בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר
Definition
Bêlṭᵉshaʼtstsar is the Babylonian name given to the prophet Daniel by the chief official of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:7). It is used exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel (Daniel 2:26, 4:8-9, 4:18-19, 5:12). The name serves as Daniel's official court identity, under which he interprets dreams and receives revelations. In these contexts, 'Belteshazzar' is the name by which Babylonian kings address the Hebrew prophet, highlighting his role within the pagan administration.
Biblical Usage
This name is used six times, all within the Aramaic sections of Daniel. It appears exclusively in direct address or reference by Babylonian officials and King Nebuchadnezzar himself. For example, the king says, 'Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians...' (Daniel 4:9). The usage pattern firmly places Daniel within the foreign court setting, contrasting his Hebrew name (Daniel) with his imposed Babylonian identity.
Etymology
The name is of Aramaic (Babylonian) origin, corresponding to the Hebrew name Bêlṭᵉshaʼtstsar (H1095). It is a theophoric name, likely meaning 'Bel protects his life' or 'O Bel, protect the king,' incorporating the name of the Babylonian god Bel (Marduk). This was a common practice for renaming captives, intended to assimilate them into Babylonian culture and religion.
Semantic Range
The dual naming of Daniel is theologically significant. It represents the tension between God's people living in exile under a pagan empire and their covenant identity. While forced to bear a name honoring a false god, Daniel remains faithful to Yahweh. The narrative shows that God's wisdom and revelation flow through His servant even when he is addressed by a pagan name, asserting God's sovereignty over all kingdoms.
Renaming was a common imperial practice in the ancient Near East, symbolizing the conqueror's authority and the captive's new subservient identity. Giving Daniel a name incorporating 'Bel' was an attempt to erase his Hebrew identity and allegiance to Yahweh, integrating him into the Babylonian religious and administrative system. Understanding this context highlights the pressure Daniel faced to assimilate.
Daniel (Daniyye'l, H1840) — Daniel's Hebrew name, meaning 'God is my judge,' representing his true covenant identity.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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