Daniel From ATW

The Book of
DANIEL
DANIEL IS THE ONLY PROPHET known to have lived the vast majority of his life
in a pagan society. Probably born in Jerusalem, he was deported to Babylon in
605 b.c., where he was immediately placed in a reeducation program to prepare
him to serve in the same government that destroyed Jerusalem. He likely became
the most powerful Jew of the Exile and its aftermath, serving at least three kings
and two governments in a career that spanned nearly seventy years.
Daniel powerfully models how to live and work among people who do not follow God.
Although Christians can be found at every level of our own society, we often do not profoundly
influence the people around us. We are often where we should be, but we are not always what
we should be.
Daniel lived up to the courage of his convictions. In a thoroughly godless culture, after
decades of working at the highest levels of government, he could be accused of nothing worse
than continuing to honor his God.
The Book of Daniel comprises two distinct sections. Chapters 16 offer historical highlights
from the lives of Daniel and three other Jewish captives, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
Chapters 712 record visions of future events given to Daniel beginning about 553b.c.
These prophecies are often seen as a panoramic world history from Daniels time to the
Second Coming, although some argue that his prophecies were fulfilled in the centuries soon
after Daniels lifetime. No matter how we interpret these visions, they point to the fundamental
truth that God is Lord of the nations.
Although much of this book refers to Daniel in the third person, he is nevertheless believed
to be its author. There is no narration of Daniels call to be a prophet, but we observe that he
had a supernatural ability to interpret dreams and visions (Dan.1:17; 2:1923) and that God
gave him visions (chs.712). His career gives a time frame for the book of 605 to 539b.c. Daniel
lived almost all of his life in Babylon, but his prophecies are worldwide in scope.
Key Events in Daniel

Daniel and his three friends refuse to eat the kings food (Dan.1).
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzars dream (Dan.2).
Daniels three friends are thrown into a fiery furnace (Dan.3).
Nebuchadnezzar is reduced to living like a wild animal (Dan.4).
Daniel interprets the writing on the wall (Dan.5).
Daniel is protected in a lions den (Dan.6).
Daniel sees visions of the future (Dan.712).
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DANIE L
Daniel and His Friends Obey God
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and
besieged it. 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim
king of Judah into his hand, with some of
the articles of the house of God, which he
carried into the land of Shinar to the house
of his god; and he brought the articles into
the treasure house of his god.
3T hen the king instructed Ashpenaz,
the master of his eunuchs, to bring some
of the children of Israel and some of the
kings descendants and some of the nobles, 4young men in whom there was no
blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all
wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick
to understand, who had ability to serve in
the kings palace, and whom they might
teach the language and literature of the
Chaldeans. 5And the king appointed for
them a daily provision of the kings delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and
three years of training for them, so that
at the end of that time they might serve
before the king. 6Now from among those
of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7To them the
chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave
DANIEL
Dan.1:6
Name means: God Is My Judge.
Also known as: Belteshazzar (Bel Protect His
Life; Dan.1:7).
Not to be confused with: A man who returned to Jerusalem in Ezras time (Ezra 8:2;
Neh.10:6).
Home: Probably Jerusalem until he was deported to Babylon (c.605 b.c.).
Occupation: Advisor to Babylonian and Median rulers; prophet of the Lord.
Noted for: His extraordinary wisdom and
ability to interpret dreams by Gods power
(Dan.1:17, 20; 2:47; 4:18).
Best known as: The source of one of the Old
Testaments four major prophetic books and
as a man who stood for God in a sometimes
hostile culture.
More: Jeremiah and Ezekiel were Daniels contemporaries. For perspective on this chaotic period of Judahs history, see The Life and Times
of Jeremiah at Jer.1:3 and The Life and Times
of Ezekiel at Ezek.1:1.
Think About It: How will you imitate Daniel as
you live as a God-follower within your culture?
See A Secular Education at Dan.1:4 for ideas.
Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and

to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8But Daniel purposed in his heart that
he would not defile himself with the portion of the kings delicacies, nor with the
wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might
not defile himself. 9Now God had brought
Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the
chief of the eunuchs. 10And the chief of
the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord
the king, who has appointed your food and
Stand for Right

Dan.1:8
Right from the start of their careers, Dan
iel and his three companions made up
their minds to stand for Gods values. As
ambassadors-
in-
training in Babylon, they
declined to eat the specially prepared food
provided by the government.
Scripture does not explain the motives
behind their decision. The food may have
been offered to idols or blessed by pagan
priests, making it ritually unclean according to Jewish law and thus a compromise
of their faith. Accepting the royal food
may have been a sign of loyalty to King
Nebuchadnezzar and a means of obligating
the four men to his service. Or the youths
may have deemed the rich food and drink of
the kings table excessively indulgent.
The important point is that once the four
friends realized that eating the kings provisions would result in defilement, they took
a stand. They refused to just go along.
Discerning right from wrong is a matter
of intellect and truth. But correct thinking
must be paired with courage to do right,
which is a matter of the will. Ethics and morality often have less to do with the head
than with the heart. Based on well-reasoned
principles, Daniel and his friends committed
their hearts to what they should or should
not do. Then they carried out their plan with
determination.
As we face ethical choices, we can choose
to stand for right, certain that God will give
us strength to deal with whatever consequences come our way. The cost of losing our
integrity is infinitely greater than whatever it
costs to keep it.
More: Psalm 15 lists ten marks of integrity. See
An Inventory of Integrity at Ps.15:1. Scripture
tells us to abhor what is evil and cling to what
is good (Rom.12:9) even if that means speaking out against hidden wrongs. See Blowing the
Whistle with Wisdom at Jer.37:13, 14.
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A Secular Education
Dan.1:4
As a young noble, Daniel was deported to Babylon and placed in a program to learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans, a curriculum that exposed him to practical skills that
included mathematics and glassmaking. It also covered subjects opposed to God: sorcery, astrology, and other occult arts; myths, legends, and lore from ancient Chaldea; and prayers and
hymns to Babylonian gods. It was a systematic course of study based on a polytheistic and
idolatrous worldview.
The purpose of this three-year program was
Babylonian education against Gods
to develop Daniel to serve before the king
absolute truth.
(Dan.1:5). Daniel was undergoing preparation 4. Daniel was exposed to Babylonian
for a lifetime of employment within a pagan
culture but did not succumb to it. Daniel
government, a vast departure from the teachmaintained distinctive beliefs and values
ing he would have received during the days of
even after a lifetime in the service of
godly King Josiah.
pagan kings (6:4, 5, 10, 22). Christians face
As we struggle to understand how Daniels
a challenge to remain in the world but
situation might apply to how we prepare
not of the world (John 17:15, 16). If we
Christian youth to live and work in a secular
compromise our beliefs the minute we
society, there are several points to keep in
encounter competing belief systems, the
mind:
world will see no modern-day Daniels.
5. Daniel did not altogether reject Babylonian
1. Daniel began in a godly environment.
culture. While Daniel objected to eating
Although not explicit in the Bible account,
the kings food (Dan.1:8), he apparently
there is little question Daniel came from
did not protest reading the kings books,
a family that revered God and obeyed
listening to the kings instructors, or
the Law. Daniel would have had to
thinking about the kings ideas. We might
have learned his bold, resolute, godly
argue that he had little choice but to
convictions somewhere (1:8). Given what
cooperate, but the incident with the food
we know about ancient Jewish culture,
shows otherwise. It seems Daniel was able
the most plausible explanation is he had
to reject what was unworthy and keep
been raised in a spiritually nurturing
what was useful. He not only survived but
family. Whatever choices we make about
thrived.
our childrens education, training in Gods
6. Daniel did not act alone. Three other
ways begins at home. Formal education
like-minded youths shared Daniels
may or may not build on that foundation,
challenges of living under Babylonian rule
but it can never replace it.
(1:6). Standing against ungodly aspects
2. Daniel had God-given intelligence and
of our surrounding culture is easier to
discernment. Daniel was a person of great
do alongside other followers of God.
intelligence, a gift that enabled him to
Going it alone means forgoing support,
discern how to serve God and how to
encouragement, and prayer that are vital
make the most of a superb education.
to resisting conformity.
This fact implies that parents today
should consider their childrens talents
and God-given bent as they choose
between educational alternatives.
3. Daniels Babylonian education occurred
in a secondary setting. Daniel was likely
about fifteen or sixteen years old when
he was deported to Babylon. His training
in the kings service was in preparation
for a specific career, similar to modern
vocational, college, and graduate
programs. He formed his fundamental
views about the world as a young boy in
Judah. He brought with him to Babylon
a worldview based on Gods law. This
foundation enabled him to test his
These observations imply Christians have

freedom to actively participate in culture even
when parts of that culture oppose God. Much
of modern culture may be irrelevant, but
much is not. Wise followers of God learn to
discern the difference and act appropriately.
More: Moses and Paul were other leaders whose

educations helped shape how God would use
them. See The Value of Preparation at Ex.2:11
and Answering the Intellectuals at Acts 17:15
34. Johannes Kepler, Michael Polanyi, and George
Washington Carver were all brilliant scientists
who also followed God.
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1025
drink. For why should he see your faces
looking worse than the young men who
are your age? Then you would endanger
my head before the king.
11So Daniel said to the stewarda whom
the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Please test your servants for ten days,
and let them give us vegetables to eat and
water to drink. 13T hen let our appearance
be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion
of the kings delicacies; and as you see fit,
so deal with your servants. 14So he consented with them in this matter, and tested
them ten days.
15And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh
than all the young men who ate the portion
of the kings delicacies. 16T hus the steward
took away their portion of delicacies and
the wine that they were to drink, and gave
them vegetables.
17As for these four young men, God gave
them knowledge and skill in all literature
and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18Now at the end of the days, when the
king had said that they should be brought
in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them
in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19T hen the
king intervieweda them, and among them
all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they
served before the king. 20And in all matters
Native Talent and Supernatural

AbilityDan.1:17
The statement that God gave four young men
unusual intellectual and spiritual abilities
may make us wonder if we should ask God
to give us abilities that we do not ordinarily
possess.
God can do whatever He wants. Scripture
records cases in which faith took people far
beyond what they were naturally capable of
doing. Frightened people trusted God, for
example, and out of weakness were made
strong (Heb. 11:34). But unusual abilities
given by God seem to be consistent with a
persons general bent and make use of abilities already present. Daniel and his friends
offer an example of this. God gave them unusual insight, even to the point of interpreting visions and dreams. But they had always
been smart and quick to learn (Dan.1:4).
This connection between native talent
and supernatural ability is consistent with
God crafting us to carry out His special purposes for our life. Our prayers should start
with looking for ways to use what the Lord
has already given us, but we can always leave
room for God to surprise us with unusual
even supernaturalresults.
Daniel 2:3
of wisdom and understanding about which

the king examined them, he found them ten
times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21T hus
Daniel continued until the first year of
King Cyrus.
Nebuchadnezzars Dream
ow in the second year of Nebuchad

N
nezzars reign, Nebuchadnezzar had
dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that
his sleep left him. 2T hen the king gave the
command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to
tell the king his dreams. So they came and
stood before the king. 3And the king said to
1:11aHebrew Melzar, also in verse16

1:19aLiterally talked with them
Daniel: Advisor to Kings

Dan.1:19
Scripture presents Daniel as the only Hebrew
prophet to spend his career working as a
public servant in pagan empires outside of
Israel. He served at least three kings and two
governments over nearly seventy years
from around 605 b.c. to at least 539 b.c.
Throughout his life, Daniel maintained a
reputation for unimpeachable integrity and
commitment to God.
If scholars are correct that Daniel was
born around 620 b.c., he would have grown
up under King Josiahs spiritual and political
reforms (c.640609 b.c.). Little else is known
of Daniels background except that his family probably had connections to Judahs royal
court (Dan.1:3). This noble status would explain his place among the first Jews deported
to Babylon.
Daniel may have been no more than fifteen or sixteen years old at the time of his
deportation, but his extraordinary intelligence and wisdom (1:4, 17) distinguished
him from fellow exiles. He later used these
God-given gifts to advise kings and interpret
dreams, but his motivation for work always
seemed to come less from displaying intellectual prowess than from furthering Gods
purposes. He had a heart for the Lord (1:8),
which he maintained through a habit of
prayer (2:17, 18; 6:10; 9:3, 4).
Daniels spiritual commitment and strategic placement enabled him to boldly
confront kings with Gods truths (2:28; 4:26,
3436; 5:23; 6:22). In effect, he served as an
evangelist to his peoples captors.
Daniel had to overcome prejudice, persecution, and temptation to remain loyal to
God. His life demonstrates that it is not only
permissible but also possible to work in the
world of governments and business and still
honor God (6:4, 5).
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Daniel 2:4
1026
them, I have had a dream, and my spirit is

anxious to know the dream.
4T hen the Chaldeans spoke to the king
in Aramaic,a O king, live forever! Tell your
servants the dream, and we will give the
interpretation.
5T he king answered and said to the
Chaldeans, My decision is firm: if you
do not make known the dream to me, and
its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash
heap. 6However, if you tell the dream and
its interpretation, you shall receive from me
gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore
tell me the dream and its interpretation.
7T hey answered again and said, Let
the king tell his servants the dream, and
we will give its interpretation.
8T he king answered and said, I know
for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: 9if
you do not make known the dream to me,
there is only one decree for you! For you
have agreed to speak lying and corrupt
words before me till the time has changed.
Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall
know that you can give me its interpretation.
10T he Chaldeans answered the king,
and said, There is not a man on earth
who can tell the kings matter; therefore
no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such
things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. 11It is a difficult thing that the king
requests, and there is no other who can tell
it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
12For this reason the king was angry
and very furious, and gave the command
to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13So
the decree went out, and they began killing
the wise men; and they sought Daniel and
his companions, to kill them.
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzars Dream
14T hen with counsel and wisdom Daniel

answered Arioch, the captain of the kings
guard, who had gone out to kill the wise
men of Babylon; 15he answered and said to
Arioch the kings captain, Why is the decree from the king so urgent? Then Arioch
made the decision known to Daniel.
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king
A Kingdom of Sorcerers
Dan.2:2
Many ancient cultures engaged in occult
practices, but the Babylonians stood out for
institutionalizing magical arts as part of their
government. They were especially known for
their extensive use of astrology, which was
one of the reasons God severely condemned
Babylon. Scripture repeatedly warns Gods
people against the occult. See The Seduction
of Spirits at Deuteronomy 18:914.
to give him time, that he might tell the king

the interpretation. 17T hen Daniel went to
his house, and made the decision known to
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies
from the God of heaven concerning this
secret, so that Daniel and his companions
might not perish with the rest of the wise
men of Babylon. 19T hen the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel
blessed the God of heaven.
20Daniel answered and said:
Blessed be the name of God forever
and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the
seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have
understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.
23 I
thank You and praise You,

O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me
what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the
kings demand.
Daniel Explains theDream
24T herefore Daniel went to Arioch,

whom the king had appointed to destroy
the wise men of Babylon. He went and said
thus to him: Do not destroy the wise men
of Babylon; take me before the king, and I
will tell the king the interpretation.
25T hen Arioch quickly brought Daniel
before the king, and said thus to him, I
have found a man of the captivesa of Judah, who will make known to the king the
interpretation.
26T he king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are
you able to make known to me the dream
which I have seen, and its interpretation?
27Daniel answered in the presence of
the king, and said, The secret which the
king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28But there
is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and
He has made known to King Nebuchad
nezzar what will be in the latter days. Your
dream, and the visions of your head upon
your bed, were these: 29As for you, Oking,
thoughts came to your mind while on your
bed, about what would come to pass after
this; and He who reveals secrets has made
known to you what will be. 30But as for
me, this secret has not been revealed to me
because I have more wisdom than anyone
2:4aThe original language of Daniel 2:4b

through 7:28 is Aramaic. 2:25aLiterally of
the sons of the captivity
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living, but for our sakes who make known
the interpretation to the king, and that you
may know the thoughts of your heart.
31You, Oking, were watching; and
behold, a great image! This great image,
whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32T his
images head was of fine gold, its chest
and arms of silver, its belly and thighsa
of bronze, 33its legs of iron, its feet partly
of iron and partly of clay.a 34You watched
while a stone was cut out without hands,
which struck the image on its feet of iron
and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35T hen
the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver,
and the gold were crushed together, and
became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so
Daniel 2:40
that no trace of them was found. And the

stone that struck the image became a great
mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 This is the dream. Now we will tell
the interpretation of it before the king.
37You, Oking, are a king of kings. For the
God of heaven has given you a kingdom,
power, strength, and glory; 38and wherever
the children of men dwell, or the beasts of
the field and the birds of the heaven, He has
given them into your hand, and has made
you ruler over them allyou are this head
of gold. 39But after you shall arise another
kingdom inferior to yours; then another,
a third kingdom of bronze, which shall
rule over all the earth. 40And the fourth
2:32aOr sides 2:33aOr baked clay, and so in
verses34, 35, and 42
Models of Faith in Hostile Societies

Dan.2:48, 49
There is no single correct way for how Gods people should respond to a culture hostile to faith.
In the Old Testament, God called the Israelites to develop their own society. He designed laws to
keep out pagan influences. But He also sent many Old Testament and New Testament followers
into the world to impact unbelieving cultures.
As we reflect on our relationship to societies that are hostile to Christian faith, it helps to
consider Old Testament figures who found ways to honor God even after they were plucked
from safety and placed in unfriendly circumstances:
Joseph (Gen.3747)
Sold as a slave and taken to Egypt but maintained his godly character
despite recurring setbacks.
A model of integrity during both adversity and prosperity.
Daniel, Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-
Nego (Dan.16)
Taken to Babylon as prisoners of war and trained for service in a pagan

government.
Models of integrity and commitment to the Lord while serving
unbelievers.
Nehemiah (Neh.16)
A strategically placed official in the Persian court who was allowed to

rebuild Jerusalems wall.
A model of leveraging position to accomplish Gods purposes while
overcoming opposition.
Esther and Mordecai

