Understanding the book of daniel in bible

The book of daniel is a 2ndcentury bc biblical apocalypse combining a prophecy of history with an eschatology a portrayal of end times cosmic in scope and political in focus. Your own father, the king, 12 did this because daniel, the one he named belteshazzar, was found to have an extraordinary spirit, as well as knowledge, understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve difficult problems. The prophecies in the book of daniel are so detailed and accurate that. Part of the section of the bible referred to as ketuvim the writings see the torah, it is an apocalyptic book, like the book of revelations in the new testament. Daniels parents chose a hebrew name for their son meaning god is my judge, testifying of their faith in the one, true god. This userfriendly commentary series helps any reader navigate the sometimes difficult terrain of the bible. Book of daniel understanding daniel and the revelation. Almost everyone looks at the book of daniel with a. Witness faith and visions come to pass in the book of daniel.

Nine of the 12 chapters relate revelation through dreams and visions. Danielrevelation understanding the books of the bible. Daniel 1 niv daniels training in babylon in the bible. However, daniels book was obviously not written at a late date as many of these scholars suppose, since portions of the book were found with the dead sea scrolls. The book of daniel is an apocalypse, a literary genre in which a heavenly reality is revealed to a human recipient.

His visions paint a prophetic landscape for daniels contemporaries. The following pages are a scripture by scripture bible commentary on each chapter of the book of daniel and many historical quotes are given to reinforce the truth. Book of daniel from the king james version of the bible. Once you understand the meaning of the symbol, bible prophecy becomes plain. Berean study bible he instructed me and spoke with me, saying. The name daniel means either god is judge or god is my judge. Can there ever be faith again in the midst of darkness, rebellion, and gloom. This book takes its name not from the author, who is actually unknown, but from its hero, who was allegedly among the first jews deported to babylon, where he lived at least until 538 b. Daniel bridges the entire 70 years of the babylonian captivity from 605 to 536 b. The book of daniel makes so much more sense if you read the full version, left out of the protestant bible for some reason which i cannot comprehend. The widely held view that the book of daniel is largely fictional rests mainly on the modern philosophical assumption that longrange predictive prophecy is impossible. The prophet ezekiel, who wrote his prophecy in babylon about the same time, mentioned.

Daniel, theology of definition and meaning bible dictionary. It does not say these years were concluded before the events of ch. What this means is that daniel s prophecies would not be fully understandable until the end times prior to christs return. Strictly speaking, the book does not belong to the prophetic writings but rather to a distinctive type of literature known as apocalyptic, of which it is an early specimen. Golden images, winged lions, proud kings, judgment day and the holy sanctuarythey are all part of the fascinating, colorful book of daniel. Daniels three friends daniels friends shadrach, meshach and abednego served as advisers to king nebuchadnezzar of babylon. The king found they were ten times better than all the magicians and wise men in his kingdom. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Daniel 1, new international version niv the bible app. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, o daniel, i have now come out to give you insight and understanding. Daniel 1 new international version niv daniels training in babylon. The story of daniel motivates faithfulness despite exile in babylon. Students of bible prophecy walk in the light and understanding of what god has.

His visions offer hope that god will bring all nations under his rule. God is in control, no matter how things look, and his kingdom will one day fill the earth. To help you in your understanding, study the chart below. A study of the book of daniel church of christ in zion. The book of daniel is no exception for it provides a wealth of information to those who would diligently consider it and its teachings. The book says that daniel is its writer in several places, such as 9. While you can use these guides with any version or translation, theyre especially designed to be used with the books of the bible, an edition of the scriptures from biblica that takes out the chapter and verse numbers and presents the. William nelsons sectionbysection commentary on daniel is the newest volume in the understanding the bible commentary series. The understanding the books of the bible series of study guides will help you do that with the bible. Without a doubt, daniels book demonstrates the overarching sovereignty of god.

Unlike other old testament prophecies, this book does not call its readers to repent and lead a new life. Through a series of dreams and visions and their interpretations daniel is shown an outline of future kingdoms of the world. The part left out lays the groundwork for how daniel became so prominent in the land. The book of daniel is often read for its contribution to our understanding of endtimes events, but sometimes christians have been so obsessed with this that we have missed its main message. Daniel is one of the few bible books that takes place during a period of. Daniel god my judge, which accords with the character and contents of the book. The book of daniel plays several roles in the bible. Daniels name is a key to a full understanding of the book. Oct 29, 2016 few bible characters have the kind of status that daniel does.

The book of daniel was well enough accepted to be included in the septuagint the bible of the earliest christians, which was written in greek around 250 b. Therefore all fulfilled predictions in daniel, it is claimed, had to have been composed no earlier than the maccabean period second century b. As with all of scripture, the book of daniel is profitable for our study 2 ti 3. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, o daniel, i am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. Watch our overview video on the book of daniel, which breaks down the.

Witness faith and visions come to pass in the book of. In more mundane language, it is an account of the activities and visions of daniel, a noble jew exiled at babylon, its message being that just as the god of israel saved daniel and his friends from their enemies, so he would save all of israel in their present oppression. When i, daniel, had seen the vision, i sought to understand it. This remarkable piece of scripture has encouraged the faithful for centuries. But you, daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end. The angel gabriel specifically told daniel to seal up these prophecies until the time of the end. In nt prophecy daniel is referred to more than any other ot book.

