Chapter 1

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Daniel Introduction
Daniel Introduction
Why Daniel?
• Personal Impact
• Reveals Gentile history in advance
• Discovery of its validation
• Contains the most amazing
passage in the Bible
Daniel Introduction
Daniel Introduction
1. Discovery: The Bible is a highly sophisticated,
integrated message system; tightly engineered in
theme, structure, details; interdependence. Thus, 66
books, written by 40 authors over thousands of
years, yet evidences integrity of design and
demonstrates a proven origin from outside the
domain of time. It is an extraterrestrial book.
2. One of the few books that describes Gentile history,
in advance. It is as timely as tomorrow’s newspaper.
3. It contains the most amazing passages in the entire
Bible.
Daniel Introduction
Old Testament (Tenach) Texts
Original Hebrew (“Vorlage”)
- In the days of Ezra and Nehemiah
Septuagint Translation (LXX)
- 285-270 BC, 72 Scholars at Alexandria
- Primary quoted test in the New Testament
Masoretic Text (MT)
- Derived from the Council of Jamnia
Daniel Introduction
Who wrote the Book of Daniel?
(Dan 7:15) I Daniel was
grieved in my spirit in the
midst of my body, and the
visions of my head troubled
me.
Daniel Introduction
Date Written:
About 538 BC
Theme:
The Providence of God and the
Last Days
Daniel Introduction
Daniel Introduction
Daniel in the Critic’s Den
• No other book is as vindicated by history.
• 332 BC: Alexander’s conquest of Jerusalem:
Priest Jaddua showed him references to himself in
Daniel; city was spared. (Josephus)
• R. Kodewey, 1899-1917; excavations of
Nebuchadnezzar’s palace, it al, Banquet hall
found, 173 feet by 56 feet (Rebuilt by Saddam)
• Daniel had to be an eyewitness.
Daniel Introduction
Ultimate Authentication
• Jesus quotes Daniel 3 times:
“Daniel the Prophet”
• Quoted 3 times in Ezekiel
Ezek 14:14, 20; 28:3
- Classed with Noah, Job et al
• One of only two of which no evil is spoken of
• Foreign words: 15 Persian words
3 Greek
Daniel Introduction

(Matt 24:15) When ye therefore

shall see the abomination of
desolation, spoken of by Daniel
the prophet, stand in the holy
place, (whoso readeth, let him
understand:)
Daniel Introduction
Organization
• Historical Chapters 1-6
1. Deported as a teenager
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
3. Bow or Burn; The Furnace
4. Nebuchadnezzar's Pride Aramaic
5. The Fall of Babylon
6. The Lions Den
7. Daniel’s Vision
Daniel Introduction
Organization
• Historical Chapters 1 - 6
• Visions Chapters 7 - 12
7. Four Beasts
8. The Ram and the He-Goat
9. The Seventy Weeks
10. A Glimpse of the Dark Side
11. The “Silent Years” (in advance)
12. The Consummation of All Things
Chronological Order
1. Babylonian Captivity 606 B.C.
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 602 B.C.
3. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
7. The vision of the 4 beasts 556 B.C.
8. Ram and He-goat vision 554 B.C.
5. Babylon falls to Persians 539 B.C.
9. Vision of Seventy weeks 538 B.C.
6. The Lions’ Den
10-12 Closing visions
Chronological Order
Historical Prophecies
1. Babylonian Captivity
2. Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
3. Nebuchadnezzar’s Image
4. Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride
7. The Times of Gentiles
8. Ram and He-goat vision
5. Babylon falls to Persians
9. Vision of Seventy weeks
6. Lions Den
10 The Dark Side
11-12 Conclusion
Daniel Introduction
Chronology
• 612 BC: Nineveh falls to an alliance of Babylon
and Media
• 609 BC: Pharaoh Necho leads army against
Assyria
- Josiah fights Necho and gets killed
(2 Chron 35:20-24)
• 606 BC Battle of Carchemesh
- Nebuchadnezzar vs Pharaoh Necho
- W bank of Euphrates (Jer 46:1-6)
Daniel Introduction
Siege #1
• 1st Siege of Jerusalem (605 BC)
- Jehoikim released as a vassal
- Temple plundered (for museum)
- Hostages (Daniel et al.) taken
- Begins 70 year “Servitude of the Nation”
Daniel Introduction
Siege #2
• Jehoikim ignores Jeremiah’s counsel,
- rebels, 5 year battle; Jehoikim dies; Jer 22
- Son Hehiachin reigns until siege over Jer 22
- Blood curse now on royal line? Jer 22
• Jeconiah captured;
- 10,000 captives (including Ezekiel)
• Zedekiah, his uncle, installed as vassal
• Jeremiah and Ezekiel warn against rebellion but
false prophets again prevail
Daniel Introduction
Siege #3
• 587 BC: Zedekiah ignores Jeremiah’s and
Ezekiel’s warnings and yields to false
prophets and rebels Jer 32:5’ 39:6,7;
Ezek 12:13 2; Kgs 25:1-7
• 3rd Siege results in the destruction of the
Temple and the city:
- Begins 70 year “Desolations of Jerusalem”
Daniel Introduction

