Daniel

Definition

Daniel was an Israelite prophet who as a young man was taken captive by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar around 600 BC.

• This was during the time that many other Israelites from Judah were held captive in Babylon for 70 years.
• Daniel was given the Babylonian name Belteshazzar.
• Daniel was an honorable and righteous young man who obeyed God.
• God enabled Daniel to interpret several dreams or visions for the Babylonian kings.
• Because of this ability and because of his honorable character, Daniel was given a high leadership position in the Babylonian empire.
• Many years later, Daniels enemies tricked the Babylonian king Darius into making a law forbidding the worship of anyone except the king. Daniel continued to pray to God, so he was arrested and thrown into a den of lions. But God rescued him and he was not harmed at all.

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar)

Bible References

• Daniel 1:6-7
• Daniel 5:29
• Daniel 7:28
• Ezekiel 14:12-14
• Matthew 24:15

Word Data

• Strong’s: H1840, H1841, G11580