Daniel

Also known as: Belteshazzar / O Daniel / this Daniel · Family: Judah · Role: child of Judah · First appears: Daniel 1

Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, O Daniel, and this Daniel, was a child of Judah brought into Babylonian service. In Daniel 1, Ashpenaz gave him the Babylonian name Belteshazzar and assigned him with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to Melzar, who replaced their royal food and wine with pulse and water. God gave the four youths knowledge and wisdom, including Daniel’s understanding of visions and dreams; Ashpenaz then brought them before Nebuchadnezzar, who found them superior to the wise men of his realm.

In Daniel 2, when Nebuchadnezzar ordered the wise men slain, Daniel asked Arioch to bring him before the king and sought help from Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. God revealed the dream’s secret to him, and Daniel gave its interpretation, after which Nebuchadnezzar promoted him over Babylon and its wise men; Daniel also secured positions for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the province’s affairs. In Daniel 4 he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s decree, and in Daniel 5 he interpreted Belshazzar’s writing, after which Belshazzar made him third ruler and honored him with royal clothing and a gold chain.

Under Darius in Daniel 6, Daniel was placed first among the presidents, and the king intended to set him over the whole realm. Daniel continued to pray and give thanks to God despite the decree against him; after Darius cast him into the lions’ den, God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths, and Daniel was brought out unharmed. In Daniel 8, Gabriel explained Daniel’s vision after he became sick and recovered; in Daniel 9, Daniel understood Jeremiah’s seventy-year prophecy and received further understanding from Gabriel. In Daniel 10, he received a true revelation, was weakened by the vision, and was strengthened after seeking understanding before God; in Daniel 12, God commanded him to seal the prophetic words until the time of the end and promised him rest and a destined portion.