(the Book of Esther)
Members of an ethnic minority who found themselves in a position to

influence a godless king.
Models of acting courageously and wisely in order to withstand evil.
The people in the table above had several

things in common:
They were all laypeople. They were not
among the priests or Levites, so they had
no vocational imperative for exercising
faith in their day-to-day work. Yet they
carried out Gods purposes faithfully.
They were all believers living in foreign
lands. These followers of God did
a better job of obeying the Lord in
antagonistic societies than some of their
contemporaries did back in a Judean
society that had been formed around a
covenant with God.
They all remained committed to God, His
people, and His Word. The pressures of
surrounding cultures deepened their

spiritual commitments. They were aware of
a larger purpose beyond their immediate
circumstances, which enabled them to act
wisely. While others surrendered to their
culture, these followers of God held on to
their fundamental convictions.
More: Esther John secretly converted from Islam
to Christianity after reading Gods promise of a
suffering Servant in Is.53, and soon became a
victim of a hostile society when her new faith was
discovered as she engaged in ministry. Today a
statue of her stands at the center of ten martyrs of
the twentieth century at Westminster Abbey.
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Daniel 2:41
1028
kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters
everything; and like iron that crushes, that
kingdom will break in pieces and crush all
the others. 41W hereas you saw the feet and
toes, partly of potters clay and partly of
iron, the kingdom shall be divided; yet the
strength of the iron shall be in it, just as
you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay.
42 And as the toes of the feet were partly
of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom
shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
43As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay,
they will mingle with the seed of men; but
they will not adhere to one another, just as
iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the
days of these kings the God of heaven will
set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left
to other people; it shall break in pieces and
consume all these kingdoms, and it shall
stand forever. 45Inasmuch as you saw that
the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the
iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and
the goldthe great God has made known to
the king what will come to pass after this.
The dream is certain, and its interpretation
is sure.
languages, 5that at the time you hear the

sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and
psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of
music, you shall fall down and worship the
gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar has
set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down
and worship shall be cast immediately into
the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7So at that time, when all the people
heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp,
and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages
fell down and worshiped the gold image
which King Nebuchadnezzar had setup.
Daniels Friends Disobey theKing
8T herefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the
Jews. 9T hey spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever! 10You,
Oking, have made a decree that everyone
who hears the sound of the horn, flute,
harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with
all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11and whoever does
not fall down and worship shall be cast
into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
12T here are certain Jews whom you have
set over the affairs of the province of Bab
ylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego;
Daniel and His Friends Promoted
these men, Oking, have not paid due re46T hen King Nebuchadnezzar fell on
gard to you. They do not serve your gods
his face, prostrate before Daniel, and com- or worship the gold image which you have
manded that they should present an of- set up.
13T hen Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and
fering and incense to him. 47T he king answered Daniel, and said, Truly your God fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach,
is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a
revealer of secrets, since you could reveal 2:49aThat is, the kings court
this secret. 48T hen the king promoted
Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and
SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND
he made him ruler over the whole province
of Babylon, and chief administrator over
ABED-N EGODan.3:12
49
all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel
petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach,
Names mean: Command of [the God] Aku
Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs
(Shadrach); The Shadow of the Prince (Meof the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat
shach); Servant of Nebo (Abed-Nego).
in the gatea of the king.
Also known as: Hananiah (The Lord Is
TheImage ofGold
GraciousShadrach); Mishael (Who Is What
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an
God Is?Meshach); Azariah (The Lord Has
image of gold, whose height was sixty
HelpedAbed-Nego).
cubits and its width six cubits. He set it
up in the plain of Dura, in the province of
Home: Probably Jerusalem until they were
Babylon. 2And King Nebuchadnezzar sent
deported to Babylon (c.605 b.c.).
word to gather together the satraps, the adOccupation: Officials who served the Babministrators, the governors, the counselors,
ylonian king (Dan.1:19; 2:49; 3:12).
the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates,
and all the officials of the provinces, to
Best known as: Daniels close friends who recome to the dedication of the image which
fused to bow to an idolatrous gold image set
3
King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. So the
up by King Nebuchadnezzar; they were cast
satraps, the administrators, the governors,
into a fiery furnace but delivered by the Lord
the counselors, the treasurers, the judges,
(3:130).
the magistrates, and all the officials of the
provinces gathered together for the dediThink About It: How, specifically, do you show
cation of the image that King Nebuchadfriendship to another believer? Include names
nezzar had set up; and they stood before
and places. How does your friendship strengthen
the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set
4
up. T hen a herald cried aloud: To you
this believer to obey God?
it is commanded, Opeoples, nations, and
6/1/16 11:55 AM
1029
Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought
these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, Is it true,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that
you do not serve my gods or worship the
gold image which I have set up? 15Now
if you are ready at the time you hear the
sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and
psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do
not worship, you shall be cast immediately
into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
And who is the god who will deliver you
from my hands?
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you
in this matter. 17If that is the case, our God
whom we serve is able to deliver us from
the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, Oking. 18But if
not, let it be known to you, Oking, that we
do not serve your gods, nor will we worship
the gold image which you have set up.
Daniel 3:24
Saved in Fiery Trial
19T hen Nebuchadnezzar was full

of fury, and the expression on his face
changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded
that they heat the furnace seven times
more than it was usually heated. 20And he
commanded certain mighty men of valor
who were in his army to bind Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them
into the burning fiery furnace. 21T hen
these men were bound in their coats, their
trousers, their turbans, and their other
garments, and were cast into the midst
of the burning fiery furnace. 22T herefore,
because the kings command was urgent,
and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame
of the fire killed those men who took up
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23And
these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst
of the burning fiery furnace.
24T hen King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke,
Bowing to God Alone

Dan.3:7
The Bible calls us to obey earthly authorities (Rom.13:17). But it also holds up examples of
godly people who resisted human orders that violated Gods commands (Acts 4:1322). There is
no simple formula to relieve this tension; the inherent conflict requires us to rely on God rather
than on a list of dos and donts.
If we never feel tension between the authority of God and the mandates of human
beings, we should wonder where our commitments lie. Apparently hardly anyone in
Babylon felt any anxiety about bowing down
to Nebuchadnezzars ninety-
foot-
tall golden
image (Dan.3:812), or if they did, they feared
the fiery furnace (3:6) more than anything else.
But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-
Nego
would not submit. They refused to violate the
first and second commandments prohibitions
against idolatry (Ex. 20:35). The refusal of
these provincial governors to bow so outraged
the king that he immediately threw the men
into a superheated furnace (3:19
23). This
brazen act of disloyalty to the king was a courageous act of loyalty to the Lord.
A similar incident occurred years later,
during the reign of Darius. Informers exposed
Daniel for violating a decree against praying
to any god or ruler except the king (6:613).
The outcome was similar. Daniel was thrown
to the lions (6:16).
On both occasions, God delivered His faithful followers from deaththough not from
the threat of death. Their courageous stand
influenced others to fear God and also resulted in suppressing their enemies (3:2629;
6:2127).
Is this how Christians today should respond
to laws they disagree with? Again, there are no

simple answers. But the following questions
may help us discover Gods will:
1. Is this truly a matter of biblical
principleor preference, taste, or style?
2. Why do I take issue with what I am being
asked to do? Is it an issue of conscience
and moralityor something else,
such as a personality conflict or simple
discomfort?
3. Have I made an effort to understand what
is required of me? Have I checked my
perceptions by telling those in authority
what I think I heard?
4. Do I understand how this conflicts with
godly values? Have I studied Gods Word,
prayed for insight, and thought things
through?
5. Is this an either/or situation, or are there
alternatives that might satisfy everyone
involved? Like Daniel, can I come up with
a creative alternative to my superiors
command (1:816)?
More: scar Romero, archbishop of El Salvador
rightly took a stand against his hostile society in
order to bow to God alone. He fiercely protested
rampant poverty, oppression, and violence (including state-supported death squads).
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 3:25
1030
saying to his counselors, Did we not cast

three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said to the king,
True, Oking.
25 Look! he answered, I see four men
loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and
they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth
is like the Son of God.a
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
not serve nor worship any god except their

own God! 29T herefore I make a decree that
any people, nation, or language which
speaks anything amiss against the God of
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall
be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be
made an ash heap; because there is no other
God who can deliver like this.
30T hen the king promoted Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province
of Babylon.
26T hen Nebuchadnezzar went near the

mouth of the burning fiery furnace and
spoke, saying, Shadrach, Meshach, and Nebuchadnezzars Second Dream
Nebuchadnezzar the king,
Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God,
come out, and come here. Then Shadrach,
To all peoples, nations, and languages
Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the
that dwell in all the earth:
midst of the fire. 27And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the kings counPeace be multiplied to you.
selors gathered together, and they saw
these men on whose bodies the fire had no 2 I thought it good to declare the signs
and wonders that the Most High God
power; the hair of their head was not singed
has worked forme.
nor were their garments affected, and the
smell of fire was not on them.
3 How great are His signs,
28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying,
And how mighty His wonders!
Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach,
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angela and
And His dominion is from generation
delivered His servants who trusted in Him,
to generation.
and they have frustrated the kings word,
and yielded their bodies, that they should 3:25aOr a son of the gods 3:28aOr angel
THE REIGN OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR
Defeats the
Egyptians at
Carchemish
(c. 605 b.c.).
Commands the
Babylonian
army in
campaigns
against the
Assyrians
(c. 606 b.c.).
Besieges Jerusalem
again, replaces
Jehoiakim with
Jehoiachin, then later
deports Jehoiachin
and other leading
citizens to Babylon
(c. 599597 b.c.).
(Daniel 4:1)
Captures
and destroys
Jerusalem
(587 b.c.).
Invades Egypt
(568567 b.c.).
Sacks
Ashkelon
(c. 601 b.c.).
610
b.c.
Becomes king
of Babylon after
the death of his
father Nabopo
lassar (c. 605 b.c.).
600
b.c.
590
b.c.
Survives an
uprising in
Babylon
(c. 596 b.c.).
Besieges Jerusalem, takes

