BELSHAZZAR Meaning and
Definition
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Belshazzar was a historical figure who ruled as the last king of Babylon. He is mentioned in the biblical books of Daniel and Isaiah, as well as in various historical texts. According to these sources, Belshazzar was the son of King Nabonidus and served as co-regent alongside his father.
In the biblical narrative, Belshazzar is portrayed as a lavish and arrogant ruler who hosted a great feast for his nobles. During the feast, a miraculous event occurred: a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. None of the wise men in the kingdom could interpret the writing, so Daniel, a Hebrew prophet, was called upon to decipher its meaning. Daniel informed Belshazzar that the writing was a prophecy of the kingdom's imminent downfall and that his days as king were numbered. True to Daniel's words, the Babylonian Empire was soon conquered by the Medes and Persians.
The name Belshazzar has come to symbolize excessiveness, decadence, and a recklessness that ultimately leads to downfall. It is often used metaphorically to describe individuals or entities who exhibit similar traits or engage in questionable behavior irrespective of possible negative consequences.
In summary, Belshazzar was an ancient Babylonian king whose name is primarily associated with the biblical account of the writing on the wall, which foretold the end of his reign and the fall of the Babylonian Empire.
Common Misspellings for BELSHAZZAR
- velshazzar
- nelshazzar
- helshazzar
- gelshazzar
- bwlshazzar
- bslshazzar
- bdlshazzar
- brlshazzar
- b4lshazzar
- b3lshazzar
- bekshazzar
- bepshazzar
- beoshazzar
- belahazzar
- belzhazzar
- belxhazzar
- beldhazzar
- Belchazar
- Belshazer
- Beltshazah
Etymology of BELSHAZZAR
The name "Belshazzar" is of Akkadian origin, which was the language spoken in ancient Mesopotamia. It is derived from two elements: "Bel" and "shazzar".
1. "Bel": This is a title for the Babylonian god Marduk, who was considered the supreme god of the Babylonian pantheon. In a literal sense, "Bel" means "lord" or "master".
2. "Shazzar": This element of the name is less clear in its etymology. It appears to be a compound of two words, "sha" meaning "to command" and "izzar" meaning "to protect" or "to defend". Therefore, "shazzar" can be interpreted to mean "he who commands to protect", "defender of command", or something similar.
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