Bible Figure
Daniel (biblical figure)
Protagonist of the Book of Daniel of the Hebrew Bible
Daniel was a Judean exile in Babylon who served foreign kings while remaining faithful to God and received major visions concerning kingdoms, persecution, judgment, and God's ultimate rule.
Biography
Taken to Babylon in the exile, Daniel was selected for royal training with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. He refused food that would compromise his convictions and was granted exceptional wisdom. God enabled him to reveal and interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great statue, leading to promotion. Daniel later interpreted the king's tree dream and Belshazzar's writing on the wall. Under Darius, rivals used Daniel's regular prayer life to trap him under a royal decree, and he was thrown into a lions' den but miraculously preserved. The latter half of the book records visions of successive kingdoms, a heavenly 'Son of Man,' severe persecution, divine judgment, and resurrection.
Biblical Significance
Daniel models faithful discipleship in exile: respectful service to earthly governments without surrendering loyalty to God. His visions strongly emphasize God's sovereignty over empires and contribute major biblical language concerning the Son of Man, resurrection, and final judgment.