Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 5:30

"In that night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was slain." — Daniel 5:30 (ASV)

In that night Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was slain—On the taking of Babylon and its consequences, see the notes at Isaiah 13:17-22 and Isaiah 45:1-2. The account that Xenophon (Cyropaedia VII) gives of the taking of Babylon and of the death of the king—though without mentioning his name—agrees so well with the statement here that it may be regarded as a strong confirmation of its correctness.

After describing the preparation made to take the city by draining off the waters of the Euphrates, so as to leave the channel dry beneath the walls for the army of Cyrus, and after recording the charge that Cyrus gave to his generals Gadatas and Gobryas, he adds, “And indeed those who were with Gobryas said that it would not be wonderful if the gates of the palace should be found open, as the whole city that night seemed to be given up to revelry—ὥς ἐν κώμῳ γὰρ δοκεῖ ἡ πόλις πᾶσα εἶναι τῇδε τῇ νυκτί (hōs en kōmō gar dokei hē polis pasa einai tēde tē nukti).”

He then says that as they passed on, after entering the city, “Of those whom they encountered, some were struck and died, some fled back, and some raised a clamor. But those who were with Gobryas also raised a clamor as if they also joined in the revelry, and going as fast as they could, they soon came to the palace of the king. But those who were with Gobryas and Gadatas, being arrayed, found the gates of the palace closed; however, those who were appointed to go against the guard of the palace fell upon them when drinking before a great light and were quickly engaged with them in hostile combat.

“Then a cry arose, and those who were within, having asked the cause of the tumult, the king commanded them to see what the matter was, and some of them, rushing out, opened the gates. When those who were with Gadatas saw the gates open, they rushed in, and pursuing those who attempted to return and striking them, they came to the king and found him standing with a drawn saber—ἀκινάκην (akinakēn). And those who were with Gadatas and Gobryas overpowered him—ἐχειροῦντο (echeirounto)—and those who were with him were slain: one opposing, one fleeing, and one seeking his safety in the best way he could.

“And Cyrus sent some of his horsemen away and commanded them to put to death those whom they found outside their dwellings; but that those who were in their houses and could speak the Syriac language should be allowed to remain; and that whoever was found outside should be put to death.”

“These things they did. But Gadatas and Gobryas came up; and first they gave thanks to the gods because they had taken vengeance on the impious king—ὅτι τετιμωρημένοι ἦσαν τὸν ἀνόσιον βασιλέα (hoti tetimōrēmenoi ēsan ton anosion basilea). Then they kissed the hands and feet of Cyrus, weeping with joy and rejoicing. When it was day, and those who kept watch over the towers learned that the city was taken and “that the king was dead”—τὸν βασιλέα τεθνηκότα (ton basilea tethnēkota)—they also surrendered the towers.” These extracts from Xenophon abundantly confirm what is said here in Daniel respecting the death of the king and will more than neutralize what is said by Berosus. See Introduction to the chapter, Section II.