Belshazzar, << behl SHAZ uhr, >> was a Babylonian leader who lived during the 500’s B.C. The Bible (Daniel 5) identifies him as the last Babylonian king and the son of Nebuchadnezzar II. But scholars have found no relationship between Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar was never king. But he was the son of Nabonidus, the last Babylonian king, and ruled for 10 years in his father’s absence. The Bible says that Belshazzar saw a mysterious writing that foretold the doom of Babylonia. Belshazzar was in charge of the troops who defended the city of Babylon against the Persians. The Persians captured the city in 539 B.C.
