Daniel
Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, was a prophet in Babylon known for his wisdom, integrity, and interpretation of dreams and visions. (Ezk.14.14,20; 28.3; Dan.1; 8.1,15,27; 9.2,22; 10.1,2,7,11,12; 12.4,5,9; 2; 4.8,19; 5.12,12,13,13,17,29; 6; 7.1,2,15,28; Mrk.13.14; Mat.24.15; Dan.4.9,18; 5.12)
Biography
Daniel, also known by his Babylonian name Belteshazzar, was a young Judean nobleman taken into Babylonian captivity under Nebuchadnezzar around 605 BC. Distinguished by his extraordinary wisdom, integrity, and unwavering devotion to God, he rose to become one of the highest officials in Babylon and later in the Persian court. He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams (Daniel 2; 4), read the mysterious writing on the wall for Belshazzar (Daniel 5), and survived the lions' den under Darius (Daniel 6). He received sweeping apocalyptic visions recorded in Daniel 7-12, which describe the rise and fall of empires and the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus himself cited Daniel's prophecy of the "abomination of desolation" (Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14), affirming the book's prophetic authority.
Significance
Daniel is among the most theologically significant figures of the Old Testament. His life demonstrates that covenant faithfulness is possible even in the most hostile pagan environment. His refusal to compromise, whether regarding diet (Daniel 1), prayer (Daniel 6), or worship (Daniel 3), models courageous piety. Prophetically, Daniel bridges the Exile and the coming Kingdom of God, with his visions of the "Ancient of Days" and the "Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13-14) providing crucial apocalyptic categories used throughout the New Testament, especially in Revelation. Ezekiel acclaimed Daniel alongside Noah and Job as an exemplar of righteousness (Ezekiel 14:14, 20). His life and prophecies continue to anchor Christian eschatology and inspire enduring faith under persecution.
Verse Appearances (2)
Ezra
Nehemiah
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]
- John J. Collins (1993) Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Hermeneia).Definitive critical commentary on Daniel's literary forms, historical setting, and apocalyptic tradition.
- Louis F. Hartman (1978) The Book of Daniel. Anchor Bible, vol. 23.Critical introduction and commentary situating Daniel within Hellenistic-period Jewish literature.
- Carol A. Newsom (2014) Daniel: A Commentary. Old Testament Library.Recent critical commentary integrating literary, historical, and reception-history perspectives.
- André Lacocque (1979) The Book of Daniel.Critical commentary emphasizing the Maccabean crisis context for the visions.