Book introduction
The book of Daniel
Daniel has two halves. Chapters 1–6 tell stories of Daniel and his friends staying faithful in Babylon: the fiery furnace and the lions’ den. Chapters 7–12 are visions of empires rising and falling and God’s kingdom that lasts forever.
Who wrote Daniel?
The book is set in the 500s BC and tradition holds that Daniel wrote it. Many scholars date its final form to about 165 BC, during the persecution under Antiochus IV, because the visions describe those years in close detail. Others hold to the earlier date and see that detail as prophecy.
When was it written?
Set about 605–530 BC. Dated either then or about 165 BC.
Main themes
- Faithful in a foreign land
- Daniel serves the empire without bowing to its gods.
- God rules over kings
- Empires rise and fall at his word.
- The kingdom that lasts
- One like a son of man receives an everlasting kingdom; Jesus took this title.
Outline of Daniel
Key verses
If that is so, our God, whom we serve, is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and out of your hand, O king, he will rescue us. And if not, let it be clear to you, O king, that your gods we will not serve, and the statue of gold that you have set up we will not worship.
Once Daniel knew the document had been signed, he went into his house. Its upper room had windows opening toward Jerusalem, and three times each day he would kneel down, pray, and give thanks before his God, exactly as he used to do before this.
I went on watching in the visions of the night, and there, coming with the clouds of heaven, was one like a son of man. He reached the Ancient of Days and was brought before him. He was granted dominion, honor, and a kingdom, so that all peoples, nations, and languages would serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be brought to ruin.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Read the stories in chapters 1–6 first. Chapter 7 begins the visions.
How well do you know Daniel?
Ten questions on the book of Daniel, from “What did Daniel ask to eat instead of the king’s food?” on. Each answer shows its verse.
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Questions about Daniel?
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