel in the Bible. Belshazzar was the son of King Nebuchadnezzar and the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The significance of this verse lies in the events leading up to his death. Belshazzar hosted a great feast where he used vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to praise false gods. In response, a hand appeared and wrote a cryptic message on the wall, which Daniel interpreted as a divine judgment against Belshazzar. That very night, the city was invaded by the Medes and Persians, and Belshazzar was killed. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride, arrogance, and disrespect towards God. It highlights the swift and severe judgment that can come upon those who refuse to acknowledge and honor the one true God.

The theological interpretation of the verse 'In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.' points to the divine judgment and the consequences of pride and arrogance. Belshazzar, the king of Babylon, had brazenly defiled the holy vessels of God's temple during a feast, displaying his disrespect for the Lord. This act of desecration led to God's judgment being executed swiftly, with Belshazzar being slain that very night. The theological lesson to be learned from this event is the importance of humility and reverence before God. It serves as a stark reminder that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, as pride goes before destruction.

As for word studies, the name 'Belshazzar' is of Babylonian origin and means 'Bel protect the king'. Bel was a Mesopotamian god, and the use of this name for the Babylonian king may have symbolized his belief in the protection of his gods. However, the irony lies in the fact that Belshazzar's arrogance and disrespect towards the God of Israel led to his downfall, proving that no earthly power or deity could protect him from the judgment of the true God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the futility of relying on false gods and the consequences of turning away from the one true God.