Daniel was written by Daniel to the Jewish people during the Babylonian exile around 605-535 BC. Daniel writes about his experiences in the royal courts of Babylon and Persia. Daniel has many trials where he shows his unwavering faith to God. Daniel has prophetic dreams and visions that reveals God's plans for the future, including the rise and fall of empires to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Daniel writes of God's protection, judgment, hope for deliverance, and the importance of faith and obedience during adversity.
Daniel
Daniel's Training In Babylon - Chapter 1
In the third year of Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem and took some Israelites, including Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to be trained in Babylonian culture and serve in the king’s palace. They were given new names (Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego respectively) and a daily portion of royal food. Daniel said that he would not eat the food provided because according to Jewish law, it would defile him, so he requested to eat only vegetables and drink water. The guard appointed to them was afraid to give them different food and go against the king, but after a ten-day test, they appeared healthier than those who ate the king’s food. God granted the four young men exceptional knowledge and wisdom, and Daniel also had the ability to understand visions and dreams. After their training, they impressed Nebuchadnezzar and were found superior to all his magicians and enchanters. Daniel continued in service until the first year of King Cyrus.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream - Chapter 2
In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had troubling dreams and demanded his magicians and astrologers to tell him the dream and its interpretation. When they told Nebuchadnezzar that was impossible, the king ordered their execution. Daniel requested time to interpret the dream. He and his friends prayed for God's mercy, and God revealed the dream and meaning to Daniel. Daniel praised God for granting him wisdom and power and revealing the king's dream.
Daniel Interprets The Dream
Daniel approached Arioch to halt the execution of the wise men. Arioch brought Daniel to the king, who asked if Daniel could reveal and interpret the dream. Daniel affirmed that no human could do so but declared that God had revealed the mystery. The dream featured a massive statue with a gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, iron legs, and feet of iron and clay, which a divine rock shattered, causing the statue to disintegrate. Daniel explained that the statue represented successive kingdoms, starting with Nebuchadnezzar's golden reign, followed by inferior kingdoms, and ending with a divided, fragile kingdom symbolized by the iron and clay feet. The rock symbolized God's eternal kingdom that would overthrow all others. King Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel, acknowledging God's supremacy, and promoted him, appointing his friends Shadrach (Hannah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) to high positions.
The Image Of Gold And The Blazing Furnace - Chapter 3
Nebuchadnezzar constructed a gold statue and decreed that all must worship it upon hearing music, threatening non-compliance with death in a blazing furnace. When Shadrach (Hannah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) refused, the king ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter and had them bound and thrown in. The heat killed the soldiers who cast them in, but the three men remained unharmed, accompanied by a fourth figure who looked "like a son of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar called them out, amazed they were untouched by the fire. Acknowledging God's power, he praised the God of Shadrach (Hannah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abednego (Azariah) and decreed severe punishment for anyone speaking against Him. The king then promoted the three men within Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Of A Tree - Chapter 4
Nebuchadnezzar sent a message to all nations to describe the wonders performed by the Most High God. He described a terrifying dream he had while at his palace of an enormous tree that was visible to the ends of the earth and provided food and shelter for all creatures. A heavenly messenger ordered the tree to be cut down, leaving only the stump bound with iron and bronze. The stump was to be drenched with dew and live among the animals, with its mind changed to that of a beast for seven periods of time. When Nebuchadnezzar’s wise men failed to interpret the dream, he turned to Daniel (Belteshazzar).
Daniel Interprets The Dream
Daniel hesitated before explaining the dream to Nebuchadnezzar. The king reassured him and told Daniel to interpret the dream. Daniel revealed that the magnificent tree represented Nebuchadnezzar's greatness and vast dominion. However, the heavenly messenger's decree to cut down the tree symbolized that Nebuchadnezzar would be driven away from people to live like an animal, eating grass and being drenched by the dew of heaven. This condition would last for seven periods of time (or years) until the king acknowledged that God rules over all kingdoms and grants them to whom He pleases. The stump's preservation indicated that Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom would be restored once he recognized God's sovereignty. Daniel advised the king to renounce his sins and practice righteousness and kindness to the oppressed.
