September 1, 2025
But even if . . .
Daniel 1-3
Danny Lamar
Big Book Idea
God protects his people when they stand firm and remember that he has a plan for the future.
Key Verse | Daniel 3:16-17
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king."
Daniel 1-3
Chapter 1
Daniel Taken to Babylon
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family 1 1:3 Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Daniel's Faithfulness
8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Chapter 2
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his spirit was troubled, and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, 2 2:4 The text from this point to the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. 6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm— 9 if you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the times change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
12 Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. 13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. 14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. 15 He declared 3 2:15 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 26 to Arioch, the king's captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. 16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.
God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
21
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22
he reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what is in the darkness,
and the light dwells with him.
23
To you, O God of my fathers,
I give thanks and praise,
for 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 king's matter.”
24 Therefore Daniel went in 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; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”
25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” 26 The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.
Daniel Interprets the Dream
31 You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.
36 This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold. 39 Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, 4 2:43 Aramaic by the seed of men but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, 45 just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”
Daniel Is Promoted
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” 48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.
Chapter 3
Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits 5 3:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters and its breadth six cubits. He set it up on the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” 7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
The Fiery Furnace
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. 9 They declared 6 3:9 Aramaic answered and said; also verses 24, 26 to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. 11 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. 7 3:15 Aramaic lacks well and good But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 8 3:17 Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21 Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, 9 3:21 The meaning of the Aramaic words rendered cloaks and tunics is uncertain; also verse 27 their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22 Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25 He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.”
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside 10 3:28 Aramaic and changed the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree: Any people, nation, or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Footnotes
[1] 1:3 Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom[2] 2:4 The text from this point to the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic
[3] 2:15 Aramaic answered and said; also verse 26
[4] 2:43 Aramaic by the seed of men
[5] 3:1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[6] 3:9 Aramaic answered and said; also verses 24, 26
[7] 3:15 Aramaic lacks well and good
[8] 3:17 Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king
[9] 3:21 The meaning of the Aramaic words rendered cloaks and tunics is uncertain; also verse 27
[10] 3:28 Aramaic and changed
Table of Contents
Introduction to Daniel
Timeline
Author and Date
Daniel wrote this book in the sixth century B.C. It records the events of Daniel’s life and the visions that he saw from the time of his exile in 605 B.C. (1:1) until 536 B.C., the third year of King Cyrus (10:1).
Theme
The book’s central theme is God’s sovereignty over history, empires, and kings (2:21; 4:34–37). All the kingdoms of this world will come to an end and will be replaced by the Lord’s kingdom, which will never pass away (2:44; 7:27). Though trials and difficulties will continue for God’s people up until the end, those who are faithful will be raised to glory, honor, and everlasting life in this final kingdom (12:1–3).
Key Themes
- It is possible to live a faithful life while surrounded by pagan influences, if one serves the Lord wholeheartedly (ch. 1).
- God can give his faithful servants abilities that cause even unbelievers to appreciate them (chs. 2; 3; 6). Nevertheless, believers should not assume that God will always rescue them from harm (3:16–18).
- God humbles the proud and raises up the humble. Even the hearts of the greatest kings are under his control (chs. 4; 5).
- This world will be a place of persecution for God’s people, getting worse and worse rather than better and better (chs. 2; 7). The Lord will judge the kingdoms of this world and bring them to an end, replacing them with his own kingdom that will never end. This kingdom will be ruled by “one like a son of man” who comes “with the clouds,” a figure who combines human and divine traits (7:13).
- God is sovereign over the course of history, even over those who rebel against him and seek to destroy his people (ch. 8).
- The Babylonian exile was not the end of Israel’s history of rebellion and judgment. In the future, Israel would continue to sin against the Lord, and Jerusalem would be handed over to her enemies, who would damage her temple and do other offensive things (chs. 8; 9; 12). Eventually, though, the anointed ruler would come to deliver God’s people from their sins (9:24–27).
- These earthly events are reflections of a great conflict between angelic forces of good and evil (ch. 10). Prayer is a significant weapon in that conflict (9:23).
- God rules over all of these conflicts and events, he limits the damage they do, and he has a precise timetable for the end of his people’s persecutions. At that time he will finally intervene to cleanse and deliver his people (ch. 12).
- In the meantime, believers must be patient and faithful in a hostile world, looking to the Lord alone for deliverance (11:33–35).
Outline
The book of Daniel is made up of two halves, each of which has its own literary style. The first half (chs. 1–6) contains stories from the lives of Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They show how God’s people should live in a world that is not their home (compare Jer. 29:5–7; Heb. 13:14). The second half of the book (Daniel 7–12) contains apocalyptic visions. They are designed to reassure God’s people that, in spite of their present persecution and suffering, God is in control and will ultimately be victorious.
