Daniel wrote Daniel between 540 and 530 B.C., while exiled in Babylon and shortly thereafter. In Hebrew Dani’el means “God is My Judge.” The three fragments of Daniel found among the Dead Sea Scrolls contain only minor variations from the Masoretic text, such as spelling or the use of connective words like “and.” This similarity suggests that the Masoretic text of Daniel is basically the same as it was in Christ’s day.
Just 16 when taken to Babylon with the first wave of captives, Daniel was hand-picked for government service and God-picked to speak to both Jews and Gentiles. During Daniel’s first 19 years in Babylon, Judah still existed as a kingdom, albeit subject to Babylon. King Jehoiakim remained loyal to Babylon for a while but then rebelled. As a result, Judah suffered brutal military invasions and in the end nearly all its citizens were taken captive and Jehoiakim killed.
His son Jehoiachin took his place but was taken captive after only three months on the throne. His successor, Zedekiah, tried to remain loyal to Babylon but caved in to Egypt and his advisers’ anti-Babylonian sentiments. Nebuchadnezzar grew tired of the repeated revolts and destroyed Judah after a 30-month siege of Jerusalem, which ended in 586 B.C. with a mass transport of captives to Babylon. From Babylon, Daniel must have heard about these campaigns and watched the Babylonian troops return, each time with more captives.
After receiving training in the king’s court, Daniel became a member of the king’s “wise men,” or advisers and introduced Nebuchadnezzar to God. God hoped Nebuchadnezzar would cooperate with His will and teach the Jews a lesson with a solid but kind grip. Winning the king’s favor, Daniel achieved an exceptionally high rank, though he must have lost it at some point because a cuneiform almanac from 570 B.C. which lists Nebuchadnezzar’s chief officers does not include Daniel.
It’s unclear what role he played during Nebuchadnezzar’s incapacitation, or how he served subsequent kings. He did observe Medo-Persia’s rise, perhaps with special interest, knowing Isaiah’s reference to a King Cyrus who would liberate Israel. Nabonidus appointed his son Belshazzar ruler over Babylon while he went to conquer Tema in Arabia, and Daniel again became an adviser by interpreting divine revelation. Perhaps he later showed Cyrus Isaiah’s prophecies and led the king to free the Jews.
The book’s two parts, one historical and one prophetic, maintain unity. Some call Daniel a handbook of history and prophecy. The book demonstrates how God’s power, wisdom and authority operate through the history for the eventual accomplishment of His divine purpose. Daniel’s detailed account of how God used Babylon helps us understand the roles played by the nations who rose and fell after Babylon. Each building on the last, Daniel’s four visions illustrate the struggle between the forces of good and evil from his day until the time when Christ will establish His eternal kingdom on earth.
Daniel’s visions are closely related to John’s in Revelation; a careful study of each book enhances understanding of the other. Several themes can be mined from the book of Daniel: God is sovereign. God is the judge of nations and individuals. God holds the future, and He reveals it to us as it is helpful for us to know it. As history continues to unfold today, Daniel’s prophecies and their subsequent fulfillment present an unmatched opportunity for faith in the Scriptures and, in the midst of life’s uncertainty, hope of future peace and security. The way God brought Daniel into Nebuchadnezzar’s favor and helped him win the king’s confidence illustrates how God still uses men of principle and character whose priority is to live their lives for God.