Belshazzar in the Bible — Hidden Meaning & Symbolism

Belshazzar, bel'-shaz'-zär (Heb.)-- Bel, protect the king! the Lord's leader; prince of Bel. The last king of Babylon; during his reign Babylon was captured by the Medes and Persians (Dan. 5). Meta. Mere sense judgment, or instinct. It is the"son" or bringing forth of the attempt to rule the consciousness without appealing to God for right judgment (signified by Nebuchadnezzar, who was the father of Belshazzar). That which Belshazzar signifies is a mere animal; it has no reverence or respect for holy things; it sensualizes all the" vessels" of the Lord and materializes everything. The vessels of the Lord refer to the various avenues of expression in the body. Instead of realizing their spiritual significance and use, mere sense judgment (Belshazzar) looks upon them as material and thinks that they are for pleasure and sensation, artificial stimulation (wine; see Dan. 5:1-5).