The Setting of Daniel: The Babylonian Empire
c. 605–536 B.C.
Though their empire was short-lived by comparison with the Assyrians before them and the Persians after them, the Babylonians dominated the Near East during the early days of Daniel, and they were responsible for his initial exile to Babylon. Daniel himself, however, outlived the Babylonian Empire, which fell to the Persians in 538 B.C. (See also the map on p. 1163, “The Empires of Daniel’s Visions: The Persians.”)
Fact: Daniel’s languages
Daniel’s languages. The book of Daniel was written in both Hebrew (1:1–2:3; 7:1–12:13) and Aramaic (2:4–7:28). In OT times, Aramaic was the language used by several people groups in the Middle East (see 2 Kings 18:26).
Fact: Gabriel
Gabriel is the first angel mentioned by name in the Bible (8:16; 9:21). Michael, the only other angel named in Scripture, also appears in Daniel (10:13, 21; 12:1). In the NT, Gabriel was the angel who announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Michael appears again in Rev. 12:7.
Fact: Michael
Michael (v. 9) is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture. In the book of Daniel, he is the guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He also leads the heavenly army in the fight against the dragon in Rev. 12:7.
Fact: What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? Changing a person’s name (1:7) was a sign of having power over that person. Conquering rulers often did this to their captives as a means of making them more a part of their new culture.
Fact: The dreams of a king
The dreams of a king (2:1) had significance for his nation as a whole because dreams were thought to be the shadows of future events. If the dreams of a king could be correctly interpreted, then the appropriate actions could be taken to preserve the kingdom.
The Traditional View of Daniel’s Visions
| Babylonian Empire (625–539 B.C.) | Medo–Persian Empire (539–331 B.C.) | Greek Empire (331–63 B.C.) | Roman Empire (63 B.C.–A.D. 476) | Future Events | |
| Vision of Statue (ch. 2) | head of gold (vv. 36–38) | chest and arms of silver (vv. 32, 39) | middle and thighs of bronze (vv. 32, 39) | legs of iron; feet of iron and clay (vv. 33, 40–43) | messianic kingdom: the stone (vv. 44–45) |
| Vision of Tree (ch. 4) | Nebuchadnezzar humbled (vv. 19–37) | ||||
| Vision of Four Beasts (ch. 7) | lion with wings of eagle (v. 4) | bear raised up on one side (v. 5) | leopard with four wings and four heads (v. 6) | terrifying beast with iron teeth (v. 7) | Antichrist: little horn uttering great boasts (vv. 8–11) |
| Vision of Ram and Goat (ch. 8) | ram with two horns: one longer than the other (vv. 2–4) | male goat with one horn: it was broken and four horns came up (vv. 5–8); Antiochus IV (vv. 23–26) |
Daniel
Daniel was a young man from a noble family who was deported from Judah to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (605 B.C.). The Babylonians trained Daniel for three years in their language and culture. The Lord blessed Daniel with exceptional wisdom in these areas. He also gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. When Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the grateful king gave him an important position in the royal court. After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, Daniel served in a similar role in the Medo-Persian Empire that succeeded it (6:28). Daniel was a faithful servant of the Lord who consistently refused to disobey God. At the same time, he remained respectful to those in authority over him. Daniel, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did precisely what God had commanded the exiles to do in Jeremiah 29:7: they were a blessing to their captors while at the same time remaining true to their Lord amid extraordinary pressures. (Daniel 1:17–21)
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish exiles and friends of Daniel in Babylon. As he did for Daniel, God gave them a remarkable understanding of Babylonian literature and culture. They, too, were given positions of great leadership in Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were always faithful to God and trusted him entirely. While they showed deep respect for King Nebuchadnezzar, they were unwilling to follow any orders that would mean compromising their faith. When commanded to worship a golden image, they refused to do so, even though it meant being cast into a fiery furnace. The three men assured Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able to save them from the furnace, but that even if he chose not to save them, they would still not deny him. (Daniel 3:16–18)
Dan. 1:1–2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim . . . , Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and other promising young people to Babylon to be trained in Babylonian culture and literature. This deportation was the beginning of what came to be known as the Babylonian exile. This exile was the result of the people’s sin (Lev. 26:33, 39). Nebuchadnezzar was the Babylonian king c. 605–562 B.C. See 2 Kings 24:1–25:26; Jer. 39:1–18; 52:1–30.
Dan. 1:3–4 Some of the royal family and nobility were also exiled. Their exile fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy to King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 39, a century earlier. Hezekiah had shown the representatives of Babylon around his treasuries, hoping to win a political partner against the Assyrians. Because he had thus failed to trust in the Lord, it was prophesied that the treasures he had shown the Babylonians, as well as some of his own descendants, would be carried off to Babylon.
Dan. 1:5–7 Nebuchadnezzar forced the exiles into adopting Babylonian culture by depriving them of their religious and cultural identity and creating dependence on the royal court. They were given names linked with Babylonian deities in place of Israelite names linked with their God.
Fact: What’s in a name?
What’s in a name? Changing a person’s name (1:7) was a sign of having power over that person. Conquering rulers often did this to their captives as a means of making them more a part of their new culture.
Dan. 1:8–16 Daniel and his three friends kept their original names and resolved not to defile themselves with the king’s food and drink (v. 8). They avoided the rich diet as a way of protecting themselves from being tempted by Babylonian culture. Their restricted diet continually reminded them that they were the people of God in a foreign land. They were dependent for their food, indeed for their very lives, upon God, not King Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord gave Daniel favor with his captors (v. 9), and the steward honored their request for a special diet. At the end of a trial period, Daniel and his friends looked fitter than those who had consumed a high-calorie diet.
Dan. 1:1–21 Daniel describes how he and his three friends were taken into exile (vv. 1–7), remained undefiled (vv. 8–16), and were promoted and preserved (vv. 17–21).
Dan. 1:17–21 God also gave Daniel and his friends exceptional knowledge of Babylonian literature and wisdom. In addition, he gave Daniel the ability to understand all visions and dreams. God’s favor enabled Daniel and his friends to answer all of Nebuchadnezzar’s questions, so that he found them ten times better than all of his pagan advisers.
Dan. 1:21 until the first year of King Cyrus. That is, 539 B.C., when Cyrus conquered Babylon. God provided for Daniel throughout 70 years of exile.
Daniel
Daniel was a young man from a noble family who was deported from Judah to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (605 B.C.). The Babylonians trained Daniel for three years in their language and culture. The Lord blessed Daniel with exceptional wisdom in these areas. He also gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. When Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the grateful king gave him an important position in the royal court. After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, Daniel served in a similar role in the Medo-Persian Empire that succeeded it (6:28). Daniel was a faithful servant of the Lord who consistently refused to disobey God. At the same time, he remained respectful to those in authority over him. Daniel, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did precisely what God had commanded the exiles to do in Jeremiah 29:7: they were a blessing to their captors while at the same time remaining true to their Lord amid extraordinary pressures. (Daniel 1:17–21)
Dan. 2:1 In the ancient world, dreams were thought to give an indication of future events. A king’s dreams had significance for the nation as a whole. The interpretation was important so that the king might prepare for or try to prevent the events the dream foretold.
Fact: The dreams of a king
The dreams of a king (2:1) had significance for his nation as a whole because dreams were thought to be the shadows of future events. If the dreams of a king could be correctly interpreted, then the appropriate actions could be taken to preserve the kingdom.
Dan. 2:2 Nebuchadnezzar had a staff specializing in dream interpretation: the magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. “Chaldeans” initially referred to a part of the Babylonian Empire. It developed into a descriptive term for a special group, known for their knowledge about magic and interpreting dreams.
Dan. 2:5–6 Contrary to normal procedure, the king demanded that his interpreters recount the dream itself as well as its interpretation. If the interpreters succeeded, they would be given great rewards. If they failed, they would be executed and their houses would be destroyed.
The City of Babylon
The city of Babylon reached its zenith under Nebuchadrezzar II (Nebuchadnezzar of Scripture, who reigned 605–562 B.C.). He restored and enlarged it, making it the largest city seen in the world up to that time. The Euphrates River flowed through it, with the oldest quarter of the city lying on the east bank of the river. The city was surrounded by a city wall with fortified gates that were named after the various Babylonian deities. The Esagila Complex on the east bank of the Euphrates contained the Temple of Marduk with its associated seven-storied ziggurat Etemenanki.
From Esagila, the Processional Way (its walls lined with glazed bricks with representations of lions) led to the Ishtar Gate (which was decorated with glazed brick reliefs of dragons and young bulls). Beside the Ishtar Gate stood two immense fortified palaces. A bridge led over the Euphrates to the western part of the city. No evidence of the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon has been found, but if anything like this was ever constructed here, it would have been during this time, at the height of the city’s splendor. The city was captured by Cyrus the Persian in 539 B.C.