The Dream Is Fulfilled
One year after Daniel's interpretation, while King Nebuchadnezzar was admiring his accomplishments, a voice from heaven declared his punishment. Nebuchadnezzar was immediately driven away from society to live like an animal, eating grass and being drenched by dew, fulfilling the prophecy. After seven periods of time, Nebuchadnezzar's sanity was restored when he acknowledged God's sovereignty. He praised, honored, and glorified God, recognizing His eternal dominion and justice. Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom was also restored, and he became greater than before. He concluded by praising God for His righteousness and ability to humble the proud.
The Writing On The Wall - Chapter 5
King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar's son, hosted a banquet and used gold and silver goblets from the temple in Jerusalem, desecrating them by drinking from them and praising idols. A hand appeared and wrote on the wall, which terrified Belshazzar. None of the wise men could interpret the writing, so at the queen's suggestion, Daniel was brought before the king and reminded Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's pride and fall, emphasizing that Belshazzar had not humbled himself despite knowing this history. He rebuked the king for dishonoring God by using the sacred goblets and worshipping idols. Daniel then interpreted the writing:
Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
Belshazzar honored Daniel with purple clothing, a gold chain, and a high-ranking position. That night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.
Daniel In The Den Of Lions - Chapter 6
King Darius appointed Daniel and others to high positions, causing jealousy among officials. They tricked Darius into issuing a decree that anyone praying to any god or human other than the king for 30 days would be thrown into the lions’ den. Despite the decree, Daniel continued praying to God and was caught. Darius, distressed but bound by law, had Daniel thrown into the lions' den. At dawn, Darius found Daniel unharmed, as God had sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths. Darius released Daniel and had the conspirators and their families thrown into the den, where they were killed by the lions. Darius then issued a decree praising Daniel's God as the living God whose kingdom endures forever. Daniel prospered during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel's Dream Of Four Beasts - Chapter 7
In the first year of King Belshazzar's reign, Daniel had a dream of four beasts. The first beast resembled a lion with eagle's wings, which were later removed, and it was given a human mind and stood on two feet. The second beast was like a bear, raised on one side, with three tusks in its mouth, and commanded to devour flesh. The third was a leopard with four wings and four heads, signifying dominion. The fourth beast was exceedingly strong, with iron teeth, devouring and trampling remnants, and had ten horns. A smaller, arrogant horn with eyes like a human appeared, displacing three of the previous horns. Daniel sees a scene where the "Ancient of Days" takes His seat on a fiery throne, attended by countless beings. Judgment is passed, leading to the destruction of a beast and the removal of authority from others. Daniel then sees a figure "like a son of man" who receives authority, glory, and sovereign power from the Ancient of Days. This figure is worshiped by all nations, and his everlasting dominion and indestructible kingdom are established.
The Interpretation Of The Dream
Daniel approached an attendant for an explanation, who explained that the four great beasts represented four kings who would arise from the earth. Despite their rise, the "holy ones of the Most High" would eventually inherit an eternal kingdom. Daniel was concerned about the fourth beast that had ten horns, and a smaller horn emerged, displacing three others. This horn spoke arrogantly and waged war against the holy ones until the Ancient One came and judgment was passed, granting the holy ones dominion. The attendant explained that the fourth beast symbolized a fourth kingdom that would be different and more destructive than others. The ten horns represented ten kings, and the emerging horn represented a new king who would challenge three others, speak against the Most High, and oppress the holy ones. This oppressive power would last for "a time, two times, and half a time" until judgment would strip it of its dominion, leading to the establishment of an everlasting kingdom ruled by the holy ones.
