Daniel
Faithful Prophet in Exile
Name Information
- Meaning: "God is my judge"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Daniel was a Jewish exile in Babylon who served in the royal courts under multiple kings. Known for his wisdom, integrity, and devotion to God, Daniel interpreted dreams and visions, survived the lions’ den, and received prophecies about future kingdoms and the coming Messiah.
⏰ Babylonian and Persian Empires (c. 605–530 BC)
Roles
- Prophet
- Advisor
- Dream Interpreter
Relationships
- Friend: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
- Enemy: Jealous administrators
Story
Chosen among the young men of Judah for training in Babylon.
God gave Daniel wisdom to interpret dreams and visions.
Served faithfully under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus.
Survived the lions’ den after refusing to stop praying to God.
Received visions about world empires and God’s eternal kingdom.
Spiritual Significance
- Taken to Babylon as a youth and trained for royal service.
- Refused to defile himself with the king’s food, showing devotion to God.
- Interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and the handwriting on the wall.
- Remained faithful despite threats, leading to deliverance from the lions’ den.
- Received apocalyptic visions of God’s kingdom and the Messiah.
Christ Connection
Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13–14) points directly to Jesus.
His deliverance from the lions foreshadows Christ’s victory over death.
What We Can Learn
- Faithfulness to God in small things prepares us for bigger trials.
- God honors those who honor Him, even in hostile environments.
- God’s kingdom will outlast every human empire.
Memory Verses
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.
— Daniel 1:8My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.
— Daniel 6:22His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
— Daniel 7:14
Key Passages
- Daniel 1–12
- Daniel 6:1–28
- Daniel 7:13–14
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