(Ezekiel 12:13) My net also will I

spread upon him, and he shall be
taken in my snare: and I will
bring him to Babylon to the land
of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not
see it, though he shall die there.
Daniel Introduction
(Jeremiah 39:6-7) 6Then the king of
Babylon slew the sons of
Zedekiah in Riblah before his
eyes: also the king of Babylon
slew all the nobles of Judah.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s

eyes, and bound him with

chains, to carry him to Babylon.
Daniel Introduction
Daniel Introduction
Servitude of the Nation:
606 B.C. + 69 years = 537 B.C.
If July 23, 537 B.C. was the release from the Servitude of
the Nation,
then - 537y 7m 23d
(no “year 0”): 1
2483y 9m 21d
1948 5 14
which is May 14, 1948. It was on this date that David Ben
Gurion declared on international radio, and using Ezekiel
as his authority, the re-establishment of Israel as the new
Jewish homeland.
Daniel Introduction
Desolations of Jerusalem:
587 B.C. + 69 years = 518 B.C.
If August 16, 518 B.C. was the completion of the Desolations
of Jerusalem,
then -518y 8m 16d
(no “year 0” 1 B.C. to 1 A.D.) 1
2483y 9m 21d
1967 6 7
which is June 7, 1967, when, as a result of the “Six Day
War,” Israel regained control of the Old City of Jerusalem for
the first time since the time of Christ.
Daniel Introduction
• Daniel was a man of purpose
Dan 1:8; 6:10
• Daniel was a man of prayer
Dan 2:17-23; 6:10; 9:3-19; 10
• Daniel was a man of prophecy
The Book of Daniel divides itself equally:
the first half is history, and the last half is
prophecy
 Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of
Jehoiakim king of Judah came
Nebuchadnezzar king of
Babylon unto Jerusalem, and
besieged it.
Daniel Introduction
 Daniel 1:2
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim
king of Judah into his hand,
with part of the vessels of the
house of God: which he carried
into the land of Shinar to the
house of his god; and he brought
the vessels into the treasure
house of his god.
 Daniel 1:3
And the king spake unto
Ashpenaz the master of his
eunuchs, that he should bring
certain of the children of Israel,
and of the king’s seed, and of the
princes;
 Daniel 1:4
Children in whom was no
blemish, but well favoured, and
skilful in all wisdom, and
cunning in knowledge, and
understanding science, and such
as had ability in them to stand
in the king’s palace, and whom
they might teach the learning
and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
 Daniel 1:5
And the king appointed them a
daily provision of the king’s
meat, and of the wine which he
drank: so nourishing them three
years, that at the end thereof
they might stand before the
king.
 Daniel 1:6

Now among these were of the

children of Judah, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah:
 Daniel 1:7