A study of the book of daniel gene taylor1preface the study of any of the old testament prophets is a worthwhile endeavor. A proper understanding of daniel, chapters 2 and 7, and of daniel 9. Daniel who through the book received revelations from god. Moreover, it contains more fulfilled prophecies than any other book in the bible daniel. Book of daniel simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Daniels prayer, and the vision of the seventy weeks 9. Roy gingrich has carefully analyzed the main prophetic segments of the book of daniel daniel, chapters 2, 7, 8, 9, 1012. Jesus warned his disciples about coming events when he talked about the abomination that causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet daniel. The book of daniel is a 2ndcentury bc biblical apocalypse combining a prophecy of history with an. Does the book of daniel have any significance for us today. It is my prayer that you will search the scriptures, and rightlydivide them to see what things are true and honest. The interpretation of the book can be determined only by understanding its historical background. The book of daniel is a 2ndcentury bc biblical apocalypse combining a prophecy of history with an eschatology cosmic in scope and political in focus. Daniel understanding the bible commentary series paperback january 1, 20.

Daniel was gods mouthpiece to the gentile and jewish world, declaring gods current and future plans. To experience the full impact of the book, we must understand its theme. Named after its writer, daniels book is a product of his time in babylon as a jewish exile. Daniels friends shadrach, meshach and abednego served as advisers to king nebuchadnezzar of babylon. Study guide for daniel by chuck smith blue letter bible. Porphyry claimed that instead of being written by daniel about b.

The bible prophet, daniel, outlines in vivid detail world events now unfolding before our eyes. Unsealing daniels mysteries lesson 1 prophetic symbols. In todays excerpt from the most recent edition in the story of god bible commentary series, author wendy l. It would be worthwhile and advisable to read the page on bible prophecy symbols first to gain a comprehensive understanding of the many bible symbols before beginning. Daniels life serves as an example of godly integrity. Understanding the book of daniel free bible booklets. In the smallest as well as the largest affairs of life, he desires us to reveal to men the principles of his kingdom. Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, i thank thee, o father, lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. The book of daniel portrays him as the babylonian king in the first year of whose reign daniel has his dream of the four great beasts which come up out of the sea. The book of daniel is followed by the prophet hosea, the first of the prophets in the book of the twelve.

The book of daniel stands as a unique mix in the old testament, for while it begins with history, it makes a strong transition at chapter 7, where it contains visions of future events significant to the jews. The book of daniel thus provides an overview of prophecy regarding these empires unmatched in any other old testament book. Daniel, a bible book whichl is key to understanding other. In the hebrew bible, and in most recent protestant versions, the book of daniel is limited to its protocanonical portions. Hes a righteous and wise hero of the old testament whose decisions save the lives of many. No other book in the bible has been attacked like the book of daniel. Daniel 1 niv daniels training in babylon bible gateway. The book of daniel is one of the most significant prophetic books in the bible. Danielrevelation understanding the books of the bible smith, christopher r. In short, the book of daniel, our study for this quarter, remains what it was when penned thousands of years ago.

When we look at daniel, the rest of the bible and especially the book of revelation, we can better understand this picture cf. In the septuagint, the vulgate, and many other ancient and modern translations of the bible, it comprises both its proto and its deuterocanonical parts, both of which have an equal right to be considered as inspired, and to be included in a treatment of the book of daniel. Its prophecies speak with increased meaning to this generation. And i heard the voice of a man between the banks of ulai, and he called out and said, gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision. Book of daniel overview insight for living ministries. These he carried off to the temple of his god in babylonia. The purpose of the book of daniel in the book of daniel the scriptures foretell how the lord will deal with the people of daniel the jews and the gentile nations. No commentary has yet achieved unanimous agreement, but this book embodies essentially the premillennial approach to the book of daniel. The book of daniel, originally written in hebrew and aramaic, is a book in both the hebrew bible and the christian old testament writer.

The book of daniel the prophet as god called daniel to witness for him in babylon, so he calls us to be his witnesses in the world today. The prophetic book of daniel was written for our time. He carried these off to the land of shinar, a to the house of his god, where he put them. In the hebrew bible, it is found in the ketuvim, while in christian bibles. When the books of daniel and revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. It is difficult to understand how that reading could have arisen from the massoretic text, or how, on the other hand, the massoretie text could have arisen from. O daniel, i have come now to give you insight and understanding. Follow along in this chapterbychapter, selfgrading bible study as you unravel complex prophecies and learn simple biblical principles for everyday life.

The book of daniel is unsealing middle east and prophecy. The book of daniel the book of daniel is one of the most significant prophetic books in the bible. In the septuagint, the vulgate, and many other ancient and modern translations of the bible, it comprises both its proto and its deuterocanonical parts, both of which have an equal right to be considered as inspired, and to be included in a treatment of the book. Summon daniel, therefore, and he will give you the interpretation. Its prophecies of worldruling empires are closely related to revelation. In addition, the captivating prophecy, imagery, and symbolism make the book of daniel one of the most read of hebrew scripture, our old testament of the bible. You really ought to dig into daniel with a bible study and commentary to learn about this character for yourself, but for starters, heres 12 biblical facts about daniel that dont get. In fact, they are all destined to fall at the same time 2. In more mundane language, it is an account of the activities and visions of daniel, a noble jew exiled at babylon, its message being that just as the god of israel saved daniel and his friends from. The book of daniel is one of my favourite books of the biblethank you. The prophet ezekiel, who wrote his prophecy in babylon about the same time, mentioned three biblical figures in a row as men of righteousness, noah, daniel.