Who Was Daniel — Meaning Explained

Daniel was taken from Jerusalem to Babylon as a young man during Nebuchadnezzar's conquest around 605 BC. Despite being immersed in pagan culture, he purposed not to defile himself and maintained unwavering faithfulness to God throughout a career serving multiple foreign kings. Daniel's wisdom, given by God, enabled him to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and the mysterious writing on the wall at Belshazzar's feast. His refusal to stop praying to God led to his being thrown into a den of lions, from which God miraculously delivered him. Daniel also received some of the Bible's most important prophetic visions, including the succession of world empires (the statue dream and four beasts), the prophecy of 70 weeks pointing to the Messiah's coming, and detailed prophecies about future events. His life demonstrates that faithfulness to God is possible even in hostile environments, and that God honors those who honor Him.