“DANIEL THE PROPHET” IN THE WORDS OF JESUS (MATTHEW 24:15) · EXILE & RETURN

Daniel. A captive of Judah at the court of Babylon, from Nebuchadnezzar to Cyrus.

SCRIPTURE CALLS

Prophet

ERA

Exile & return 586–430 BC

IN THE DAYS OF

Jehoiakim · Nebuchadnezzar · Belshazzar · Darius the Mede · Cyrus

BOOK

Daniel

HOW THE WORD CAME

Understanding in visions and dreams

THE CALL

How the word first came

UNDERSTANDING IN VISIONS AND DREAMS

“Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”

Daniel 1:17 (KJV) →

HOW THE WORD KEPT COMING

  • “The secret” of the king's dream was “revealed unto Daniel in a night vision”, after he and his companions asked mercy of “the God of heaven”; Daniel then blessed God for it. Daniel 2:17–23
  • He interpreted what others saw: the king's dream of the image, the king's dream of the tree, and the writing on the wall. Daniel 2:36–45 Daniel 4:19–27 Daniel 5:25–28
  • Later he had dreams and visions of his own, and wrote them down: “he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.” Daniel 7:1 Daniel 7:15–16
  • Gabriel is named twice as the one who makes him understand. In the last vision “a certain man clothed in linen” appears, and “one like the similitude of the sons of men” touches his lips. Daniel 8:16 Daniel 9:21–22 Daniel 10:5–6 Daniel 10:16
  • In Darius's first year he “understood by books” the seventy years of Jerusalem's desolation that the word of the LORD gave to Jeremiah, and prayed “with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes”. Daniel 9:2–3
  • Before his last vision he mourned three full weeks, eating “no pleasant bread”. Daniel 10:2–3
  • From the textThe book never says that the word of the LORD came to Daniel, and it never calls Daniel a prophet; it uses “prophet” only of Jeremiah and of “thy servants the prophets”. Daniel 9:2 Daniel 9:6 Daniel 9:10
  • Jesus speaks of “the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15; the King James text of Mark 13:14 has the same words). Matthew 24:15 Mark 13:14
  • At Daniel 2:4 the Chaldeans answer the king “in Syriack”. Daniel 2:4
  • Scholars' viewDriver (1891) notes that the book is written “partly in Hebrew, partly in Aramaic”, the Aramaic running from the words “O king” in 2:4 to the end of chapter 7. Daniel 2:4 Daniel 7:28 [1]

BEFORE THE KINGS

Before five rulers

KING OF JUDAH

Jehoiakim

KING OF BABYLON

Nebuchadnezzar

“Thou art this head of gold.”

Daniel 2:38 (KJV) →

KING OF BABYLON, AS DANIEL CALLS HIM

Belshazzar

“TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.”

Daniel 5:27 (KJV) →

KING OVER THE REALM OF THE CHALDEANS (DANIEL)

Darius the Mede

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me”

Daniel 6:22 (KJV) →

KING OF PERSIA

Cyrus

THE MESSAGE

The word in its main themes

The Most High rules the kingdoms of men

“the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will”

Daniel 4:17 (KJV) →

A kingdom that shall never be destroyed

“the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed”

Daniel 2:44 (KJV) →

Faithfulness under foreign kings

“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods”

Daniel 3:18 (KJV) →

Confession and mercy

“we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies”

Daniel 9:18 (KJV) →

The time of the end

“many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt”

Daniel 12:2 (KJV) →

THE WORD TO …

To whom the word was spoken

Dashed pins are places known only from later tradition, not from Scripture.

TO MELZAR

“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”

Daniel 1:12 (KJV) →

TO ARIOCH, CAPTAIN OF THE KING'S GUARD

“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 (KJV) →

TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR

“There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days.”

Daniel 2:28 (KJV) →

TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR

“break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor”

Daniel 4:27 (KJV) →

TO BELSHAZZAR

“the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified”

Daniel 5:23 (KJV) →

TO DARIUS

“O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths”

Daniel 6:21–22 (KJV) →

SIGNS

Signs and wonders

VISION

The king's dream of the great image

VISION

The king's dream of the tree

WONDER

The writing on the wall

WONDER

The lions' mouths shut

VISION

Four beasts from the sea

VISION

The ram and the he goat

VISION

The seventy weeks

VISION

The last vision by the Hiddekel

WHAT CAME OF THE WORD

As Scripture reports it

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE REPORTS

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE REPORTS

THE BOOK

The book of Daniel

  • 1 At Babylon's court Daniel 1:1–21
  • 2 The dream of the image Daniel 2:1–49
  • 3 The golden image and the furnace Daniel 3:1–30
  • 4 The dream of the tree Daniel 4:1–37
  • 5 The writing on the wall Daniel 5:1–31
  • 6 The den of lions Daniel 6:1–28
  • 7 Four beasts and the Son of man Daniel 7:1–28
  • 8 The ram and the he goat Daniel 8:1–27
  • 9 Prayer and the seventy weeks Daniel 9:1–27
  • 10 The last vision Daniel 10:1–12:13

WHERE THE NEW TESTAMENT QUOTES IT · 18

Each band joins a chapter of Daniel to the New Testament books quoting it (6 books).