Daniel's Vision Of A Ram And Goat - Chapter 8
Daniel has a vision of a ram with two horns which is defeated by a goat with a prominent horn. The goat destroys the ram, but its horn breaks off and four new horns arise. From one of these, a small horn grows, becoming powerful and challenging divine authority. This horn disrupts worship, desecrates the sanctuary, and prospers despite its actions against the "starry host" (God's people). The vision indicates a period of 2,300 evenings and mornings until the sanctuary is reconsecrated, signifying a future restoration after a time of desecration and turmoil.
The Interpretation Of The Vision
The angel Gabriel explains that the vision symbolizes the "time of the end." The two-horned ram symbolizes the kings of Media and Persia, while the goat represents the king of Greece, with the prominent horn symbolizing its first king. The four horns that arise after the prominent horn's fall symbolize four lesser kingdoms. A king will emerge during a period of great wickedness, causing destruction and opposing divine authority. Despite his power and deceit, he will be destroyed.
Daniel's Prayer - Chapter 9
In the first year of King Darius' reign, Daniel, reflecting on the prophecy of Jeremiah, realizes that the desolation of Jerusalem was prophesied to last seventy years. He prays to God, confesses the sins of Israel, acknowledges their rebellion, and pleads for God's mercy. Daniel recounts the disasters that have come upon Israel as a fulfillment of God's warnings through Moses. Daniel asks God to turn away His anger, restore Jerusalem, and act mercifully, not because of Israel's righteousness, but because of God's great mercy.
The Seventy "Sevens"
The angel Gabriel came to Daniel to explain that seventy "sevens" (weeks of years) are decreed for Israel and Jerusalem to accomplish six key purposes: finishing transgression, ending sin, atoning for wickedness, bringing in everlasting righteousness, sealing vision and prophecy, and anointing the Most Holy Place. Gabriel explains that from the command to restore Jerusalem until the coming of an Anointed One, there would be seven "sevens" and sixty-two "sevens." After these periods, the Anointed One would be put to death, and the city and sanctuary would face destruction. A ruler will confirm a covenant for one "seven," but in the middle of this period, he will end sacrifices and set up an abomination in the temple until the decreed end is fulfilled.
Daniel's Vision Of A Man - Chapter 10
In the third year of King Cyrus, Daniel had a vision of a man with a shining appearance. The man, possibly an angel, told Daniel his prayers were, but that he was delayed by the prince of Persia until the archangel Michael assisted him. The man explained that he had come to reveal future events concerning Daniel's people. Despite Daniel's initial fear and weakness, the man encouraged him, saying he was highly esteemed and should be strong. He also hinted at ongoing spiritual battles, mentioning future conflicts involving the "prince of Greece" and the support of Michael.
The Kings Of The South And The North - Chapter 11
After three kings of Persia, a fourth rich king will stir up conflict with Greece. A powerful king will rise and fall, and his empire will divide into four. The kings of the South and North will engage in a series of conflicts, alliances, and betrayals. A contemptible ruler will desecrate the temple and abolish daily sacrifices. He will use flattery and corruption, but the faithful will resist him.
The King Who Exalts Himself
In Daniel's vision, a powerful king will arise and exalthimself above all gods and speaking blasphemies against the God of gods. He will honor a god of fortresses with wealth and will support those who acknowledge him. He will engage in battles with other kings, invade many lands, and gain significant power and wealth. Despite his influence, he will meet his end and no one will help him.
The End Times - Chapter 12
In Daniel's vision, the archangel Michael will rise to protect God's people during an unprecedented time of distress. There will be a resurrection where some will awake to everlasting life and others to shame and contempt. The wise will shine brightly, and those who lead others to righteousness will be like stars forever. Daniel is instructed to seal up these words until the end times, when knowledge will increase. The vision specifies a period of "time, times, and half a time" for these events to unfold, with a final blessing for those who endure. Daniel is assured of his rest and future inheritance at the end of days.