Daniel and other noble
citizens captive, and begins
accepting tribute from
kingdoms formerly controlled
by Egypt: Judah, Tyre, Sidon,
and Damascus (c. 605 b.c.).
580
b.c.
570
b.c.
Begins a
thirteen-year
siege of Tyre
(c. 582 b.c.).
560
b.c.
Dies and is
succeeded by
Evil-Merodach
(c. 562 b.c.).
Orders the
construction of
the Ishtar Gate
(c. 575 b.c.).
6/1/16 11:55 AM
1031
4
I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my

house, and flourishing in my palace.
5I saw a dream which made me afraid,
and the thoughts on my bed and
the visions of my head troubled me.
6T herefore I issued a decree to bring
in all the wise men of Babylon before
me, that they might make known to
me the interpretation of the dream.
7T hen the magicians, the astrologers,
the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers
came in, and I told them the dream;
but they did not make known to
me its interpretation. 8But at last
Daniel came before me (his name is
Belteshazzar, according to the name
of my god; in him is the Spirit of the
Holy God), and I told the dream before
him, saying: 9Belteshazzar, chief of
the magicians, because I know that the
Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no
secret troubles you, explain to me the
visions of my dream that I have seen,
and its interpretation.
10 These
were the visions of my head

while on my bed:
I was looking, and behold,

A tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11 The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all
the earth.
12 Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The beasts of the field found shade
under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its
branches,
And all flesh was fed fromit.
13
17
18
This decision is by the decree of the

watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the
holy ones,
In order that the living may know
This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar,

have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar,
declare its interpretation, since all
the wise men of my kingdom are
not able to make known to me the
interpretation; but you are able, for the
Spirit of the Holy God is in you.
Daniel Explains theSecond Dream

19
Then Daniel, whose name was

Belteshazzar, was astonished for
a time, and his thoughts troubled
him. So the king spoke, and said,
Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or
its interpretation trouble you.
Belteshazzar answered and
said, My lord, may the dream
concern those who hate you, and its
interpretation concern your enemies!
20
The tree that you saw, which grew

and became strong, whose height
reached to the heavens and which
could be seen by all the earth, 21whose
leaves were lovely and its fruit
abundant, in which was food for all,
under which the beasts of the field
dwelt, and in whose branches the birds
of the heaven had their home22it
is you, Oking, who have grown and
become strong; for your greatness has
grown and reaches to the heavens, and
your dominion to the end of the earth.
23
And inasmuch as the king saw a

watcher, a holy one, coming down
from heaven and saying, Chop down
the tree and destroy it, but leave its
stump and roots in the earth, bound
with a band of iron and bronze in the
tender grass of the field; let it be wet
with the dew of heaven, and let him
graze with the beasts of the field, till
seven times pass over him; 24this is
the interpretation, Oking, and this is
the decree of the Most High, which
has come upon my lord the king:
25T hey shall drive you from men, your
dwelling shall be with the beasts of
the field, and they shall make you eat
grass like oxen. They shall wet you
with the dew of heaven, and seven
times shall pass over you, till you
know that the Most High rules in
the kingdom of men, and gives it to
whomever He chooses.
26
And inasmuch as they gave the

command to leave the stump and roots
of the tree, your kingdom shall be
assured to you, after you come to know
that Heaven rules. 27T herefore, Oking,
let my advice be acceptable to you;
I saw in the visions of my head while

on my bed, and there was a watcher, a
holy one, coming down from heaven.
14 He cried aloud and said thus:
Chop down the tree and cut off its

branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
Let the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15 Nevertheless leave the stump and
roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16 Let his heart be changed from that of
a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven timesa pass over him.
Daniel 4:27
That the Most High rules in the
kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men.
4:16aPossibly seven years, and so in verses23,

25, and 32
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 4:28
1032
break off your sins by being righteous,

and your iniquities by showing mercy
to the poor. Perhaps there may be a
lengthening of your prosperity.
Nebuchadnezzars Humiliation
28 All
this came upon King Neb

uchadnezzar. 29At the end of the
twelve months he was walking about
the royal palace of Babylon. 30T he
king spoke, saying, Is not this great
Babylon, that I have built for a royal
dwelling by my mighty power and for
the honor of my majesty?
31
While the word was still in the kings

mouth, a voice fell from heaven: King
Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken:
the kingdom has departed from you!
32 And they shall drive you from men,
and your dwelling shall be with the
beasts of the field. They shall make
you eat grass like oxen; and seven
times shall pass over you, until you
know that the Most High rules in
the kingdom of men, and gives it to
33
That very hour the word was fulfilled

concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was
driven from men and ate grass like

oxen; his body was wet with the dew
of heaven till his hair had grown like
eagles feathers and his nails like
birds claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

34
And at the end of the timea I,

Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes
to heaven, and my understanding
returned to me; and I blessed the Most
High and praised and honored Him
who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting

dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation
to generation.
35 All the inhabitants of the earth are
reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the
army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the
earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, What have You done?
36
At the same time my reason returned

to me, and for the glory of my
4:34aLiterally days
Heaven Rules
Dan.4:26, 27
The spiritual health of a society can be seen
in its treatment of the poor. Those that honor God show kindness to and provide tools
for the weak and disadvantaged. Those that
have abandoned His commands abuse them.
King Nebuchadnezzar had plenty of reasons to be proud. He won countless military
battles. His empire spanned the Middle East.
He reigned over a grand capital city that was
home to one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. Wealth, power, and prestige
were his. But all of these factors caused his
heart to so swell with pride that he forgot a
basic truth: Heaven rules.
God used King Nebuchadnezzars dreams
to warn that judgment was coming (Dan.4:1
26), and Daniel challenged the king to change
his ways before it was too late. He told the
king: Break off your sins by being righteous,
and your iniquities by showing mercy to the
poor (4:27).
The king apparently disregarded Daniels
advice, persisting in arrogance and ignoring
God. The Lord soon took away his position
and power (4:33) until he admitted that
Heaven rules (4:34, 35). He subsequently instituted a reign based on truth, justice, and
humility (4:36, 37).
What are our attitudes toward the poor?
Do we work to ensure them justice? How can
we demonstrate that commitment at home,
at work, and in our communities?
God at Work for His People

Dan.4:27
Most of the Jews deported to Babylon resettled along the Chebar River, a canal northeast of the capital city. They were likely conscripted for labor on Nebuchadnezzars vast
building projects. The Jews were free to live
in their own communities but depended on
the Babylonians for work. In other words, the
situation left them poor and with little hope
of changing their circumstances. They lived
in enclaves with few freedoms, r esources, or
advocates.
But Daniel fought for the poor within the
government. We do not know how much
contact he had with the exiles. They may
have been unaware of him, but he was never
unmindful of them. God was at work on behalf of the Jews even if they were unaware
of it.
God has His people everywhere, in places
and positions that we may never imagine.
Daniels strategic placement demonstrates
that God never leaves Himself without a
means of accomplishing His purposes. He
has a way of putting the right person at the
right place at the right time.
More: Joseph was another Old Testament figure strategically placed by God to accomplish
His purposes. See Work in the Real World
at Gen.41:4246 and Feeding the World at
Gen.41:57.
6/1/16 11:55 AM
1033
kingdom, my honor and splendor
returned to me. My counselors and
nobles resorted to me, I was restored
to my kingdom, and excellent
majesty was added to me. 37Now I,
Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and
honor the King of heaven, all of whose
works are truth, and His ways justice.
And those who walk in pride He is able
to put down.
Belshazzars Feast
elshazzar the king made a great feast

B
for a thousand of his lords, and drank
wine in the presence of the thousand.
2W hile he tasted the wine, Belshazzar gave
the command to bring the gold and silver
vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had
been in Jerusalem, that the king and his
lords, his wives, and his concubines might
drink from them. 3T hen they brought the
gold vessels that had been taken from the
temple of the house of God which had been
in Jerusalem; and the king and his lords,
his wives, and his concubines drank from
them. 4T hey drank wine, and praised the
gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron,
wood and stone.
5In the same hour the fingers of a mans
hand appeared and wrote opposite the
Daniel 5:11
lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the

kings palace; and the king saw the part
of the hand that wrote. 6T hen the kings
countenance changed, and his thoughts
troubled him, so that the joints of his hips
were loosened and his knees knocked
against each other. 7T he king cried aloud
to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans,
and the soothsayers. The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, Whoever
reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and
have a chain of gold around his neck; and
he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
8Now all the kings wise men came, but
they could not read the writing, or make
known to the king its interpretation. 9T hen
King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his
countenance was changed, and his lords
were astonished.
10T he queen, because of the words of
the king and his lords, came to the banquet
hall. The queen spoke, saying, O king, live
forever! Do not let your thoughts trouble
you, nor let your countenance change.
11T here is a man in your kingdom in whom
is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the
days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the
gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your fatheryour father the
Third-i n-C ommand

Dan.5:7
Terrified by the appearance of a hand and its cryptic message on the wall, Belshazzar offered
to elevate anyone able to interpret the message to the position of third ruler in the kingdom.
Third-in-command may have been the best he could offer; Belshazzar may have regarded
himself as second-in-command of the empire. His father Nabonidus was the supreme ruler of
Babylon between about 555 b.c. and 539 b.c., but he left the capital in the hands of his son while
he waged military campaigns for ten years in Arabia. Belshazzar allowed the kingdom to slip
into the hands of the Persians, and Nabonidus was captured on his return to the city.
Think About It: Terror can be a good learning learned during a frightening time that still nurmotivation. But then we can forget the lessons tures the way you serve God?
when we no longer feel scared. What have you
Government Employees in the Bible

