Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Daniel is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his unwavering faith and prophetic visions. He is the central character in the Book of Daniel, which is part of the Ketuvim (Writings) in the Hebrew Bible and is included among the Major Prophets in the Christian Old Testament. Daniel's life and prophecies have been a source of inspiration and theological reflection throughout Judeo-Christian history. Historical Context: Daniel was a Jewish noble taken into Babylonian captivity during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II, around 605 B.C. This period marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a significant event in Jewish history. Daniel, along with other young men of noble birth, was selected to serve in the king's court. Despite the challenges of living in a foreign land, Daniel remained faithful to the God of Israel. Character and Faith: Daniel is renowned for his steadfast faith and integrity. He refused to defile himself with the royal food and wine, choosing instead to adhere to Jewish dietary laws (Daniel 1:8). His commitment to prayer and worship is evident when he continues to pray three times a day, even when it is outlawed, leading to his miraculous deliverance from the lions' den (Daniel 6:10-23). Prophetic Visions and Interpretations: Daniel is gifted with the ability to interpret dreams and visions, a talent that earns him a place of high honor in the Babylonian and later Persian courts. One of his most notable interpretations is of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue, which symbolizes successive world empires (Daniel 2:31-45). Daniel's own visions, recorded in chapters 7-12, include the vision of the four beasts, the ram and the goat, and the prophecy of the seventy weeks. These visions are rich in apocalyptic imagery and have been the subject of extensive theological study. Key Themes: 1. Sovereignty of God: Daniel's life and prophecies underscore the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms. Despite the rise and fall of empires, God's ultimate authority and plan for history prevail. 2. Faithfulness and Obedience: Daniel exemplifies unwavering faith and obedience to God, even in the face of persecution. His life serves as a model for believers to remain faithful amidst trials. 3. Messianic Prophecy: Daniel's prophecies contain significant messianic elements, particularly in the vision of the "Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13-14) and the prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27), which many Christians interpret as foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ. Influence and Legacy: Daniel's influence extends beyond the biblical narrative. His life and prophecies have inspired countless believers to trust in God's sovereignty and remain faithful in adversity. The Book of Daniel is frequently referenced in discussions of eschatology and has been a cornerstone for understanding biblical prophecy. Biblical References: · Daniel's resolve not to defile himself: "But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself" (Daniel 1:8). · Daniel in the lions' den: "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions, and they have not harmed me, for I was found innocent before Him" (Daniel 6:22). · Vision of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man: "In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13). Daniel's life and prophecies continue to be a profound testament to the power of faith and the enduring truth of God's word. Torrey's Topical Textbook Daniel 12:11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 24:15 Library Of the Prophecy of Daniel and Ezekiel, Other Two of the Greater ... Daniel. Daniel The Manner in which Josephus Mentions the Divine Books. In Regard to the Prophets among the Jews, Some of them were Wise ... The vision of Daniel. Antichrist in Daniel The Greater Prophets. Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ... The Oracles of the Prophets must be Looked Into; and of their ... Resources What is the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org What is a prophet in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |