Daniel 5:30

KJV

¶ In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.

KJV (with Strong's)

In that night {H3916} was Belshazzar {H1113} the king {H4430} of the Chaldeans {H3779} slain {H6992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

That very night Belshatzar, the king of the Kasdim, was killed.

Berean Standard Bible

That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain,

American Standard Version

In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 5:30 delivers the abrupt and climactic fulfillment of divine judgment against King Belshazzar and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This concise verse records the immediate demise of a defiant ruler and the swift collapse of one of history's most formidable kingdoms, all orchestrated by the sovereign hand of God in response to Belshazzar's profound sacrilege and arrogance. It marks a pivotal turning point, signifying the end of an era and the irrefutable validation of God's prophetic word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 5:30 serves as the dramatic and decisive conclusion to the fifth chapter of Daniel, a narrative meticulously crafted to highlight God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms. The chapter meticulously builds tension, beginning with Belshazzar's audacious and profane feast, where he desecrates the sacred vessels plundered from the Jerusalem temple. This act of hubris precipitates the terrifying appearance of the disembodied hand, writing a cryptic message on the palace wall. Daniel, empowered by divine wisdom, courageously interprets this message in [Daniel 5:25-28](/daniel/5-25-28 "Daniel 5:25-28 - Daniel Interprets the Writing on the Wall"), revealing the divine verdict: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin," which foretold that Belshazzar's kingdom had been "weighed in the balances, and found wanting" and would be "divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:30 then delivers the swift, unequivocal execution of this prophecy, providing an immediate and tangible demonstration of God's authority. The verse seamlessly transitions into [Daniel 6:1](/daniel/6-1 "Daniel 6:1 - Darius the Mede Receives the Kingdom"), which confirms the transfer of power to Darius the Mede, underscoring the absolute reliability and precision of divine prophecy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Daniel 5:30 are set in the opulent and heavily fortified city of Babylon, the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Belshazzar, as depicted in the biblical account and corroborated by extra-biblical sources, was the co-regent with his father, Nabonidus, who was often away from the capital. The feast described was likely a grand celebration or a strategic gathering, but its character was defined by a profound act of defiance against the God of Israel through the desecration of sacred temple vessels. Historically, Babylon fell to the Persian forces under Cyrus the Great in 539 BC. Ancient historians such as Herodotus and Xenophon provide accounts that align remarkably with the biblical narrative, suggesting that the Persians diverted the Euphrates River, enabling them to enter the seemingly impregnable city through the dried riverbed during a night of revelry. This historical detail perfectly complements the "in that night" pronouncement of Daniel 5:30, emphasizing the sudden, unexpected, and divinely orchestrated nature of Babylon's fall and Belshazzar's demise. The Chaldeans, the dominant ethnic group within the Neo-Babylonian Empire, were renowned for their astrological and divinatory practices, yet their wisdom proved utterly futile against the direct revelation of the Almighty God.

