Belteshazzar
“Bel's prince, or may Bel protect his life”
Summary
The Babylonian name given to Daniel by the chief of Nebuchadnezzar's eunuchs, meaning 'protect his life' or 'Bel's prince.'
☩Name Change
When Daniel was taken captive to Babylon and selected for service in the king's court, the chief of the eunuchs gave him the Babylonian name Belteshazzar. This was part of the attempt to assimilate the Hebrew youths into Babylonian culture by replacing their Hebrew names (which honored the God of Israel) with names honoring Babylonian deities.
☩Significance
Despite his Babylonian name, Daniel maintained his faith and identity as a servant of the true God. Nebuchadnezzar himself acknowledged that Belteshazzar was 'named after my god' (referring to Bel), yet recognized that 'the spirit of the holy gods' was in him. The name should not be confused with Belshazzar, the later Babylonian king.
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Belteshazzar," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Belteshazzar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).