Unto whom the prince of the

eunuchs gave names: for he
gave unto Daniel the name of
Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah,
of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of
Meshach; and to Azariah, of
Abednego.
 Daniel 1:6-7
New Names Given
Daniel Belteshazzar
“God is my Judge” “Prince of Bel”
Hananiah Shadrach
“Beloved of the Lord “Illumined by the Sun God”
Mishel Meshach
“who is as God” “Who is like the Moon God”
Azariah Abednego
“The Lord is My Help “Servant of Nego”
 Daniel 1:8
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: therefore he
requested of the prince of the
eunuchs that he might not defile
himself.
 Daniel 1:9

Now God had brought Daniel

into favour and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs.
 Daniel 1:10
And the prince of the eunuchs
said unto Daniel, I fear my lord
the king, who hath appointed
your meat and your drink: for
why should he see your faces
worse liking than the children
which are of your sort? then
shall ye make me endanger my
head to the king.
 Daniel 1:9-10
Officer’s fears justified

Nebuchadnezzar was known to:

- Put out eyes (after killing progeny) Jer 39:6
-Make their houses into dung hills Dan 2:5
-Cut people into pieces Dan 2:5
- Roast officers over a fire, etc. Jer 29:22
 Daniel 1:11

Then said Daniel to Melzar,

whom the prince of the eunuchs
had set over Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
 Daniel 1:12

Prove thy servants, I beseech

thee, ten days; and let them give
us pulse to eat, and water to
drink.
 Daniel 1:13

Then let our countenances be

looked upon before thee, and the
countenance of the children
that eat of the portion of the
king’s meat: and as thou seest,
deal with thy servants.
 Daniel 1:14

So he consented to them in this

matter, and proved them ten
days.
 Daniel 1:15

And at the end of ten days their

countenances appeared fairer
and fatter in flesh than all the
children which did eat the
portion of the king’s meat.
 Daniel 1:16

Thus Melzar took away the

portion of their meat, and the
wine that they should drink;
and gave them pulse.
 Daniel 1:17

As for these four children, God

gave them knowledge and skill
in all learning and wisdom: and
Daniel had understanding in all
visions and dreams.
 Daniel 1:18

Now at the end of the days that

the king had said he should
bring them in, then the prince
of the eunuchs brought them in
before Nebuchadnezzar.
 Daniel 1:19

And the king communed with

them; and among them all was
found none like Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah: therefore stood they
before the king.
 Daniel 1:20

And in all matters of wisdom

and understanding, that the
king inquired of them, he found
them ten times better than all
the magicians and astrologers
that were in all his realm.
 Daniel 1:21

And Daniel continued even

unto the first year of king
Cyrus.
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
Heb 12:9-13; Prov 3:11, 12; 13:24
cf. Eli’s sons, 1 Sam 2:12-30
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
• Physical courage Dan 2:5
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
• Physical courage Dan 2:5
• Perseverance
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
• Physical courage Dan 2:5
• Perseverance
• Determination
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
• Physical courage Dan 2:5
• Perseverance
• Determination
• Meekness
 Elements of Moral Heroism

• Discernment Deut 6:49

• Resistance to evil Mt 10:26-28; Jas 4:7
• Power to voice disagreement
• Physical courage Dan 2:5
• Perseverance
• Determination
• Meekness
• Good sense Eze 28:3; Prov 2:11
 Daniel’s Career
Daniel was Destined to:
-Rise to prime prominence in Babylonian
Empire
-Rise to prime prominence in the subsequent
Persian Empire
-Personally receive the most astonishing
prophecies in the entire Bible Dan 9-12
- Authenticated by Jesus Himself Matt 24:15
- Classed with Noah and Job Eze 14:14
 Conclusion
Who’s in charge here?
• God gave them into the hand of
Nebuchadnezzar… 1:2
• God caused the official to show favour 1:9
• God gave them skill and understanding 1:17
End of Daniel
Chapter 1

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