Prophet Daniel: Visionary Statesman & Prophet in Babylon

Born around 623 BC into a noble family in the Kingdom of Judah, he was captured as a teenager in 605 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. Taken to Babylon, Daniel was trained in the royal court, where he refused to compromise his faith or dietary laws. God blessed him with extraordinary wisdom and the unique ability to interpret complex dreams and visions, allowing him to serve as a top adviser to both Babylonian and Persian emperors. He is most famous for surviving a night inside a den of hungry lions after refusing to stop praying to God, and for recording apocalyptic visions about future world empires and the coming Messiah. Daniel lived to at least 85 years old and died around 538 BC in Susa (modern-day Iran).

| Wikipedia - Daniel_(biblical_figure)

Daniel in Judaism

Not classified as a writing prophet in the Hebrew Bible (as his book is placed in the "Writings" or Ketuvim). However, he is revered as a model of piety, wisdom, and steadfast adherence to God's law during the Babylonian exile.

Daniel in Christianity

Honored as one of the major prophets, whose book contains crucial apocalyptic prophecies and visions.

Daniel in Islam

Widely regarded by Muslims as a prophet and righteous man. While not mentioned by name in the Quran, his accounts (such as surviving the lions' den) are well-known and respected in Islamic literature.

The Environment

The hyper-urbanized, architecturally magnificent imperial capitals of Babylon and Susa.

The Society

A sophisticated, totalitarian, and hyper-educated pagan empire built on imperial conquest, advanced astronomy, and state-enforced polytheism.

The Social Climate

Extremely hazardous for religious minorities, defined by forced cultural assimilation, treacherous royal court intrigues, and deadly state persecution against those refusing to worship the emperor or idols.

1. To interpret royal dreams and visions God endowed Daniel with supernatural wisdom to interpret the troubling dreams of foreign kings, establishing that true wisdom belongs to the Creator. [DANIEL 2:28]
2. To reveal the timeline of future world empires Daniel was sent to map out the succession of major world civilizations, proving that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men. [DANIEL 2:44]
3. To predict the exact timing of the Messiah God used Daniel to deliver precise chronological prophecies regarding the specific historical timeline for the arrival and sacrificial ministry of the coming Messiah. [DANIEL 9:25]
4. To model uncompromised faith in exile Daniel was sent to Babylon to show that believers can maintain dietary purity, strict prayer habits, and absolute devotion to God even under intense foreign pressure. [DANIEL 1:8]
5. To demonstrate divine protection over believers Through his miraculous survival in the lions' den, Daniel proved to pagan rulers that the God of Israel rescues, delivers, and works signs in heaven and earth. [DANIEL 6:22]
6. To serve as a high-ranking righteous statesman God placed Daniel in the highest tiers of government under multiple foreign empires to directly influence kings, advocate for justice, and guide his community during captivity. [DANIEL 6:3]
7. To intercede for the restoration of Jerusalem Daniel was sent to calculate the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile and offer deep, repentant prayers on behalf of his nation to trigger their return to the Promised Land. [DANIEL 9:3]

Maintain absolute moral integrity and devotion to God while serving in secular spaces, trusting that divine sovereignty outlasts all earthly empires.

DANIEL - Year of Birth: 620 BC (Exiled to Babylon as a youth in 605 BC) | 620 BC

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DANIEL 1 of 4 620 BC

Babylon besieges Israel | 606 BC

DANIEL 2 of 4 606 BC

The prophet Daniel served the king of Babylon | 571 BC

DANIEL

The prophet Daniel served the king of Babylon
In the Babylonian Empire the Jews lived in their own settlements. They were allowed to keep their own religion and customs. Some Jews rose to high positions in Babylon. One such was Daniel.

3 of 4 571 BC

DANIEL - Year of Death: 538 BC (Lived into the early years of King Cyrus's reign) | 538 BC

| Wikipedia: Daniel_(biblical_fig..

DANIEL 4 of 4 538 BC

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0 wife
No marriage or children are recorded for Daniel

Unknown

Supernaturally recalling and interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream of the statue
Interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the massive chopped tree
Deciphering the mysterious, supernatural disembodied handwriting on the wall during Belshazzar's feast
Surviving completely unharmed after spending an entire night inside a sealed den of starved lions
Receiving massive, detailed prophetic visions of future empires and the end of days from angels

Serving as a prophet and wise statesman in Babylon, his purpose was to provide divine interpretations, demonstrate unwavering faith despite persecution, and deliver apocalyptic visions regarding the timeline of God's ultimate kingdom.

Born In:

Jerusalem, West Bank, Palestine

Lived In:

Babylon, Iraq
Susa, Iran

Travelled To:

Mesopotamian plains, Iraq
Ahvaz region, Iran

Died In:

Susa, Iran
Babylon, Iraq (Alternative historical tradition)

* FACTS can be interpreted as metaphorical, allegorical, or symbolic, rather than literal accounts. Historical narratives, particularly those of a religious nature can be understood to convey deeper spiritual or moral truths through symbolism and figurative language. Equally, you can choose to understand religious facts and details literally.