Dan. 2:11 These men consider the king’s demand unreasonable. No human being could know another person’s dream unless it was revealed by the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. Their own words reveal the power of Israel’s God, who does exactly what they say is impossible.
Dan. 2:15–16 Daniel requested from Arioch an appointment with the king to reveal the dream and its interpretation. This shows Daniel’s faith because he did this even before God had revealed the dream to him.
Dan. 2:23 When God answered Daniel’s prayer, he praised and thanked God for his wisdom and might.
Dan. 2:14–24 Daniel leads his friends in praying to the true God for insight.
Dan. 2:25–28 Arioch was eager to claim the credit for finding an interpreter for the king’s dream. Daniel, however, was careful to credit God with revealing the mystery. Daniel was able to interpret it because there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.
Dan. 2:30 God made known the interpretation of the dream so that Nebuchadnezzar would know this great God controlled future events, and so that he would be aware of what was coming.
Dan. 2:37–38 According to Daniel’s interpretation, the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar. God gave him great authority, power, and glory. Babylon itself was an amazing achievement, with its hanging gardens (one of the famed Seven Wonders of the ancient world), many temples, and a bridge crossing the Euphrates River. Thus the head of gold is a fitting description.
Dan. 2:39 After Nebuchadnezzar’s time there will be two more kingdoms (Medo-Persia [539–331 B.C.] and Greece [331–63 B.C.]). Each will be inferior to the previous one, though still strong and powerful.
Dan. 2:40 The fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire) will be strong as iron, yet also unstable.
Dan. 2:43–44 God will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, his final kingdom, which will ultimately destroy all other kingdoms. Though it starts small, it will grow to fill the earth and endure forever. The stone that will break in pieces all these other four kingdoms is most likely Christ.
The Traditional View of Daniel’s Visions
| Babylonian Empire (625–539 B.C.) | Medo–Persian Empire (539–331 B.C.) | Greek Empire (331–63 B.C.) | Roman Empire (63 B.C.–A.D. 476) | Future Events | |
| Vision of Statue (ch. 2) | head of gold (vv. 36–38) | chest and arms of silver (vv. 32, 39) | middle and thighs of bronze (vv. 32, 39) | legs of iron; feet of iron and clay (vv. 33, 40–43) | messianic kingdom: the stone (vv. 44–45) |
| Vision of Tree (ch. 4) | Nebuchadnezzar humbled (vv. 19–37) | ||||
| Vision of Four Beasts (ch. 7) | lion with wings of eagle (v. 4) | bear raised up on one side (v. 5) | leopard with four wings and four heads (v. 6) | terrifying beast with iron teeth (v. 7) | Antichrist: little horn uttering great boasts (vv. 8–11) |
| Vision of Ram and Goat (ch. 8) | ram with two horns: one longer than the other (vv. 2–4) | male goat with one horn: it was broken and four horns came up (vv. 5–8); Antiochus IV (vv. 23–26) |
Dan. 2:1–49 Nebuchadnezzar expects his own interpreters to tell him the content of his dream, perhaps to prove that they are genuinely qualified to interpret it (vv. 1–16). Daniel’s God shows himself superior by revealing to Daniel both the content and the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (vv. 17–49).
Dan. 2:46–49 Nebuchadnezzar recognized and honored Daniel’s God. He also promoted Daniel and his friends within the Babylonian court, giving them further opportunity to bring peace and welfare to the city where the Lord had exiled them, as Jeremiah had counseled (Jer. 29:1–14).
Dan. 3:1 The image of gold reflects the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, except it is made entirely of gold. It is as if Nebuchadnezzar were asserting that there would be no other kingdoms after his. It was sixty cubits (90 feet/27 m) high and six cubits (9 feet/2.7 m) wide. Its location on a plain in Babylon recalls the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), as does its purpose to provide a unifying center for all people.
Dan. 3:2 satraps. A governor of a satrapy (province).
Dan. 3:3 Chapter 3 repeatedly states that this was the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. It is unclear whether the image represented Nebuchadnezzar or one of his gods. All of the leading officials from throughout his empire were gathered before the statue for its dedication. The unity of Nebuchadnezzar’s empire was based on worship of the golden image.
Dan. 3:18 But if not. There is no doubt in the three men’s minds that God has the power to save them. They also realize that God may choose not to save them.
Dan. 3:19 In anger, Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace superheated. Seven times more than it was usually heated is probably a figurative expression meaning “as hot as possible.”
Dan. 3:22 Nebuchadnezzar’s order resulted in the death of his own soldiers. The Lord is able to protect his servants better than Nebuchadnezzar can protect his.
The Traditional View of Daniel’s Visions
| Babylonian Empire (625–539 B.C.) | Medo–Persian Empire (539–331 B.C.) | Greek Empire (331–63 B.C.) | Roman Empire (63 B.C.–A.D. 476) | Future Events | |
| Vision of Statue (ch. 2) | head of gold (vv. 36–38) | chest and arms of silver (vv. 32, 39) | middle and thighs of bronze (vv. 32, 39) | legs of iron; feet of iron and clay (vv. 33, 40–43) | messianic kingdom: the stone (vv. 44–45) |
| Vision of Tree (ch. 4) | Nebuchadnezzar humbled (vv. 19–37) | ||||
| Vision of Four Beasts (ch. 7) | lion with wings of eagle (v. 4) | bear raised up on one side (v. 5) | leopard with four wings and four heads (v. 6) | terrifying beast with iron teeth (v. 7) | Antichrist: little horn uttering great boasts (vv. 8–11) |
| Vision of Ram and Goat (ch. 8) | ram with two horns: one longer than the other (vv. 2–4) | male goat with one horn: it was broken and four horns came up (vv. 5–8); Antiochus IV (vv. 23–26) |
Dan. 3:24–25 Daniel’s friends were joined in the fire by a fourth individual, who had the appearance of a divine being like a son of the gods. This was either a physical appearance of Christ before his incarnation or an angel. Either way, this is a demonstration of God’s presence with believers in distress.
Dan. 3:27 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely untouched by the fire. Their clothes were not harmed nor their hair singed, and they did not even smell of fire—a testimony to the Lord’s protection.
Dan. 3:1–30 Nebuchadnezzar commands all peoples under his rule to worship a golden image. Daniel’s friends refuse, out of loyalty to their God. When God delivers them from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar’s respect for their God increases.
Dan. 3:30 Nebuchadnezzar shows that he appreciates the integrity of these men.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish exiles and friends of Daniel in Babylon. As he did for Daniel, God gave them a remarkable understanding of Babylonian literature and culture. They, too, were given positions of great leadership in Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were always faithful to God and trusted him entirely. While they showed deep respect for King Nebuchadnezzar, they were unwilling to follow any orders that would mean compromising their faith. When commanded to worship a golden image, they refused to do so, even though it meant being cast into a fiery furnace. The three men assured Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able to save them from the furnace, but that even if he chose not to save them, they would still not deny him. (Daniel 3:16–18)
S4:209 Daniel 1-3
Listen NowDive Deeper | Daniel 1-3
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had every reason not to trust in God based on their circumstances. From wicked and oppressive earthly kingdoms, to the siege and destruction of their house of worship, to exile and literal forced identity changes, God—I am sure—seemed far from present. Despite every apparent reason to abandon their faith and assimilate into the pagan Babylonian culture, these four men clung to the promises passed down from Noah to Abraham to David and ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. God is just and faithful to those who wait for him (Isaiah 30:18-19).
Across the first two chapters of Daniel, we see tangible examples of how to be in the world and yet remain steadfast in our beliefs (John 17:14-15):
- Chapter 1 shows us that, despite our culture changing, we are called to intentional obedience. While concessions of character can unfortunately be made in our lives, small acts of obedience without compromise will build a robust muscle of faithfulness.
- Chapter 2 reveals to us that we can patiently call upon God for discernment in the face of chaos and use the gifts God provides for his glory. The wisdom that is found in seeking God far outweighs the wisdom of man.
Now, the golden idol situation in Daniel 3 takes a more dire turn: conform or die a fiery, painful death. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have the utmost faith in God for their deliverance. From stories and personal experiences of their childhood, these three intimately knew the power of God and his ability to rescue them. They, in fact, may even have been rescued by Jesus himself in the furnace!
But what if they weren't rescued?
Oftentimes, we focus on the furnace in front of us and overlook the fact that—as believers in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ—he has already provided our ultimate deliverance from the eternal fire. Take confidence that our promised deliverance is holiness and eternal life, not freedom from circumstances. As Christians, we are promised strife in this life because of a broken world (James 1:2-4). But this builds holiness as we approach the throne of a perfect God who empathizes in our struggle.
This month's memory verse
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (NIV)
– Matthew 11:28-30
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever taken a step of faith in life that truly made you rely on the wisdom or deliverance of God? How did the Lord show up for you in this time?
2. In what ways are you tempted to obey or conform to the world's view of truth rather than biblical truth?
3. What promises or verses do you cling to in moments of conflict or trouble to remind yourself of the goodness of God?
4. How is your community group doing at building the muscle of obedience, like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? How can you improve?