In brief
Daniel is a young Hebrew taken to Babylon with other people of Judah, in the early sixth century BC by the usual reckoning. Chosen to serve at court, he refuses to defile himself and stays faithful to God. God gives him the ability to understand the dreams of kings. He lives through several reigns, prays faithfully and survives the lions' den. His book also holds his prophetic visions and his prayer of confession.
What does the name Daniel mean?
His name is generally linked to the phrase "God is my judge." In Babylon, the chief of the eunuchs gives him the name Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:7), but the book keeps calling him Daniel.
The story of Daniel
Faithful at the Court of Babylon
Daniel 1:1-21Taken to Babylon, Daniel is chosen to serve the king. He resolves not to defile himself with the king's food. The chief of the eunuchs agrees to a ten-day test: Daniel and his companions look healthier. God gives them knowledge and wisdom, and Daniel understands visions.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
Daniel 2:1-49Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that no wise man can explain. Daniel prays with his friends, and God reveals the secret to him. He acknowledges that wisdom comes from God. He describes the statue and announces a kingdom that God will establish and that will never be destroyed. The king raises him to high honor.
The Lions' Den
Daniel 6:1-29Under King Darius, his enemies obtain a decree against all prayer. Daniel keeps praying three times a day, with his window open toward Jerusalem. He is thrown into the lions' den. God sends his angel, who shuts the lions' mouths. Darius praises the living God throughout his kingdom.
The Prayer of Confession
Daniel 9:1-23Daniel understands from the books that the desolation of Jerusalem will last seventy years. He turns to God with prayer, fasting and confession, identifying with the sins of his people. While he is praying, the angel Gabriel comes to bring him an answer and understanding.
What Daniel teaches us
- Making a choice of faithfulness from the start, even quietly, prepares us to stand in great trials.
- Wisdom comes from God, and Daniel gives him all the glory rather than taking the credit.
- Regular prayer sustains faithfulness, even under threat.
- Sincere confession and waiting for God's promise go together, as in the prayer of Daniel 9.
Key verses
Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food. This inner choice comes before everything that follows in his life at the court of Babylon.
In spite of the king's decree, Daniel goes into his house, opens his windows toward Jerusalem and prays to God three times a day, just as he had done before.
Daniel turns his face to the Lord God to seek him by prayer, pleas, fasting, sackcloth and ashes. It is a model of seeking God.
Sermons about Daniel
- Will You Dare to Be Different? Daniel 1 and the Risk of ObedienceA sermon on Daniel 1 and the risk of obeying God in the middle of Babylon.
- Daniel 6: The God of Daniel Is Your God TooA sermon on Daniel 6: the God of Daniel is also your God.
- Forgiving Like Daniel: The Key That Sets You Free From BitternessA sermon that draws a lesson on forgiveness from the life of Daniel.
Frequently asked questions
Why did God choose Daniel?
The Bible does not say why God chose Daniel. It shows a young exile who resolves to stay faithful. God gives him knowledge, wisdom and understanding of visions, and keeps him through several reigns.
What does the name Daniel mean?
His name is generally linked to the Hebrew phrase "God is my judge." In Babylon he is given the name Belteshazzar, but the book keeps his Hebrew name. The Bible gives no explanation of it.
Where can I find the story of Daniel in the Bible?
It is found in the book of Daniel: chapters 1 to 6 tell his stories at court, and chapters 7 to 12 his visions. Jesus refers to this book in Matthew 24:15.