(The Babylonian Name for Daniel)
Belteshazzar is the Babylonian name given to the prophet Daniel by the chief of the eunuchs during the captivity in Babylon. This name is not Daniel’s true identity, but an imposed label meant to erase his Hebrew heritage and integrate him into the pagan religious and political system of the ruling empire. The story of Belteshazzar is the story of a man who served God faithfully even while bearing the name of an idol.
I. The Origin of the Name: Forced Assimilation
After the conquest of Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that select young men of noble Jewish lineage be brought to Babylon to be taught the culture, language, and knowledge of the Chaldeans. Changing their names was the first, critical step in this process of forced assimilation:
“Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.” (Daniel 1:7, KJV).
The intent was spiritual conquest: to sever the links of these young men to the God of their fathers and bind them to the idolatrous authority of Babylon.
II. The Conflict of Names
The meaning of the name Belteshazzar reveals the nature of the spiritual battle Daniel faced daily:
- Belteshazzar: Is believed to mean “Bel protect his life” or “Prince of Bel” (referencing the chief Babylonian god Bel).
- Daniel: The prophet’s Hebrew name means “God is my judge.”
By imposing the pagan name, the Babylonians were declaring that the authority over Daniel’s life belonged to the false god, Bel. Yet, Daniel’s actions—his refusal to compromise on food, his wisdom, and his power to interpret dreams—constantly testified that his allegiance remained with the God of Israel.
III. The Enduring Identity
Despite the official title of Belteshazzar, Daniel’s true, divinely recognized identity persisted. Even when pagan kings sought his wisdom, they had to confront the reality that the man named after their god was empowered by the True God of heaven.
When interpreting a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the king acknowledged this spiritual reality, though he still used the Babylonian name:
“But thou, O Belteshazzar, whom I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof.” (Daniel 4:9, KJV).
The prophet’s willingness to risk his life for the truth (Daniel 6) proved that the imposed name of a worthless idol could not extinguish the fiery spirit of the one whose true name declared: “God is my judge.”