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The Book of Daniel; Introduction Facts

1. Daniel was a prophet of the Lord: “15 When ye
therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of
by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso
readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in
Judaea flee into the mountains:” Matthew 24:15, 16

2. Daniel bore equal respect in the Lord’s sight with

Noah and Job: “19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and
pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and
beast: 20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,
saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor
daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their
righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:19, 20

3. Of all prophets, Daniel’s story has more information

than most, still though, his birth and lineage is basically
nonexistent in terms of documentation.

4. What is known of his past is that Daniel is of royal

lineage probably from the house of David, a numerous line.

5. He first appears as a noble captive of Judah, in the

first year of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, at the
beginning of the seventy years’ captivity in 606 B.C.

6. At the time Daniel was written, Jeremiah and

Habakkuk were uttering their prophecies. Ezekiel began soon
after, and later still, Obadiah. All of those prophets though,
had completed their work long before Daniel’s.
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7. Three prophets only succeeded him; Haggai and

Zechariah in 520-518 B.C., and Malachi, the last Old
Testament prophets, around 397 B.C.

8. During the seventy years captivity of the Jews (606-

536 B.C.) predicted by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 25:11: “11 And
this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment;
and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy
years.” Daniel resided at the court of Babylon, most of the
time as prime minister of the monarchy.

9. Daniel’s story teaches of the importance of

faithfulness to God all the while bearing weighty
responsibilities of men, and how it will be rewarded.

10. It was the first prophecy giving consecutive history of

the world from that time to the end. It located the most of its
predictions within well-defined prophetic periods, though
reaching many centuries into the future. It provided the first
definite chronological prophecy of the coming of the
Messiah with deadly accuracy.

11. Daniel’s servitude spans into the time of the Medes

and Persians (by a year or so) and of course with it the fall of
Babylon.

12. In the book of Daniel, the chapters 1-6 NOT including

chapter 2 are literal teachings whereas chapters 2, 7-12 are
prophetic teachings.

13. The book was written by Daniel. This is a known fact

based on first person use in many passages (including 8:1-7,
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13-19, 27; 9:2-22; 10;2-5 etc.) and Daniel in 12:4 states he

was given divine order to preserve the book. Also scriptural
evidence proves this as well according to Matthew 24:15
“15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the
holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)”

14. It was written in the 6th century B.C. based on actual

historical facts found throughout the book.

15. The book of Daniel was written partly in Hebrew and

partly in Aramaic. The Aramaic starts in verse 2:4 and ends at
the end of chapter 7. Due to his high rank, Daniel spoke
many languages.
Many theories surround the question why it was
written the way it was. The most likely cause is when in verse
2:4 it says “Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in
Syriack…” Syriack literally meaning Aramaic Daniel wrote it in
said language and remained writing in that language in that
time before finally resuming Hebrew in chapter 8. The use of
two separate languages also better helps date the time the
book of Daniel was written.

The Book of Daniel Chapter One

Verses 1 and 2:

“1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah

came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and
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besieged it.2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into
his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which
he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god;
and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his
god.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. Daniel opens his book with historical particulars by

which his accuracy could be tested.

2. The overthrowing of Jerusalem recorded was

predicted by Jeremiah and was accomplished in 606 B.C.
(Jeremiah 25:8-11 “8 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts;
Because ye have not heard my words, 9 Behold, I will send
and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and
Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will
bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants
thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will
utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and
an hissing, and perpetual desolations. 10 Moreover I will take
from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the
voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the
sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. 11 And
this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment;
and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy
years.”)

3. Jeremiah places this captivity in the fourth year of

Johoiakim, Daniel in the third year, This difference is because
the Babylon’s don’t count the ascension year (from the
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coronation until the start of the New Year) as an actual year

of a king’s reign.

4. In regards to the verse one, this was the first time the
city was taken by Nebuchadnezzar. He came and overtook it
twice more each time treating it more severely than the
prior. The second attack was during Jehoiachin (son of
Jehoiakim) when all sacred vessels were taken or destroyed
and many were taken into captivity. The third time was
during Zedekiah. Following this horrible siege for a year and
a half, the inhabitants suffered extreme famine. The king and
garrison attempted to escape but were captured by the
Chaldeans, The king’s sons were slain before him as fulfilled
by the predication of Ezekiel in 12:13 “13 My net also will I
spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I
will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet
shall he not see it, though he shall die there.” During this
final attack the city and temple were completely destroyed
and all the population with the exception of some
husbandmen (ones who tend to the fields) were taken into
Babylon in 586 B.C.

