Daniel
Daniel in the Bible
Daniel is a Judean exile who serves in foreign royal courts while remaining committed to God. The book presents him as an interpreter of dreams and visions and a model of faithfulness under imperial rule.
Daniel at a Glance
Key Bible Passages About Daniel
Old Testament
Daniel 1:8–21
Daniel and his companions seek faithfulness in royal service.
Daniel 2:17–49
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Daniel 5:13–31
Daniel interprets the writing on the wall.
Daniel 6:1–28
Daniel continues praying and survives the lions’ den.
Daniel 7:1–28
Daniel sees four beasts and one like a son of man receiving dominion.
Daniel 9:1–27
Daniel prays and receives the seventy-weeks revelation.
Daniel 10–12
Daniel receives a final extended vision.
New Testament
Matthew 24:15
Jesus refers to Daniel the prophet.
The Story of Daniel
Daniel is taken from Judah to Babylon and selected with other young Judeans for royal service. He receives the Babylonian name Belteshazzar but continues to be identified by his Hebrew name.
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue and later the writing on the wall for Belshazzar. Under Darius, Daniel’s continued prayer leads to the lions’ den, from which he is delivered.
The latter half of Daniel centers increasingly on visions of kingdoms, persecution, divine judgment, and future restoration. Jesus explicitly refers to Daniel the prophet in Matthew 24.
Where Does Daniel Appear in the Bible?
Old Testament
Daniel 1–2MAJOR APPEARANCE
Daniel enters Babylonian service and interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Daniel 4–6MAJOR APPEARANCE
Daniel interprets royal signs and survives the lions’ den.
Daniel 7–8MAJOR APPEARANCE
Daniel receives visions of beasts and kingdoms.
Daniel 9MAJOR APPEARANCE
Daniel prays and receives the seventy-weeks revelation.
Daniel 10–12MAJOR APPEARANCE
Daniel receives a final vision.
New Testament
Matthew 24:15
Jesus explicitly refers to Daniel the prophet.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book places Daniel from the Babylonian conquest period into the era of Medo-Persian rule. Its narratives are set in imperial courts while its visions portray kingdoms through symbolic imagery.
Literary Role
Daniel shifts between court stories and first-person visionary reports and between Hebrew and Aramaic sections. Research should distinguish explicit textual claims from later interpretive systems built around the visions.
Character & Significance
Daniel presents faithfulness to God under foreign imperial power and insists that earthly kingdoms are temporary before God’s ultimate rule. Its court narratives and apocalyptic visions make Daniel important to later discussions of persecution, kingdom, resurrection, and eschatology.
Important People in Daniel’s Life
Nebuchadnezzar
Babylonian kingDaniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams.
Shadrach
Fellow Judean exileShadrach is one of Daniel’s companions.
Meshach
Fellow Judean exileMeshach is one of Daniel’s companions.
Abednego
Fellow Judean exileAbednego is one of Daniel’s companions.
Belshazzar
Babylonian kingDaniel interprets the writing on the wall.
The Life and Story of Daniel
Taken to Babylon
Daniel enters royal training.
Statue Dream
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Writing on the Wall
Daniel announces judgment on Belshazzar.
Lions’ Den
Daniel is delivered after continuing prayer.
Four Beasts
Daniel sees symbolic kingdoms and divine judgment.
Final Visions
Daniel receives revelations concerning conflict and resurrection.
Research Questions About Daniel
How does Daniel model faithfulness within a foreign empire?
Compare Daniel 1 and 6, noting where court participation and loyalty to God meet.
How should Daniel’s visions be studied responsibly?
Start with interpretations supplied inside the book and distinguish them from later chronological systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel
Who was Daniel in the Bible?
Daniel was a Judean exile who served in foreign courts, interpreted dreams, survived the lions’ den, and received visions.
What was Daniel’s Babylonian name?
Daniel 1:7 says Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar.
Does Jesus mention Daniel?
Yes. Matthew 24:15 records Jesus referring to Daniel the prophet.
Citing This BibleVerses.com Research Guide
Citation styles vary by instructor and institution. These are convenient starting points; students should follow their assigned style guide.
“Daniel: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” BibleVerses.com, https://www.bibleverses.com/people/daniel/. Accessed September 30, 2026.
BibleVerses.com. “Daniel: Life, Story, Bible Verses & Significance.” Accessed September 30, 2026. https://www.bibleverses.com/people/daniel/.
When citing Scripture itself, cite the Bible translation and passage separately according to your required style.