Dan.5:11, 12
Daniel spent most of his career in the highest levels of the Babylonian government working
as King Nebuchadnezzars chief advisor (compare Dan.1:1821). The Bible tells of others who
served God in government positions:
Joseph (Gen.3950)
Sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, where God
arranged for him to eventually become second only to Pharaoh.
Caleb (Num.1314)
Spied for Moses when the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan. Years later,
he helped divide the land.
Joshua (Num.1314;
Josh.1:13:17)
Served alongside Caleb and later succeeded Moses as Israels leader.
continued on next page
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 5:12
1034
kingmade him chief of the magicians,

astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.
12Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams,
solving riddles, and explaining enigmasa
were found in this Daniel, whom the king
named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be
called, and he will give the interpretation.
TheWriting on theWall Explained
have a chain of gold around your neck, and

shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
17T hen Daniel answered, and said before the king, Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I
will read the writing to the king, and make
known to him the interpretation. 18O king,
the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar
your father a kingdom and majesty, glory
and honor. 19And because of the majesty
that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and
languages trembled and feared before him.
Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever
he wished, he set up; and whomever he
wished, he put down. 20But when his heart
was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened
in pride, he was deposed from his kingly
throne, and they took his glory from him.
21T hen he was driven from the sons of men,
his heart was made like the beasts, and
his dwelling was with the wild donkeys.
They fed him with grass like oxen, and his
body was wet with the dew of heaven, till
13T hen Daniel was brought in before

the king. The king spoke, and said to Daniel, Are you that Daniel who is one of the
captivesa from Judah, whom my father the
king brought from Judah? 14I have heard
of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and
that light and understanding and excellent
wisdom are found in you. 15Now the wise
men, the astrologers, have been brought in
before me, that they should read this writing and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the thing. 16And I have heard of
you, that you can give interpretations and
explain enigmas. Now if you can read the
writing and make known to me its interpre- 5:12aLiterally untying knots, and so in verse16
tation, you shall be clothed with purple and 5:13aLiterally of the sons of the captivity
continued from previous page

Deborah (Judg.45)
Ruled as Israels only female judge. She helped her military commander
achieve victory in battle and led her people in song.
David (1Sam.1631;
2Sam.124)
Rose from obscurity as a shepherd to become Israels preeminent king.
Solomon (1Kin.311)
Succeeded his father David as king. He was best known for wisdom but
also succeeded in trade, building, and amassing wealth. He wrote much of
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and probably the Song of Solomon.
Hezekiah (2Kin.18
20; 2Chr.2932)
Overcame his birth into the family of evil King Ahaz to rule Judah with
unexpected righteousness. He built a strategic water supply system for
Jerusalem.
Nehemiah (Neh.16)
Held captive in Babylon but served as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I. He

secured royal support for returning to Jerusalem to lead its redevelopment.
Esther (the Book of

Esther)
An orphan raised by an older cousin, selected as queen for King Ahasuerus

of Persia. She used her position to foil a genocidal plot against her people.
Matthew (Matt.9:9)
Shunned by his people for collecting taxes for the occupying Roman government. Jesus called him to leave his position and follow Him.
Zacchaeus (Luke
19:19)
Worked as Jerichos chief tax collector. After dining with Jesus, he repaid
everyone he had cheated and gave half his riches to the poor.
A Roman Centurion
(Matt.27:54)
Oversaw the crucifixion of Jesus but came to believe that Jesus was the Son
of God.
The Treasurer
of Ethiopia (Acts
8:2640)
Official under the Ethiopian queen. He met the evangelist Philip and
learned the way of salvation in Christ.
Cornelius (Acts 10)
Roman military commander stationed in Caesarea who obeyed God by

inviting Peter to his home. He and his household became the first known
Gentile followers of Jesus.
The Philippian Jailer

(Acts 16:2036)
Panic-stricken after an earthquake opened cell doors in the jail where he

worked, he was amazed to discover Paul and Silas had not escaped. After
hearing the gospel, he and his family converted to Christianity.
6/1/16 11:55 AM
1035
he knew that the Most High God rules in
the kingdom of men, and appoints over it
22 But you his son, Belshazzar, have not
humbled your heart, although you knew
all this. 23And you have lifted yourself
up against the Lord of heaven. They have
brought the vessels of His house before you,
and you and your lords, your wives and
your concubines, have drunk wine from
them. And you have praised the gods of
silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and
stone, which do not see or hear or know;
and the God who holds your breath in His
hand and owns all your ways, you have not
glorified. 24T hen the fingersa of the hand
were sent from Him, and this writing was
written.
25 And this is the inscription that was
written:
MENE,a MENE, TEKEL,b
UPHARSIN.c
A Competition of Gods
Dan.5:23
Victorious armies in the ancient Middle
East often subdued conquered peoples
by destroying religious shrines and taking
idols and relics back to their own houses of
worship (1Sam.4:10, 11; 5:1, 2). These acts
asserted that the gods of the triumphant
were more powerful than the gods of the
vanquished.
Following this tradition, the Babylonian
king Nebuchadnezzar looted the Israelites
temple following the siege of Jerusalem. He
took untold riches back to Babylon, including
sacred objects carefully set apart for Israels
most holy worship rituals (2 Kin. 25:13
17). Years later, many of these spoils were
brought out at the request of drunken
Belshazzar and used as tableware at a drinking party (Dan. 5:24). Like his predecessor
Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar apparently
thought he had won a game between gods.
But the Lord turned the tables on this foolish king. As Daniel predicted, Belshazzars
city was captured that night, its mighty ziggurats pulled down, its gods removed, and
its king killed (5:30).
There is only one true God (Deut. 6:4;
1 Tim. 2:5). Nations may choose to serve
other gods. But in the end, the God of heaven will prevail. He has said, My name shall
be great among the Gentiles (or nations;
Mal.1:11).
More: The phrase the writings on the wall
came from this event (Dan.5:5). The Lord won
similar contests over other gods when He defeated Pharaoh in Egypt and burned up the altar
Elijah built on Mount Carmel. See Pharaohs
Submission at Ex.12:29.
Daniel 6:4
26T his
is the interpretation of each word.

MENE: God has numbered your kingdom,
and finished it; 27T EKEL: You have been
weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28PERES: Your kingdom has been
divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.a 29T hen Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple
and put a chain of gold around his neck,
and made a proclamation concerning him
that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Belshazzars Fall
30T hat very night Belshazzar, king of

the Chaldeans, was slain. 31And Darius the
Mede received the kingdom, being about
sixty-t wo years old.
ThePlot Against Daniel
I t pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps,
to be over the whole kingdom; 2and over
these, three governors, of whom Daniel
was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 3T hen this Daniel distinguished
himself above the governors and satraps,
because an excellent spirit was in him; and
the king gave thought to setting him over
the whole realm. 4So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against
Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they
could find no charge or fault, because he
was faithful; nor was there any error or
5:24aLiterally palm 5:25aLiterally a mina

(50 shekels) from the verb to number
bLiterally a shekel from the verb to weigh
cLiterally and halfshekels from the verb to
divide 5:28aAramaic Paras, consonant with
Peres
DARIUS THE MEDE

Dan.5:31
Not to be confused with: The later Persian
king Darius I Hystaspis (522485 b.c.; Ezra 4:5),
who helped the Jews who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem (6:112).
Family: Son of Ahasuerus, a Mede (Dan.9:1).
Occupation: King of Babylon after it fell to the
Medes and Persians (539 b.c.; 5:31; 9:1).
Best known as: The ruler who threw Daniel
to the lions (ch.6). Some have challenged the
biblical account because no known extrabiblical sources mention Darius the Mede. An
alternative translation of Dan.6:28 suggests
that Darius may have actually been Cyrus the
Persian.
Think About It: Darius admired Daniel but let
his staff talk him into an assassination attempt
against Daniel. Why? What keeps you doing right
no matter who tries to dissuade you?
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 6:5
1036
fault found in him. 5T hen these men said,

We shall not find any charge against this
Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6 So these governors and satraps
thronged before the king, and said thus
to him: King Darius, live forever! 7All the
governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish
a royal statute and to make a firm decree,
that whoever petitions any god or man for
thirty days, except you, Oking, shall be
cast into the den of lions. 8Now, Oking, establish the decree and sign the writing, so
that it cannot be changed, according to the
law of the Medes and Persians, which does
not alter. 9T herefore King Darius signed
the written decree.
Daniel in theLions Den
10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his
upper room, with his windows open toward
Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees
three times that day, and prayed and gave
thanks before his God, as was his custom
since early days.
11T hen these men assembled and found
Integrity Incites Jealousy, and

RespectDan.6:15
When Darius the Mede conquered Babylon,
he needed experienced managers to maintain civil order, collect taxes, and stimulate
trade. He selected 120 provincial governors
known as satraps, or protectors of the kingdom. Over these he placed three governors,
including Daniel.
Darius chose Daniel because an excellent spirit was in him, that is, he was trustworthy. His reputation was above reproach,
and he was known for refusing to participate
in bribery or extortion. Daniels character so
distinguished him from other officials that
Darius intended to place him over the whole
realm. When Daniels proven leadership resulted in his advancement, his rivals plotted
against him. But the only fault they found
in Daniel was that he was too faithful to God.
God calls us to develop this same excellent spirit of trustworthiness and integrity. We honor the Lord, and other people,
whenever we carry out our responsibilities
with conscientious serviceno matter how
we are viewed by others. Ultimately well
win respect. Regularly people will be cared
for. Daily well like living with ourselves. But
during all the good that comes from integrity, some will act jealously.
More: For more on ways that faith can impact
ones management style, see Codes of Conduct
for the Christian Worker at Col.3:224:1.
Daniel praying and making supplication

before his God. 12And they went before the
king, and spoke concerning the kings decree: Have you not signed a decree that
every man who petitions any god or man
within thirty days, except you, Oking,
shall be cast into the den of lions?
The king answered and said, The thing
is true, according to the law of the Medes
and Persians, which does not alter.
13 So they answered and said before
the king, That Daniel, who is one of the
captivesa from Judah, does not show due
regard for you, Oking, or for the decree
that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.
14 And the king, when he heard these
words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver
him; and he labored till the going down of
the sun to deliver him. 15T hen these men
approached the king, and said to the king,
Know, Oking, that it is the law of the Medes
and Persians that no decree or statute which
the king establishes may be changed.
16 So the king gave the command, and
they brought Daniel and cast him into the
den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to
Daniel, Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you. 17T hen a stone
was brought and laid on the mouth of the
den, and the king sealed it with his own
signet ring and with the signets of his lords,
that the purpose concerning Daniel might
not be changed.
Daniel Saved from theLions
18Now the king went to his palace and

spent the night fasting; and no musiciansa
were brought before him. Also his sleep
went from him. 19T hen the king arose very
early in the morning and went in haste to
the den of lions. 20And when he came to the
den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to
Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel,
Daniel, servant of the living God, has your
God, whom you serve continually, been
able to deliver you from the lions?
21T hen Daniel said to the king, O king,
live forever! 22My God sent His angel and
shut the lions mouths, so that they have
not hurt me, because I was found innocent
before Him; and also, Oking, I have done
no wrong before you.
23Now the king was exceedingly glad
for him, and commanded that they should
take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel
was taken up out of the den, and no injury
whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, and

they brought those men who had accused
Daniel, and they cast them into the den
of lionsthem, their children, and their
6:13aLiterally of the sons of the captivity

