Daniel 1
AOSNAbout Daniel.
The Book of Daniel
Purpose
To demonstrate God’s sovereignty (the power and authority to rule) over all, including powers that do not care about or are opposed to him
Author
Likely Daniel
Date
Around 605–535 BC
Setting
Babylon, beginning when the first group of exiles were taken away from Judah, and ending around the time of Cyrus’s decree allowing Jews to return home
As Daniel was becoming a young man, Babylon was becoming strong and rich. At the same time, the people of Israel were being forced to leave Judah and live in Babylonia. Could God’s people ever live again as the Lord’s chosen nation?
Through Daniel’s life as a captive and a government official, God showed Daniel his power and his plan for history. God also gave Daniel special messages. These showed that God would rescue his people from exile. He would even rescue them from death.
Setting
In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, attacked Jerusalem. He took some Israelites to Babylon as captives. This included some young men from Judah’s royal family (1:1–4).
Through this event, God began to send his people into exile, as he had warned. The Israelites had broken faith with God. They had broken his covenant, which was his binding agreement with them (Deuteronomy 28:36, 64; Jeremiah 11:1–17; 25:11–12; 29:10–11). God used the powerful king Nebuchadnezzar to judge his people Israel (Jeremiah 25:9).
During this time, Daniel and his friends began training ordered by Nebuchadnezzar. This training was meant to make them live like Babylonians. It threatened to pull them away from their identity as the Lord’s holy people, set apart for him (see Exodus 19:5–6).
At the same time, the Babylonians continued to destroy Judah and Jerusalem. In 597 BC, they took more Israelites to Babylon. In 586 BC, they destroyed Jerusalem. After 586 BC, Judah was no longer a nation.
God’s people were weak and without hope. At this very low point, they became “the tail” of the nations, not “the head,” as God had warned (see Deuteronomy 28:13, 44). It seemed that Babylon might absorb them completely. They could have disappeared from history.
God had promised that Abraham’s descendants would bless all nations. But now that promise seemed impossible (Genesis 12:1–3). The great Gentile powers of the ancient Near East ruled the world. First Assyria ruled. Then Babylon ruled.
What would happen to Israel in exile? What would happen to God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David (Exodus 19–20; 2 Samuel 7:1–29)? Would God act on the hopeful words he had spoken through his prophets? How would God rescue his people from exile?
Daniel stayed faithful to God. He honored his people and brought glory to God. He did this through the rule of several Babylonian kings, until the end of the Babylonian exile. While God’s people suffered the “death of exile” (Ezekiel 37), God showed Daniel visions about the future. In these visions, a coming King would receive power and rule forever.
In 539 BC, Cyrus of Persia surprised the world by invading Babylon. He entered the capital city and defeated it. He also defeated its evil ruler, Belshazzar. This happened just as the prophet Isaiah had said (Isaiah 44:26–45:7). Daniel witnessed the announcement that allowed captive peoples to return to their homes (see Ezra 1:2–4). This fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy and answered Daniel’s prayer from earlier that same year (Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10–11; Daniel 9:1–19). After 70 years of serving foreign rulers, God’s people were being restored.
The Lord gave his holy people hope for the future through Daniel. God used visions and dreams to show his plan for history. God spoke to give his people new hope as they faced a difficult and dangerous future.
Summary
The book of Daniel covers the years from 605 BC to about 535 BC.
Chapters 1–6 tell about events that show God’s faithfulness to Daniel and his friends. They stayed faithful to God and his law. Three times, the Hebrew captives faced royal commands that went against God’s law (chapters 1, 3, 6). Each time, they showed wisdom and obeyed God. God saved them from harm. Three times, God spoke through Daniel to explain messages he had given to pagan kings (chapters 2, 4, 5). Daniel’s words, and the events that followed, showed that God has final power and authority over the earth.
In chapters 7–12, the focus shifts to God's rule over all history. Chapter 7 uses animals as symbols. It tells the same main story as chapter 2. World history will end with the coming of God’s kingdom. But first, there will be strong opposition to God and his purposes.
