Topical Bible: Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Daniel

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Introduction

Daniel is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for his unwavering faith, prophetic visions, and exemplary character. He is the central figure in the Book of Daniel, which is part of the Ketuvim (Writings) in the Hebrew Bible and is included in the Major Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. Daniel's life and experiences provide profound insights into God's sovereignty, the power of prayer, and the importance of faithfulness amidst adversity.

Historical Context

Daniel lived during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Kingdom of Judah was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. This event led to the deportation of many Jews, including Daniel, to Babylon. Daniel's life spans the reigns of several Babylonian and Medo-Persian kings, including Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Great.

Character and Faith

Daniel is renowned for his steadfast faith and integrity. From a young age, he resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, choosing instead to adhere to his Jewish dietary laws (Daniel 1:8). His commitment to God was evident in his daily practice of prayer, even when it was outlawed under King Darius (Daniel 6:10). Daniel's faithfulness is exemplified in his miraculous deliverance from the lions' den, a testament to God's protection over those who trust in Him (Daniel 6:22).

Prophetic Visions

Daniel is also recognized for his prophetic visions, which reveal God's plan for the future. These visions include the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue, symbolizing successive world empires (Daniel 2:31-45), and the vision of the four beasts, representing kingdoms that would rise and fall (Daniel 7:1-28). Daniel's prophecies extend to the "seventy weeks" prophecy, which foretells the coming of the Anointed One and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom (Daniel 9:24-27).

Wisdom and Leadership

Daniel's wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and visions earned him a position of high authority in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. He was appointed as a chief administrator and was highly esteemed by the kings he served (Daniel 2:48, 6:3). His leadership was characterized by humility, discernment, and a deep reliance on God.

Legacy

Daniel's life and writings have had a lasting impact on both Jewish and Christian traditions. His example of faithfulness in a foreign land serves as an inspiration for believers facing trials and temptations. The Book of Daniel is often studied for its eschatological themes and its insights into God's ultimate victory over evil. Daniel's unwavering devotion to God and his prophetic revelations continue to be a source of encouragement and hope for those who seek to live a life of faithfulness and obedience to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 6:4-22
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Theological Reconstruction
... The outstanding trait of Kant's reflection upon religion is ... identical with that of
the religious man toward ... with a sympathy with institutional religion and a ...
/.../chapter iii theological reconstruction.htm

The Old Testament and Modern Criticism
... are, one must own, few outstanding scholars at ... priests, the priestly type of religion
finding literary ... reflecting different stages in the religious and social ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iii the old testament.htm

The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of ...
... to the religious or semi-religious Jewish Hellenistic ... know the sacred books on which
the religion and history ... and haste, we note certain outstanding facts as ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the jewish dispersion.htm

The Epistle of St. James
... ii.2, v.14) or of religious observances, but he ... in God's sight a pure, unsoiled religion
expresses itself ... society were the typical and outstanding instances of ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the epistle of st james.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... two, in civilization, mode of thought, religion, language, and ... The outstanding features
spoken of by our Lord ... There will be many false religious teachers, many ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... by our wisdom or insight or religious devotion or ... pure hands he formed man, his
outstanding and greatest ... you, brothers, about what befits our religion and is ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Chapter i
... to indicate the Trinity or the three persons in the ... the name is taken from the
outstanding part, a ... that the Genesis account presents a "religious advance to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm