What is the context?
Belshazzar holds a feast for a thousand nobles. Under the influence of wine, he orders the vessels taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem to be brought out. The guests drink from them while praising gods made from metal, wood and stone.
The vessels connect the scene with the beginning of Daniel, when they were carried away from Jerusalem. Here the king turns them into drinking cups for a celebration of other gods. Daniel will later explain why this is defiance against the Lord of heaven.
An inscription by Nabonidus names Belshazzar as his eldest son; see the Nabonidus Cylinder from Ur. Another ancient account says Nabonidus entrusted kingship to his eldest son while he traveled to Tayma; see column II of the Verse Account. These records help explain Belshazzar’s ruling role alongside his father.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry and Wesley understand the use of the temple vessels as a deliberate insult to God, rather than simply a lavish meal.
Wesley calls Belshazzar Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson. Cambridge treats that family relationship as uncertain, while the USCCB notes identify Nabonidus as his father. The surviving Ur inscription establishes the relationship to Nabonidus; it does not establish a family link to Nebuchadnezzar.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.