Is Belshazzar the son of Nebuchadnezzar or Nabonidus?

Nabonidus is said to have “entrusted the kingship” to his oldest son in this ancient Persian inscription. In another ancient tablet from Babylon called “The Nabonidus Cylinder”–Nabonidus himself identifies his oldest son as Belshazzar. read more

Belshazzar, the “son” of Nebuchadnezzar One of the most criticized portions in the Book of Daniel, besides the appearance of Darius the Mede, the depiction and description of Belshazzar, the King (or co-regent) of Babylon. read more

Historically, Nabonidus(Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law) and his son Belshazzar ruled together in Babylon as 'co-regents'(which is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the 'third' rulership position in Babylon(Daniel 5:16). read more

Daniel 5 refers to a great feast at the court of Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar. At this feast a finger appears, writing on the wall a message of destruction Daniel is called to interpret. Actually, Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus. read more

Belshazzar is portrayed as king of Babylon and son of Nebuchadnezzar (though, the Hebrew does not actually say “son” but in fact reads as “descendant”, even then, still incorrect); he was actually the son of Nabonidus, one of Nebuchadnezzar's successors, and he never became king in his own right. read more

Finally, Nabonidus, the son of a priestess, became king in 556 B.C. and married Nitocris (probably the queen in Daniel 5:10). Their eldest son Belshazzar was made regent and co-ruler with him. In about 550 B.C., Nabonidus moved to Arabia leaving Babylon in the hands of Belshazzar. read more