6:18aExact meaning unknown
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1037
Daniel 7:22
wives; and the lions overpowered them,

and broke all their bones in pieces before
they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25T hen King Darius wrote:
And the Ancient of Days was seated;

His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure
wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
To all peoples, nations, and languages
Its wheels a burning fire;
that dwell in all the earth:
10 A fiery stream issued
Peace be multiplied to you.
And came forth from before Him.
A thousand thousands ministered to
26 I make a decree that in every dominion
Him;
of my kingdom men must tremble and
Ten thousand times ten thousand stood
fear before the God of Daniel.
before Him.
For He is the living God,
The courta was seated,
And steadfast forever;
And the books were opened.
His kingdom is the one which shall not
11I watched then because of the sound
be destroyed,
of the pompous words which the horn was
And His dominion shall endure to the
speaking; I watched till the beast was
end.
slain, and its body destroyed and given
27 He delivers and rescues,
to the burning flame. 12As for the rest of
And He works signs and wonders
the beasts, they had their dominion taken
In heaven and on earth,
away, yet their lives were prolonged for a
Who has delivered Daniel from the
season and a time.
power of the lions.
13 I was watching in the night visions,
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the PerComing with the clouds of heaven!
sian.
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before
Vision oftheFour Beasts
Him.
I n the first year of Belshazzar king of 14 Then to Him was given dominion and
Babylon, Daniel had a dream and viglory and a kingdom,
sions of his head while on his bed. Then
That all peoples, nations, and
he wrote down the dream, telling the main
languages should serve Him.
facts.a
His dominion is an everlasting
2Daniel spoke, saying, I saw in my vidominion,
sion by night, and behold, the four winds
Which shall not pass away,
of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
And His kingdom the one
3And four great beasts came up from the
Which shall not be destroyed.
sea, each different from the other. 4T he
first was like a lion, and had eagles wings.
Visions Interpreted
I watched till its wings were plucked off; Daniels
15 I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit
and it was lifted up from the earth and
and the visions of my head
made to stand on two feet like a man, and a within my body,
troubled me. 16I came near to one of those
mans heart was given toit.
5And suddenly another beast, a second, who stood by, and asked him the truth of all
to me
like a bear. It was raised up on one side, this. So he told me and made known
17
and had three ribs in its mouth between its the interpretation of these things: Those
teeth. And they said thus to it: Arise, de- great abeasts, which are four, are 18four
k ings which arise out of the earth. But
vour much flesh!
6 After this I looked, and there was an- the saints of the Most High shall receive the
other, like a leopard, which had on its back kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever,
forever and ever.
four wings of a bird. The beast also had even
19 Then I wished to know the truth
four heads, and dominion was given toit.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, about the fourth beast, which was different
and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and from all the others, exceedingly dreadful,
terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze,
and tramiron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in which devoured, broke in pieces,
20
pieces, and trampling the residue with its pled the residue with its feet; and the ten
feet. It was different from all the beasts that horns that were on its head, and the other
were before it, and it had ten horns. 8I was horn which came up, before which three
considering the horns, and there was an- fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a
other horn, a little one, coming up among mouth which spoke pompous words, whose
was greater than his fellows.
them, before whom three of the first horns appearance
21I was watching; and the same horn
were plucked out by the roots. And there, in
the saints, and
this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, was making war against
prevailing against them, 22until the Ancient
and a mouth speaking pompous words.
Vision oftheAncient ofDays

9
I watched till thrones were put in place,
7:1aLiterally the head (or chief) of the words

7:10aOr judgment 7:17aRepresenting their
kingdoms (compare verse23)
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 7:23
1038
of Days came, and a judgment was made

in favor of the saints of the Most High, and
the time came for the saints to possess the
kingdom.
23 Thus he said:
the ram that had two horns, which I had

seen standing beside the river, and ran at
him with furious power. 7And I saw him
confronting the ram; he was moved with
rage against him, attacked the ram, and
broke his two horns. There was no power
The fourth beast shall be
in the ram to withstand him, but he cast
A fourth kingdom on earth,
Which shall be different from all other him down to the ground and trampled him;
and there was no one that could deliver the
kingdoms,
ram from his hand.
And shall devour the whole earth,
8T herefore the male goat grew very
Trample it and break it in pieces.
great; but when he became strong, the large
24 The ten horns are ten kings
horn was broken, and in place of it four noWho shall arise from this kingdom.
table ones came up toward the four winds
And another shall rise after them;
9
He shall be different from the first ones, of heaven. And out of one of them came a
little
horn
which grew exceedingly great
And shall subdue three kings.
toward the south, toward the east, and
25 He shall speak pompous words
toward the Glorious Land. 10And it grew
against the Most High,
a
Shall persecute the saints of the Most up to the host of heaven; and it cast down
some of the host and some of the stars to
High,
the ground, and trampled them. 11He even
And shall intend to change times and
exalted
himself as high as the Prince of the
law.
Then the saints shall be given into his host; and by him the daily sacrifices were
taken away, and the place of His sanctuary
hand
was cast down. 12Because of transgresFor a time and times and half a time.
sion, an army was given over to the horn
26 But the court shall be seated,
to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast
And they shall take away his
truth down to the ground. He did all this
dominion,
and prospered.
13T hen I heard a holy one speaking; and
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the kingdom and dominion,
another holy one said to that certain one
And the greatness of the kingdoms
who was speaking, How long will the viunder the whole heaven,
sion be, concerning the daily sacrifices and
Shall be given to the people, the saints the transgression of desolation, the giving
of the Most High.
of both the sanctuary and the host to be
His kingdom is an everlasting
trampled underfoot?
14 And he said to me, For two thousand
kingdom,
And all dominions shall serve and
three hundred days;a then the sanctuary
obey Him.
shall be cleansed.
28 This is the end of the account.a As for
me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled Gabriel Interprets theVision
15T hen it happened, when I, Daniel, had
me, and my countenance changed; but I
seen the vision and was seeking the meankept the matter in my heart.
ing, that suddenly there stood before me
one having the appearance of a man. 16And
Vision ofa Ram and a Goat
I n the third year of the reign of King I heard a mans voice between the banks
Belshazzar a vision appeared to me of the Ulai, who called, and said, Gabriel,
17
to me, Danielafter the one that appeared make this man understand the vision. So
he
came
near
where
I
stood,
and
when
he
2
to me the first time. I saw in the vision,
and it so happened while I was looking, came I was afraid and fell on my face; but
that I was in Shushan, the citadel, which he said to me, Understand, son of man,
is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the that18the vision refers to the time of the end.
Now, as he was speaking with me,
vision that I was by the River Ulai. 3T hen
I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, stand- I was in a deep sleep with my face to the
he touched me, and stood me
ing beside the river, was a ram which had ground; but
19
two horns, and the two horns were high; upright. And he said, Look, I am makbut one was higher than the other, and the ing known to you what shall happen in the
higher one came up last. 4 I saw the ram latter time of the indignation; for20at the appushing westward, northward, and south- pointed time the end shall be. T he ram
they
ward, so that no animal could withstand which you saw, having the two horns
21And
him; nor was there any that could deliver are the kings of Media and Persia.
a
from his hand, but he did according to his the male goat is the k ingdom of Greece.
The large horn that is between its eyes is
will and became great.
5And as I was considering, suddenly a the first king. 22 As for the broken horn and
male goat came from the west, across the 7:25aLiterally wear out 7:28aLiterally
surface of the whole earth, without touch- the word 8:14aLiterally eveningmornings
ing the ground; and the goat had a notable 8:21aLiterally king, representing his kingdom
horn between his eyes. 6T hen he came to (compare 7:17, 23)
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1039
Daniel 9:13
8 O Lord, to us belongs shame of face,

the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not to our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
with its power.
because we have sinned against You. 9To
23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against
When the transgressors have reached
Him. 10We have not obeyed the voice of
their fullness,
the Lord our God, to walk in His laws,
A king shall arise,
which He set before us by His servants the
Having fierce features,
prophets. 11Yes, all Israel has transgressed
Who understands sinister schemes.
Your law, and has departed so as not to
24 His power shall be mighty, but not by
obey Your voice; therefore the curse and
his own power;
the oath written in the Law of Moses the
He shall destroy fearfully,
servant of God have been poured out on
And shall prosper and thrive;
us, because we have sinned against Him.
He shall destroy the mighty, and also
12 And He has confirmed His words, which
the holy people.
He spoke against us and against our judges
25 Through his cunning
who judged us, by bringing upon us a great
He shall cause deceit to prosper under disaster; for under the whole heaven such
his rule;a
has never been done as what has been done
And he shall exalt himself in his heart. to Jerusalem.
13 As it is written in the Law of Moses,
He shall destroy many in their
prosperity.
all this disaster has come upon us; yet we
He shall even rise against the Prince
8:25aLiterally hand bLiterally hand
of princes;
But he shall be broken without human
means.b
26 And
the vision of the evenings and

mornings
Which was told is true;
Therefore seal up the vision,
For it refers to many days in the future.
27And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick

for days; afterward I arose and went about
the kings business. I was astonished by the
vision, but no one understoodit.
Daniels Prayer for thePeople
In the first year of Darius the son of