Chapter 8 focuses on Persia and Greece. It ends by describing the actions of a wicked ruler who opposes God’s people.
Chapter 9 includes Daniel’s wonderful prayer. Jeremiah’s prophecy about 70 years of serving foreign rulers led Daniel to pray (9:1–2). God heard Daniel’s prayer, and the exile came to an end. Because Daniel prayed, the angel Gabriel came to him. Gabriel revealed the coming "seventy weeks" (or "70 sevens"), a period in God’s plan. This vision showed how God would strengthen his people and deal with those who oppressed them.
In chapters 10–12, the book ends with a final vision. This vision shows history from the third year of Cyrus in 536 BC, through the time of Greece and Rome, and on to the resurrection, when the dead will rise. Daniel was faithful to his calling. God promised that Daniel "will arise … at the end of days" (12:13).
Author and Date
Scholars have long debated when the book of Daniel reached its final form. Most conservative scholars believe Daniel wrote the book in the late 500s BC. The book presents itself as prophecy, a message from God about future events (2:29–31; 4:24; 7:1–12:13). The author also places Daniel in the 500s BC (2:1; 5:1; 10:1). The book shows strong knowledge of Babylonian history. However, some historical issues remain.
Other scholars say the book was written around 164 BC. They give this date mainly because Daniel describes events up to about that time. They believe the predictions in 11:1–35 are too detailed to have been given 300 years before the events happened. These events took place between 190 and 164 BC.
However, there are problems with rejecting an early date for Daniel. Most importantly, the book in its final form clearly presents Daniel as its author. A late date assumes that Daniel could not have written it. But if Daniel did not write the prophecies about the future, then the book’s claims become difficult to trust. It would also be hard to explain why it was accepted into the Hebrew canon.
One of Daniel’s main claims is that God can reveal the future (2:27–29; 10:21). The details in these prophecies are remarkable. But this does not mean they are impossible. God can reveal the future to his prophets with as much detail as he chooses.
Daniel's visions share traits with apocalyptic literature, a kind of writing that uses visions and symbols to show God’s final victory over evil and to give hope to his people. This kind of writing was especially common in Jewish writings from the time between the Old and New Testaments, after 400 BC. Because of this, some scholars say Daniel could not have been written before that time. However, recent studies argue that apocalyptic ideas are already present in biblical books from the exile. Because of this, Daniel may have served as a model for later apocalyptic writings.
n summary, it is reasonable to believe that Daniel himself wrote the book of Daniel in the 500s BC. The arguments for a later author are not without problems. The traditional view also fits the book’s message. Daniel presents itself as inspired prophecy, a message from God that tells about future events.
Daniel as Literature
Daniel includes history, but it teaches more than history. It shows the theological meaning of history. This means it shows what earthly events reveal about God and his purposes. Daniel shows God’s power and plan in history through the way it tells these events.
Daniel as Wisdom Literature
Daniel is a wisdom book. It teaches God’s people how to live wisely in God’s ways.
A wise person is made pure through suffering. A wise person seeks the way of righteousness, which means living in a way that pleases God. A wise person also leads others to live in that way (11:33–35; 12:3). A wise person knows that God Most High rules over all gods. God knows and controls the future. He can rescue his people from any danger (3:16–18; 6:21–22; 12:1–3).
Daniel As Apocalyptic Literature
Some parts of Daniel are apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic literature uses visions and symbols to reveal God’s work in history.
The word apocalyptic comes from the Greek word apokalypsis, which means “revelation.” This kind of writing shows what people cannot normally see. It reveals the work of God, angels, and other spiritual powers. These spiritual powers affect events on earth.
Apocalyptic literature often uses strong symbols. For example, statues, animals, or horns may stand for kings, kingdoms, or people.
It is important to interpret apocalyptic literature by asking what its images mean. What truth do the images show?
To understand these symbols well, people must study the passage’s literary context and historical background. Literary context means the verses and chapters around a passage. Historical background means the events and culture connected to it.
Sometimes the text itself explains the images (7:1–14, 16–17, 23–25). At other times, readers need to study the social, political, military, or cultural setting. For example, the history of Babylon can help explain why Babylon is pictured as a golden head or a lion.
