Daniel in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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Who is Daniel?
DANIEL
(God is my judge). 1. One of the four greater prophets. He was of noble, perhaps of royal, descent, and probably born at Jerusalem. Dan 1:3; Dan 9:24; comp. Josephus's Antiq. In his early youth he was carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon, together with three other Hebrew youths of rank, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, b.c. 604. He was there instructed in the language and arts of the Chaldaeans, and, with his three companions, trained for the royal service in the palace. Dan 1:1-4. The prince of the eunuchs changed all their names, calling them respectively Belteshazzar (i.e. "prince of Bel"), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These four refused to eat of the king's meat and to drink his wine, but chose "pulse and water." Notwithstanding this diet, they were in better condition than the heathen courtiers. After three years' training, God gave Daniel an opportunity to display his learning and wisdom. He interpreted a dream which Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten. Dan 2. In reward, he was made "ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon," and in this position so distinguished himself that he won great fame and was mentioned as a model man even by his contemporaries. Eze 14:14, Ruth 4:20; 1 Sam 28:3. On another occasion he faithfully explained to his monarch the intention of God to punish him for his pride. Dan 4. For Belshazzar, a grandson and successor of Nebuchadnezzar, he performed a similar service, reading the handwriting upon the wall, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin. Dan 5. Under Darius the Mede, Daniel was made the first of the "three presidents " of the empire. His enemies obtained a command from Darius forbidding all prayer save unto the king for 30 days. But Daniel did not stop praying; and this fact being discovered, he was cast into the den of lions, which was the punishment for a violation of the king's order. But God delivered him, and he was kept in his office. In the reign of Cyrus he likewise prospered, but seems to have left Babylon, as his latest recorded vision, Dan 10:1,Ex 6:4, was by the Hiddekel, in the third year of Cyrus, b.c. 534. When he died, and where, are uncertain. His reputed tomb is shown at Susa, on the Tigris. Daniel at the court of Babylon resembles Joseph at the court of Pharaoh. Both were involuntary exiles from their country and people; both were great statesmen; both maintained the purity of their religion and their personal character, though surrounded by idolatry and corruption; both rose by their wisdom and integrity from slavery to the highest dignity in a heathen empire; both are shining examples of loyalty to God and to virtue. 1. Daniel is the name of two. or perhaps three, other persons mentioned in the Bible. (a) The second son of David by Abigail the Carmelitess. 1 Chr 3:1. He is, however, called Chileab in 2 Sam 3:3. (b) A priest of the family of Ithamar, mentioned, Ezr 8:2, as having returned with Ezra. He is probably again spoken of in Neh 10:6 among those who sealed the covenant drawn up by Nehemiah, b.c. 445.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'daniel' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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