5. The initial 19 years of Daniel’s stay in Babylonia were

the last years of Judah’s (the realm which Jerusalem is in)
existence as a kingdom. It was their anti-Babylonia policies
which brought ruin to their kingdom, policies such as
refusing to pay taxes to Babylon to an all-out rebellion.

6. During these sieges the Babylonians captured the

young king Jehoiachin and his family (as seen in 2 Kings
24:10-16 “10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar
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king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was

besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came
against the city, and his servants did besiege it. 12 And
Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon,
he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his
officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year
of his reign. 13 And he carried out thence all the treasures of
the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house,
and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king
of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had
said. 14 And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the
princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand
captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained,
save the poorest sort of the people of the land. 15 And he
carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother,
and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the
land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to
Babylon. 16 And all the men of might, even seven thousand,
and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong
and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought
captive to Babylon.” And later blinded king Zedekiah (2 Kings
25:7 “7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes,
and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with
fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.”)

7. Many captive Jews caused political unrest in Babylon

which didn’t go unnoticed by the prophets. In fact Jeremiah
wrote a letter to his captured counterparts urging peace
which can be found in Jeremiah 29.

8. God allowed each attack to be more severe than the

last since his people were trapped in iniquities. Had the
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Israelites been faithful to God, and kept His Sabbath,

Jerusalem would have stood forever: Jeremiah 17:24-27.
“24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto
me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates
of this city on the sabbath day, but hallow the sabbath day,
to do no work therein; 25 Then shall there enter into the gates
of this city kings and princes sitting upon the throne of
David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their
princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
and this city shall remain for ever. 26 And they shall come
from the cities of Judah, and from the places about
Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the
plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing
burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and
incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of
the LORD. 27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the
sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at
the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle
a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of
Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.”
They, though departed from Him, and He abandoned
them. They profaned the sacred vessels by bringing idols
into the temple; therefore God allowed these vessels to be
further profaned by letting them go as trophies to heathen
shrines abroad.

9. During this time of trouble and distress upon

Jerusalem, Daniel and his companions were nourished and
instructed in the palace of the King of Babylon.

10. During these years of unrest Daniel and his three

friends quietly and loyally performed their duties as royal
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officers and subjects of the realm, after their training they

became members of the elite group called the Chaldeans
who served as the king’s advisors. It was in this position
Daniel was able to interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar in
chapter 2 which earned him a promotion to a very high rank
for many years though lost it before 570 B.C. based on
historical records.

Verses 3, 4, and 5:

“3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his

eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of
Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in
whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all
wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding
science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's
palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the
tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a
daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he
drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end
thereof they might stand before the king.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. Here is recorded the probable fulfillment of the

judgments predicted by the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah
more than a hundred years before. King Hezekiah showed
the messengers of the Babylonian king all the treasures and
holy things of his palace and kingdom, Hezekiah was told
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that all these good things would be carried as trophies to the

city of Babylon, even his own children, his descendants,
would be taken away and be eunuchs of the palace of the
king there: 2 Kings 20:14-18 “14 Then came Isaiah the
prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said
these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And
Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country, even from
Babylon. 15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house?
And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine
house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures
that I have not shewed them. 16 And Isaiah said unto
Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. 17 Behold, the days
come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy
fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried
into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 18 And of
thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget,
shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace
of the king of Babylon.

2. The word children apply to youths here seeing as how

we learn these children were skillful in all wisdom, and
cunning in knowledge, and understanding, science, and…
had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace.” They were
educated and were estimated to be about eighteen to
twenty years old.