* **Key Themes:** Daniel 5:30 powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, demonstrating that God is the supreme ruler over all earthly kingdoms, raising up and bringing down rulers according to His immutable will, a truth emphatically declared in Nebuchadnezzar's earlier confession in [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34-35 "Daniel 4:34-35 - God's Eternal Dominion and Sovereignty"). Secondly, the verse starkly illustrates the **Consequences of Human Pride and Defiance**. Belshazzar's egregious hubris and sacrilege—his contemptuous misuse of God's holy vessels—directly precipitated his swift and decisive judgment. This serves as a potent and enduring warning against arrogance and disrespect for the divine, echoing the timeless wisdom found in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Thirdly, the immediate and precise fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy underscores the **Reliability and Authority of God's Word**. What God declares, whether through His prophets or directly, comes to pass with absolute certainty and often with stunning immediacy, reinforcing the profound truth that "the word of our God will stand forever" as proclaimed in [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Belshazzar (Aramaic, _Bêlshaʼtstsar'_):** This name, likely meaning "Bel protect the king" or "Bel is prince," carries profound irony given his sudden and violent end. As the last king of Babylon according to the biblical account, his reign culminated in defiance of God, leading to his abrupt demise. His name's connection to Bel (Marduk), the chief Babylonian deity, underscores the dramatic clash between pagan idolatry and the supreme authority of the one true God of Israel.
* **Chaldeans (Aramaic, _Kasday'_):** This term refers to the people of Chaldaea, who constituted the dominant ethnic group and ruling class of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Renowned throughout the ancient world for their expertise in astrology, divination, and various magical arts, their collective wisdom and spiritual practices proved utterly incapable of interpreting the divine message on the wall, thereby highlighting the unparalleled superiority of God's revelation through His prophet Daniel.
* **slain (Aramaic, _qᵉṭal'_):** This potent Aramaic verb, meaning "to kill" or "to slay," is used here with stark directness and unambiguous finality. Its application conveys the sudden, violent, and definitive end of Belshazzar's life. The passive voice ("was slain") is significant, subtly emphasizing that his death was not an accident or a mere consequence of war, but rather an act carried out by an external, divinely appointed force—the invading Medo-Persian army, acting as the instrument of God's predetermined judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that night":** This phrase powerfully emphasizes the astonishing immediacy and suddenness of the divine judgment. The prophecy articulated by Daniel only hours earlier was fulfilled before the dawn, highlighting God's precise timing, unwavering resolve, and swift execution of His decrees. It stands in stark contrast to the king's earlier sense of security, revelry, and apparent invincibility.
* **"was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans":** This clause precisely identifies the specific individual and his high royal status, underscoring the profound truth that even the most powerful earthly ruler is ultimately subject to God's supreme authority. His full title, "king of the Chaldeans," further emphasizes that this was not merely the death of an individual, but the dramatic fall of an entire dynasty and the independent rule of a mighty empire.
* **"slain":** This single, stark word delivers the absolute finality of the judgment. It signifies a violent and definitive end to Belshazzar's life and, by direct extension, the abrupt termination of the Babylonian Empire's independent dominion. This confirms the "Upharsin" (divided) portion of the mysterious writing on the wall, demonstrating the complete and accurate fulfillment of God's prophetic word.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 5:30 is imbued with several potent literary devices that amplify its impact. **Dramatic Irony** is profoundly evident, as Belshazzar's lavish feast, intended as a grand display of his power, security, and revelry, becomes the precise setting for his sudden and humiliating downfall. His arrogant use of the sacred temple vessels, a blatant symbol of his defiance against God, directly precipitates the divine judgment. The entire narrative of Daniel 5 is replete with **Foreshadowing**, with the mysterious, disembodied hand writing on the wall serving as a direct and immediate harbinger of the cataclysmic events of verse 30. The remarkable brevity and directness of the verse itself create a powerful sense of **Climax** and **Resolution**, providing a stark, impactful, and definitive conclusion to the chapter's escalating tension. Furthermore, the deliberate use of the passive voice in "was Belshazzar... slain" subtly but powerfully emphasizes **Divine Sovereignty**; while human agents (the Medo-Persian army) executed the act, the ultimate agency and orchestrating force behind Belshazzar's death was God, perfectly executing His predetermined judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 5:30 stands as an enduring and profound testament to God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the inherent transience of all earthly power. It vividly illustrates that no kingdom, regardless of its might, fortifications, or perceived invincibility, can ultimately withstand the immutable decree of the Almighty, and no ruler, however proud or defiant, can escape ultimate accountability before the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Belshazzar's swift and ignominious demise serves as an enduring warning against the perils of hubris, sacrilege, and the fatal failure to acknowledge God's supreme authority, reminding all generations that "the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes" as declared in [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). This verse powerfully reinforces the biblical truth that God is the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")).

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6-7 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Brings Down")
* [Isaiah 45:1-3](/isaiah/45-1-3 "Isaiah 45:1-3 - Cyrus, God's Anointed Conqueror")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 5:30 compels us to a profound and sober reflection on the nature of authority, the necessity of humility, and the inevitability of accountability before God. Belshazzar's tragic fate serves as a stark reminder that all earthly power, immense wealth, and perceived security are ultimately fleeting and perpetually subject to the divine will. We are cautioned against the insidious perils of pride and arrogance, particularly when such attitudes manifest in disrespect for God and His sacred principles or possessions. Just as Belshazzar was judged for his desecration and defiance, we are called to live lives marked by profound reverence, continuously acknowledging God's ultimate dominion over our lives, our resources, and the nations we inhabit. The astonishing swiftness of his judgment also impresses upon us the urgent necessity of responding to God's warnings and diligently striving to live in alignment with His revealed truth. This passage encourages us to cultivate a spirit of genuine humility, recognizing that every breath we take and every blessing we receive is a gracious gift from our benevolent Creator, and that true wisdom, as the Scriptures declare, lies in fearing the Lord and diligently departing from evil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, like Belshazzar, be taking God's abundant blessings for granted or treating sacred things with irreverence in my own life or sphere of influence?**
* **How does the suddenness and finality of Belshazzar's judgment challenge my assumptions about divine patience, the timing of consequences, and the certainty of God's justice?**
* **What profound lessons does this verse impart about the ultimate source of all authority and power, and how should that understanding fundamentally reshape my view of earthly leaders, institutions, and my own aspirations?**
* **Considering God's unwavering sovereignty over all circumstances, how can I intentionally cultivate a deeper, more consistent sense of humility and reverence for Him in my daily walk and decision-making?**

### FAQ
**Who was Belshazzar, and what was his significance in the fall of Babylon?**

Answer: Belshazzar was the co-regent of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, serving alongside his father, Nabonidus, during the tumultuous period leading up to Babylon's fall. The book of Daniel portrays him as the active and primary ruler during the empire's final days, particularly highlighting his infamous sacrilegious feast where he profaned the sacred vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem ([Daniel 5:2-3](/daniel/5-2-3 "Daniel 5:2-3 - Belshazzar Desecrates Temple Vessels")). His profound significance lies in being the last king of Babylon whose reign ended abruptly and violently "in that night" (Daniel 5:30) with the city's capture by the Medo-Persians, thereby fulfilling divine prophecy and marking the definitive end of Babylonian dominance in the ancient Near East.

**How did Babylon, a seemingly impregnable city, fall so suddenly?**

Answer: While Daniel 5:30 succinctly states that Belshazzar was "slain in that night," historical accounts from ancient historians like Herodotus and Xenophon corroborate the astonishing suddenness of Babylon's fall. They describe how the Persian army under Cyrus the Great executed a brilliant strategic maneuver: they diverted the Euphrates River, which flowed directly through the heart of the city, allowing their troops to enter through the dried riverbed during a night of widespread feasting and revelry within Babylon's walls. This audacious and unexpected infiltration, combined with the internal chaos and Belshazzar's fatal arrogance, led to the city's swift and unexpected capture, perfectly fulfilling the divine judgment pronounced by Daniel ([Daniel 5:26-28](/daniel/5-26-28 "Daniel 5:26-28 - Daniel's Interpretation of the Writing")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 5:30, with its stark portrayal of divine judgment and the sudden, decisive fall of a proud earthly kingdom, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profoundest meaning in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Belshazzar's ignominious demise underscores the inherent transience and ultimate futility of all human empires and the absolute, unchallengeable sovereignty of God—a sovereignty perfectly embodied and fully manifested in Christ. Just as Babylon fell to a divinely appointed conqueror, so too will all earthly kingdoms, powers, and authorities ultimately bow before the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). Unlike Belshazzar, who defiantly desecrated holy things, Jesus is the very [Holy One of God](/mark/1-24 "Mark 1:24 - Jesus, the Holy One of God"), who came not to be served by human hands, but to serve humanity and to [give his life as a ransom for many](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - Jesus's Mission to Serve and Ransom"). The swift and decisive judgment meted out to Belshazzar for his pride, sacrilege, and defiance powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and righteous judgment that will be executed by Christ upon all who reject God's authority and persist in unrepentant sin, as vividly described in passages such as [Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31-46 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations"). Yet, in Christ, there is also the glorious promise of a kingdom that will never be destroyed, a kingdom established not by human might or fleeting power, but by divine grace and eternal decree, a kingdom that is everlasting ([Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion")). Belshazzar's "night" of judgment points forward to the "day of the Lord" when Christ will return in resplendent glory to [judge the living and the dead](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ's Future Judgment") and establish His righteous, eternal reign forever, offering salvation and eternal life to all who humble themselves, repent, and believe in Him, the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 51:31

One 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 51:57

And 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 47:9

But 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 51:39

In 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.

Isaiah 21:4

My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.

Isaiah 21:9

And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.

Jeremiah 51:11

Make 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.