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Re-reading Daniel in Apocalyptic Times \| Jewish Review - 01 Jan 2026
The apocalyptic myth that helps explain evangelical support for Trump - Prophecy of Daniel \| Washington Post - 26 Nov 2019

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Daniel in the Torah

Torah is the first 5 books* of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

| Wikipedia: Torah

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Daniel in the Psalms

Psalms is the third section of the Hebrew Bible. Many of the Psalms are linked to David.

| Wikipedia: Psalms

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Daniel in the Bible (Old Testament)

The Old Testament consists of 39 books* including the Jewish Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy).

| Wikipedia: Old_Testament

TOTAL: 71 VERSES

Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:

[1 CHRONICLES 3:1]

Of the sons of Phinehas; Gershom: of the sons of Ithamar; Daniel: of the sons of David; Hattush.

[EZRA 8:2]

Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,

[NEHEMIAH 10:6]

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD.

[EZEKIEL 14:14]

Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

[EZEKIEL 14:20]

Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:

[EZEKIEL 28:3]

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

[DANIEL 1:6]

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.

[DANIEL 1:7]

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 1:8]

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

[DANIEL 1:9]

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.

[DANIEL 1:10]

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

[DANIEL 1:11]

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.

[DANIEL 1:17]

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.

[DANIEL 1:19]

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

[DANIEL 1:21]

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

[DANIEL 2:13]

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:

[DANIEL 2:14]

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.

[DANIEL 2:15]

Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

[DANIEL 2:16]

Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

[DANIEL 2:17]

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.

[DANIEL 2:18]

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

[DANIEL 2:19]

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

[DANIEL 2:20]

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.

[DANIEL 2:24]

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.

[DANIEL 2:25]

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?

[DANIEL 2:26]

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;

[DANIEL 2:27]

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

[DANIEL 2:46]

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.

[DANIEL 2:47]

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.

[DANIEL 2:48]

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.

[DANIEL 2:49]

But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying,

[DANIEL 4:8]

Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.

[DANIEL 4:19]

Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation.

[DANIEL 5:12]

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou that Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

[DANIEL 5:13]

Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

[DANIEL 5:17]

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

[DANIEL 5:29]

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

[DANIEL 6:2]

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

[DANIEL 6:3]

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

[DANIEL 6:4]

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

[DANIEL 6:5]

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

[DANIEL 6:10]

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

[DANIEL 6:11]

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

[DANIEL 6:13]

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

[DANIEL 6:14]

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

[DANIEL 6:16]

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

[DANIEL 6:17]

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

[DANIEL 6:20]

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

[DANIEL 6:21]

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

[DANIEL 6:23]

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

[DANIEL 6:24]

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

[DANIEL 6:26]

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

[DANIEL 6:27]

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

[DANIEL 6:28]

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

[DANIEL 7:1]

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

[DANIEL 7:2]

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

[DANIEL 7:15]

Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

[DANIEL 7:28]

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

[DANIEL 8:1]

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

[DANIEL 8:15]

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

[DANIEL 8:27]

In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

[DANIEL 9:2]

And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

[DANIEL 9:22]

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

[DANIEL 10:1]

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

[DANIEL 10:2]

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

[DANIEL 10:7]

And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

[DANIEL 10:11]

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

[DANIEL 10:12]

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

[DANIEL 12:4]

Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

[DANIEL 12:5]

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

[DANIEL 12:9]

Daniel in the Bible (New Testament)

The New Testament (Christianity) consists of 66 books*. 39 books from the Old Testament, and 27 additional books including Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

| Wikipedia: New_Testament

TOTAL: 2 VERSES

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

[MATTHEW 24:15]

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

[MARK 13:14]

Daniel in the Quran

The Quran was revealed to Muhammad through the Angel Gabrial. It is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a direct revelation from God.

| Wikipedia: Quran

TOTAL: 0 VERSES

Daniel in Hadith

Hadith are the "prophetic traditions" of Muhammad; his teachings, actions, deeds and sayings. Hadith were compiled from oral reports in circulation in society around the time of their compilation.

| Wikipedia: Hadith

TOTAL: 0 VERSES To view the complete Hadith database, visit Muflihun.com

Daniel in Ibn Kathir

Ibn Kathir (1300-1373) was an influential Muslim scholar/historian who wrote the reknowned 'Qisas Al-Anbiya' (Stories of the Prophets) book. An authorative and respected thesis on the many prophets of God

| Wikipedia: Ibn_Kathir

IMPORTANT NOTE: Ibn Kathir is NOT Revealed Scripture. It appears here as it contains relevant information

TOTAL: 1 VERSES

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1. Daniel and the king's food (Daniel 1:1-16)

DANIEL

2. Daniel and the lions' den (Daniel 6)

DANIEL

3. Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a tree; fulfillment (Daniel 4)

DANIEL

4. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)

DANIEL

5. The dream of the statue (Daniel 2)

DANIEL

6. The writing on the wall (Daniel 5)

DANIEL

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Bible Project: Daniel

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