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An introduction to the book of Daniel.
Daniel wrote this prophetic book in Babylon.
He was taken to Babylon,
likely as a young Judean prince,
along with other nobles.
In time,
Daniel served as a government official
for the Babylonians
and later for the Medo-Persians.
Daniel opens his book by relating events
that began in 618 B.C.E.
when he was still a young man.
He completed his writing
in approximately 536 B.C.E.
Obadiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah
were Daniel’s contemporaries.
They lived during a tumultuous period
of Israel’s history
that included the destruction of Jerusalem.
Daniel witnessed
the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon
and the return of a faithful remnant of God’s people
to Jerusalem.
However, he did not join
those returning to Jerusalem,
likely because of his advanced age.
The book of Daniel has 12 chapters.
Chapters 1 to 6 record in chronological order
the experiences of Daniel
and those of his three companions.
Chapters 7 to 12 contain Daniel’s account
of prophetic dreams and visions
that he received by inspiration.
Chapters 1, 3, and 6
recount the various tests of integrity
that Daniel and his Hebrew companions
successfully meet.
As young men, they reject food and drink
that would make them unclean in God’s sight.
Sometime after this,
Daniel’s three companions,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
bravely face death in a fiery furnace
for refusing to worship
an image representing the Babylonian State.
Years later, despite an official decree
prohibiting petitions to anyone but Darius,
Daniel perseveres in prayer to Jehovah
and, as a result,
is thrown into a lions’ pit.
With each test,
Daniel and his companions
maintain their integrity,
and Jehovah protects them.
Chapters 2 and 4
describe how Jehovah gives Daniel
the ability to interpret
two of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams.
Each of these divinely sent dreams
has prophetic significance.
The first dream is of an immense image
made of various metals.
This image represents
successive world powers
that have had a major influence
on God’s people.
The prophecy ends
with the destruction of these powers
and with God’s Kingdom
as the only government ruling over mankind.
Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream
features a tree that reaches to the heavens.
It is cut down,
and the stump is banded for seven times.
This symbolizes an interruption of rulership.
However, the stump is allowed to remain,
indicating a restoration of rulership.
Chapter 5 relates
that handwriting miraculously appears
on the wall of the palace
where Babylonian King Belshazzar
holds a feast.
Daniel tells Belshazzar
that the handwriting warns
of the conquest of Babylon
by the Medes and the Persians.
Babylon falls that very night.
Did you know?
A large portion of the book of Daniel
was written in the Aramaic language.
Aramaic was commonly spoken
in ancient times,
having the same letters in its alphabet
as did Hebrew.
Chapters 7 and 8 describe
the visions Daniel sees of a series of beasts
that picture the rise and fall of Babylon,
Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Also, Jehovah gives his Son
an everlasting Kingdom
that will replace all human governments.
Chapter 9 relates that Daniel discerns
from his study of God’s written Word
that the Jews’ release from captivity
is imminent.
Next, we read that while Daniel is praying,
an angel appears to him
and reveals details concerning the Messiah.
Chapters 10 to 12 discuss the event
when an angel again visits Daniel,
encourages him,
and gives him
an additional vision of the future.
A large part of the prophecy
describes a conflict
between two kings
locked in a struggle for supremacy.
The fulfillment of the prophecy
would extend to “the final part of the days.”
The angel reassures Daniel of God’s approval
and tells him
that although he will soon rest in death,
he will stand up in the resurrection
“at the end of the days.”
As you read this book,
note how much Jehovah values
Daniel’s faithfulness,
how Jehovah maneuvers kings and kingdoms
according to his purpose,
and how Jehovah gives his Son
an everlasting Kingdom
that will replace all human governments.

Introduction to Daniel
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Introduction to Daniel

An introduction to the book of Daniel.
Daniel wrote this prophetic book in Babylon.
He was taken to Babylon,
likely as a young Judean prince,
along with other nobles.
In time,
Daniel served as a government official
for the Babylonians
and later for the Medo-Persians.
Daniel opens his book by relating events
that began in 618 B.C.E.
when he was still a young man.
He completed his writing
in approximately 536 B.C.E.
Obadiah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah
were Daniel’s contemporaries.
They lived during a tumultuous period
of Israel’s history
that included the destruction of Jerusalem.
Daniel witnessed
the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon
and the return of a faithful remnant of God’s people
to Jerusalem.
However, he did not join
those returning to Jerusalem,
likely because of his advanced age.
The book of Daniel has 12 chapters.
Chapters 1 to 6 record in chronological order
the experiences of Daniel
and those of his three companions.
Chapters 7 to 12 contain Daniel’s account
of prophetic dreams and visions
that he received by inspiration.
Chapters 1, 3, and 6
recount the various tests of integrity
that Daniel and his Hebrew companions
successfully meet.
As young men, they reject food and drink
that would make them unclean in God’s sight.
Sometime after this,
Daniel’s three companions,
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,
bravely face death in a fiery furnace
for refusing to worship
an image representing the Babylonian State.
Years later, despite an official decree
prohibiting petitions to anyone but Darius,
Daniel perseveres in prayer to Jehovah
and, as a result,
is thrown into a lions’ pit.
With each test,
Daniel and his companions
maintain their integrity,
and Jehovah protects them.
Chapters 2 and 4
describe how Jehovah gives Daniel
the ability to interpret
two of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams.
Each of these divinely sent dreams
has prophetic significance.
The first dream is of an immense image
made of various metals.
This image represents
successive world powers
that have had a major influence
on God’s people.
The prophecy ends
with the destruction of these powers
and with God’s Kingdom
as the only government ruling over mankind.
Nebuchadnezzar’s second dream
features a tree that reaches to the heavens.
It is cut down,
and the stump is banded for seven times.
This symbolizes an interruption of rulership.
However, the stump is allowed to remain,
indicating a restoration of rulership.
Chapter 5 relates
that handwriting miraculously appears
on the wall of the palace
where Babylonian King Belshazzar
holds a feast.
Daniel tells Belshazzar
that the handwriting warns
of the conquest of Babylon
by the Medes and the Persians.
Babylon falls that very night.
Did you know?
A large portion of the book of Daniel
was written in the Aramaic language.
Aramaic was commonly spoken
in ancient times,
having the same letters in its alphabet
as did Hebrew.
Chapters 7 and 8 describe
the visions Daniel sees of a series of beasts
that picture the rise and fall of Babylon,
Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Also, Jehovah gives his Son
an everlasting Kingdom
that will replace all human governments.
Chapter 9 relates that Daniel discerns
from his study of God’s written Word
that the Jews’ release from captivity
is imminent.
Next, we read that while Daniel is praying,
an angel appears to him
and reveals details concerning the Messiah.
Chapters 10 to 12 discuss the event
when an angel again visits Daniel,
encourages him,
and gives him
an additional vision of the future.
A large part of the prophecy
describes a conflict
between two kings
locked in a struggle for supremacy.
The fulfillment of the prophecy
would extend to “the final part of the days.”
The angel reassures Daniel of God’s approval
and tells him
that although he will soon rest in death,
he will stand up in the resurrection
“at the end of the days.”
As you read this book,
note how much Jehovah values
Daniel’s faithfulness,
how Jehovah maneuvers kings and kingdoms
according to his purpose,
and how Jehovah gives his Son
an everlasting Kingdom
that will replace all human governments.


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