Belteshazzar
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Belteshazzar in the Bible?
Belteshazzar is the Babylonian name bestowed upon the Hebrew prophet Daniel by King Nebuchadnezzar II. The name is linguistically derived from a combination of the Babylonian deity Bel and the Akkadian word for protection.
SIGNIFICANCE
This renaming illustrates the practice of cultural assimilation and the imposition of imperial identity upon captives in the Neo-Babylonian Empire, highlighting the tension between maintaining religious identity and adapting to foreign political structures as depicted in the biblical narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Genealogy & Community Insight: When reading, notice how the lineage and actions of Belteshazzar reveal God's preservation of family clans and community records across generations.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Belteshazzar in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Belteshazzar clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Belteshazzar." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/belteshazzar/