King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The focus on Belshazzar drinking wine "before the thousand" subtly highlights his arrogance and detachment. It's not just that he's feasting, but that he's displaying his indulgence openly, setting a precedent in a moment that would soon demand solemnity, not revelry.
King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Belshazzar is throwing a lavish party for a thousand of his top officials, a grand display of Babylonian opulence and power. This feast, likely an annual celebration, occurs at a time of great vulnerability for the empire, as enemy forces are poised to attack the very city they are reveling in. The scene is set for a dramatic divine interruption to this earthly display of excess.
Belshazzar throws a lavish party for his inner circle. But is this just a celebration, or something more sinister?
This feast isn't just a casual gathering; it's a massive display of Babylonian power and decadence. Belshazzar invites 'a thousand of his lords' – a huge number, signifying the king's immense wealth and influence. This event is described as an 'annual festival' or possibly a 'dedication of his kingdom,' highlighting its importance and the public nature of the celebration.
However, the timing is crucial. The commentaries point out that this feast likely occurred when the city was already under threat from the Medes and Persians. Instead of preparing for battle or showing concern for his people, Belshazzar indulges in reckless revelry. He drinks wine publicly, surrounded by his thousand lords, completely oblivious to the looming danger.
The Bible calls Belshazzar 'king,' but historical records offer a complex picture of his lineage and role. What does this ambiguity tell us?
There's a lot of historical debate about precisely who Belshazzar was. While the Bible, particularly through Daniel's eyes, calls him 'king' and even 'son of Nebuchadnezzar' (though this could mean grandson), historical records suggest he was likely the son of King Nabonidus. Nabonidus himself retreated from Babylon for a significant period, leaving his son Belshazzar to manage affairs and lead the army.
This detail is important because it suggests Belshazzar might have been more of a co-regent or the acting ruler, rather than the sole king in charge of the entire empire. Regardless of the exact title, he held significant power. The confusion in historical accounts highlights how Scripture often focuses on the functional reality of power and leadership, sometimes simplifying complex dynastic successions for theological clarity. Belshazzar, whether king or prince-regent, was the one in authority, and thus accountable for the decisions made in Babylon.
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Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title for a monarch or supreme ruler; in the Bible, it often denotes someone who exercises authority over a nation or territory, sometimes contrasted with the ultimate sovereignty of God.
mishteh · Hebrew Noun
A large, celebratory meal or social gathering, often associated with festivities, covenant celebrations, or royal events in biblical contexts.
The feast described in Daniel 5:1 isn't just a random party; it's a decadent celebration happening at the very brink of Babylon's destruction. Belshazzar's revelry, while his kingdom is under siege, highlights his profound spiritual blindness and the empire's imminent downfall.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar II becomes King of Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II, a powerful ruler, begins his reign, initiating a period of Babylonian expansion and dominance. He will eventually deport many Judeans to Babylon.
c. 562 BC
Evil-Merodach succeeds Nebuchadnezzar
Following Nebuchadnezzar's death, his son Evil-Merodach takes the throne. His reign is short and marked by instability, ending with his assassination.
c. 556 BC
Nabonidus Becomes King of Babylon
Nabonidus, the last native ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ascends the throne. His reign is later marked by extended periods of absence from the capital.
c. 550-540 BC
Nabonidus Retires to Tema
Nabonidus withdraws from the capital, leaving the governance of Babylon to his son, Belshazzar, who effectively becomes co-regent. This period sees the empire's resources and attention diverted.
c. 539 BC— this verse
Belshazzar's Great Feast
King Belshazzar, ruling in his father's stead, holds a lavish feast for his nobles while the Medo-Persian army under Cyrus the Great approaches the city. This event is the setting for divine judgment.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great's forces conquer Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The city falls during the night of Belshazzar's feast, fulfilling prophecies.
This passage describes a similarly extravagant feast thrown by King Ahasuerus in Susa, highlighting the opulent and often excessive nature of royal banquets in ancient Persia, which shares thematic parallels with Belshazzar's celebration.
Jeremiah 51:39This verse prophesies a mixture of wine for Babylon and drunkenness, directly foreshadowing the revelry and vulnerability described in Daniel 5 and indicating the divine judgment coming upon the city during such festivities.
Isaiah 21:5This prophecy speaks of preparation for a feast, the lighting of lamps, and the eating and drinking, mirroring the scene in Daniel 5 and underscoring the divine awareness and judgment upon Babylon's revelry.
Luke 12:19Jesus' parable about the rich fool who plans to feast and celebrate for years speaks to the folly of prioritizing earthly pleasures and security over eternal matters, a sentiment echoed by Belshazzar's self-indulgent feast on the eve of destruction.
bensonDaniel 5:1: "Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand."
Daniel 5:1 . Belshazzar — The son of Evil-merodach, and grandson of Nebuchadnezzar; made a great feast to a thousand of his lords — To the principal officers and great men of his court, and was himself present at it. This feast was made at a time of public rejoicing, being an annual festival, when the whole night was spent in revelling; of which season Cyrus took the advantage to…
clarkeDaniel 5:1: "Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand."
Belshazzar the king made a great feast - This chapter is out of its place, and should come in after the seventh and eighth. There are difficulties in the chronology. After the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach his son ascended the throne of Babylon. Having reigned about two years, he was slain by his brother-in-law, Neriglissar. He reigned four years, and was succeeded by hi…
The focus on Belshazzar drinking wine "before the thousand" subtly highlights his arrogance and detachment. It's not just that he's feasting, but that he's displaying his indulgence openly, setting a precedent in a moment that would soon demand solemnity, not revelry.
King Belshazzar is throwing a lavish party for a thousand of his top officials, a grand display of Babylonian opulence and power. This feast, likely an annual celebration, occurs at a time of great vulnerability for the empire, as enemy forces are poised to attack the very city they are reveling in. The scene is set for a dramatic divine interruption to this earthly display of excess.
King Belshazzar is throwing a lavish party for a thousand of his top officials, a grand display of Babylonian opulence and power. This feast, likely an annual celebration, occurs at a time of great vulnerability for the empire, as enemy forces are poised to attack the very city they are reveling in. The scene is set for a dramatic divine interruption to this earthly display of excess.
"King Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand of his lords and drank wine in front of the thousand." — The focus on Belshazzar drinking wine "before the thousand" subtly highlights his arrogance and detachment. It's not just that he's feasting, but that he's displaying his indulgence openly, setting…
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Last reviewed October 2026