DnDaniel
The book of Daniel holds a unique place in the Old Testament: while it preserves memorable narratives of faithfulness in the midst of exile, it also gathers some of the most influential apocalyptic visions in the entire Bible. Its combination of court stories (with political and religious tension) and prophetic revelations (with complex symbols and a broad historical horizon) has made Daniel a central work for Jewish and Christian communities as they reflect on divine sovereignty, the suffering of the righteous, and future hope.
Placed among the Major Prophets, Daniel stands out because it is not composed mainly of oracles addressed directly to Israel in sermon form. Instead, it presents a Jewish figure living within the administration of foreign empires—Babylon and Persia—and from that experience shows how the God of Israel rules over kings, times, and kingdoms. The text alternates episodes of testing (pressures of cultural assimilation, threats of death, persecution) with visions that interpret history in large blocks, offering a “theological map” for seasons of crisis.
The impact of the book of Daniel spans centuries. Its symbolic language shaped the religious imagination about “the kingdom that shall not pass away,” “the Son of Man,” the resurrection, and the final judgment. At the same time, its narratives established ethical paradigms: how to serve with excellence in complex political structures without surrendering deep convictions. For those seeking a summary of Daniel, the essential point is to see that the book articulates two convictions: (1) God is sovereign over empires and history; (2) the persevering faithfulness of the faithful matters, even when power seems to be in the hands of oppressors. This message remains relevant for devotional reading, academic study, and public reflection on faith and citizenship.
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Testament | Old Testament |
| Category | Major Prophets |
| Author (tradition) | Daniel |
| Estimated period | c. 605–530 BC (with chs. 7–12 possibly c. 167–164 BC, according to part of academic criticism) |
| Chapters | 12 |
| Original language | Hebrew (with parts in Aramaic) |
| Central theme | God sovereignly rules over human kingdoms and sustains his people with wisdom, faithfulness, and eschatological hope. |
| Key verse | Daniel 2:44 — “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these |