Holy Bible - Obsidian Study Guide

Daniel (Prophet)

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Daniel (Prophet)

Overview

  • Testament: Old
  • Role: Faithful exile, interpreter of dreams, court official, apocalyptic prophet
  • Family: From Judah, likely of noble or royal background
  • Key Books: Daniel, Ezekiel, Matthew, Revelation

Biography

Daniel was taken from Judah to Babylon as a young exile during the Babylonian ascendancy. Given the Babylonian name Belteshazzar, he was trained for service in the king’s court along with Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abednego). From the beginning, Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food, showing that faithfulness in exile begins with small acts of covenant loyalty.

Daniel becomes a model of wisdom under foreign rule. God gives him knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams and visions. He interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image, revealing that human empires rise and fall under the rule of the God of heaven, whose kingdom will never be destroyed. Later, he interprets the writing on the wall for Belshazzar, announcing Babylon’s fall.

Daniel’s personal faithfulness climaxes in the lions’ den. Under Darius, jealous officials manipulate the law to target Daniel’s prayer life. Daniel continues praying toward Jerusalem, is cast into the den, and is delivered by God. His deliverance becomes public testimony that the living God rules and saves.

The second half of Daniel contains visions of beasts, kingdoms, heavenly judgment, the Son of Man, seventy weeks, conflict, resurrection, and the end. Jesus refers to the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel, and Revelation draws heavily on Daniel’s imagery of beasts, kingdoms, thrones, and final judgment.

Daniel’s life holds together practical holiness, wisdom in public service, courage under pressure, and apocalyptic hope. He is faithful in Babylon without becoming Babylonian in ultimate allegiance.

Key Events

  • Refusal of royal food - Daniel resolves not to defile himself
  • Nebuchadnezzar’s dream - Interprets the image of kingdoms
  • Fourth Figure - Daniel’s friends are delivered from the furnace
  • Writing on the Wall - Interprets judgment on Belshazzar
  • Daniel in the Lions’ Den - Delivered after faithful prayer
  • Vision of the Son of Man - Sees one like a son of man receive everlasting dominion
  • Seventy weeks vision - Receives prophetic timeline of restoration and conflict

Relationships

Important Verses

  • Daniel 1:8 - Daniel resolves not to defile himself
  • Daniel 2:20-22 - God reveals deep and secret things
  • Daniel 2:44 - God’s kingdom will never be destroyed
  • Daniel 6:10 - Daniel continues praying despite the decree
  • Daniel 6:22 - God shuts the lions’ mouths
  • Daniel 7:13-14 - Son of Man receives everlasting dominion
  • Daniel 9:24-27 - Seventy weeks
  • Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection to life or shame

Cross-References

Notes

  • Daniel is both a narrative model of faithfulness and a prophetic source for later apocalyptic hope.
  • The book teaches that empires are real and frightening, but temporary under God’s rule.
  • Daniel’s prayer life is not private piety detached from history; it is resistance, hope, and covenant memory.
  • Jesus’ use of “Son of Man” draws deeply from Daniel 7.

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