3. Unlike most kings of the time which liked to use

captive boys as slaves, King Nebuchadnezzar liked his
captives educated in all matters of his kingdom so he could
have efficient help in administering to its affairs. He fed the
captives from his own table and cared well for them. Though
they were captives these boys were royal children and were
treated accordingly.
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Verses 6, and 7:

“6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel,

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of
the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name
of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to
Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. The Hebrew names were reference to the worship of

the true God. The chart below shows the meaning of each
name:

Name: Meaning:
Daniel Judge for God
Hananiah Gift of the Lord
Mishael Who is what God is
Azariah Whom Jehovah helps

Because of this religious connection to Jerusalem, they were

renamed to names linked with heathen gods. The chart
below shows the new names the boys were given and their
heathen meanings:

Original Name: New Name: Meaning:

Daniel Belteshazzar Prince of Bel
Hananiah Shadrach Servant of Sin
Mishael Meshach Who is what Aku is
Azariah Abed-nego Servant of Nebor
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2. The “Servant of sin” is the moon god, and Aku is

basically translated as the Sumerian equivalent of sin.

3. Here Nebuchadnezzar appears free of bigotry. He

doesn’t compel the captives to change their religion so long
as they had a religion of some kind he was satisfied. Though
the names were changed to connect them more closely to
heathen worship this may have been to avoid using Jewish
names more than an indication of a change of sentiment to
those who were renamed. Though a change in their religious
servitude, was still encouraged based on some sources.

Verses 8 to 16:

“8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile

himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine
which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had
brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of
the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto
Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your
meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse
liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye
make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel
to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants,
I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat,
and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked
upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that
eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal
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with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter,

and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days
their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all
the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the
wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.”

Facts about the above verses:

1. Daniel’s Diet: Not only was the diet of

Nebuchadnezzar unclean in terms of the Jewish religion but,
furthermore, it was often times used to sacrifice to idols prior
to consumption. Knowing this Daniel (and his three friends)
purposed in their hearts to not defile themselves with it. With
that said Daniel requested to the prince of the eunuchs for
more fitting food, basically pulse.

So what exactly is pulse?

2. The Hebrew word translated as “pulse” is built on the

word seed in the record of creation, where it mentions “every
herb seeding seed,” and again, the “fruit of a tree seeding
seed as seen in Genesis 1:29: “29 And God said, Behold, I have
given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of
all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree
yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”

3. This makes it clear Daniel requested grains, legumes,

and fruits. If we understand Genesis 9:3 (“3 Every moving
thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green
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herb have I given you all things.”) correctly the “green herb”
itself must have been included in the diet requested. In other
words, the menu for which Daniel asked for and received (on
a ten day trial basis at first) was made up of cereals, legumes,
fruits, nuts, and vegetables; a vegan diet of good variety,
together with the universal drink for man and beast; clear
water.

4. At first the prince of the eunuchs was reluctant to

fulfill Daniel’s request for pulse because it went against the
king’s orders for Daniel, and his three friends, to eat from his
table, and the prince of the eunuch feared for his life.

5. Originally Daniel proposed a ten day trial for the diet.

If afterwards he and his friends appeared healthier he was
allowed to continue on the diet of pulse but if not, he would
eat from the king’s table. Daniel had faith in God’s principal
diet and its positive effects on the body. Due to the best
interest of the boys’ health the ten day trial was allowed.
Nebuchadnezzar’s willingness to care for the boys’ best
interest was quite different from the tyranny which usually
controlled the hearts of those in power. As we learn through
the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar’s heart will become
softened to the true God of Israel.

6. Many think, how can being fatter and fairer possibly

be a good diet? I don’t want to gain weight. You must recall,
these boys were taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon
and were half starved after the long journey. This statement
simply means that they gained healthy weight faster than the
other boys.
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Verses 17 to 21:

“17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and
skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had
understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of
the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then
the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before
Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king communed with them; and
among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the
king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than
all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21
And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king
Cyrus.“

Facts about the above verses:

1. After three years of study Daniel alone seems to have

been committed to understanding visions and dreams,
though his friends, being preserved in the fiery furnace, tells
us they too had found favour in the sight of the Lord. Daniel,
it is believed, had qualifications fitting him for the special
work God had appointed to him.

2. At the end of the three years of training, King

Nebuchadnezzar had acknowledged them to be ten times
more superior to any native boys of his own land. Certainly a
result of being disciplined with serving both man’s laws and
with the Lord’s Biblical laws, and thus they were rewarded in
the Lord’s service.
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3. It is added that Daniel continued onto the first year of

King Cyrus, the king of the Medes.