Daniel
A Jewish exile in Babylon known for his faithfulness, his interpretation of dreams, and his visions of the future.
At a glance
- Name
- Daniel
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- The book of Daniel
- First appearance
- Daniel 1
- Known for
- The exile who interpreted dreams and survived the lions' den
Who is Daniel?
Daniel is a young man of Judah taken into exile in Babylon, where he serves in the royal court under a succession of kings. From the start he resolves to remain faithful, refusing the king's food, and God gives him wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams and visions.
He interprets the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, including the dream of a great statue, and rises to high office. Under a later king, rivals trick the ruler into a decree that leads to Daniel being thrown into a den of lions for praying to God, but God shuts the lions' mouths and he is unharmed.
The second half of the book records Daniel's own visions of successive kingdoms and the end of days, some of them explained to him by the angel Gabriel, and naming the angelic prince Michael.
Daniel in the Bible
Faithful in exile
Taken to Babylon, Daniel refuses the king's food and is given wisdom by God.
Read Daniel 1 →The king's dream
Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue when no one else can.
Read Daniel 2 →The lions' den
Thrown to the lions for praying to God, Daniel is kept safe through the night.
Read Daniel 6 →People connected with Daniel
- instructed by Gabriel The angel Gabriel is sent to explain Daniel's visions.
Not to be confused with
- Daniel, a son of David A different Daniel is listed among the sons of David born at Hebron in 1 Chronicles 3:1.
Key passages featuring Daniel
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.