בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר (be.le.te.shats.tsar)
be.le.te.shats.tsar
Belteshazzar
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Belteshazzar is the Babylonian title given to the prophet Daniel when he was taken into exile in Jerusalem’s first deportation. The lexicon sources identify it as the Aramaic equivalent of his Hebrew name, Daniel, which means “God is my judge.” In the book of Daniel, this foreign name appears repeatedly in the royal court narratives, marking his integration into Babylonian society while he remained faithful to his heritage.
Etymologically, the name is interpreted as “Bel protect the king” or, as some sources note, “lord of the straitened’s treasure.” It reflects the practice of renaming exiles to sever their ties to Jerusalem and align them with Babylonian deities. Despite this imposed identity, Daniel retains his original name in other contexts, such as when Ezekiel refers to him by his Hebrew name, highlighting the tension between his public role and private faith.
Belteshazzar is mentioned only eight times in Scripture, all within Daniel. He serves as a key figure in interpreting dreams for kings Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, demonstrating wisdom that surpasses the magicians of Babylon. His story illustrates how God uses individuals in foreign lands to reveal divine truth, even when their names and surroundings seem opposed to their faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Belteshazzar was not chosen by Daniel but imposed on him by a powerful empire seeking to erase his identity. It meant “Bel protect the king,” a direct appeal to Babylonian gods rather than the God of Israel. Yet, in this foreign setting, Daniel’s faith did not shrink; it grew sharper. He served with excellence, not because he accepted the new name as his true self, but because he trusted that God was still Lord over every room, even those far from Jerusalem.
This story reminds us that our circumstances do not define who we are in Christ. Whether you find yourself in a workplace that values different ideals or a culture that feels distant from your faith, you can still reflect God’s wisdom. Like Daniel, you carry a deeper identity that no title or environment can take away. Your value comes from being known by God, not from the labels others place on you.
When life feels like it is reshaping you into something unfamiliar, remember that God sees your heart. He uses faithful obedience in strange places to reveal His truth. You are never alone in a foreign land, for the same God who guided Daniel is with you today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Belteshazzar1×
- Belteshazzar1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּ֑ר2×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:26
The king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”
This verse highlights how the king recognized Daniel by his Babylonian name while seeking divine insight only God could provide through him.
-
Daniel 5:12
because an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting of dreams, showing of dark sentences, and dissolving of doubts were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation.”
Here, the court acknowledges that the spirit of wisdom and interpretation found in Daniel was present despite his foreign name and setting.