Who Was Daniel in the Bible?
Who Was Daniel in the Bible? Daniel was a young Hebrew nobleman exiled to Babylon who rose to high office and received some of the Bible's greatest prophetic visions.
Key verse: Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
Daniel was a young Hebrew nobleman exiled to Babylon who rose to high office and received some of the Bible's greatest prophetic visions.
Daniel was a young Hebrew nobleman exiled to Babylon who rose to high office and received some of the Bible's greatest prophetic visions.
"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." — Daniel 1:8 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Daniel was taken from Jerusalem to Babylon as a young man around 605 BC, during the first deportation under Nebuchadnezzar. Chosen for service in the king's court, he and his three friends — Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah — refused to defile themselves with the king's food and were honored by God with wisdom and understanding. Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, survived the lions' den under Darius, and served faithfully under multiple kings across roughly seventy years. The second half of his book contains sweeping prophetic visions — the four kingdoms, the seventy weeks, and the time of the end — that have shaped biblical eschatology ever since. Daniel's life is a model of integrity, prayer, and unwavering faith in a pagan empire.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."
"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."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Ezekiel in the Bible?
Ezekiel was a priest and prophet taken captive to Babylon, where God called him to proclaim judgment and future restoration to Israel.
What Is the Abomination of Desolation?
The abomination of desolation is a defiling act in the holy place foretold by Daniel and referenced by Jesus as a sign of the end times.
What Is Armageddon?
Armageddon is the prophesied final battle of the age, when the kings of the earth gather against Christ and are destroyed at His coming.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The answer above sits inside Daniel. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Daniel on day 257 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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