The Book of Daniel in the Bible contains fascinating stories and prophecies that have captured the imagination of readers for millennia. Though the book raises many questions, a careful examination rooted in scripture provides helpful answers.
Who was Daniel?
Daniel was an Israelite of noble birth who lived in the 6th century BC. When Jerusalem was besieged by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel was taken captive along with other young men of promise to be trained in the service of the Babylonian king (Daniel 1:1-7). Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and God granted him favor with his overseers. Eventually Daniel was brought into the king’s court and became known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 1:8-21). He continued to serve in the courts of successive rulers of the Babylonian and Persian empires with unwavering faithfulness to God.
When did Daniel live and minister?
Scholars estimate that Daniel was born around 620 BC and died around 530 BC. He was carried off to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar’s siege of Jerusalem in 605 BC and served in the Babylonian court until the empire’s fall to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC. Daniel then served under Persian kings Cyrus, Darius, and Cyrus until about 530 BC. So Daniel’s ministry spanned about 70 years as he served under several pagan emperors while remaining faithful to God.
Did Daniel really write the book named after him?
Yes, there is compelling evidence that Daniel himself authored the book that bears his name. The structure of Daniel switches back and forth between Aramaic (chapters 2-7) and Hebrew (chapters 1, 8-12). This matches Daniel’s life immersed in two cultures. The content also indicates firsthand knowledge of the exile and courts of Babylon and Persia. Jesus attributed a quote from Daniel to the prophet himself (Matthew 24:15), supporting Danielic authorship. Additionally, the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament (3rd-2nd century BC) contains the Book of Daniel, indicating it was part of the Hebrew Bible before the time of Christ.
Why is the Book of Daniel divided into two sections?
The Book of Daniel neatly divides into two halves, with chapters 1-6 detailing accounts from Daniel’s life and chapters 7-12 recording his visions. Chapters 1-6 are written in third person, focusing on events that happened “to” Daniel. Chapters 7-12 are written in first person, emphasizing things Daniel “saw” and “heard.” This structure highlights how God faithfully worked through Daniel’s real-life experiences as well as his prophetic visions.
What purpose does the Book of Daniel serve?
1. Demonstrates God’s sovereignty – A key theme is God’s omnipotent reign over world history and empires. Daniel contains prophecies that have been fulfilled in detail, validating God’s complete control (Daniel 2, 7-12).
2. Exhorts faithfulness – Daniel and his friends remain uncompromisingly loyal to God, even under threat of death. Their courage inspires believers in all ages to persevere in obedience to God.
3. Gives a glimpse of the end times – Visions of beasts and a statue reveal God’s plans for the rise and fall of nations leading to the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
4. Foretells the coming Messiah – The prophecy of 70 weeks points ahead to Jesus’ advent and atoning death for sin (Daniel 9:24-27).
Why did Daniel and his friends refuse the king’s food?
Daniel resolved not to defile himself by eating the royal food and wine because:
– It may have violated Jewish dietary laws regarding clean/unclean foods (Leviticus 11).
– It was likely offered to idols first, which Jewish law prohibited (Exodus 34:15).
– Eating the king’s food symbolized dependence on Babylon instead of God.
Daniel wanted to remain undefiled in body, mind, and spirit so he could wholeheartedly serve the one true God.
What are the four kingdoms in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue?
Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue as foretelling four world empires (Daniel 2):
1. Head of gold – Neo-Babylonian empire
2. Chest of silver – Medo-Persian empire
3. Thighs of bronze – Greek empire
4. Legs of iron – Roman empire
The final kingdom will be established by God and endure forever, depicted by the stone cut without hands that crushed the statue.
What do the four beasts represent in Daniel’s vision?
In his vision of four beasts arising from the sea, Daniel sees the empires preceding God’s kingdom (Daniel 7):
1. Lion with eagle’s wings – Neo-Babylon
2. Bear raised on one side – Medo-Persia
3. Four-headed leopard – Greece under Alexander the Great
4. Ten-horned beast – Roman Empire that will give rise to the Antichrist
Daniel also foresees the Son of Man establishing an everlasting kingdom for the saints after defeating the fourth beast.
Why was Daniel thrown into the lions’ den?
When Darius the Mede took over Babylon, he appointed Daniel as one of three chief administrators. Daniel distinguished himself to the point that Darius planned to give him authority over the entire kingdom. The other officials became jealous and tried to find grounds to accuse Daniel. Knowing he faithfully prayed to God three times a day, they convinced Darius to issue a decree banning such prayer, hoping to trap Daniel (Daniel 6:1-9).
Daniel continued praying as was his habit, and the officials caught him, reminding Darius of the decree. With great reluctance, the king had Daniel thrown into the lions’ den as punishment. But God miraculously shut the lions’ mouths, sparing Daniel, who was found unharmed the next morning (Daniel 6:10-23).
What is the purpose of the seventieth week in Daniel’s prophecy?
The prophecy of 70 weeks refers to 490 years (70 ‘sevens’) decreed for the Jews and Jerusalem to accomplish six prophetic purposes (Daniel 9:24). After 69 weeks (483 years), the Messiah would be ‘cut off’ for the sins of the people. The prophetic clock stopped at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The 70th week describes the 7-year tribulation period when the Antichrist will appear and dominate the world. Its purpose is to bring Israel to repentance and faith in Jesus.
Who was the fourth man in the fiery furnace?
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, they were thrown into a blazing furnace (Daniel 3). But the king was astonished to see a fourth man walking with them in the fire. He described this person as having “the appearance of the son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). This radiant figure was very likely a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God.
What does the little horn represent?
In Daniel’s vision of four beasts, he saw a “little horn” rise out of the fourth beast that had eyes, a mouth, and spoke boastfully (Daniel 7:8). This little horn is widely interpreted to represent the Antichrist, who will come from a revived Roman empire. He will boast arrogantly against God, persecute saints, and attempt to change set times and laws before he is destroyed by the Messiah (Daniel 7:21-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
What was Belshazzar’s offense against God?
The last king of Babylon, Belshazzar, presumptuously used the holy articles his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Jerusalem temple for a drunken feast. He praised his idols instead of honoring the God of Israel. Immediately, a hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall announcing God’s judgment, which Daniel interpreted to mean Belshazzar’s days were numbered and his kingdom would be destroyed (Daniel 5). The offense was Belshazzar’s prideful desecration of what was sacred to the Lord.
How did Daniel faithfully serve God under pagan kings?
Daniel purposed in his heart to remain undefiled and loyal to God, while serving pagan kings with excellence. Key ways he did this include:
– Refusing royal food that may be unclean or offered to idols (Daniel 1:8).
– Praying regularly toward Jerusalem despite persecution (Daniel 6:10).
– Interpreting dreams and visions to point to God’s sovereignty (Daniel 2, 4, 5).
– Advising kings to humble themselves before God (Daniel 4:27).
– Thanking and praising God in response to deliverance (Daniel 2:20-23).
Daniel lived as a faithful ambassador of God’s kingdom while serving earthly kings.
What was the purpose of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness?
Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dream as a prophecy that he would lose his sanity for seven years, until acknowledging God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4:19-27). This was fulfilled when prideful Nebuchadnezzar boasted of “my power and the might of my hand.” Immediately he lost his mind and lived like an animal until he recognized the Most High God as ruler over all (Daniel 4:28-37). The purpose was to break the king’s pride and make him recognize the God of heaven as supreme over earthly kings.
What type of literature is the Book of Daniel?
The Book of Daniel contains several types of literature:
– Historical Narrative – Daniel 1-6 narrate events from Daniel’s life.
– Apocalyptic Prophecy – Daniel 7-12 record highly symbolic visions of future events.
– Court Tales – Daniel 1-6 include stories of palace intrigue, similar to Esther.
– Wisdom Literature – Daniel provides wise counsel to kings like a sage.
This blend of literary styles allows Daniel to exhort faithfulness, demonstrate God’s sovereignty, and offer a glimpse into the future.
How do Daniel’s prophecies offer hope for the future?
Daniel’s visions provide crucial details about the future, giving hope:
– Evil empires will rise and fall until God establishes His unending kingdom (Daniel 2, 7).
– The Messiah will come as a “Son of Man” and usher in a righteous reign for the saints of the Most High (Daniel 7:13-14).
– A future period of great distress will purify and restore Israel (Daniel 12:1).
No matter how bleak world conditions become, God is sovereign and will fulfill His good promises to creation.