Ahasuerus, of the lineage of the Medes,
who was made king over the realm of the
Chaldeans2in the first year of his reign I,
Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the
Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that
He would accomplish seventy years in the
desolations of Jerusalem.
3Then I set my face toward the Lord God
to make request by prayer and supplications,
with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. 4 And I
prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those
who keep His commandments, 5we have
sinned and committed iniquity, we have
done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.
6Neither have we heeded Your servants the
prophets, who spoke in Your name to our
kings and our princes, to our fathers and all
the people of the land. 7O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face,
as it is this dayto the men of Judah, to the
inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those
near and those far off in all the countries to
which You have driven them, because of the
unfaithfulness which they have committed
against You.
Understanding Prophecy
Dan.9:17
The meaning and significance of biblical

prophecy unfolds when we understand that
the prophets were less concerned with prediction than with revelationthat is, whether or not a prophecy pertains to the future,
a word from God is significant because it
reveals something that He wants His people
to know and do today. Prophecy is not just
foretelling the future; it is forthtelling the
word of the Lord.
Daniels response to Jeremiahs prophecies demonstrates this point. When Babylon
fell to the Persians, Daniel recognized that
more than political change was taking place.
He perceived Gods hand at work. The Bible
tells us that he had access to Jeremiahs
prophecies. Perhaps he had a copy of
Jeremiahs letter to the exiles telling them to
expect a seventy-year captivity (Jer.29:10).
Daniels careful reflection on this information moved him to repentance. This is a
remarkable response. He could have hailed
Babylons fall as a prophetic signal of the
end of Judahs captivity. He could have approached Darius and demanded his peoples
immediate release, in the style of Moses.
He could have become complacent in his
duties, figuring that he was on his way home.
Instead, Daniel repented. He focused not on
dates and timetables but on what was right,
and on his own need for heart change. He
was less concerned with when the captivity
would end than with why it would end. He
wondered not How soon will we go home?
but Are we ready to go home? The purpose
of studying prophecy is to hear God and respond to His words.
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Daniel 9:14
1040
have not made our prayer before the Lord

our God, that we might turn from our iniquities and understand Your truth. 14T herefore the Lord has kept the disaster in mind,
and brought it upon us; for the Lord our
God is righteous in all the works which He
does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
15And now, OLord our God, who brought
Your people out of the land of Egypt with
a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name,
as it is this daywe have sinned, we have
done wickedly!
16 O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your
fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our
sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers,
Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach
to all those around us. 17Now therefore, our
God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and
his supplications, and for the Lords sake
cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. 18O my God, incline
Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see
our desolations, and the city which is called
by Your name; for we do not present our
supplications before You because of our
righteous deeds, but because of Your great
mercies. 19 O Lord, hear! OLord, forgive!
OLord, listen and act! Do not delay for
Your own sake, my God, for Your city and
Your people are called by Your name.
people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the
holy mountain of my God, 21yes, while I
was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel,
whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached
me about the time of the evening offering.
22And he informed me, and talked with me,
and said, O Daniel, I have now come forth
to give you skill to understand. 23At the beginning of your supplications the command
went out, and I have come to tell you, for
you are greatly beloved; therefore consider
the matter, and understand the vision:
TheSeventy-Weeks Prophecy
9:24aLiterally sevens, and so throughout the

chapter bFollowing Qere, Septuagint, Syriac,
and Vulgate; Kethib and Theodotion read To
seal up. 9:25aOr open square bOr moat
20Now
while I was speaking, praying,

and confessing my sin and the sin of my
24 Seventy
weeksa are determined

For your people and for your holy city,
To finish the transgression,
To make an end ofb sins,
To make reconciliation for iniquity,
To bring in everlasting righteousness,
To seal up vision and prophecy,
And to anoint the Most Holy.
25 Know therefore and understand,
That from the going forth of the command
To restore and build Jerusalem
Until Messiah the Prince,
There shall be seven weeks and
sixty-t wo weeks;
The streeta shall be built again, and
the wall,b
Even in troublesome times.
Daniels Prayer Patterns

Dan.9:24, 25
Daniel talked with God no matter what. This regular communication was likely central to the
character Daniel developed. Some observations:
Daniel prayed after studying Scripture.
Daniels prayer came in the first year of
Darius, around 539 b.c. (Dan.9:1), the
year that Babylon fell to the Persians. This
astounding event must have sent Daniel
to the Scriptures for insight. As he studied
the Law, he found reasons for Judahs exile
(9:1113; compare Lev.26; Deut.2728).
He also found promises of restoration
if the people repented of their sins
(Lev.26:4045).
Daniel confessed his peoples sins. Daniel
lived with integrity both before and after
his deportation to Babylon. Despite his
personal innocence in many areas, he
confessed sins as a member of Gods
wayward people. Four times he told the
Lord, We have sinned (Dan.9:5, 8, 11,
15). This exemplifies corporate confession,
accepting ones personal responsibility
for a peoples failings (see Corporate
Confession at Lam.1:18).
Daniel fasted and repented. Daniel

demonstrated remorse by wearing
sackcloth and smearing himself with
ashes, communicating to God that he
was sorry for his peoples sins. Only after
this prolonged confession did Daniel ask
for mercy (9:16, 17). He did not raise the
possibility of restoration, despite Gods
promises and Daniels awareness of
Jeremiahs prophecies (9:2). He asked only
that the Lord would act according to His
own interests (9:18, 19).
Not long after Daniel asked this, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to
Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (2Chr.36:22,
23). Gabriel indicates that there was a connection between Daniels prayer, Cyruss decree,
and Jeremiahs prophecies (Dan.9:2325).
Prayer does not convince or coerce God to
give us what we want. It acknowledges our
situation and admits our need for His help.
And it connects us to Him.
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1041
26 And
after the sixty-t wo weeks

Messiah shall be cut off, but not for
Himself;
And the people of the prince who is to
come
Shall destroy the city and the
sanctuary.
The end of it shall be with a flood,
And till the end of the war desolations
are determined.
27 Then he shall confirm a covena nt with
many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and
offering.
And on the wing of abominations shall
be one who makes desolate,
Even until the consummation, which is
determined,
Is poured out on the desolate.
Vision oftheGlorious Man
10
I n the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel,
whose name was called Belteshazzar. The
message was true, but the appointed time
was long;a and he understood the message,
and had understanding of the vision. 2In
those days I, Daniel, was mourning three
full weeks. 3I ate no pleasant food, no meat
or wine came into my mouth, nor did I
anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks
were fulfilled.
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the
first month, as I was by the side of the great
river, that is, the Tigris,a 5I lifted my eyes
and looked, and behold, a certain man
clothed in linen, whose waist was girded
with gold of Uphaz! 6His body was like
beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms
and feet like burnished bronze in color, and
the sound of his words like the voice of a
multitude.
7And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for
the men who were with me did not see the
vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so
that they fled to hide themselves. 8T herefore I was left alone when I saw this great
vision, and no strength remained in me; for
my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I
retained no strength. 9Yet I heard the sound
of his words; and while I heard the sound of
his words I was in a deep sleep on my face,
with my face to the ground.
Prophecies Concerning Persia and Greece

10 Suddenly,
a hand touched me, which

made me tremble on my knees and on the
palms of my hands. 11And he said to me,
O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and
stand upright, for I have now been sent to
you. While he was speaking this word to
me, I stood trembling.
12T hen he said to me, Do not fear,
Daniel, for from the first day that you set
your heart to understand, and to humble
Daniel 11:6
yourself before your God, your words were

heard; and I have come because of your
words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of
Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and
behold, Michael, one of the chief princes,
came to help me, for I had been left alone
there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have
come to make you understand what will
happen to your people in the latter days,
for the vision refers to many days yet to
come.
15W hen he had spoken such words to
me, I turned my face toward the ground
and became speechless. 16And suddenly,
one having the likeness of the sonsa of
men touched my lips; then I opened my
mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood
before me, My lord, because of the vision
my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I
have retained no strength. 17For how can
this servant of my lord talk with you, my
lord? As for me, no strength remains in me
now, nor is any breath left in me.
18T hen again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened
me. 19And he said, O man greatly beloved,
fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes,
be strong!
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak, for you
have strengthened me.
20T hen he said, Do you know why I
have come to you? And now I must return
to fight with the prince of Persia; and when
I have gone forth, indeed the prince of
Greece will come. 21But I will tell you what
is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one
upholds me against these, except Michael
your prince.
Also in the first year of Darius the
Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm
and strengthen him.) 2 And now I will
tell you the truth: Behold, three more
kings will arise in Persia, and the fourth
shall be far richer than them all; by his
strength, through his riches, he shall stir
up all against the realm of Greece. 3T hen
a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule
with great dominion, and do according to
his will. 4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward
the four winds of heaven, but not among
his posterity nor according to his dominion
with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall
be uprooted, even for others besides these.
11
Warring Kings ofNorth and South
5 Also the king of the South shall become strong, as well as one of his princes;
and he shall gain power over him and have
dominion. His dominion shall be a great
dominion. 6And at the end of some years
they shall join forces, for the daughter of
the king of the South shall go to the king of
the North to make an agreement; but she
10:1aOr and of great conflict 10:4aHebrew