The book of Daniel teaches theological lessons, which are truths about God. It does this by showing the deeper meaning of earthly events.
The Text of Daniel
The ancient Greek version of Daniel and the Latin Vulgate include three passages not found in the Hebrew manuscripts. These passages are included in Roman Catholic and Orthodox editions of the Bible, but not in Protestant editions.
Meaning and Message
Daniel’s main theme is that God is sovereign, which means God rules over all things. God will complete his purposes for people and for all creation. History is moving toward the kingdom of God. In that kingdom, everyone will fully see and know God’s rule.
God judges and rescues his people. God rules over all history and all nations. God raises up pagan kingdoms and kings, and he brings them down. God decided when the exile would end (9:18–19). God also defeats and controls the powers of evil (4:30, 32; 7:8, 20–21; 10:13; 11:28, 30–32). Heavenly beings bow before God (3:28; 4:23, 35; 5:5; 6:21; 8:16; 9:21; 10:5, 13; 12:1). God also has power to raise the dead (12:1–3).
God’s wisdom rules over all things(3:18; 11:35). God chooses and approves those who are beloved and greatly valued in his sight (9:23; 10:11, 19). God will establish his kingdom over all the earth forever. God's people will rule with their King, the Son of Man (7:13, 22; see Psalm 110:1; Matthew 24:27–44; 25:31; 26:2, 64; Mark 14:62; Revelation 1:7).
Daniel 1:1-21
God kept his promise by sending his rebellious people into exile (see Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10). He also showed grace to a small group (a remnant) in exile, protecting and helping Daniel and three other young Hebrew captives. These young men received the best training available in the Babylonian king’s court. This prepared them to be God’s witnesses in Babylon. They made the God of Israel known even while in exile.
Daniel 1:1-2
These verses explain why Daniel and his friends were in Babylon. They briefly describe the setting in which Daniel lived during the years of exile.
Daniel 1:1
The first half of Daniel shows the experiences and wisdom of Daniel and his three Hebrew friends. It demonstrates that God is the ruler of the world. It also shows that God's people should stay faithful and act wisely in every situation.
Jehoiakim was king of Judah from 609 to 598 BC. Before this siege, he served Egypt as a vassal (a ruler who had to obey a stronger nation). His rule in Judah was very wicked (2 Kings 23:36–24:6; 2 Chronicles 36:5–8; Jeremiah 25). The exile and captivity of Daniel and his friends in 605 BC foreshadowed the exile of the rest of the nation in 597 and 586 BC (see 2 Kings 24:1–25:21). The Lord used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as an unknowing servant to achieve his purposes (compare Jeremiah 25:9; 27:6).
Daniel 1:2
The Lord, who has complete power and authority over history, gave the victory to Nebuchadnezzar. It was not accomplished by the king’s might or the power of his god Marduk, the main god of the Babylonians. The Lord used the exile in Babylon to judge and discipline his people, as he had warned in the Law (for example, Deuteronomy 28:64) and by the prophets (for example, Jeremiah 25:8–14).
The sacred objects were dedicated for use in the temple of God built by Solomon. After nearly seventy years in Marduk's treasure-house, Belshazzar further defiled these vessels in 539 BC (Daniel 5:1–4). They were later returned to the rebuilt temple during Ezra's time (Ezra 1:7–11; 5:13–16).
the land of Shinar: Israel's rebellion brought them back to where rebellious humanity had built the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:2).
Daniel 1:3-7
The Lord carried out his warning that sons of the royal family would serve in Babylon (Isaiah 39:7), even though they were heirs to the promises given to King David and his family. Nebuchadnezzar tried hard to convert them through education, social and religious pressure, and name changes. However, their influence on their pagan surroundings became the most notable aspect of their time at the king’s palace and court.
Daniel 1:3
chief of his court: Though often translated as “eunuchs” (compare Isaiah 39:7), here the Hebrew term (saris) likely means that Ashpenaz and those under his authority were high government officials (see 2 Kings 8:6).
Daniel 1:4
without blemish: They had no defects or blemishes that would disqualify them. The Lord required the same for Israel’s priests (Leviticus 21:16–24; 22:17–25). These youths had the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and character needed to work in high government positions.
Babylon had a wide range of literature that covered many kinds of knowledge. It included:
wisdom and secret writings,
creation stories,
magic spells,
theogonies (origins and family trees of the gods),
legal texts,
ancient histories,
letters,
dream journals,
guides for interpreting visions, and
mathematical and astrological materials.
The education of these young men, all in a foreign language, was as advanced as that of Moses in Egypt.
Daniel 1:5
The king tried to make them dependent, grateful, and loyal by giving them food and wine from his kitchens.
Daniel 1:6-7
Their new Babylonian names were meant to help bring the young Hebrews into Babylonian culture. Daniel, whose name means "God is my Judge" or "God has judged," became Belteshazzar, which means "Bel [a Babylonian god] protects his life." Hananiah, whose name means "the Lord is grace," became Shadrach, which may mean "command of Aku," another Babylonian god. Mishael, whose name means "who is God?" became Meshach, which means "who is Aku?" Azariah, whose name means "the Lord helps," became Abednego, which means "servant of Nego/Nebo," another Babylonian god.
Daniel 1:8-14
Daniel decided not to eat the king's food or drink his wine. He wanted to keep his religious and moral independence. He allowed God to show kindness and care to his faithful servants. This strong trust in God by Daniel and his friends is an important theme in the book (see also Daniel 2:16–23; 3:16–18; 6:16).
Daniel 1:8
Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself: The meat and wine from Nebuchadnezzar’s table were likely not allowed by Jewish standards. The Babylonians used meats like pork, which were unclean (see Leviticus 11:1–23; Deuteronomy 14:1–21), and their meat and wine were probably offered to Babylonian gods. The other young Hebrews agreed with Daniel (Daniel 1:12–16). They trusted God and followed his commands, and God blessed them (compare Deuteronomy 28:1–14).
Daniel 1:9
God helped Daniel by influencing Ashpenaz's attitude (compare Exodus 11:3).
Daniel 1:10
Ashpenaz was understandably afraid of the king.
Daniel 1:11-13
Daniel found a wise plan that would protect both his faith and Ashpenaz's safety.
Daniel 1:12
only vegetables … and water: Eating only vegetables and water would avoid forbidden foods (Daniel 1:8). This diet, as a kind of fast, would demonstrate mourning over their exile in a foreign land.
Daniel 1:13-14
deal with your servants: Daniel showed wisdom, careful judgment, and politeness in how he treated his attendant, who reacted positively.
Daniel 1:15-21
During their training, Daniel and his friends followed a challenging curriculum in a threatening pagan culture. They stayed faithful to the Lord. As they learned language, literature, and science, they aimed for excellence and honored God. In return, God enhanced their skills and knowledge with many gifts.
Daniel 1:17
All four young men were excellent students. God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret visions and dreams, which were often prophetic (compare with Joseph, Genesis 37:5–11).
Daniel 1:19
The king spoke with all the young men who were trained, not just Daniel and his three friends. He conducted a thorough oral examination and discussed topics important to him. God chose the four young men to be his witnesses among the nations. They were greatly honored by being appointed to positions of power, responsibility, and opportunity (compare Genesis 41:37–40; 45:5; Exodus 2:1–10).
Daniel 1:20
The magicians were priests who could predict the future and interpret dreams (see Genesis 44:1–15). They could also perform wonders (see Exodus 7:11). The term enchanters, from the Hebrew word ’ashap, appears only in the book of Daniel. It comes from an Akkadian term for people who spoke spells.
Daniel 1:21
the first year of King Cyrus: Cyrus the Great ruled over:
Persia from 559 to 530 BC,
Media from 549 BC, and
Babylon from 539 BC.
He created the Persian Empire, which lasted from 539 to 331 BC (see study notes on Daniel 5:30, 31; compare Isaiah 45:1–2).
Aquifer Open Study Notes © 2026 Mission Mutual, an adaptation of the Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.