This was some kind of party! It was not uncommen for Monarchs in this time to have huge feasts.
The ancient historian Ktesias states monarchs in these days (7-6th century bc) were known to have 10000 plus guests.
It should also be noted that drinking parties were commen in those days also, and the kings palace would consume, “1000 animals made up of horses, camels, oxen, asses, deer, smaller animal many, and many birds” daily.6
It is not the size of this celebration that is shocking, but the timing - remeber, they were surrounded by the Persian army, who just killed many of their soldiers and drove the others away.
They did feel secure however - as mention, Herodius, the ancient historian writes that the wall was 87’ wide and 350’ high, with towers reaching another 100 feet at regular intervals, and strong enough for 4 chariots to ride side by side in parade.
The Talmud states that Belshazzar was “ under the influence of the wine - lit. translation: while acting on the advice of the wine” the word:
02942 Mej t@`em (Aramaic) teh-ame'
from 02939, and equivalent to 02941; TWOT-2757a; n m
AV-decree 13, chancellor+01169 3, commanded+07761 3, regarded 1, commandment 2, regard+07761, tasted 1, wisdom 1; 25
1) decree, taste, judgment, command
1a) taste
1b) judgment, discretion
1c) report
1d) command
he ordered to get the holy vessels. We are to be under the influence or acting under the advice of the Holy Spirit, as we are told to be filled with the Spirit rather than be drunk with wine.
. A false sense of pride and self-sufficiency seems to have dominated the dinner party. The king remembered the expensive vessels which Nebuchadnezzar, his father,7 had taken when he defeated and captured Jerusalem. How much more impressive the evening would be if they drank their wine from the gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem.8
And so the vessels were brought in. That these pagans were engaged in a kind of drinking bout with the sacred temple vessels was bad enough, but the ultimate blasphemy was toasting the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone.9
wives...concubines --not usually present at feasts in the East, where women of the harem are kept in strict seclusion. Hence Vashti's refusal to appear at Ahasuerus' feast(#Es 1:9-12). But the Babylonian court, in its reckless excesses, seems not to have been so strict as the Persian.
The Handwriting on the Wall
(5:5-9)
upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace --Written in cuneiform letters on slabs on the walls, and on the very bricks, are found the perpetually recurring recital of titles, victories, and exploits, to remind the spectator at every point of the regal greatness. It is significant, that on the same wall on which the king was accustomed to read the flattering legends of his own magnificence, he beholds the mysterious inscription which foretells his fall (compare #Pr 16:18 Ac 12:21-23).
Knowing the power of the Babylonian kings,10 Belshazzar must have seen many men stand in fear and trembling before him. Now, at the height of his career, Belshazzar - at the precise moment of his sacralidge, is comfronted with the Hand of God!
Now, Belshazzar has been acting regent since 553bc. Point of interest - Daniel chapters 7 was written in the 1st year of Belshazzar or 553, and Daniel Chapter 8 was written in the 3rd year of Belshazzar - both books were written before chapter 5!
Remember - Daniel arranged it this way to make a Chiastic pattern!
One might have thought the king was having a heart attack. Barely able to stand, his face was ashen and seized with terror. The raucous laughter turned to deafening silence with all eyes on the king. The king’s eyes were fixed upon the hand as it wrote. As a sense of foreboding and panic fell on the crowd, all eyes turned to the mysterious writing on the wall. The king’s actions alarmed all who were present.
Have you ever been so scared your legs shook with fear?
Remeber - faith is the opposite of fear.
About this room - Archeologists have uncovered a large throne room 56 ‘ wide and 173’ long in the dig of the Babylonian palace. This is probably the site of this room!
There is a nitch in one of the walls, and the wall is covered with white plaster!11
He left out 2 classes of wisemen - this is probably a drunken, scared, oversite.
The reward for interpreting the writing - scarlet robe - a great honor and expensive gift - that color was hard to come by.
Gold chain - just like this is a status symbol for rap stars today, it showed power and authority in Persian empires and Babylonian society.
These were also signs of nobility - Gen.41:42
Third in the kingdom - If Nabonidus were alive and Belshazzar knew this, this would be one explanation for ‘third ruler’. Another is that they had a tri-umvirate of princes subordinate to the king, and they ruled over 1/3 of the kingdom each - this is from the 22nd Sanhedron in the Mishanah - it also translates ‘third in the kingdom’ as ‘rule over 1/3 of the kingdom.’
Daniel to the Rescue
(5:10-12)
The queen mother12 did not attend because she was not Belshazzar’s wife, Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter, and his mother.
The queen has great confidence in Daniel’s ability based upon his track record - it would make sense that she would be keenly aware of Daniel’s accomplishments if she were Nebuchadnezzars daughter.
Her summary of Daniel’s accomplishments in verse 12 suggests that Daniel performed other amazing tasks throughout the lifetime of king Nebuchadnezzar. Those recorded in the Book of Daniel are but a sampling of Daniel’s ministry to the king.
The Mishnah, Talmud, and Rabinic sources all translate “the spirit of the gods” as “ the Spirit of God”.
His wisdom was extraordinary, it is the wisdom of the sovereign God. If this is a true interpretation, than it would indicate that she believes in the God of Daniel!
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