{"id":9197,"date":"2026-05-07T16:34:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:34:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/answers\/tretie-pytannia-chomu-v-bibliyi-skazano-syn-iakshcho-ellen-uait-pyshe-onuk\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T22:20:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T20:20:55","slug":"chomu-v-bibliyi-valtasar-nazvanyj-synom-a-ellen-uajt-pyshe-shho-vin-onuk","status":"publish","type":"answers","link":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/answers\/chomu-v-bibliyi-valtasar-nazvanyj-synom-a-ellen-uajt-pyshe-shho-vin-onuk\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Belshazzar called a son in the Bible, while Ellen White writes that he was a grandson?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fact that Belshazzar is called the \u201cson\u201d of Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible, while Ellen White writes \u201cgrandson,\u201d is not a contradiction.<\/b> It is the difference between the biblical way of speaking<\/i> and the modern, more precise designation of kinship for us. In Holy Scripture, the words \u201cfather\u201d and \u201cson\u201d often have a broader meaning than they do in everyday language today.<\/p>\n

Biblical language uses family terms broadly<\/h2>\n

In the book of Daniel it is said several times that Nebuchadnezzar was Belshazzar\u2019s \u201cfather\u201d:<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a man in your kingdom... and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, appointed him chief of the magicians.\u201d Daniel 5:11<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cBut you, his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart.\u201d Daniel 5:22<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, in biblical usage, \u201cson\u201d does not always mean only a direct son<\/b>. Often this word means a descendant, offspring, representative of a line, or heir of a dynasty. Likewise, the word \u201cfather\u201d can mean a grandfather, ancestor, or founder of a family line.<\/p>\n

This is clearly seen in other places in Scripture. Jesus is called the \u201cSon of David\u201d<\/i> \u2014although many generations lie between David and Christ:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.\u201d Matt. 1:1<\/a><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Likewise, the faithful are called children of Abraham by faith<\/i>, even though this does not refer to a direct biological relationship. The Bible itself shows that this way of speaking is normal.<\/p>\n

The meaning of the broader usage in Dan. 5<\/h2>\n

When Daniel 5 tells the story of Belshazzar\u2019s feast, the author emphasizes not so much the exact legal degree of kinship as the moral and dynastic succession<\/b>. Belshazzar stood in the line of Babylonian kings after Nebuchadnezzar, used the inheritance of his kingdom, and knew about God\u2019s acts in the life of his forefather.<\/p>\n

The point of the rebuke in Dan. 5:22 is that Belshazzar had before his eyes the lesson of Nebuchadnezzar\u2019s humility, but did not learn from it<\/i>. The word \u201cson\u201d here serves not only a genealogical function, but also a spiritual-historical one: it places Belshazzar in a direct line of responsibility.<\/p>\n

Ellen White does not correct the Bible\u2014she explains it<\/h2>\n

In the book Prophets and Kings, Ellen White speaks of Belshazzar as grandson of Nebuchadnezzar<\/b>. This is not a contrast to Scripture, but a clarification. She does not say that the Bible was mistaken\u2014on the contrary, she conveys the same meaning in a form more understandable to the modern reader.<\/p>\n

The writings of Ellen White do not stand above the Bible or replace it<\/i>, but lead to it. She herself wrote that the lesser light leads to the greater. When she says \u201cgrandson,\u201d this helps the reader see what the biblical word \u201cson\u201d could already contain in a broader sense.<\/p>\n

How the Bible itself explains such cases<\/h2>\n

So as not to stumble over similar passages, it is important to remember the principle: Scripture must be read in its linguistic and historical context<\/b>. When we impose only modern language rules onto the biblical text, imagined contradictions arise. But when we allow the Bible to speak its own language, many difficulties disappear.<\/p>\n

In biblical genealogies, generations are sometimes omitted, and the word \u201cbegot\u201d may mean \u201cbecame the ancestor of.\u201d The same applies to the titles \u201cfather\u201d and \u201cson.\u201d This is not an inaccuracy, but a normal feature of the ancient way of presentation<\/i>. God gave His Word through real people in real languages and cultures.<\/p>\n

The spiritual lesson from this detail<\/h2>\n

This question is not only about genealogy, but about our attitude toward God\u2019s Word<\/b>. Belshazzar inherited not only a royal throne, but also responsibility before God. His trouble was not in exactly how he was related to Nebuchadnezzar, but in the fact that he did not draw conclusions from God\u2019s judgments upon his forefather<\/i>. He knew the truth, but neglected it.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the main lesson of Daniel 5 is humility of heart. God expects a person to learn from past events<\/b>, accept His warnings, and not repeat the sins of others.<\/p>\n

Conclusion.<\/h2>\n

When the Bible says \u201cson,\u201d and Ellen White says \u201cgrandson,\u201d there is no contradiction:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The Bible uses a broad family designation<\/b>.<\/li>\n
  • Ellen White gives a more precise explanation<\/b> for the modern reader.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Both expressions can be correct at the same time. The practical conclusion is: read Scripture carefully, taking context into account, and allow God\u2019s Word to shape your thinking, rather than judging it only by modern language habits<\/i>. Then, instead of doubts, you will see the harmony, accuracy, and depth of God\u2019s revelation.<\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"faq_question":"\u0427\u043e\u043c\u0443 \u0432 \u0411\u0456\u0431\u043b\u0456\u0457 \u0412\u0430\u043b\u0442\u0430\u0441\u0430\u0440 \u043d\u0430\u0437\u0432\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0439 \u0441\u0438\u043d\u043e\u043c, \u0430 \u0415\u043b\u043b\u0435\u043d \u0423\u0430\u0439\u0442 \u043f\u0438\u0448\u0435, \u0449\u043e \u0432\u0456\u043d \u043e\u043d\u0443\u043a?","bible_refs":"\u0414\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0457\u043b\u0430 5:11, \u0414\u0430\u043d\u0438\u0457\u043b\u0430 5:22, \u041c\u0430\u0442\u0432\u0456\u044f 1:1","answer_lang":"uk","source_question":"\u0442\u0440\u0435\u0442\u0454 \u043f\u0438\u0442\u0430\u043d\u043d\u044f: \u0447\u043e\u043c\u0443 \u0432 \u0411\u0456\u0431\u043b\u0456\u0457 \u0441\u043a\u0430\u0437\u0430\u043d\u043e \u201c\u0441\u0438\u043d\u201d, \u044f\u043a\u0449\u043e \u0415\u043b\u043b\u0435\u043d \u0423\u0430\u0439\u0442 \u043f\u0438\u0448\u0435 \u201c\u043e\u043d\u0443\u043a\u201d"},"answer_topic":[148],"class_list":["post-9197","answers","type-answers","status-publish","hentry","answer_topic-ellen-white"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answers\/9197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answers"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/answers"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"answer_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/advent-ug.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/answer_topic?post=9197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}