COMPANIONS AND OPPONENTS

Who stood with him, and against him

Hananiah (Shadrach)

Mishael (Meshach)

Azariah (Abed-nego)

Ashpenaz

Melzar

Arioch

Gabriel

The site's person data has no record for Gabriel.

Michael

The presidents and princes

HOW THE STORY ENDS

Scripture says, tradition says

SCRIPTURE SAYS

  • Daniel 1 closes with “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.” His last dated vision is “in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia”. Daniel 1:21 Daniel 10:1
  • The last words to him are a promise: “go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” Daniel 12:13

TRADITION SAYS

  • Benjamin of Tudela, who travelled between 1165 and 1173, describes “the sepulchre of Daniel” at Shushan, and tells how its coffin was moved from one bank of the river to the other until the Persian ruler Sinjar had it set in a coffin of crystal and hung from the middle of the bridge.[29] Who says so: Benjamin of Tudela, Itinerary (tr. Adler 1907), 1165–1173

OPEN QUESTIONS

Where readers have differed

By Daniel, in the sixth century BC

E. B. Pusey (1864); C. F. Keil (1872); R. Dick Wilson in ISBE (1915)

Keil holds that the testimony of synagogue and church to the book's “composition by the prophet Daniel, rests on a solid foundation”, and that in antiquity only the Neo-Platonist Porphyry doubted it. Pusey calls the book “either Divine or an imposture”, and lists among his proofs that the “Testimony of our Lord stands alone, as infallible”. Wilson answers the arguments from the Greek names of instruments and the Persian words, holding that a sixth-century writer “may have known and used borrowed Greek terms”. Matthew 24:15 [15][6][27]

In its present form, in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, on a basis of tradition

S. R. Driver (1891)

Driver argues from the book's place among the Writings rather than the Prophets, the silence of Ben Sira, the Persian and Greek words, and the theology, that it was “not written earlier than c. 300 B.C.”, and that grounds exist which, “though not adequate to demonstrate”, yet “make the opinion a probable one, that the Book, as we have it, is a work of the age of Antiochus Epiphanes”. He adds: “Daniel, it cannot be doubted, was a historical person”.[1]

The stories (1–6) from the third century BC, the visions (7–12) from 168–165 BC

J. A. Montgomery (1927)

Montgomery assigns chapters 1–6 to Babylonia, “roughly … to the 3d cent.”, as a collection of stories “based on Jewish and Bab. traditions”, and holds that chapters 7–12 “belong to the first years of the Macc. uprising, 168-165 B.C.”[11]

IN SCRIPTURE

Every passage

CHAPTERS · 16

Daniel 1 Daniel 2 Daniel 3 Daniel 4 Daniel 5 Daniel 6 Daniel 7 Daniel 8 Daniel 9 Daniel 10 Daniel 11 Daniel 12 Ezekiel 14 Ezekiel 28 Matthew 24 Mark 13

PASSAGES · 6

Daniel 1:1–12:13 Ezekiel 14:14 Ezekiel 14:20 Ezekiel 28:3 Matthew 24:15 Mark 13:14

WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES NOT SAY

  • Daniel's book does not name his father, his tribe or his age; it says only that he was among “the children of Judah” chosen from the captives (Dan 1:3–6).
  • Daniel is not mentioned in the story of the golden image and the furnace (Dan 3); the book does not say where he was.
  • The book never calls Daniel a prophet; the title is Jesus' (Matt 24:15).
  • Daniel does not name the second, third or fourth kingdoms of chapters 2 and 7; only chapter 8 names Media and Persia and Grecia.
  • Who Darius the Mede was is not explained in Daniel; the views are on his ruler page.
  • Scripture does not say where or when Daniel died.

SOURCES

Where this page comes from

  • S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (2nd ed., New York 1892; first published 1891) (1891), ch. XI (Daniel), pp. 458–483.
  • S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (2nd ed., New York 1892; first published 1891) (1891), ch. V (Ezekiel), pp. 260–279.
  • S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (2nd ed., New York 1892; first published 1891) (1891), ch. VI §10 (Haggai), pp. 320–321.
  • S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (2nd ed., New York 1892; first published 1891) (1891), ch. VI §11 (Zechariah), pp. 322–333.
  • S. R. Driver, An Introduction to the Literature of the Old Testament (2nd ed., New York 1892; first published 1891) (1891), ch. VI §12 (Malachi), pp. 333–336.
  • E. B. Pusey, Daniel the Prophet: Nine Lectures Delivered in the Divinity School of the University of Oxford (1864), Lecture I, p. 1, and the table of contents, pp. xxxi–xxxvii.
  • E. B. Pusey, Daniel the Prophet: Nine Lectures Delivered in the Divinity School of the University of Oxford (1864), Lecture III, pp. 103–105.
  • E. B. Pusey, Daniel the Prophet: Nine Lectures Delivered in the Divinity School of the University of Oxford (1864), Lecture IV, pp. 169–170.
  • J. A. Montgomery, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (International Critical Commentary) (1927), Introduction §2, pp. 2–3.
  • J. A. Montgomery, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (International Critical Commentary) (1927), Introduction §19, pp. 60–61.
  • J. A. Montgomery, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (International Critical Commentary) (1927), Introduction, 'The dating of the two sections', pp. 96–97.
  • J. A. Montgomery, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (International Critical Commentary) (1927), on Dan 9:24–27, pp. 393–394.
  • G. A. Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets, vol. 2 (The Expositor's Bible) (1898), Preface, p. viii.
  • G. A. Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets, vol. 2 (The Expositor's Bible) (1898), ch. XXIII, pp. 331–333.
  • C. F. Keil, tr. M. G. Easton, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1872), Introduction (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. M. G. Easton, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1872), note on Dan 2:39–40 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. M. G. Easton, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1872), notes on Dan 9:24–27 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. M. G. Easton, Biblical Commentary on the Book of Daniel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1872), note on Dan 11:36–45 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1876), note on Ezek 1:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1876), the survey of chs. 40–48 (read on Bible Hub, printed with Ezekiel 1).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1876), note on Ezek 14:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, Biblical Commentary on the Prophecies of Ezekiel (Keil and Delitzsch) (1876), note on Ezek 29:17–21 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, The Twelve Minor Prophets, vol. 2 (Keil and Delitzsch) (1868), note on Hag 2:7 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, The Twelve Minor Prophets, vol. 2 (Keil and Delitzsch) (1868), introduction to Zechariah, on 1:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. James Martin, The Twelve Minor Prophets, vol. 2 (Keil and Delitzsch) (1868), introduction to Malachi, on 1:1 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. F. Keil, tr. Sophia Taylor, The Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (Keil and Delitzsch) (1873), note on Neh 6:10–14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • R. Dick Wilson, "Daniel, Book of", International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (1915), sections VII (Genuineness) and VIII (Interpretation).
  • George L. Robinson, "Zechariah, Book of", International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (1915), sections 1, 4 and 6.
  • Benjamin of Tudela, tr. M. N. Adler, The Itinerary of Benjamin of Tudela (1907), pp. 43–44 (Ezekiel's sepulchre) and 52–53 (Daniel's sepulchre at Shushan).
  • E. G. Hirsch, K. H. Cornill, S. Schechter and L. Ginzberg, "Ezekiel", Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. 5 (1903), pp. 313–316.
  • S. Schechter and L. Ginzberg, "Ezekiel's Tomb", Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. 5 (1903).
  • E. G. Hirsch, "Haggai", Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. 6 (1904).
  • I. Singer and A. Guttmacher, "Malachi, Book of", Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. 8 (1904), In Rabbinical Literature; Critical View.
  • K. Kohler and L. Blau, "Bat Ḳol", Jewish Encyclopedia, vol. 2 (1902).
  • Tertullian, tr. Peter Holmes (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3), On the Resurrection of the Flesh (1885), chapters 29–30.
  • Augustine, tr. S. D. F. Salmond (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 6), The Harmony of the Gospels (1888), book 3, chapter 7, §§28–31.
  • R. A. Parker and W. H. Dubberstein, Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C.–A.D. 45 (Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization 24; dates cited as facts only) (1942), p. 28 (table of years: Darius I, years 1–4).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on Ezek 4:4 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), Pulpit Commentary: Ezekiel (1880–1897), note on Ezek 4:4 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A Bible Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Hag 2:7 (read on Bible Hub).
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (1871), note on Hag 2:7 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), Pulpit Commentary: Haggai (1880–1897), note on Hag 2:7 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the New Testament (1746–1748), note on Matt 27:9 (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Matt 27:9 (read on Bible Hub).
  • R. Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and D. Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (1871), note on Matt 27:9, quoting John Lightfoot (read on Bible Hub).
  • C. J. Ellicott (ed.), A New Testament Commentary for English Readers (c. 1878–1884), note on Matt 23:35 (read on Bible Hub).
  • A. B. Bruce, The Synoptic Gospels (The Expositor's Greek Testament, vol. 1) (1897), note on Matt 23:35 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. E. Ryle, The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) (1893), note on Neh 6:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • John Gill, An Exposition of the Old Testament (1748–1763), note on Neh 6:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • H. D. M. Spence and J. S. Exell (eds.), Pulpit Commentary: Nehemiah (1880–1897), note on Neh 6:14 (read on Bible Hub).
  • Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible (1683–1685), note on Neh 6:14 (read on Bible Hub).

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