What makes Daniel special?

In the Hebrew Scriptures, Daniel is listed in the section called the Writings. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament made during the third and second centuries B.C. (called the Septuagint), it is listed among the prophetic books. Daniel has been described both as prophecy and as an apocalypse, a kind of literature that uses symbols, signs, and interpretations of the underlying meaning of events in current history in order to describe how God will triumph over his enemies and the enemies of God’s people (see the article called “Apocalyptic Writing”).

The first six chapters of Daniel are a collection of stories about Daniel and his friends, young Jewish men who were taken into exile in Babylon, where they became important government officials and where their faith in God was severely tested. The second half of the book, chapters 7–12, reports a number of visions that Daniel had. These visions show God’s control of historical events and provide hope for those who remain faithful in times of persecution.

One other fact makes Daniel unique. Just over half the book (2.4—7.28) is written in Aramaic; the rest is in Hebrew. Why this is so is not clear, though it is a factor that has led some scholars to conclude that Daniel was written at a date much later than the time of the historic events described in Daniel 1–6. The traditional view, however, holds that the prophet Daniel received the visions described in this book and wrote them down during the time of the exile some time in the sixth century B.C.

Why was Daniel written?

The book of Daniel was written to provide hope and encouragement to God’s people. Daniel and his friends were heroes and role models for the Jewish people, because they were faithful to God while serving foreign kings who often persecuted them.

What’s the story behind the scene?

At various times in their history, the Jewish people were tempted to turn away from God and abandon the religious practices that were based on the Law of Moses. This happened to some degree while they lived in their own land, but the pressure grew in the time of the exile in Babylon (from around 587 to 538 B.C.), when they were forced by the Babylonians to leave their home in Palestine and live in other parts of the Babylonian Kingdom. This meant they had to live among people who had different gods and observed different religious practices. Around 538 B.C. Cyrus II of Persia conquered the Babylonians and allowed its captive people return to their homelands. Many Jews began to return to Judah, the area around Jerusalem. Hundreds of years later, they suffered even more severe persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled 175-164 B.C.). Their sacred books were burned, worship at the temple in Jerusalem was forbidden, the people were forced to eat food that was considered ritually “unclean,” and many faithful Jews were put to death.

These horrible events are described in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are included in some editions of the Bible. (Roman Catholic editions of the Bible usually place these with other historical books, after Esther and before Job, and refer to them as deuterocanonical. Protestant editions of the Bible that include these books place them in a section called the Apocrypha, either at the end of the Bible or between the Old and New Testaments.

Even though scholars are divided as to when Daniel was most likely written, most agree that much of what is described in its visions applies to the cruel treatment of the Jewish people by Antiochus IV, who pressured the Jews living in Judea to abandon their faith in God. Scholars who believe Daniel was written during the exile (sixth century B.C.) understand the prophet’s visions as predictions of events to come centuries later. Scholars who conclude that Daniel was written during the reign of Antiochus IV (middle of the second century B.C.), believe Daniel’s visions were to be based on the author’s experience of ongoing historical events. Either way, Daniel is a strong testimony to the strength God gives to people of faith during times of difficulty and persecution.

How is Daniel constructed?

Daniel can be divided into two main parts: chapters 1–6 include stories of Daniel and his friends set during the time of the Babylonian exile (606-538 B.C.). Chapters 7–12 describe a number of visions Daniel had and how these visions were explained to him by angels. The outline of Daniel below shows how these stories and visions are collected and arranged. Note that the final vision spans three chapters.

1. The stories of Daniel in Babylon (1.1—6.28)
1. God is with Daniel and his friends (1.1—3.30)
2. The dream, the strange writing, and the pit of lions (4.1—6.28)
2. The visions of Daniel (7.1—12.13)
1. Two visions and a prayer (7.1—9.27)
2. The final vision (10.1—12.13)

The Stories of Daniel in Babylon

Daniel and three of his friends from Judah become important officials in the government of Babylon, but their faith is tested a number of times. They remain completely faithful to the Lord, even when it means risking their lives. Whether facing death in a fiery furnace or in a pit of lions, or challenged to interpret the dreams of the king, Daniel and his friends are clearly helped by God.

God Is with Daniel and His Friends

Daniel and his friends prosper when they refuse the king’s food and faithfully eat food that is acceptable according to the Law of Moses. Daniel is promoted within the king’s court after interpreting the king’s dream. And God helps Daniel’s friends survive the fiery furnace.

The Dream, the Strange Writing, and the Pit of Lions

Daniel interprets another of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and gives the meaning of strange writing that appears on the wall at Belshazzar’s banquet. Later, God helps Daniel survive in a lion pit, where he is thrown because he will not turn his back on God and worship King Darius.

The Visions of Daniel

The second half of the book records the visions of Daniel. They belong to a kind of literature known as “apocalyptic” writing. Apocalyptic literature uses symbols, signs, and interpretations of history to describe how God will triumph over the enemies of God’s people. The names of key persons and events are hidden by the symbolic language, but many agree that Daniel’s visions focus on the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid ruler who was in charge of Palestine from 175 to 164 B.C.

Two Visions and a Prayer

Daniel’s visions of the four beasts and of the ram and the goat provide an understanding of the kingdoms that controlled the ancient Near East from the sixth to the second centuries B.C. Daniel’s visions are interrupted by his prayer for the Jewish people in chapter 9.

The Final Vision

In these final chapters, an angel gives Daniel a four-part message about a conflict between Persian and Greek rulers. This conflict, the angel tells Daniel, will take place before God comes to deliver the chosen people from the time of persecution and to give them eternal life. The angel concludes his message by instructing Daniel to remain faithful.

Questions about Daniel 1.1–6.28

1. At the beginning of Daniel, what major event had recently happened in the history of the Jewish people? Besides their homes, what else were the Israelites in danger of losing when they were driven into exile?

2. Why were Daniel and his friends chosen by the king's official? (1.3-5) Why did Daniel object to eating the king’s food? What do you think it took for Daniel and his friends to avoid this food? (1.9-16)

3. What special power or gift was Daniel given? According to Daniel, where did that power come from? (1.17,20; 2.27-29) What opportunities did Daniel have to use this special gift? (2; 4; 5) What was the result of Daniel using this power successfully? (2.46; 5.29; 6.2)

4. What was the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar's two dreams? (2.26-45 and 4.18-37) What did they help him to understand about Daniel's God?

5. Who was Belshazzar, and how did he and his party guests mock the God of Israel? What strange event occurred at the party? What role did Daniel play in the story?

6. On what grounds did Daniel’s fellow officials try to get the king to get rid of Daniel? (6.1-13) What was King Darius’ reaction to the news that Daniel had broken his new decree? (6.14-20) What was his reaction to Daniel being saved in the pit of lions? (6.23-27)

7. If you had been a Jewish person living in a time of persecution, how may the stories in Daniel 1–6 have affected you? Think of a friend or someone in your family who may be going through a difficult time. What might you say to encourage them and show them they are not alone?

Questions about Daniel 7.1—12.13

1. Summarize the meaning of Daniel’s vision in 7.1-27. What would such a vision mean to people who were going through a time of persecution and suffering?

2. Who are the “ram,” the “goat,” and the “little horn”? How will the little horn attack God and God’s people? (8.1-14)

3. What was the main purpose behind Daniel’s prayer for his people? (9.1-20) What are some of the reasons God has allowed his people to endure suffering, such as the exile or later persecutions?

4. What is the “Horrible Thing” that a foreign ruler will bring to Jerusalem? (9.26,27) Name some ways God is dishonored today.

5. How did Daniel prepare to receive the vision given in chapters 11 and 12? How can we receive God’s messages today?

6. What great promise is given in Daniel’s final vision? (12.1-13) Who will benefit from this promise?

7. Reflecting on Daniel may show you that it was written to offer comfort to God’s people, who were enduring persecution. Think of a situation in your own life when you were made to feel bad for doing the right thing. How could thinking about God’s saving power help you?