Daniel
Daniel was taken prisoner and taken to Babylon during the first deportation in 606 BC. See Habakkuk, Chapters 1 to 3.
- He and other members of the Judean royal and noble families were given special training to serve in the Babylonian court.
- He quickly gained a reputation as an “interpreter of dreams and riddles”, which led to his appointment to high government posts in Babylon.
- He lived in Babylon for seventy years until the Babylonians were defeated by Persia in 539 BC.
- He was not like the other prophets because he did NOT say “Thus says the Lord”. Instead, he was primarily an interpreter of dreams and riddles and received visions himself.
- The story of Daniel in the lions den, and, Daniels three friends in the fiery furnace comes from the book of Daniel.
Chapters: | 1 | 2 | 3| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |9 | |10 | |11 ||12
Daniel Taken to Babylon
Dan 1:1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Dan 1:2 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.
- Nebuchandnezzar “thought” that he had won the victory, but it is important to understand here that God was in control. It was God who had allowed this to happen to punish, correct, and restore the Jewish nation. God is sovereign, a major focus point in the book of Daniel.
- For more prophesies concerning the fall of Israel and Judah, see Leviticus, Chapter 26; the books of Habakkuk, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Zephaniah.
- Shinar = Babylon, which is now in present day Iraq.
- to the house of his god = the Babylonians worshipped numerous gods. King Nebuchadnezzar was making an offering to his false god, thanking him for the victory that he believed his god had given him over the God of Judah.
Dan 1:3 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;
- Next, the kings sets aside a group of gifted young men and grooms them for his special service.
Dan 1:4 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.
- Children in whom was no blemish = these young men were being trained to be leaders, representing the leadership of Babylon. They were going to act as mediators between the Judean captives and the leaders of Babylon.
- whom they might teach = The Babylons intended to indoctrinate the young men into the teachings of their culture and pagan religions. As you will soon read, these young men were able to resist this idea and not taking on any of their pagan beliefs.
Dan 1:5 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.
- daily provision of the king’s meat
= self indulgence in the finer things of the world. King Nebuchadnezzar meant to earn the favor and loyalty of these young men by seducing them to abandon their foreign ways and embrace Babylonian culture and paganism.
Dan 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
Dan 1:7 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.
- prince of the eunuchs gave names = giving someone a new name demonstrates complete authority over that person, so in this instance Nebuchadnezzar was establishing his authority over the young men of Judah. Daniel, and his three friends names were changed from Hebrew names that honored God, to new names that honored the false Babylonian gods.
Daniel’s Faithfulness
Dan 1:8 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.
- Daniel purposed in his heart = Daniel was determined to be faithful to God even before he was faced with making any decision. The Hebrew might be translated “he fixed his will” or firmly resolved himself on that course of action.
- would not defile himself = the kings diet included food that had been sacrificed to idols as well as things the Lord had commanded His people to not eat (such as pork). To east such things would have publicly identified Daniel with the false gods, and it would have placed him contrary to god’s commands. Daniel and his friends were determined not to be seduced into pagan practices, even while obeying the king’s will whenever it did not conflict with God’s Word. They were striving to be in the world but not of the world.
Dan 1:9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
- God had brought Daniel into favour = God had specifically brought him into favor. The captivity was part of His deliberate plan, and He was using those who remained faithful to accomplish His purposes. All that was required of Daniel and his friends was for them to remain obedient to His Word, and the Lord would take care of the details.
Dan 1:10 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.
Dan 1:11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
Dan 1:12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
Dan 1:13 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 with thy servants.
Dan 1:14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
This is yet another proof of God’s sovereign grace. God led this man to allow Daniel and his three friends to get an exception to the King’s policies. This was risky for the prince of the eunuchs.
Dan 1:15 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.
This is not a biblical endorsement of vegetarianism. This is an example of God being in control and
being involved in this situation.
Dan 1:16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
Dan 1:17 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.
Dan 1:18 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.
Dan 1:19 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.
Dan 1:20 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.
Dan 1:21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Dan 2:1 And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
his spirit was troubled = God uses dreams to warn people. See:
Genesis 3, encourage Joseph. Genesis 41, warns Pharaoh.
Dan 2:2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
astrologers, sorcerers. See my bible study entitled “Witchcraft and Sorcery“.
Dan 2:3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
Dan 2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
Tell thy servants the dream = you can see that anyone can fake it. Anyone can hear a story, and then weave their own interpretation. But the King was smarter than that, he thought this was important, and he needed to know that he was getting the truthful, correct answer.
Dan 2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
ye shall be cut in pieces = if the astrologers and magicians were actually hearing from a “god”, then they should be able to get the dream. But, if they can’t tell the King the dream, then they were liars, and should be killed.
Dan 2:6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
Dan 2:7 They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
Let the king tell his servants the dream = by now, the magicians were terrified. They knew that they could not do what the king was demanding.
Dan 2:8 The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
Dan 2:9 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
Dan 2:10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
Dan 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
whose dwelling is not with flesh = the Chaldeans / Babylonians were totally wrong about this. God IS present with us, he does dwell with us! He is ever present, omnipresent.
Dan 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
Dan 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
they sought Daniel and his fellows = Daniel and his three friends were considered one of these men, they were in danger now too.
Dan 2:14 Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
answered with counsel and wisdom = here we go again, Daniel was being tactful, intelligent. Obviously God was with Daniel and clearing his path too.
Dan 2:15 He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
Dan 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
Dan 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
Dan 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
That they would desire mercies of the God = what do you do when you have a serious problem, you get on your knees and pray.
Dan 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said,
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Dan 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Dan 2:23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
Dan 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
Dan 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
Dan 2:26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
Dan 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
Dan 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Notice that Daniel immediately gave all credit to the God of Israel, our God in heaven.
Dan 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Dan 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
Dan 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
Dan 2:32 This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Dan 2:33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Dan 2:36 This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
Dan 2:37 Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
Dan 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
Dan 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
Dan 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Dan 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Dan 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
Dan 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
Dan 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
- Gold is Babylon, 605-539 BC.
- Silver Chest and Arms is Medo-Persia, 539 – 331 BC.
- Bronze Stomach and Thighs is Greece, 331 – 141 BC.
- Iron and Fired Clay will be the existing world power at the time of Christ’s return
Daniel Is Promoted
Dan 2:46 Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
Dan 2:47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Dan 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
Dan 2:49 Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.