Hiddekel 10:16aTheodotion and Vulgate read
the son; Septuagint reads a hand.
6/1/16 11:55 AM
Daniel 11:7
1042
shall not retain the power of her a

uthority,a
and neither he nor his authorityb shall
stand; but she shall be given up, with those
who brought her, and with him who begot
her, and with him who strengthened her
in those times. 7But from a branch of her
roots one shall arise in his place, who shall
come with an army, enter the fortress of the
king of the North, and deal with them and
prevail. 8And he shall also carry their gods
captive to Egypt, with their princesa and
their precious articles of silver and gold;
and he shall continue more years than the
king of the North.
9 Also the king of the North shall come
to the kingdom of the king of the South,
but shall return to his own land. 10However
his sons shall stir up strife, and assemble
a multitude of great forces; and one shall
certainly come and overwhelm and pass
through; then he shall return to his fortress
and stir up strife.
11And the king of the South shall be
moved with rage, and go out and fight with
him, with the king of the North, who shall
muster a great multitude; but the multitude
shall be given into the hand of his enemy.
12W hen he has taken away the multitude,
his heart will be lifted up; and he will cast
down tens of thousands, but he will not prevail. 13For the king of the North will return
and muster a multitude greater than the
former, and shall certainly come at the end
of some years with a great army and much
equipment.
14 Now in those times many shall rise
up against the king of the South. Also,
violent mena of your people shall exalt
themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but
they shall fall. 15So the king of the North
shall come and build a siege mound, and
take a fortified city; and the forcesa of the
South shall not withstand him. Even his
choice troops shall have no strength to resist. 16But he who comes against him shall
do according to his own will, and no one
shall stand against him. He shall stand in
the Glorious Land with destruction in his
power.a
17 He shall also set his face to enter with
the strength of his whole kingdom, and upright onesa with him; thus shall he do. And
he shall give him the daughter of women to
destroy it; but she shall not stand with him,
or be for him. 18After this he shall turn his
face to the coastlands, and shall take many.
But a ruler shall bring the reproach against
them to an end; and with the reproach removed, he shall turn back on him. 19T hen
he shall turn his face toward the fortress of
his own land; but he shall stumble and fall,
and not be found.
20 There shall arise in his place one who
imposes taxes on the glorious kingdom; but
within a few days he shall be destroyed, but
not in anger or in battle. 21And in his place
shall arise a vile person, to whom they will
not give the honor of royalty; but he shall
come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom
by intrigue. 22With the forcea of a flood

they shall be swept away from before him
and be broken, and also the prince of the
covena nt. 23And after the league is made
with him he shall act deceitfully, for he
shall come up and become strong with a
small number of people. 24 He shall enter
peaceably, even into the richest places of
the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers:
he shall disperse among them the plunder,
spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his
plans against the strongholds, but only for
a time.
25 He shall stir up his power and his
courage against the king of the South with
a great army. And the king of the South
shall be stirred up to battle with a very
great and mighty army; but he shall not
stand, for they shall devise plans against
him. 26Yes, those who eat of the portion of
his delicacies shall destroy him; his army
shall be swept away, and many shall fall
down slain. 27Both these kings hearts shall
be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at
the same table; but it shall not prosper, for
the end will still be at the appointed time.
28W hile returning to his land with great
riches, his heart shall be moved against
the holy covena nt; so he shall do damage
and return to his own land.
TheNorthern Kings Blasphemies
29 At the appointed time he shall return

and go toward the south; but it shall not
be like the former or the latter. 30For ships
from Cyprus a shall come against him;
therefore he shall be grieved, and return
in rage against the holy covena nt, and do
damage.
So he shall return and show regard for
those who forsake the holy covenant. 31And
forcesa shall be mustered by him, and they
shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then
they shall take away the daily sacrifices,
and place there the abomination of desolation. 32T hose who do wickedly against the
covena nt he shall corrupt with flattery;
but the people who know their God shall
be strong, and carry out great exploits.
33And those of the people who understand
shall instruct many; yet for many days they
shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity
and plundering. 34Now when they fall, they
shall be aided with a little help; but many
shall join with them by intrigue. 35And
some of those of understanding shall fall, to
refine them, purify them, and make them
white, until the time of the end; because it
is still for the appointed time.
36 Then the king shall do according
to his own will: he shall exalt and magni-
11:6aLiterally arm bLiterally arm 11:8aOr

molded images 11:14aOr robbers, literally
sons of breakage 11:15aLiterally arms
11:16aLiterally hand 11:17aOr bring
equitable terms 11:22aLiterally arms
11:30aHebrew Kittim, western lands,
especially Cyprus 1
1:31aLiterally arms
6/1/16 11:55 AM
1043
Daniel 12:13
fy himself above every god, shall speak

Every one who is found written in the
blasphemies against the God of gods, and
book.
shall prosper till the wrath has been ac- 2 And many of those who sleep in the
complished; for what has been determined
dust of the earth shall awake,
shall be done. 37He shall regard neither the
Some to everlasting life,
Goda of his fathers nor the desire of womSome to shame and everlasting
en, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt
contempt.
himself above them all. 38But in their place 3 Those who are wise shall shine
he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a
Like the brightness of the
god which his fathers did not know he shall
firmament,
honor with gold and silver, with precious
And those who turn many to
stones and pleasant things. 39T hus he shall
righteousness
act against the strongest fortresses with a
Like the stars forever and ever.
foreign god, which he shall acknowledge,
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words,
and advance its glory; and he shall cause
them to rule over many, and divide the land and seal the book until the time of the end;
many shall run to and fro, and knowledge
for gain.
shall increase.
5T hen I, Daniel, looked; and there stood
TheNorthern Kings Conquests
40 At the time of the end the king of two others, one on this riverbank and the
other on that riverbank. 6And one said to
the South shall attack him; and the king the man clothed in linen, who was above
of the North shall come against him like the waters of the river, How long shall the
a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, fulfillment of these wonders be?
and with many ships; and he shall enter
7T hen I heard the man clothed in linthe countries, overwhelm them, and pass en, who was above the waters of the river,
41
through. He shall also enter the Glori- when he held up his right hand and his left
ous Land, and many countries shall be hand to heaven, and swore by Him who
overthrown; but these shall escape from lives forever, that it shall be for a time,
his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent times, and half a time; and when the powpeople of Ammon. 42He shall stretch out his er of the holy people has been completely
hand against the countries, and the land shattered, all these things shall be finished.
of Egypt shall not escape. 43He shall have
8Although I heard, I did not understand.
power over the treasures of gold and silver, Then I said, My lord, what shall be the end
and over all the precious things of Egypt; of these things?
also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall fol
9And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for
low at his heels. 44But news from the east the words are closed up and sealed till the
and the north shall trouble him; therefore time of the end. 10Many shall be purified,
he shall go out with great fury to destroy made white, and refined, but the wicked
and annihilate many. 45And he shall plant shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked
the tents of his palace between the seas and shall understand, but the wise shall underthe glorious holy mountain; yet he shall stand.
come to his end, and no one will help him.
11And from the time that the daily sac
rifice is taken away, and the abomination
Prophecy oftheEnd Time
of desolation is set up, there shall be one
At that time Michael shall stand up, thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the
The great prince who stands watch
over the sons of your people;
one thousand three hundred and thirty-five
And there shall be a time of trouble,
days.
Such as never was since there was a
13 But you, go your way till the end; for
nation,
you shall rest, and will arise to your inherEven to that time.
itance at the end of the days.
And at that time your people shall be
11:37aOr gods
delivered,
12
6/1/16 11:55 AM

Daniel From ATW

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Daniel From ATW

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The Book of

Key Events in Daniel

Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and

Stand for Right

These observations imply Christians have

More: Moses and Paul were other leaders whose

Native Talent and Supernatural

of wisdom and understanding about which

ow in the second year of Nebuchad

1:11aHebrew Melzar, also in verse16

Daniel: Advisor to Kings

them, I have had a dream, and my spirit is

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzars Dream

14T hen with counsel and wisdom Daniel

to give him time, that he might tell the king

thank You and praise You,

Daniel Explains theDream

24T herefore Daniel went to Arioch,

2:4aThe original language of Daniel 2:4b

that no trace of them was found. And the

Models of Faith in Hostile Societies

Taken to Babylon as prisoners of war and trained for service in a pagan

A strategically placed official in the Persian court who was allowed to

Esther and Mordecai

Members of an ethnic minority who found themselves in a position to

The people in the table above had several

surrounding cultures deepened their

languages, 5that at the time you hear the

Daniels Friends Disobey theKing

Saved in Fiery Trial

19T hen Nebuchadnezzar was full

Bowing to God Alone

to laws they disagree with? Again, there are no

saying to his counselors, Did we not cast

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

not serve nor worship any god except their

26T hen Nebuchadnezzar went near the

THE REIGN OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Besieges Jerusalem, takes

I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my

were the visions of my head

I was looking, and behold,

This decision is by the decree of the

This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar,

Daniel Explains theSecond Dream

Then Daniel, whose name was

The tree that you saw, which grew

And inasmuch as the king saw a

And inasmuch as they gave the

I saw in the visions of my head while

Chop down the tree and cut off its

4:16aPossibly seven years, and so in verses23,

break off your sins by being righteous,

this came upon King Neb

While the word was still in the kings

That very hour the word was fulfilled

driven from men and ate grass like

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

And at the end of the timea I,

For His dominion is an everlasting

At the same time my reason returned

God at Work for His People

elshazzar the king made a great feast

lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the

THE REIGN OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR