DANIEL

Summary of the Book of Daniel

This summary of the book of Daniel provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of Daniel.

Author, Date and Authenticity

The book implies that Daniel was its author in several passages, such as 9:2; 10:2. That Jesus concurred is clear from his reference to " the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of� through the prophet Daniel" (Mt 24:15; see note there), quoting 9:27 (see note there); 11:31; 12:11. The book was probably completed c. 530 b.c., shortly after Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, captured the city of Babylon in 539.

The widely held view that the book of Daniel is largely fictional rests mainly on the modern philosophical assumption that long-range predictive prophecy is impossible. Therefore all fulfilled predictions in Daniel, it is claimed, had to have been composed no earlier than the Maccabean period (second century b.c.), after the fulfillments had taken place. But objective evidence excludes this hypothesis on several counts:

1.To avoid fulfillment of long-range predictive prophecy in the book, the adherents of the late-date view usually maintain that the four empires of chs. 2 and 7 are Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece. But in the mind of the author, "the Medes and Persians" (5:28;;) together constituted the second in the series of four kingdoms (2:32-43; see note there). Thus it becomes clear that the four empires are the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek and Roman.2.The language itself argues for a date earlier than the second century. Linguistic evidence from the Dead Sea Scrolls (which furnish authentic samples of Hebrew and Aramaic writing from the third and second centuries b.c.; see essay, p. 1939) demonstrates that the Hebrew and Aramaic chapters of Daniel must have been composed centuries earlier. Furthermore, as recently demonstrated, the Persian and Greek words in Daniel do not require a late date. Some of the technical terms appearing in ch. 3 were already so obsolete by the second century b.c. that translators of the Septuagint (the pre-Christian Greek translation of the OT) translated them incorrectly.3.Several of the fulfillments of prophecies in Daniel could not have taken place by the second century anyway, so the prophetic element cannot be dismissed. The symbolism connected with the fourth kingdom makes it unmistakably predictive of the Roman empire (2:33;7:7,19), which did not take control of Syro-Palestine until 63 b.c. Also, a plausible interpretation of the prophecy concerning the coming of "the Anointed One, the ruler," approximately 483 years after "the issuing of the decree to

restore and rebuild Jerusalem" (9:25;9:25-27), works out to the time of Jesus' ministry.Objective evidence, therefore, appears to exclude the late-date hypothesis and indicates that there is insufficient reason to deny Daniel's authorship.

Theological Theme

The theological theme of the book is summarized in 4:17; 5:21: "The Most High (God) is sovereign over the kingdoms of men." Daniel's visions always show God as triumphant (7:11,26-27;8:25;9:27). The climax of his sovereign rule is described in Revelation: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ [i.e., Messiah, Anointed One'], and he will reign for ever� and ever" (rev 11:15;da 2:44;7:27;s).

Literary Form

The book is made up primarily of historical narrative (found mainly in chs. 1 - 6) and apocalyptic ("revelatory") material (found mainly in chs. 7 - 12). The latter may be defined as symbolic, visionary, prophetic literature, usually composed during oppressive conditions and being chiefly eschatological in theological content. Apocalyptic literature is primarily a literature of encouragement to the people of God (see Introduction to Zechariah: Literary Form and Themes; see also Introduction to Revelation: Literary Form). For the symbolic use of numbers in apocalyptic literature see Introduction to Revelation: Distinctive Feature.

Outline

•Prologue: The Setting (ch. 1)

•Historical Introduction (1:1-2)•Daniel and His Friends Are Taken Captive (1:3-7)•The Young Men Are Faithful (1:8-16)•The Young Men Are Elevated to High Positions (1:17-21)

•The Destinies of the Nations of the World (chs. 2-7;)

•Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of a Large Statue (ch. 2)•Nebuchadnezzar's Making of a Gold Image and His Decree That It Be Worshiped (ch. 3)•Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of an Enormous Tree (ch. 4)•Belshazzar's and Babylon's Downfall (ch. 5)•Daniel's Deliverance from the Lion's Den (ch. 6)•Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts (ch. 7)

•The Destiny of the Nation of Israel (chs. 8-12; in Hebrew)

•Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat (ch. 8)•Daniel's Prayer and His Vision of the 70 "Sevens" (ch. 9)

•Daniel's Vision of Israel's Future (chs. 10-12)1.Revelation of things to come (10:1-3)2.Revelation from the angelic messenger (10:4;11:1)3.Prophecies concerning Persia and Greece (11:2-4)4.Prophecies concerning Egypt and Syria (11:5-35)5.Prophecies concerning the antichrist (11:36-45)6.Distress and deliverance (12:1)7.Two resurrections (12:2-3)8.Instruction to Daniel (12:4)9.Conclusion (12:5-13)

Daniel 1

Daniel Taken to Babylon

1 In the third year of 1the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of 2the vessels of the

house of God. And he brought them to 3the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, 4and

placed the vessels in the treasury of his god.

3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, 5his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of

Israel, both of the royal familya and of6the nobility,

4 youths without 7blemish, of good appearance and 8skillful in all wisdom, endowed with

knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and

to 9teach them the literature and language of the10Chaldeans.

5 The king assigned them a daily portion of 11the food that the king ate, and of 12the wine

that he drank. They were to be educated for 13three years, and at the end of that time they

were to 14stand before the king.

6 Among these were 15Daniel, 16Hananiah, 17Mishael, and 18Azariah of the tribe of Judah.

7And 19the chief of the eunuchs 20gave them names: 21Daniel he called Belteshazzar,

Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

Daniel's Faithfulness

8 But Daniel 22resolved that he would not 23defile himself with 24the king's food, or

with 25the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not

to 26defile himself.

9 27And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,

10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your

food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths

who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king."

11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

12 "Test your servants for 28ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.

13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat 29the king's food be

observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see."

14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.

15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh

than all the youths who ate 30the king's food.

16 31So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave

them 32vegetables.

17 As for these four youths, 33God gave them learning and 34skill in all literature and

wisdom, and Daniel had 35understanding in all visions and dreams.

18 At the end of 36the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in,

the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel,

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore37they stood before the king.

20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them,

he found them ten times better than all 38the magicians and 39enchanters that were in all his

kingdom.

21 And Daniel 40was there until the first year of 41King Cyrus.

Footnotes

a 1:3 - Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom

Cross references

1 1:1 - 2 Kgs. 24:1, 2 ; 2 Chr. 36:6

•2 1:2 - ch. 5:2 ; 2 Kgs. 24:13 ; 2 Chr. 36:7, 10 ; [ Jer. 27:18 ]•3 1:2 - Gen. 11:2 ; Zech. 5:11•4 1:2 - 2 Chr. 36:7 ; Ezra 5:14•5 1:3 - [ 2 Kgs. 20:18 ; Isa. 39:7 ]•6 1:3 - Esth. 1:3•7 1:4 - [ Lev. 24:19, 20 ; 2 Sam. 14:25 ]•8 1:4 - [ver. 17; ch. 9:22 ]•9 1:4 - [ Isa. 47:10 ]•10 1:4 - ch. 2:2, 4, 5, 10 ; 3:8 ; 4:7 ; 5:7, 11•11 1:5 - ch. 11:26•12 1:5 - ver. 8, 16•13 1:5 - [ver. 18]•14 1:5 - [ ch. 2:2 ; 1 Kgs. 10:8 ]; See Gen. 41:46•15 1:6 - Ezek. 14:14, 20 ; Matt. 24:15•16 1:6 - ch. 2:17•17 1:6 - ch. 2:17•18 1:6 - ch. 2:17•19 1:7 - [See ver. 3 above]•20 1:7 - [ 2 Kgs. 23:34 ; 24:17 ]•21 1:7 - ch. 2:26 ; 4:8, 9, 18, 19 ; 5:12 ; 10:1•22 1:8 - 2 Cor. 9:7•23 1:8 - [ Lev. 3:17 ; Ezek. 4:13 ; Hos. 9:3 ]•24 1:8 - [See ver. 5 above]•25 1:8 - [See ver. 5 above]•26 1:8 - [ Lev. 3:17 ; Ezek. 4:13 ; Hos. 9:3 ]•27 1:9 - [ Gen. 39:21 ; Ps. 106:46 ; Prov. 16:7 ]•28 1:12 - [ Rev. 2:10 ]•29 1:13 - [See ver. 5 above]•30 1:15 - [See ver. 5 above]•31 1:16 - ver. 11•32 1:16 - ver. 12

•33 1:17 - [ ch. 2:20, 23 ; Job 32:8 ; James 1:5 ]•34 1:17 - ver. 4•35 1:17 - ch. 5:12 ; [ ch. 9:23 ; 10:1, 11, 12 ]•36 1:18 - [ver. 5]•37 1:19 - ch. 2:2•38 1:20 - [ ch. 2:27 ; Gen. 41:8, 24 ; Ex. 7:11, 22 ; 8:7, 18, 19 ; 9:11 ]•39 1:20 - ch. 2:2, 10, 27 ; 4:7 ; 5:7, 11, 15•40 1:21 - [ ch. 6:28 ; 10:1 ]•41 1:21 - See ch. 6:28

Daniel’s languages. The book of Daniel was written in both Hebrew (1:1–2:3; 7:1–12:13) and Aramaic (2:4–7:28). In OT times, Aramaic was the language used

by several people groups in the Middle East (see2 Kings 18:26).

Introduction to DanielGlobal Message of DanielDan. 1:1–6:28 Daniel and the Three Friends at the Babylonian Court. The

Hebrew exiles live faithfully to the Lord while serving in the court of Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, from 605 B.C. to the fall of Babylon (539) and into the early years of Persian rule. Their service brings blessing to the Gentiles.

Daniel

Daniel was a young man from a noble family who was deported from Judah to

Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar (605 B.C.). The Babylonians trained Daniel for three years in their language and culture. The Lord blessed Daniel with exceptional wisdom in these areas. He also gave Daniel the ability to interpret dreams. When Daniel interpreted a dream for Nebuchadnezzar, the grateful king gave him an important position in the royal court. After the fall of the Babylonian Empire, Daniel served in a similar role in the Medo-Persian Empire

that succeeded it (6:28). Daniel was a faithful servant of the Lord who consistently refused to disobey God. At the same time, he remained respectful to those in authority over him. Daniel, along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, did precisely what God had commanded the exiles to do

in Jeremiah 29:7: they were a blessing to their captors while at the same time remaining true to their Lord amid extraordinary pressures. (Daniel 1:17–21)

Dan. 1:1–21 Daniel describes how he and his three friends were taken into

exile (vv. 1–7), remained undefiled (vv. 8–16), and were promoted and preserved (vv. 17–21).

Dan. 1:1–2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim . . . , Nebuchadnezzar

king of Babylon came to Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and other

promising young people to Babylon to be trained in Babylonian culture and literature. This deportation was the beginning of what came to be known as the Babylonian exile. This exile was the result of the people’s sin (Lev. 26:33, 39). Nebuchadnezzar was the Babylonian king c. 605–562 B.C. See 2 Kings 24:1–25:26; Jer. 39:1–18; 52:1–30.

Dan. 1:3–4 Some of the royal family and nobility were also exiled. Their exile fulfilled

Isaiah’s prophecy to King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 39, a century earlier. Hezekiah had shown the representatives of Babylon around his treasuries, hoping to win a political partner against the Assyrians. Because he had thus failed to trust in the Lord, it was prophesied that the treasures he had shown the Babylonians, as well as some of his own descendants, would be carried off to Babylon.

Dan. 1:5–7 Nebuchadnezzar forced the exiles into adopting Babylonian culture by depriving

them of their religious and cultural identity and creating dependence on the royal court. They were given names linked with Babylonian deities in place of Israelite names linked with their God.

Fact: What’s in a name?

What’s in a name? Changing a person’s name (1:7) was a sign of having power over that person. Conquering rulers often did this to their captives as a means of making them more a part of their new culture.

Dan. 1:8–16 Daniel and his three friends kept their original names and resolvednot

to defile themselves with the king’s food and drink (v. 8). They avoided the rich diet as a

way of protecting themselves from being tempted by Babylonian culture. Their restricted diet

continually reminded them that they were the people of God in a foreign land. They were

dependent for their food, indeed for their very lives, upon God, not King Nebuchadnezzar. The

Lord gave Daniel favor with his captors (v. 9), and the steward honored their request for a

special diet. At the end of a trial period, Daniel and his friends looked fitter than those who

had consumed a high-calorie diet.

Dan. 1:17–21 God also gave Daniel and his friends exceptional knowledge of

Babylonian literature and wisdom. In addition, he gave Daniel the ability to

understand all visions and dreams. God’s favor enabled Daniel and his

friends to answer all of Nebuchadnezzar’s questions, so that he found them ten

times better than all of his pagan advisers.

Dan. 1:21 until the first year of King Cyrus. That is, 539 B.C., when Cyrus conquered

Babylon. God provided for Daniel throughout 70 years of exile.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; 1his

spirit was troubled, and 2his sleep left him.

2 Then the king commanded that 3the magicians, 4the enchanters, the 5sorcerers, and 6the

Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and 7stood before the

king.

3 And the king said to them, "I had a dream, and 8my spirit is troubled to know the dream."

4 Then 9the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic,a 10 "O king, live forever! Tell your servants

the dream, and we will show the interpretation."

5 The king answered and said to 11the Chaldeans, "The word from me is firm: if you do not

make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be 12torn limb from limb, 13and

your 14houses shall be laid in ruins.

6But if you show the dream and its interpretation, 15you shall receive from me gifts and

rewards and great honor. 16Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation."

7 They answered a second time and said, "Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we

will show its interpretation."

8 The king answered and said, "I know with certainty that you are trying to 17gain time,

because you see that the word from me is firm--

9 if you do not make the dream known to me, 18there is but one sentence for you. You have

agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till 19the times change. 20Therefore tell

me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation."

10 21The Chaldeans answered the king and said, "There is not a man on earth who can

meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any

magician or enchanter or22Chaldean.

11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except 23the

gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."

12 Because of this the king was angry and 24very furious, and 25commanded that all 26the

wise men of Babylon be destroyed.

13 So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they

sought 27Daniel and his companions, to kill them.

14 Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to 28Arioch, the 29captain of the king's

guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon.

15 He declaredb to Arioch, the king's captain, "Why is the decree of the king 30so urgent?"

Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel.

16 And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the

interpretation to the king.

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to 31Hananiah,32Mishael,

and 33Azariah, his companions,

18 34and told them to seek mercy from the 35God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that

Daniel and his companions might not 36be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of

Babylon.

19Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in 37a vision of the night. Then Daniel38blessed

the 39God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said: 40"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, 41to whom

belong wisdom and might.

21 42He changes times and seasons; 43he removes kings and sets up kings; 44he gives

wisdom to the wise 45and knowledge to those who have understanding;

22 46he reveals deep and hidden things; 47he knows what is in the darkness, 48and the light

dwells with him.

23 To you, O 49God of my fathers, 50I give thanks and praise, for 51you have given me

wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what 52we asked of you, for you have

made known to us the king's matter."

24Therefore Daniel went in to 53Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise

men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon;

bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation."

25 Then 54Arioch brought in Daniel before the king 55in haste and said thus to him: "I have

found 56among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the

interpretation."

26 The king declared to Daniel, 57whose name was Belteshazzar, 58"Are you able to make

known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?"

27 Daniel answered the king and said, "No wise men,59enchanters, 60magicians,

or 61astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked,

28 but 62there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King

Nebuchadnezzar 63what will be in the latter days. Your dream and 64the visions of your head

as you lay in bed are these:

29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, 65and he

who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.

30 But 66as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I

have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the

king, and that 67you may know the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel Interprets the Dream

31 "You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding

brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening.

3268The head of this image was of fine gold, 69its chest and arms of silver, its middle

and 70thighs of bronze,

33 71its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.

34 As you looked, a stone was cut out 72by no human hand, and it struck the image on its

feet of iron and clay, and 73broke them in pieces.

35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in

pieces, and became 74like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried

them away, so that 75not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image

became 76a great mountain 77and filled the whole earth.

36 "This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation.

37 You, O king, 78the king of kings, to whom 79the God of heaven 80has given the kingdom,

the power, and the might, and the glory,

38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, 81the beasts

of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all--you are 82the head

of gold.

39 83Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom 84of

bronze, 85which shall rule over all the earth.

40 And 86there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron 87breaks to pieces

and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall 88break and crush all these.

41 And as you saw 89the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a

divided kingdom, but some of the90firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed

with the soft clay.

42And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly

strong and partly brittle.

43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in

marriage,c but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay.

44 And in the days of those kings 91the God of heaven will set up 92a kingdom that shall

never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. 93It shall break in pieces

all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and 94it shall stand forever,

45 just as 95you saw that 96a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and

that 97it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A 98great God

has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its

interpretation sure."

Daniel Is Promoted

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar 99fell upon his face and 100paid homage to Daniel, and

commanded that 101an offering and 102incense be offered up to him.

47 The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your 103God is God of gods and 104Lord of

kings, and 105a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."

48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great 106gifts, and made him ruler over

the whole 107province of Babylon and 108chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he109appointed 110Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego over the affairs of 111the province of Babylon. But Daniel 112remained at the

king's court.

Foot notes

a 2:4 - The text from this point to the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic

•b 2:15 - Aramaic answered and said; also verse 26•c 2:43 - Aramaic by the seed of men

Cross references

1 2:1 - [ ch. 4:5 ; 5:9 ; Gen. 41:8 ]

•2 2:1 - [ ch. 6:18 ; Esth. 6:1 ]•3 2:2 - [See ch. 1:20 above]•4 2:2 - [See ch. 1:20 above]•5 2:2 - Deut. 18:10, 11 ; 2 Chr. 33:6 ; Isa. 47:9, 12•6 2:2 - See ch. 1:4•7 2:2 - See ch. 1:5•8 2:3 - [See ver. 1 above]•9 2:4 - [See ver. 2 above]•10 2:4 - ch. 3:9 ; 5:10 ; 6:6, 21 ; See 1 Kgs. 1:31•11 2:5 - [See ver. 2 above]•12 2:5 - ch. 3:29•13 2:5 - ch. 3:29•14 2:5 - Ezra 6:11 ; [ 2 Kgs. 10:27 ]•15 2:6 - [ ch. 5:7, 16 ]•16 2:6 - [ver. 7, 9]•17 2:8 - Eph. 5:16 ; Col. 4:5•18 2:9 - Esth. 4:11•19 2:9 - [ver. 21; ch. 7:25 ]•20 2:9 - ver. 6; [ver. 7]•21 2:10 - See ch. 1:4•22 2:10 - See ch. 1:4•23 2:11 - [ ch. 5:11, 14 ]•24 2:12 - [ ch. 3:19 ]•25 2:12 - [ver. 24]•26 2:12 - ch. 4:6•27 2:13 - See ch. 1:4-7•28 2:14 - ver. 24, 25•29 2:14 - [ Gen. 37:36 ]•30 2:15 - ch. 3:22•31 2:17 - ch. 1:6

•32 2:17 - ch. 1:6•33 2:17 - ch. 1:6•34 2:18 - [ Matt. 18:19 ]•35 2:18 - ver. 19, 28, 37, 44; Rev. 11:13•36 2:18 - [ver. 12, 24]•37 2:19 - [ Num. 12:6 ; Job 33:15, 16 ]•38 2:19 - See Josh. 22:33•39 2:19 - [See ver. 18 above]•40 2:20 - 1 Chr. 29:10 ; Ps. 72:18 ; 113:2 ; 115:18 ; Luke 1:68•41 2:20 - [ Isa. 28:29 ]•42 2:21 - [ver. 9; ch. 7:25 ]•43 2:21 - [ ch. 4:17 ; 5:20 ; Job 12:18 ; Ps. 75:7 ; Rom. 13:1 ]•44 2:21 - See ch. 1:17•45 2:21 - See ch. 1:17•46 2:22 - Job 12:22 ; [ Ps. 25:14 ; 139:12 ; Amos 4:13 ; Heb. 4:13 ]•47 2:22 - Job 12:22 ; [ Ps. 25:14 ; 139:12 ; Amos 4:13 ; Heb. 4:13 ]•48 2:22 - 1 Tim. 6:16 ; James 1:17 ; 1 John 1:5 ; [ John 1:4, 5 ]•49 2:23 - Deut. 26:7 ; 1 Chr. 12:17 ; 29:18•50 2:23 - [ ch. 6:10 ]•51 2:23 - [ver. 20]; See ch. 1:17•52 2:23 - [ver. 18]•53 2:24 - ver. 14, 15•54 2:25 - [See ver. 24 above]•55 2:25 - ch. 3:24•56 2:25 - ch. 5:13 ; Ezra 4:1 ; 6:16, 19, 20 ; 10:7, 16•57 2:26 - See ch. 1:7•58 2:26 - [ ch. 5:16 ]•59 2:27 - See ch. 1:20•60 2:27 - See ch. 1:20•61 2:27 - ch. 4:7 ; 5:7•62 2:28 - See ver. 22•63 2:28 - ch. 10:14 ; Hos. 3:5•64 2:28 - ch. 4:5 ; 7:15•65 2:29 - ver. 45•66 2:30 - [ Gen. 41:16 ; Acts 3:12 ]•67 2:30 - [ Eccles. 3:18 ]•68 2:32 - [ver. 38]•69 2:32 - [ver. 39]•70 2:32 - [ver. 39]•71 2:33 - [ver. 40]•72 2:34 - [ ch. 8:25 ; Job 34:20 ; Lam. 4:6 ; 2 Cor. 5:1 ]•73 2:34 - ver. 35, 40, 44, 45; Isa. 8:9 ; [ Matt. 21:44 ; Luke 20:18 ]•74 2:35 - Ps. 1:4

•75 2:35 - [ Rev. 20:11 ]•76 2:35 - [ Isa. 2:2 ]•77 2:35 - [ Ps. 80:9 ]•78 2:37 - Ezra 7:12 ; Ezek. 26:7•79 2:37 - ver. 19•80 2:37 - ch. 5:18 ; [ Ezra 1:2 ]; See ver. 21•81 2:38 - ch. 4:21 ; Jer. 27:6•82 2:38 - [ver. 32]•83 2:39 - [ver. 32; ch. 5:28, 31 ]•84 2:39 - [See ver. 38 above]•85 2:39 - [ ch. 7:6 ]•86 2:40 - [ ch. 7:7, 23 ]•87 2:40 - See ver. 34•88 2:40 - See ver. 34•89 2:41 - [ver. 33]•90 2:41 - [See ver. 40 above]•91 2:44 - ver. 19•92 2:44 - ch. 4:3, 34 ; 6:26 ; 7:14, 27 ; Mic. 4:7 ; [ Matt. 3:2 ; Luke 1:33 ;John 18:36 ]•93 2:44 - [ Isa. 60:12 ]; See ver. 34•94 2:44 - ch. 4:3, 34 ; 6:26 ; 7:14, 27 ; Mic. 4:7 ; [ Matt. 3:2 ; Luke 1:33 ;John 18:36 ]•95 2:45 - [ver. 34]•96 2:45 - [ Isa. 28:16 ]•97 2:45 - [See ver. 44 above]•98 2:45 - ver. 28•99 2:46 - [ 2 Sam. 14:22 ]•100 2:46 - [ Matt. 8:2 ; Acts 10:25 ]•101 2:46 - [ Acts 14:13 ]•102 2:46 - [ Ezra 6:10 ]•103 2:47 - Deut. 10:17•104 2:47 - [ 1 Tim. 6:15 ; Rev. 17:14 ; 19:16 ]•105 2:47 - See ver. 22•106 2:48 - [ver. 6]•107 2:48 - ch. 3:1, 12, 30 ; [ Esth. 1:1 ]•108 2:48 - ch. 5:11 ; [ ch. 4:9 ]•109 2:49 - ch. 3:12•110 2:49 - [ ch. 1:7 ]•111 2:49 - [See ver. 48 above]•112 2:49 - Esth. 2:19

Dan. 2:1–49 Nebuchadnezzar expects his own interpreters to tell him the content of his

dream, perhaps to prove that they are genuinely qualified to interpret it (vv. 1–16). Daniel’s

God shows himself superior by revealing to Daniel both the content and the interpretation of

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (vv. 17–49).

The Traditional View of Daniel’s Visions

Babylonian

Empire (625–539

B.C.)

Medo–Persian

Empire(53

9–331B.C.)

Greek

Empire (331–

63B.C.)

Roman

Empire(63

B.C.–A.D.476)

Future Events

Vision of

Statue(ch.

2)

head of gold (vv.36–38)

chest and arms of silver (vv. 32, 39)

middle and thighs of bronze (vv. 32, 39)

legs of iron; feet of iron and clay (vv.33, 40–43)

messianic

kingdom:the stone (vv. 44–45)

Vision of

Tree(ch. 4)

Nebuchadnezzar humbled (vv.19–37)

Vision of Four

Beasts(ch.

7)

lion with wings of eagle (v. 4)

bear raised up on one side (v. 5)

leopard with four wings and four heads (v. 6)

terrifying beast with iron teeth (v. 7)

Antichrist:little horn uttering great boasts (vv. 8–11)

Vision of Ram and Goat (ch.

8)

ram with two horns: one longer than the other

(vv.2–4)

male goat with one horn: it was broken and four horns came up

(vv. 5–8); Antiochus IV

(vv. 23–26)

Fact: The dreams of a king

The dreams of a king (2:1) had significance for his nation as a whole because dreams were thought to be the shadows of future events. If the dreams of a king could be correctly interpreted, then the appropriate actions could be taken to preserve the kingdom

Dan. 2:1 In the ancient world, dreamswere thought to give an indication of future events. A

king’s dreams had significance for the nation as a whole. The interpretation was important so that the king might prepare for or try to prevent the events the dream foretold.

Dan. 2:2 Nebuchadnezzar had a staff specializing in dream interpretation: the

magicians, the enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. “Chaldeans”

initially referred to a part of the Babylonian Empire. It developed into a descriptive term for a special group, known for their knowledge about magic and interpreting dreams.

Dan. 2:4 From this point until the end of ch. 7, the text switches from Hebrew toAramaic,

the official language of the Babylonian royal court.

The City of Babylon

The city of Babylon reached its zenith under Nebuchadrezzar II

(Nebuchadnezzar of Scripture, who reigned 605–562 B.C.). He restored and enlarged it, making it the largest city seen in the world up to that time. The Euphrates River flowed through it, with the oldest quarter of the city lying on the east bank of the river. The city was surrounded by a city wall with fortified gates that were named after the various Babylonian deities. The Esagila Complex on the east bank of the Euphrates contained the Temple of Marduk with its associated seven-storied ziggurat Etemenanki.From Esagila, the Processional Way (its walls lined with glazed bricks with representations of lions) led to the Ishtar Gate (which was decorated with glazed

brick reliefs of dragons and young bulls). Beside the Ishtar Gate stood two immense fortified palaces. A bridge led over the Euphrates to the western part of the city. No evidence of the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon has been found, but if anything like this was ever constructed here, it would have been during this time, at the height of the city’s splendor. The city was captured by Cyrus the

Persian in 539 B.C.

Dan. 2:5–6 Contrary to normal procedure, the king demanded that his interpreters recount

the dream itself as well as its interpretation. If the interpreters succeeded, they would

be given great rewards. If they failed, they would be executed and their houses would be

destroyed.

Dan. 2:11 These men consider the king’s demand unreasonable. No human being could

know another person’s dream unless it was revealed by the gods, whose dwelling is

not with flesh. Their own words reveal the power of Israel’s God, who does exactly what

they say is impossible.

Dan. 2:14–24 Daniel leads his friends in praying to the true God for insight.

Dan. 2:15–16 Daniel requested fromArioch an appointment with the king to reveal the

dream and its interpretation. This shows Daniel’s faith because he did this even before

God had revealed the dream to him.

Dan. 2:23 When God answered Daniel’s prayer, he praised and thanked God for

his wisdom and might.

Dan. 2:25–28 Arioch was eager to claim the credit for finding an interpreter for the king’s

dream. Daniel, however, was careful to credit God with revealing themystery. Daniel was

able to interpret it because there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

Dan. 2:30 God made known theinterpretation of the dream so that Nebuchadnezzar

would know this great God controlled future events, and so that he would be aware of what was coming.

Dan. 2:37–38 According to Daniel’s interpretation, the head of gold was

Nebuchadnezzar. God gave him great authority, power, and glory. Babylon itself was an

amazing achievement, with its hanging gardens (one of the famed Seven Wonders of the ancient world), many temples, and a bridge crossing the Euphrates River. Thus the head of gold is a fitting description.

Dan. 2:39 After Nebuchadnezzar’s time there will be two more kingdoms (Medo-Persia

[539–331 B.C.] and Greece [331–63 B.C.]). Each will be inferior to the previous one, though still strong and powerful.

Dan. 2:40 The fourth kingdom (the Roman Empire) will be strong as iron, yet also

unstable.

Dan. 2:43–44 God will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, his final

kingdom, which will ultimately destroy all other kingdoms. Though it starts small, it will grow

to fill the earth and endure forever. The stone that will break in pieces all these other

four kingdoms is most likely Christ.

Dan. 2:46–49 Nebuchadnezzar recognized and honored Daniel’s God. He also promoted

Daniel and his friends within the Babylonian court, giving them further opportunity to bring peace and welfare to the city where the Lord had exiled them, as Jeremiah had counseled (Jer. 29:1–14).

Daniel 3

Nebuchadnezzar's Golden Image

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubitsaand its

breadth six cubits. He set it up on 1the plain of Dura, in 2the province of Babylon.

2 Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent to gather 3the satraps, the prefects, and 4the governors,

the counselors, the treasurers, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the

provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

3 Then 5the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the

justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered for the dedication of

the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And they stood before the image that

Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 And the herald 6proclaimed aloud, "You are commanded, O 7peoples, nations, and

languages,

5 that when you hear the8sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind

of music, you9are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has

set up.

6 And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately 10be cast into a burning

fiery furnace."

7 Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp,

bagpipe, and every kind of music, all11the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and

worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

The Fiery Furnace

8 Therefore at that time certain 12Chaldeans 13came forward and maliciously accused the

Jews.

9 They declaredb to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!

10 You, O king, 14have made a decree, that every man who 15hears the sound of the horn,

pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, 16shall fall down and worship the

golden image.

11 And whoever does not fall down and worship 17shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace.

12 There are certain Jews whom you have 18appointed over the affairs of 19the province of

Babylon:20Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, 21pay no attention to

you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar 22in furious rage commanded that 23Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

15 Now if you are ready when 24you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp,

bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well

and good.c But if you do not worship, 25you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery

furnace. And 26who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?"

16 27Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O

Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.

17 If this be so, 28our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery

furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.d

18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the

golden image that you have set up."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was 29filled with fury, and the expression of his face 30was

changed against 31Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated

seven times more than it was usually heated.

20 And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army 32to bind33Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were 34bound in their cloaks, their tunics,e their hats, and their other

garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace.

22Because the king's order was 35urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire

killed those men who took up 36Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell 37bound into the burning

fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was 38astonished and rose up 39in haste. He declared to

his 40counselors, "Did we not cast three men41bound into the fire?" They answered and said

to the king, "True, O king."

25 He answered and said, "But I see four men unbound, 42walking in the midst of the fire,

and they 43are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like 44a son of the gods."

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he

declared, 45"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the46Most High God, come

out, and come here!" Then 47Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.

27 And the 48satraps, the prefects, the governors, and 49the king's counselors gathered

together and saw that 50the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The

hair of their heads was not singed, their 51cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had

come upon them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of52Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego, who 53has sent his angel and 54delivered his servants, who 55trusted in him, and

set asidef the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than 56serve and worship

any god except their own God.

29Therefore 57I make a decree: Any 58people, nation, or language that speaks anything

against the God of 59Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 60shall be torn limb from limb, and

their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other god who is able to rescue in this way."

30 Then the king promoted 61Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in 62the province of

Babylon.

Footnotesa 3:1 - A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

•b 3:9 - Aramaic answered and said; also verses 24, 26•c 3:15 - Aramaic lacks well and good•d 3:17 - Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king.•e 3:21 - The meaning of the Aramaic words rendered cloaks and tunics is uncertain; also verse 27•f 3:28 - Aramaic and changed

Cross References 1 3:1 - [ Gen. 11:2 ]

•2 3:1 - ver. 12, 30; ch. 2:48, 49•3 3:2 - ver. 27; ch. 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 ; [ Ezra 8:36 ]•4 3:2 - ch. 2:48•5 3:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•6 3:4 - ch. 4:14 ; 5:7 ; [ Rev. 18:2 ]•7 3:4 - ver. 29; ch. 4:1 ; 5:19 ; 6:25 ; 7:14 ; [ Rev. 5:9 ]•8 3:5 - ver. 7, 10, 15•9 3:5 - [ ch. 2:46 ]

•10 3:6 - [ Jer. 29:22 ; Ezek. 23:25 ]•11 3:7 - [See ver. 4 above]•12 3:8 - See ch. 1:4•13 3:8 - ch. 6:12•14 3:10 - ver. 29; ch. 4:6 ; 6:26•15 3:10 - ver. 5, 7, 15•16 3:10 - ver. 5, 7, 15•17 3:11 - [See ver. 6 above]•18 3:12 - ch. 2:49•19 3:12 - [See ver. 1 above]•20 3:12 - [ ch. 1:7 ]•21 3:12 - ch. 6:13•22 3:13 - ch. 2:12•23 3:13 - [See ver. 12 above]•24 3:15 - ver. 5, 7, 10•25 3:15 - [See ver. 6 above]•26 3:15 - [ ch. 6:20 ; Ex. 5:2 ; 2 Kgs. 18:35 ]•27 3:16 - [See ver. 12 above]•28 3:17 - [ver. 15]•29 3:19 - [ver. 13; Esth. 7:7 ]•30 3:19 - [ ch. 2:49 ]•31 3:19 - [See ver. 12 above]•32 3:20 - [ver. 24, 25]•33 3:20 - [See ver. 12 above]•34 3:21 - [See ver. 20 above]•35 3:22 - ch. 2:15•36 3:22 - [ ch. 1:7 ]•37 3:23 - [See ver. 20 above]•38 3:24 - ch. 4:19•39 3:24 - ch. 2:25•40 3:24 - ch. 4:36 ; 6:7•41 3:24 - ver. 20, 21, 23•42 3:25 - [ Isa. 43:2 ]•43 3:25 - [ ch. 6:23 ]•44 3:25 - [ver. 28; Job 1:6 ]•45 3:26 - [See ver. 22 above]•46 3:26 - ch. 4:2 ; 5:18, 21•47 3:26 - [See ver. 22 above]•48 3:27 - ver. 2•49 3:27 - [See ver. 24 above]•50 3:27 - [ Heb. 11:34 ]•51 3:27 - ver. 21•52 3:28 - [See ver. 22 above]

•53 3:28 - ch. 6:22•54 3:28 - [ver. 15, 17; Ps. 34:7 ]•55 3:28 - [ Ps. 25:2 ]•56 3:28 - [ Ex. 20:3 ]•57 3:29 - See ver. 10•58 3:29 - See ver. 4•59 3:29 - [See ver. 22 above]•60 3:29 - ch. 2:5•61 3:30 - [See ver. 22 above]•62 3:30 - ver. 1, 12; ch. 2:48, 49

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were Jewish exiles and friends of Daniel in Babylon. As he did for Daniel, God gave them a remarkable understanding of Babylonian literature and culture. They, too, were given positions of great leadership in Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were always faithful to God and trusted him entirely. While they showed deep respect for King Nebuchadnezzar, they were unwilling to follow any orders that would mean compromising their faith. When commanded to worship a golden image, they refused to do so, even though it meant being cast into a fiery furnace. The three men assured Nebuchadnezzar that their God was able to save them from the furnace, but that even if he chose not to save them, they would still not deny him. (Daniel 3:16–18)

Dan. 3:1–30 Nebuchadnezzar commands all peoples under his rule to worship a golden image. Daniel’s friends refuse, out of loyalty to their God. When God delivers them from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar’s respect for their God increases.

Dan. 3:1 The image of gold reflects the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, except it is made entirely of gold. It is as if Nebuchadnezzar were asserting that there would be no other kingdoms after his. It was sixty cubits (90 feet/27 m) high and six cubits (9 feet/2.7 m) wide. Its location on a plain in Babylonrecalls the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), as does its purpose to provide a unifying center for all people.

Dan. 3:2 satraps. A governor of a satrapy (province).

Dan. 3:3 Chapter 3 repeatedly states that this was the image that King

Nebuchadnezzar had set up. It is unclear whether the image represented

Nebuchadnezzar or one of his gods. All of the leading officials from throughout his empire were gathered before the statue for its dedication. The unity of Nebuchadnezzar’s

empire was based on worship of the golden image.

Dan. 3:12 Certain “Chaldeans” (see note on 2:2) observed that Shadrach, Meshach,

and Abednego had not bowed to the statue. They charged the young men with ingratitude

for the positions they held and disbelief in Nebuchadnezzar’s gods.

Dan. 3:18 But if not. There is no doubt in the three men’s minds that God has the power to save them. They also realize that God may choose not to save them.

Dan. 3:19 In anger, Nebuchadnezzar orders the furnace superheated. Seven times

more than it was usually heated is probably a figurative expression meaning “as hot

as possible.”

Dan. 3:22 Nebuchadnezzar’s order resulted in the death of his own soldiers. The Lord is able to protect his servants better than Nebuchadnezzar can protect his.

Dan. 3:24–25 Daniel’s friends were joined in the fire by a fourth individual, who had the

appearance of a divine being like a son of the gods. This was either a physical

appearance of Christ before his incarnation or an angel. Either way, this is a demonstration of God’s presence with believers in distress.

Dan. 3:27 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were completely untouched by the fire. Their

clothes were not harmed nor their hair singed, and they did not even smell of fire—a

testimony to the Lord’s protection.

Dan. 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar’s question in v. 15 had been decisively answered, as he is

forced to testify. Yet his heart is not yet changed: the God of whom he spoke was still the

God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, or their . . . God, not his own.

Dan. 3:30 Nebuchadnezzar shows that he appreciates the integrity of these men.

Daniel 4

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God

1 a King Nebuchadnezzar to all 1peoples, nations, and languages, 2that dwell in all the

earth: 3Peace be multiplied to you!

2 It has seemed good to me to show the4signs and wonders that the 5Most High God has

done for me.

3 How great are6his signs, how mighty his 7wonders! 8His kingdom is an everlasting

kingdom,9and his dominion endures from generation to generation.

4 b I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace.

5 I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and 10the visions of my

head alarmed me.

6 So 11I made a decree that 12all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that

they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.

7 Then 13the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I

told them the dream, but 14they could not make known to me its interpretation.

8 At last Daniel came in before me--he who was named15Belteshazzar after the name of my

god, and in whom is 16the spirit of the holy godsc--and I told him the dream, saying,

9 "O Belteshazzar, 17chief of the magicians, because I know that 18the spirit of the holy gods

is in you and that no19mystery is too difficult for you, tell me 20the visions of my dream that I

saw and their interpretation.

10 21The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these: I saw, and 22behold, a tree in the

midst of the earth, and its height was great.

11 23The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to

the end of the whole earth.

12 24Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in it was food for all. 25The beasts

of the field found shade under it, and 26the birds of the heavens lived in its branches, and all

flesh was fed from it.

13 "I saw in27the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold, 28a watcher, 29a holy one,

came down from heaven.

14 He 30proclaimed aloud and said thus: 31'Chop down the tree and 32lop off its

branches, 33strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. 34Let the beasts flee from under it and the

birds from its branches.

15 But leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid

the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. Let his portion be with

the beasts in the grass of the earth.

16 Let his mind be changed from a man's, and let a beast's mind be given to him; 35and let

seven periods of time 36pass over him.

17 The sentence is by the decree of 37the watchers, the decision by the word of 38the holy

ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High 39rules the kingdom of

men 40and gives it to whom he will and 41sets over it the lowliest of men.'

18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O 42Belteshazzar, tell me the

interpretation, because 43all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me

the interpretation, but you are able, for 44the spirit of the holy gods is in you."

Daniel Interprets the Second Dream

19 Then Daniel, whose name was 45Belteshazzar, was 46dismayed for a while, and 47his

thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, "Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the

interpretation alarm you." Belteshazzar answered and said, "My lord, 48may the dream be for

those who hate you 49and its interpretation for your enemies!

20 50The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven,

and it was visible to the end of the whole earth,

2151whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under

which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens

lived--

22 52it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong.53Your greatness has grown and

reaches to heaven, 54and your dominion to the ends of the earth.

23 And because the king saw 55a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and

saying, 56'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth,

bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with

the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till 57seven periods of

time pass over him,'

24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my

lord the king,

25 58that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of

the field. You shall be made 59to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of

heaven, and 60seven periods of time shall pass over you, till 61you know that the Most High

rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.

26 And as it was commanded 62to leave the stump of the roots of the tree, your kingdom

shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that Heaven rules.

27 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins

by 63practicing righteousness, 64and your iniquities by showing mercy to the

oppressed, 65that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity."

Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation

28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar.

29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon,

30 and the king answered and said, 66"Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by 67my

mighty power as a royal residence and for 68the glory of my majesty?"

31 69While the words were still in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, "O King

Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you,

32 70and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of

the field. And you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass

over you, 71until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom

he will."

33 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar.72He was driven from among

men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair grew

as long as eagles' feathers, and his nails were like birds' claws.

Nebuchadnezzar Restored

34 73At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and74my reason

returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored 75him who lives

forever, 76for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and 77his kingdom endures from

generation to generation;

35 78all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and 79he does according to

his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; 80and none can

stay his hand or 81say to him, "What have you done?"

36 At the same time 82my reason returned to me, and for 83the glory of my kingdom, 84my

majesty and splendor returned to me. 85My counselors and 86my lords sought me, and I was

established in my kingdom, and still more greatness was 87added to me.

37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, 88praise and extol and honor the 89King of heaven, 90for all his

works are right and his ways are just; and 91those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Footnotes

a 4:1 - Ch 3:31 in Aramaic

•b 4:4 - Ch 4:1 in Aramaic•c 4:8 - Or Spirit of the holy God; also verses 9, 18

Cross References

1 4:1 - See ch. 3:4

•2 4:1 - ch. 6:25•3 4:1 - 1 Pet. 1:2 ; 2 Pet. 1:2•4 4:2 - ch. 6:27 ; [ John 4:48 ]•5 4:2 - ch. 3:26•6 4:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•7 4:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•8 4:3 - See ch. 2:44•9 4:3 - See ch. 2:44•10 4:5 - ch. 2:28 ; 7:15•11 4:6 - See ch. 3:10•12 4:6 - ch. 2:12•13 4:7 - See ch. 2:2•14 4:7 - [ver. 18; ch. 2:27 ; 5:8, 15 ]•15 4:8 - See ch. 1:7•16 4:8 - ver. 18; ch. 2:11 ; 5:11 ; Gen. 41:38 ; [ Isa. 63:14 ]•17 4:9 - ch. 5:11 ; [ ch. 2:48 ]•18 4:9 - [See ver. 8 above]•19 4:9 - ch. 2:18•20 4:9 - [See ver. 5 above]•21 4:10 - [See ver. 5 above]•22 4:10 - [ Ezek. 31:3 ]•23 4:11 - [ Ps. 37:35 ]•24 4:12 - Ezek. 31:7•25 4:12 - Ezek. 31:6•26 4:12 - Ezek. 31:6•27 4:13 - [See ver. 5 above]•28 4:13 - ver. 23•29 4:13 - [ Deut. 33:2 ; Zech. 14:5 ; Jude 14 ]•30 4:14 - See ch. 3:4•31 4:14 - ver. 23; [ Matt. 3:10 ; Luke 3:9 ]•32 4:14 - [ Ezek. 31:12 ]•33 4:14 - [ Ezek. 31:12 ]•34 4:14 - [ Ezek. 31:12 ]•35 4:16 - [ver. 23, 25]•36 4:16 - [ 1 Chr. 29:30 ]•37 4:17 - [See ver. 13 above]•38 4:17 - [See ver. 13 above]•39 4:17 - ver. 25, 32; ch. 5:21•40 4:17 - Jer. 27:5•41 4:17 - See 1 Sam. 2:8

•42 4:18 - See ch. 1:7•43 4:18 - [ver. 7; ch. 5:8, 15 ; Gen. 41:8 ]•44 4:18 - See ver. 8•45 4:19 - [See ver. 18 above]•46 4:19 - ch. 3:24•47 4:19 - ch. 5:6•48 4:19 - [ 1 Sam. 25:26 ; 2 Sam. 18:32 ]•49 4:19 - [ 1 Sam. 25:26 ; 2 Sam. 18:32 ]•50 4:20 - [ver. 10, 11]•51 4:21 - [ver. 12]•52 4:22 - [ Ezek. 31:3 ]•53 4:22 - See Jer. 27:6-8•54 4:22 - See Jer. 27:6-8•55 4:23 - ver. 13•56 4:23 - ver. 14, 15•57 4:23 - ver. 16•58 4:25 - ver. 32, 33; [ ch. 5:21 ]•59 4:25 - [ Ps. 106:20 ]•60 4:25 - [See ver. 23 above]•61 4:25 - ver. 17, 32•62 4:26 - ver. 15, 23•63 4:27 - Matt. 6:1•64 4:27 - Prov. 16:6 ; [ Matt. 25:35, 36 ; Luke 11:41 ]•65 4:27 - [ Jer. 18:8 ; Jonah 3:10 ; Acts 8:22 ; 2 Tim. 2:25 ]•66 4:30 - [ ch. 5:20 ]•67 4:30 - [ver. 36; ch. 2:37 ]•68 4:30 - [ver. 36; ch. 2:37 ]•69 4:31 - [ ch. 5:5 ; Luke 12:20 ]•70 4:32 - ver. 17, 25; ch. 5:21•71 4:32 - ver. 17, 25; ch. 5:21•72 4:33 - [See ver. 32 above]•73 4:34 - [ver. 26]•74 4:34 - ver. 36•75 4:34 - ch. 6:26 ; 12:7 ; Rev. 4:10•76 4:34 - [ Ps. 10:16 ]; See ch. 2:44•77 4:34 - [ Ps. 10:16 ]; See ch. 2:44•78 4:35 - Isa. 40:17•79 4:35 - [ Ps. 115:3 ; Heb. 1:13, 14 ]•80 4:35 - [ Isa. 14:27 ]•81 4:35 - Job 9:12 ; [ Isa. 45:9 ; Rom. 9:20 ]•82 4:36 - ver. 34•83 4:36 - [ver. 30; ch. 5:18 ]•84 4:36 - [ver. 30; ch. 5:18 ]

•85 4:36 - ch. 3:24 ; 6:7•86 4:36 - ch. 5:1 ; 6:17•87 4:36 - [ Job 42:12 ; Matt. 6:33 ]•88 4:37 - ver. 34•89 4:37 - [ ch. 5:23 ]•90 4:37 - [ Deut. 32:4 ; Ps. 33:4 ; Rev. 15:3 ]•91 4:37 - [ ch. 5:20 ; Prov. 20:23 ]

Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful King of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem and deported a number of the city’s inhabitants to his own land. When the king had a dream that only Daniel could interpret, he acknowledged the power of Daniel’s God. The mighty king had to be brought very low, however, before he turned to the Lord. After failing to heed a warning from God, Nebuchadnezzar was forced to live in the wilderness, where he ate grass and lived like an animal. At the end of God’s appointed time of judgment, however, Nebuchadnezzar turned to the Lord and he regained his sanity. God restored his kingdom to him, demonstrating that the Lord is able to humble the proud and exalt the humble. The great and mighty persecutor of Israel, the destroyer of Jerusalem, was humbled by God’s grace and brought to confess God’s mercy. (Daniel 4:28–37)

Dan. 4:1–37 Nebuchadnezzar has another dream, and Daniel again is the only one of his

officials able to interpret it. This dream concerns Nebuchadnezzar’s own need to acknowledge that the God of Israel is the true God. Through humiliation, Nebuchadnezzar learns that lesson.

Dan. 4:1–3 The narrative begins at the end of the story, with the letter of praise to God that

Nebuchadnezzar wrote after his recovery. From being a persecutor of the faithful, Nebuchadnezzar has become a witness to the faith.

Fact: Tree

A tree represents King Nebuchadnezzar in his dream (4:5–27). Trees can

symbolize great kingdoms in the Bible. Ezekiel 31:2–9 compares Assyria to a cedar that shelters the nations. Jesus uses a tree to describe God’s kingdom

(Mark 4:32).

Dan. 4:7 This time Nebuchadnezzar tells the wise men of Babylon the dream.

Dan. 4:10–16 In this dream, Nebuchadnezzar saw an enormous tree whose top touched

the heavens. While Nebuchadnezzar was looking on, however, a watcher, a holy

one, came down and ordered that the tree be cut down. The tree was not completely

destroyed, however. Its stump would remain in the ground for seven periods of time.

“Seven” signifies completion. Most scholars, however, believe that this refers to seven years.

Dan. 4:22 In his interpretation, Daniel identified the enormous tree as Nebuchadnezzar: it

is you, O king.

Dan. 4:23 The image of the tree reaching to the heavens is a reminder of the Tower of

Babel (Gen. 11:1–9). Such pride ends in disaster. Nebuchadnezzar, who thought of himself in godlike terms, would become beastlike so that he could learn that he is merely human. When the tree was cut down, the stump and the roots were allowed to remain, bound in iron

and bronze, possibly suggesting that Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom will be protected and then

established more firmly after he learned to honor the true God.

Dan. 4:25 Nebuchadnezzar will experience a full period of judgment,seven periods of

time, in this animal-like state. When Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God the Most

High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will, Nebuchadnezzar’s

kingdom will be restored to him.

Dan. 4:27 Therefore, O king . . . break off your sins by practicing

righteousness, and . . . showing mercy to the oppressed. This appeal for

repentance implied that the outcome shown to Nebuchadnezzar in the dream could be changed. If Nebuchadnezzar would humble himself, God would not need to humble him further.

Dan. 4:28–33 A year went by, but Nebuchadnezzar was unchanged. The view from the roof of the royal palace of Babylon included numerous ornate temples, the hanging gardens, and the outer wall of the city. As he looked at these accomplishments, Nebuchadnezzar boasted to himself of his mighty power and glory. Immediately, the sentence of judgment was announced from heaven. His royal authority was taken from him, and he was driven away from Babylon. He ate grass and lived wild in the open air like the beasts of the field, growing his hair and nails long.

Fact: The city of BabylonThe city of Babylon had some of the most impressive buildings of the ancient Near East. It was home to the famous Hanging Gardens, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Its outer walls were wide enough for chariots driven by four horses to pass each other.

Dan. 4:34–37 At the end of God’s appointed time of judgment, Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes to heaven and his reason was restored. Once brought low by God, he was restored to control of his kingdom. He blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever.

Daniel 5The Handwriting on the Wall

1 1King Belshazzar 2made a great feast for a thousand of his 3lords and drank wine in front

of the thousand.

2 4Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that 5the vessels of gold and of silver

that Nebuchadnezzar his fathera had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that

the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them.

3 Then they brought in6the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house

of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from

them.

4 They drank wine and 7praised the 8gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.

5 9Immediately 10the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall

of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw 11the hand as it wrote.

6 12Then the king's color changed, 13and his thoughts alarmed him; 14his limbs gave way,

and 15his knees knocked together.

716The king called loudly to bring in 17the enchanters, the 18Chaldeans, and 19the

astrologers. The king declaredb to the wise men of Babylon, 20"Whoever reads this writing,

and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around

his neck and 21shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."

8Then all the king's wise men came in, but 22they could not read the writing or make known

to the king the interpretation.

9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly23alarmed, and his 24color changed, and his 25lords

were perplexed.

10 The queen,c because of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banqueting

hall, and the queen declared, 26"O king, live forever! Let not your thoughts alarm you 27or

your color change.

11 There is a man in your kingdom 28in whom is the spirit of the holy gods.d In the days of

your father, 29light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in

him, and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father--your father the king--30made him chief of the

magicians, 31enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers,

12 32because an excellent spirit, knowledge, and33understanding 34to interpret dreams,

explain riddles, and 35solve problems were found in this Daniel, 36whom the king named

Belteshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation."

Daniel Interprets the Handwriting

13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king answered and said to Daniel, "You

are that Daniel, one of 37the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah.

14 I have heard of you that 38the spirit of the godse is in you, and that 39light and

understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.

15 Now40the wise men, the 41enchanters, have been brought in before me to read this

writing and make known to me its interpretation, but 42they could not show the interpretation

of the matter.

16 43But I have heard that you can give interpretations and 44solve problems. 45Now if you

can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, 46you shall be clothed with

purple and have a chain of gold around your neck and 47shall be the third ruler in the

kingdom."

17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, 48"Let your gifts be for yourself, and give

your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to

him the interpretation.

18 O king, the 49Most High God 50gave 51Nebuchadnezzar your father 52kingship and

greatness and glory and majesty.

19 And because of the greatness that he gave him, 53all peoples, nations, and

languages 54trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he

would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled.

20 But 55when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt

proudly, 56he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

2157He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of

a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his

body was wet with the dew of heaven, 58until he knew that the59Most High God rules the

kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will.

22And you his son,f 60 Belshazzar, 61have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this,

23 but you have lifted up yourself against 62the Lord of heaven. And 63the vessels of his

house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your

concubines have drunk wine from them. 64And you have praised the gods of silver and gold,

of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, 65but the God in whose

hand is your breath, and 66whose are all your ways, 67you have not honored.

24 "Then from his presence 68the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed.

25 And this is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numberedg the days of your

kingdom and brought it to an end;

27TEKEL, 69you have been weighedh in the balances and found wanting;

28PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to 70the Medes and 71Persians."i

29Then 72Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel 73was clothed with purple, a chain of

gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be

the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 74That very night 75Belshazzar the 76Chaldean king was killed.

31 j And 77Darius 78the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

Footnotesa 5:2 - Or predecessor; also verses 11, 13, 18•b 5:7 - Aramaic answered and said; also verse 10•c 5:10 - Or queen mother; twice in this verse•d 5:11 - Or Spirit of the holy God•e 5:14 - Or Spirit of God•f 5:22 - Or successor•g 5:26 - Mene sounds like the Aramaic for numbered•h 5:27 - Tekel sounds like the Aramaic for weighed•i 5:28 - Peres (the singular of Parsin) sounds like the Aramaic for divided and for Persia•j 5:31 - Ch 6:1 in Aramaic

Cross References 1 5:1 - ver. 22, 29, 30; ch. 7:1 ; 8:1•2 5:1 - See Esth. 1:3•3 5:1 - ch. 4:36 ; 6:17•4 5:2 - [See ver. 1 above]•5 5:2 - ver. 23; See ch. 1:2•6 5:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•7 5:4 - ver. 23; [ Judg. 16:24 ]•8 5:4 - ver. 23; [ Rev. 9:20 ]; See Ps. 115:4-7•9 5:5 - [ ch. 4:31 ]•10 5:5 - [ Ezek. 8:3 ]•11 5:5 - ver. 24•12 5:6 - [ver. 10; ch. 7:28 ]

•13 5:6 - [ ch. 4:5, 19 ; 7:28 ]•14 5:6 - [ Ps. 69:23 ; Isa. 45:1 ]•15 5:6 - Nah. 2:10•16 5:7 - [ ch. 2:2 ; 4:6 ]•17 5:7 - [ ch. 2:2 ; 4:6 ]•18 5:7 - See ch. 1:4•19 5:7 - ch. 2:27•20 5:7 - ver. 16, 29; [ ch. 2:6 ]•21 5:7 - ver. 16, 29•22 5:8 - ver. 15; ch. 4:7, 18 ; [ ch. 2:27 ; Gen. 41:8 ]•23 5:9 - [ ch. 2:1 ]•24 5:9 - [See ver. 6 above]•25 5:9 - ver. 1•26 5:10 - See ch. 2:4•27 5:10 - [ver. 6, 9]•28 5:11 - See ch. 4:8•29 5:11 - [ ch. 1:20 ]•30 5:11 - ch. 4:9 ; [ ch. 2:48 ]•31 5:11 - [See ver. 7 above]•32 5:12 - ch. 6:3•33 5:12 - See ch. 1:17•34 5:12 - See ch. 1:17•35 5:12 - ver. 16•36 5:12 - See ch. 1:7•37 5:13 - See ch. 2:25•38 5:14 - [See ver. 11 above]•39 5:14 - [See ver. 11 above]•40 5:15 - ver. 7•41 5:15 - [ ch. 2:2 ; 4:6 ]•42 5:15 - See ver. 8•43 5:16 - [ ch. 2:26 ]•44 5:16 - ver. 12•45 5:16 - ver. 7, 29•46 5:16 - ver. 7, 29•47 5:16 - ver. 7, 29•48 5:17 - [ 2 Kgs. 5:16 ]•49 5:18 - ch. 3:26 ; 4:2•50 5:18 - [ ch. 2:37 ; 4:22 ]•51 5:18 - ver. 2•52 5:18 - [ ch. 4:36 ]•53 5:19 - See ch. 3:4•54 5:19 - [ ch. 6:26 ]•55 5:20 - [ ch. 4:30, 31 ; Ezek. 31:10, 11 ]

•56 5:20 - See ch. 2:21•57 5:21 - [ ch. 4:25, 32 ]•58 5:21 - [ ch. 4:25, 32 ]•59 5:21 - [See ver. 18 above]•60 5:22 - See ver. 1•61 5:22 - [ 2 Chr. 33:23 ]•62 5:23 - [ ch. 4:37 ]•63 5:23 - ver. 3; See ch. 1:2•64 5:23 - ver. 4•65 5:23 - Job 12:10•66 5:23 - Jer. 10:23•67 5:23 - [ Acts 12:23 ; Rev. 16:9 ]•68 5:24 - ver. 5•69 5:27 - Job 31:6 ; Ps. 62:9•70 5:28 - ver. 31; [ ch. 9:1 ; Isa. 13:17 ; 21:2 ; Jer. 51:28 ]•71 5:28 - See ch. 6:28•72 5:29 - [See ver. 22 above]•73 5:29 - [ver. 7, 16]•74 5:30 - Jer. 50:24 ; 51:31, 39, 57•75 5:30 - [See ver. 22 above]•76 5:30 - ch. 9:1•77 5:31 - ch. 9:1•78 5:31 - [See ver. 28 above]

Fact: Taking vengeance for his templeBabylon was conquered in one night, while the king feasted in pride, using the

golden vessels stolen from the temple (Daniel 5). Jeremiah sees this as the

Lord taking vengeance for his temple (Jer. 50:28; 51:11).

Dan. 5:1–31 Daniel explains to Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, that the writing on the

wall is a message that the true God rules over all. In his own time, this true God will vindicate his name against those who defile it, no matter how powerful they are.

Dan. 5:1–4 Belshazzar was a co-regent of Babylon c. 553–539 B.C. At the center of

Belshazzar’s great feast were the vessels of gold and of silver that had been taken

from the Jerusalem temple by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was not literally

the father of Belshazzar; Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, with whom he shared co-

regency during the closing years of the Babylonian monarchy. The word “father” in Aramaic, like Hebrew, can mean “ancestor” or “predecessor” (v. 2, ESV footnote). Belshazzar wanted to emphasize his direct connection to Nebuchadnezzar, who had been the greatest of all Babylonian kings.

Dan. 5:5–9 The fingers of a mysterious hand wrote on the plaster of the palace

wall opposite the lampstand, where its message could be clearly seen. The king’s

response was terror: literally, the “joints of his loins were loosened.” None of the Babylonian magicians were able to interpret the writing. Anyone who interpreted the writing would be clothed with purple, an expensive color in the ancient world, and would wear a chain

of gold, a mark of high rank. He would also be the third ruler in the kingdom, which

may refer to being next highest to King Nabonidus and the co-regent Belshazzar.

Dan. 5:10–12 The queen most likely refers to the queen mother. She reminded

Belshazzar of Daniel, whose ability to solve problems had been repeatedly demonstrated during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had appointed him chief of his wise men, because the spirit of the holy gods enabled him to answer difficult questions.

Dan. 5:13–31 Daniel alone is able to decipher the writing on the wall. It is a message from

the true God, telling of the end of the Babylonian Empire.

Dan. 5:18 Daniel contrasted Belshazzar with Nebuchadnezzar, to whom the Most High

God gave . . . kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. Nebuchadnezzar

was given godlike powers to kill and keep alive, to raise up and to humble. Yet when he became proud, God humbled him until he confessed the power of God.

Dan. 5:23 Belshazzar knew of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling, yet he lifted himself up . . .

against the Lord of heaven by using the sacred vessels from the Jerusalem temple for

an idolatrous feast.

Dan. 5:25 Daniel interpreted the writing . . . Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. The

words are clearly Aramaic. They describe a sequence of weights, decreasing from a mina to a shekel to a half-shekel. Read as verbs, the sequence becomes: “Numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided.” The Lord had numbered the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and brought it to an end because he had been judged and found lacking.

Dan. 5:28 As a result of God’s judgment, Belshazzar’s kingdom will be divided and

given to the Medes and the Persians.

Chronology of EzraEvent Year Reference

Cyrus king of Persia captures Babylon 539 B.C. Dan. 5:30–31

First year of King Cyrus; issues proclamation freeing Jewish exiles to return

538–537 Ezra 1:1–4

Jewish exiles, led by Sheshbazzar, return from Babylon to Jerusalem

537? Ezra 1:11

Altar rebuilt 537 Ezra 3:1–2

Temple rebuilding begins 536 Ezra 3:8

Adversaries oppose the rebuilding 536–530 Ezra 4:1–5

Temple rebuilding ceases 530–520 Ezra 4:24

Temple rebuilding resumes (2nd year of Darius) 520Ezra 5:2; compare Hag. 1:14

Temple construction completed (6th year of Darius) 516 Ezra 6:15

Ezra departs from Babylon to Jerusalem (arrives in 7th year of Artaxerxes)

458 Ezra 7:6–9

Men of Judah and Benjamin assemble at Jerusalem 458 Ezra 10:9

Officials conduct three-month investigation 458–457 Ezra 10:16–17

Dan. 5:30–31 Belshazzar gave Daniel the promised reward, but it was an empty gift. That very night Belshazzar’s rule ended, when the Medes and the Persians entered Babylon.

Belshazzar was killed and replaced as king by Darius the Mede. The identity of Darius the Mede and the exact nature of his relationship to Cyrus are not certain. Cyrus was already king

of Persia at the time when Babylon fell to the Persians (539 B.C.).

Daniel 6Daniel and the Lions' Den

1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 1satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom;

2 and over them 2three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these 3satraps should

give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.

3 Then this Daniel became 4distinguished above all 5the other presidents and 6satraps,

because 7an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned 8to set him over the whole

kingdom.

4 Then 9the presidents and 10the satraps 11sought to find a ground for complaint against

Daniel with regard to the kingdom, 12but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault,

because he was faithful, 13and no error or fault was found in him.

5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel

unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."

6 Then these 14presidents and 15satraps came by agreementa to the king and said to him,

"O 16King Darius, live forever!

7 All the 17presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the 18counselors and the

governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce

an 19injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you,

O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king, establish 20the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be

changed, according to 21the law of 22the Medes and the Persians, 23which cannot be

revoked."

9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and 24injunction.

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where 25he

had windows in his upper chamber open 26toward Jerusalem. He got down on his

knees 27three times a day and prayed and 28gave thanks before his God, as he had done

previously.

11Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his

God.

12 Then they 29came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, "O king! Did

you not sign 30an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty

days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said,

"The thing stands fast, according to the law of 31the Medes and Persians, 32which cannot be

revoked."

13 Then they answered and said before the king, 33"Daniel, who is one 34of the

exiles 35from Judah, 36pays no attention to you, O king, or 37the injunction you have signed,

but makes his petition 38three times a day."

14 Then 39the king, when he heard these words, 40was much distressed and set his mind to

deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Know, O king, that

it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no 41injunction or ordinance that the king

establishes can be changed."

16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The

king declaredb to Daniel, "May 42your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!"

17 43And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, 44and the king sealed

it 45with his own signet and with the signet of his46lords, that nothing might be changed

concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; 47no diversions were

brought to him, and48sleep fled from him.

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.

20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king

declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of 49the living God, 50has your God, whom you serve

continually, 51been able to deliver you from the lions?"

21 Then Daniel said to the king, 52"O king, live forever!

22 My God53sent his angel 54and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me,

because I was found blameless 55before him; 56and also before you, O king, I have done no

harm."

23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the

den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and 57no kind of harm was found on him,

because he had trusted in his God.

24 And the king commanded, and 58those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were

brought and cast into the den of lions--they, their children, and their wives. And before they

reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in

pieces.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all 59the peoples, nations, and languages 60that dwell in all the

earth: 61"Peace be multiplied to you.

26 62I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion 63people are to tremble and fear before

the God of Daniel, for 64he is 65the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be

destroyed, 66and his dominion shall be 67to the end.

27He delivers and rescues; he works 68signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who

has 69saved Daniel from the power of the lions."

28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and 70the reign of 71Cyrus the

Persian.

a 6:6 - Or came thronging; also verses 11, 15 Footnotes•b 6:16 - Aramaic answered and said; also verse 20

Cross References1 6:1 - [ Esth. 1:1 ]•2 6:1 - See ch. 3:2•3 6:2 - [ ch. 5:7, 16, 29 ]•4 6:2 - [See ver. 1 above]•5 6:3 - [ Esth. 3:1 ]•6 6:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•7 6:3 - [See ver. 1 above]•8 6:3 - ch. 5:12•9 6:3 - [ Gen. 41:40 ; Esth. 10:3 ]•10 6:4 - [See ver. 2 above]•11 6:4 - [See ver. 1 above]•12 6:4 - [ Eccles. 4:4 ]•13 6:4 - [ Ezek. 14:14, 20 ]•14 6:4 - [ Ezek. 14:14, 20 ]•15 6:6 - [See ver. 2 above]•16 6:6 - [See ver. 1 above]•17 6:6 - ver. 21; See ch. 2:4•18 6:7 - [See ver. 2 above]•19 6:7 - ch. 3:24 ; 4:36•20 6:7 - ver. 12, 13, 15•21 6:8 - [See ver. 7 above]•22 6:8 - ver. 12, 15; Esth. 1:19•23 6:8 - [ ch. 8:20 ]•24 6:8 - [ver. 15; Esth. 8:8 ]•25 6:9 - [See ver. 7 above]•26 6:10 - [ Ps. 137:5 ]•27 6:10 - [ Ps. 28:2 ; 138:2 ]; See 1 Kgs. 8:48•28 6:10 - Ps. 55:17•29 6:10 - [ ch. 2:23 ]

•30 6:12 - ch. 3:8•31 6:12 - ver. 7, 8, 9•32 6:12 - [See ver. 8 above]•33 6:12 - [See ver. 8 above]•34 6:13 - ch. 1:6•35 6:13 - See ch. 2:25•36 6:13 - ch. 1:6•37 6:13 - ch. 3:12•38 6:13 - [See ver. 12 above]•39 6:13 - [See ver. 10 above]•40 6:14 - [ Matt. 14:9 ; Mark 6:26 ]•41 6:14 - [ Matt. 14:9 ; Mark 6:26 ]•42 6:15 - [See ver. 12 above]•43 6:16 - [ Acts 27:23 ]•44 6:17 - [ Lam. 3:53 ]•45 6:17 - Matt. 27:66 ; Rev. 20:3•46 6:17 - [ Esth. 3:12 ]•47 6:17 - ch. 4:36 ; 5:1•48 6:18 - [ Prov. 25:20 ]•49 6:18 - Esth. 6:1 ; [ ch. 2:1 ]•50 6:20 - ver. 26•51 6:20 - [See ver. 16 above]•52 6:20 - [ ch. 3:15 ]•53 6:21 - See ch. 2:4•54 6:22 - ch. 3:28•55 6:22 - Heb. 11:33 ; [ Ps. 22:21 ; 2 Tim. 4:17 ]•56 6:22 - [ver. 4]•57 6:22 - [ver. 4]•58 6:23 - [ ch. 3:25 ]•59 6:24 - [ Deut. 19:19 ]•60 6:25 - See ch. 3:4•61 6:25 - ch. 4:1•62 6:25 - See ch. 4:1•63 6:26 - See ch. 3:10•64 6:26 - [ ch. 5:19 ; Ps. 99:1 ; Eccles. 12:13 ]•65 6:26 - ver. 20•66 6:26 - See ch. 4:34•67 6:26 - See ch. 4:34•68 6:26 - ch. 7:26•69 6:27 - ch. 4:2•70 6:27 - [ ch. 3:28, 29 ]•71 6:28 - [ ch. 1:21 ]•72 6:28 - 2 Chr. 36:22, 23 ; Ezra 1:2 ; 4:3, 5 ; 6:3, 14 ; Isa. 44:28 ; 45:1 ; [ch. 1:21 ; 10:1 ]

Dan. 6:1–28 The events of ch. 6 recall the events of ch. 3. However, while ch. 3took place

in the Babylonian royal court, ch. 6 takes place in the court of the Medo-Persians who had conquered Babylon. Daniel refuses to treat King Darius as the gods’ chief representative. When God delivers Daniel from the lions, Darius learns to respect Daniel’s God.

Dan. 6:1–3 satraps. See note on 3:2. The three high officials oversaw the satraps’

work. As one of these three,Daniel received the reward promised by Belshazzar. Daniel did

such an excellent job in this role that Darius planned to set him over the whole

kingdom.

Dan. 6:4–15 The other officials in the Medo-Persian court are jealous of Daniel’s success.

They conspire to get the king to issue an edict that Daniel cannot obey.

Dan. 6:6–7 Darius likely viewed this law as a way to unite the kingdom by identifying himself

as the sole mediator between the people and the gods.

Dan. 6:8 the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.

This does not mean that Medo-Persian kings never changed their mind, but to do so would be an embarrassment.

Dan. 6:10 Daniel continued his practice of prostrating himself three times daily toward

Jerusalem. This must have made it easy for his enemies to gather the evidence necessary

to convict him.

Dan. 6:16–18 The mouth of the den was covered with a stone, which was

then sealed with the signet rings of the king and his lords. Humanly speaking, Daniel

was left all alone. Yet Darius’s last words to Daniel pointed to a higher source of help: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

Fact: Lions’ densLions’ dens (6:17) were built to house captured lions, which would be later released and hunted for sport. Ancient writings other than the Bible also include stories of people being placed in cages with predatory animals.

Dan. 6:19–23 At break of day, Darius hurried to the lions’ den. He discovered that

Daniel had spent a comfortable night even though surrounded by wild animals, while Darius himself had been unable to sleep (v. 18) though surrounded by royal luxury. Because Daniel trusted in his God and was found blameless before him, God sent his

angel and shut the mouths of the lions so that they were unable to hurt him.

Dan. 6:24 After Daniel’s release, those who had schemed against him were thrown to the

same lions. Anyone who made a false accusation would be punished by receiving the same

fate they had sought for their victim. The sentence was also carried out on the families of the guilty men: their children, and their wives.

Dan. 6:25–27 Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar, confesses the awesome power and protection

of Daniel’s God: he is the living God . . . his kingdom shall never be destroyed.

Dan. 6:28 This closing comment reminds the reader that most of Daniel’s life was spent in exile. Yet God protected him right up to the time of King Cyrus, when Daniel’s prayers for Jerusalem finally began to be answered. Cyrus was God’s chosen instrument to return the Jews from exile. He issued a decree that they could return to their homeland and rebuild Jerusalem.

Daniel 7Daniel's Vision of the Four Beasts

1 In the first year of 1Belshazzar king of Babylon, 2Daniel saw a dream and3visions of his

head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.

2 Daniel declared,a"I saw in my vision by night, and behold,4the four winds of heaven were

stirring up the great sea.

3 And four great beasts5came up out of the sea, different from one another.

4 The first was like a lion and had eagles' wings. Then as I looked its wings were plucked off,

and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and the mind

of a man was given to it.

5 And behold, 6another beast, a second one, like a bear. It was raised up on one side. It had

three ribs in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, 'Arise, devour much flesh.'

6 After this I looked, and behold, another, like a7leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back.

And the beast had four heads, and8dominion was given to it.

7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, 9terrifying and dreadful and

exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth;10it devoured and broke in pieces 11and stamped

what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and 12it had

ten horns.

8 I considered the horns, and behold, 13there came up among them another horn, a little

one, 14before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots. And behold, in this

horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and 15a mouth speaking great things.

The Ancient of Days Reigns

9 "As I looked, 16thrones were placed, and the 17Ancient of Days took his seat;18his clothing

was white as snow, and 19the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery

flames; 20its wheels were burning fire.

10 21A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; 22a thousand

thousands 23served him,24and ten thousand times ten thousand 25stood before him;

the 26court sat in judgment, and 27the books were opened.

11 "I looked then because of the sound of 28the great words that the horn was speaking. And

as I looked, 29the beast was killed, and its body destroyed 30and given over to be burned

with fire.

12 As for the rest of the beasts, 31their dominion was taken away, but their lives were

prolonged for a season and a time.

The Son of Man Is Given Dominion

13 "I saw in the night visions, and 32behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a

son of man, and he came to the 33Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

14 34And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all35peoples, nations,

and languages should serve him; 36his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not

pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

Daniel's Vision Interpreted

15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit within meb was anxious, and 37the visions of my head

alarmed me.

16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this.

So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things.

17 38'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.

18 But 39the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom

forever, forever and ever.'

19 "Then I desired to know the truth about 40the fourth beast, which was different from all the

rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured

and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet,

20 41and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and

before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things,

and that seemed greater than its companions.

21 As I looked, this horn 42made war with the saints and prevailed over them,

22 until the 43Ancient of Days came, and44judgment was given for the saints of the Most

High, and the time came when45the saints possessed the kingdom.

23 "Thus he said: 'As for 46the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which

shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it

down, and break it to pieces.

24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise

after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.

25 47He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most

High, and shall think to 48change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand

for 49a time, times, and half a time.

2650But the court shall sit in judgment, and 51his dominion shall be taken away, to be

consumed and destroyed 52to the end.

27 53And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole

heaven shall be given to the people of 54the saints of the Most High; 55their kingdom shall

be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.'c

28 "Here is the end of the matter. 56As for me, Daniel, my 57thoughts greatly alarmed

me, 58and my color changed, but 59I kept the matter in my heart."

Footnotesa 7:2 - Aramaic answered and said•b 7:15 - Aramaic within its sheath•c 7:27 - Or his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him

Cross References1 7:1 - See ch. 5:1•2 7:1 - [ ch. 1:17 ]•3 7:1 - ver. 15; ch. 2:28 ; 4:5•4 7:2 - ch. 8:8 ; 11:4 ; [ Ezek. 37:9 ; Zech. 2:6 ; Rev. 7:1 ]•5 7:3 - [ Rev. 13:1 ]•6 7:5 - [ ch. 2:39 ]•7 7:6 - [ Hab. 1:8 ; Rev. 13:2 ]•8 7:6 - [ ch. 11:5 ]•9 7:7 - ver. 19, 23•10 7:7 - ver. 19, 23•11 7:7 - ver. 19, 23•12 7:7 - ver. 20; [ Rev. 12:3 ; 13:1 ; 17:12 ]•13 7:8 - [ver. 20, 21, 24; ch. 8:9 ]•14 7:8 - [ver. 20, 21, 24; ch. 8:9 ]•15 7:8 - ver. 20; [ Rev. 13:5, 6 ]•16 7:9 - Rev. 20:4 ; [ Matt. 19:28 ]; See 1 Kgs. 22:19•17 7:9 - ver. 22; [ Ps. 90:2 ]•18 7:9 - Matt. 28:3•19 7:9 - Rev. 1:14•20 7:9 - [ Ezek. 1:16 ; 10:2 ]•21 7:10 - [ Ps. 21:9 ]•22 7:10 - Ps. 68:17 ; Heb. 12:22 ; Rev. 5:11•23 7:10 - Ps. 103:21•24 7:10 - Ps. 68:17 ; Heb. 12:22 ; Rev. 5:11•25 7:10 - [ Zech. 3:4 ]•26 7:10 - ver. 22, 26; Rev. 11:18 ; 20:4•27 7:10 - Rev. 20:12•28 7:11 - [See ver. 8 above]•29 7:11 - Rev. 19:20 ; [ Rev. 20:10 ]•30 7:11 - Rev. 19:20 ; [ Rev. 20:10 ]•31 7:12 - [ver. 14, 26]

•32 7:13 - Matt. 26:64 ; Mark 14:62 ; Rev. 1:7 ; 14:14•33 7:13 - [See ver. 9 above]•34 7:14 - Ps. 110:1, 2 ; Isa. 9:6, 7 ; Rev. 11:15•35 7:14 - See ch. 3:4•36 7:14 - See ch. 2:44•37 7:15 - See ver. 1•38 7:17 - [ver. 3]•39 7:18 - ver. 22, 27; Matt. 25:34 ; [ 1 Cor. 6:2 ; Rev. 2:26 ; 20:4 ]•40 7:19 - ver. 7•41 7:20 - ver. 8•42 7:21 - [ ch. 8:24 ]•43 7:22 - ver. 9, 13•44 7:22 - [See ver. 18 above]•45 7:22 - [See ver. 18 above]•46 7:23 - [See ver. 19 above]•47 7:25 - [ ch. 11:36 ]•48 7:25 - ch. 2:9, 21•49 7:25 - ch. 12:7 ; Rev. 12:14•50 7:26 - See ver. 10•51 7:26 - [ver. 12, 14]•52 7:26 - ch. 6:26•53 7:27 - See ver. 18•54 7:27 - See ver. 18•55 7:27 - See ch. 2:44•56 7:28 - ver. 15; [ ch. 8:27 ; 10:8, 16 ; Jer. 23:9 ]•57 7:28 - ch. 4:5, 19 ; 5:6•58 7:28 - [ ch. 5:6, 10 ]•59 7:28 - [ Luke 2:19, 51 ]

7:1–12:13 The Visions of Daniel. These chapters describe Daniel’s apocalyptic visions,

which reassure God’s people that, in spite of exile and persecution, God is still in control of history and will make sure that his purposes are fulfilled.

Fact: Opening the booksOpening the books. Scribes recorded the daily events and activities of royal courts. These writings served as records for the archives and also could provide testimony for court hearings. Daniel’s first readers would have understood quite

well his vision of God opening the books (7:10).

Dan. 7:1–28 In the first vision, four beasts represent four mighty kings (or kingdoms); nevertheless, God’s plan to exalt his faithful will be victorious.

Dan. 7:1–2 Daniel received the vision during the first year of Belshazzar (c. 552 B.C.). He saw that four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea, a symbol for chaos and potential rebellion against God.

Dan. 7:3 This sea produced four startling creatures, one after the other, each more

frightening than the preceding one. These creatures are identified in v.17.

Dan. 7:4 The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings; it had the strength and

majesty of a lion combined with the speed and power of an eagle. This beast had his wings plucked off and was transformed into a man, recalling the humbling and restoration

of Nebuchadnezzar. Most scholars think the lion represents Babylon.

Dan. 7:5 The second beast was like a bear, raised up on one side. Many scholars

think this suggests the unequal power of the two countries combined in the Medo-Persian Empire. It had a mouth full of the ribs of its previous victim(s); these may have been the

people Cyrus conquered to unify his nation. However, the beast was told to arise and devour even more. The three ribs could also represent the three countries that

Medo-Persia conquered (Babylon, 539 B.C.; Lydia, 546; and Egypt, 525).

Dan. 7:6 The third beast was like another composite animal, part leopard,

part bird, with four wings and four heads. It combined ferocity and speed with the

ability to see in all four directions at once. But the four wings emphasize even more the element of speed. Many scholars believe this corresponds well to Alexander the Great’s conquest of the known world by age 32. After his death in 323 B.C., his empire was divided among four of his generals. These four rulers are symbolized by the four heads.

Dan. 7:7 The fourth beast cannot be described in terms of earthly animals. It

was terrifying and dreadful,exceedingly strong, with great iron

teeth that devoured and crushed, and it trampled down whatever it did not eat. Its

head had ten horns, symbolizing increased strength. This final, terrifying beast most likely

represents the Roman Empire.

Dan. 7:8 Even more surprisingly, another small horn came up among the horns,

uprooting three of the 10 others. This horn had eyes and a mouth that spoke arrogantly.

The 10 horns likely signify 10 rulers or kingdoms. The little horn was significantly different

than the others, for it had teeth of iron, claws of bronze, and eyes like the eyes of a man.

It started “little” but grew up to overpower three of the other horns. Some scholars understand this horn to refer to Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but many have understood it to refer to the Antichrist.

Dan. 7:9–12 At the center of Daniel’s vision was the heavenly courtroom, with thrones set

up for judgment. The Ancient of Days, God himself, sat on the central throne. His

clothing was white as snow, representing purity. His hair was as white as pure

wool, symbolizing the wisdom that comes with great age. His chariot-throne was flaming with

fire, images of the divine warrior’s power to destroy his enemies. A stream of fire flowed

out from before him, and angelic attendants surrounded him.

Fact: PurityPurity. In 12:10, “white” symbolizes purity, as in clothing that is clean rather

than dirty (see 7:9). “Refined” means purified or cleansed. Revelation similarly

pictures saints wearing white clothes (Rev. 4:4; 7:13–14; 19:8).

Dan. 7:10 Ten thousand times ten thousand is an uncountable multitude,

representing not one kingdom but all the kingdoms of the earth standing before God. The

books that were opened represent God’s records of the deeds of those on the earth.

Dan. 7:11–12 As Daniel kept watching, the boastful little horn was finally silenced: the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with

fire. Daniel looked back at the other beasts and their dominion was taken away, but

they were not destroyed like this last beast. Their kingdoms remained for a time set by God and then were incorporated into the following kingdom.

Dan. 7:13–14 The one like a son of man combines human and divine traits in one

person. This son of man seems also to be greater than any mere human, for to come on the clouds is a clear symbol of divine authority. This son of man is given dominion and

glory and a kingdom. He will rule over the entire world forever. Thus, he must be much

more than a personified representative of Israel, and certainly more than a mere angel, for no created being would have the right to rule the entire world forever. Jesus refers to himself as “son of man” more than any other title, and this role is ultimately fulfilled in Rev. 19:11–16 when Jesus comes at the end of the age to judge and rule the nations. At the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, when he claimed to be this heavenly “son of man,” his opponents said he had committed blasphemy because he was claiming God’s power as his own.Dan. 7:15–27 Daniel’s vision returns to the four beasts (vv. 1–8). As for the “little” horn from

the fourth beast (vv. 7–8), who made war with the saints and prevailed over

them (v. 21) and who shall wear out the saints (v. 25), many take this to represent the

Antichrist, whom they expect in the end times. Other interpreters think there is not enough precise data to identify the little horn. It is clear, however, that this king will blaspheme against God, oppress the saints, and try to abolish the calendar and the law, which govern how God’s people worship. The saints will be handed over into his power for a time, times, and half

a time (v. 25)—totaling three and a half times, or half of a total period of seven times of

judgment. The angel’s primary concern is the judgment to come and the triumph of the saints, rather than the identity of the little horn. The central point of the vision is that God limits the time when the beastly kingdoms of the earth will oppress the saints. In the heavenly court, the beasts will finally be destroyed.

The Empires of Daniel’s Visions: The Persiansc. 538–331 B.C.After Cyrus the Great united the Median and Persian empires, he overthrew the Babylonians and established the greatest power the world had ever known. Under later rulers the Persian Empire eventually extended from Egypt and

Thrace to the borders of India, and Cyrus himself declared, “the LORD, the God of

heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth” (2 Chron. 36:23; Ezra 1:2). Consistent with his regular policies to promote loyalty among his subjugated peoples, Cyrus immediately released the exiled Jews from their captivity in Babylon and even sponsored the rebuilding of the temple.

Dan. 7:28 Daniel is stunned by the vision revealed in this chapter; he has only enough

strength to think about it.

Daniel 8Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat

1 In the third year of the reign of 1King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, 2after

that which appeared to me 3at the first.

2 And I saw in the vision; and when I saw, I was in 4Susa the capital,a which is in the

province of 5Elam. And 6I saw in the vision, 7and I was at the 8Ulai canal.

3 I raised my eyes and saw, and behold, 9a ram standing on the bank of the canal. It had two

horns, and both horns were high, but one was higher than the other, and the higher one

came up last.

4 I saw 10the ram charging westward and northward and southward. No11beast 12could

stand before him, 13and there was no one who could rescue from his power. 14He did as he

pleased and 15became great.

5 As I was considering, behold, a 16male goat came from the west across the face of the

whole earth, without touching the ground. And the goat had 17a conspicuous horn between

his eyes.

6 He came to 18the ram with the two horns, which I had seen standing on the bank of the

canal, 19and he ran at him in his powerful wrath.

7 I saw him come close to the ram, 20and he was enraged against him and struck the ram

and broke his two horns. 21And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he 22cast him

down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram

from his power.

8 Then 23the goat 24became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was

broken, and instead of it there came up four25conspicuous horns toward 26the four winds of

heaven.

9 Out of one of them came 27a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward 28the south,

toward the east, and toward 29the glorious land.

10 30It grew great, 31even to the host of heaven. And some of the host 32and someb of 33the

stars it threw down to the ground and 34trampled on them.

11 35It became great, even as great as 36the Prince of the host. 37And the regular burnt

offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.

12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of

transgression,c and it will throw truth to the ground, and 38it will act and prosper.

13 Then I heard 39a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who

spoke, 40"For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, 41the

transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be

trampled underfoot?"

14 And he said to me,d"For 2,300 42evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be

restored to its rightful state."

The Interpretation of the Vision

15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I 43sought to understand it. And behold, there stood

before me one having 44the appearance of a man.

16 45And I heard a man's voice 46between the banks of the 47Ulai, and it called, 48"Gabriel,

make this man understand the vision."

17 So he came near where I stood. And when he came, 49I was frightened 50and fell on my

face. But he said to me, "Understand,51O son of man, that the vision is for 52the time of the

end."

18 And when he had spoken to me, 53I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground.

But 54he touched me and made me stand up.

19 He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of 55the

indignation, for it refers to 56the appointed time of the end.

20 As for 57the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of 58Media and

Persia.

21 And 59the goate is the king of Greece. And 60the great horn between his eyes is 61the

first king.

22 62As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms

shall arise from hisfnation, 63but not with his power.

23 And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a

king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise.

24 His power shall be great--64but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful

destruction 65and shall succeed in what he does, 66and destroy mighty men and the people

who are the saints.

25 67By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind 68he

shall become great. 69Without warning he shall destroy many. And he 70shall even rise up

against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken--but 71by no human hand.

26The vision of 72the evenings and the mornings that has been told 73is true, but74seal up

the vision, 75for it refers to many days from now."

27 And 76I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about

the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision 77and did not understand it.

a 8:2 - Or the fortified city Footnotes•b 8:10 - Or host, that is, some•c 8:12 - Or in an act of rebellion•d 8:14 - Hebrew; Septuagint, Theodotion, Vulgate to him

•e 8:21 - Or the shaggy goat•f 8:22 - Theodotion, Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew the

Cross References1 8:1 - See ch. 5:1•2 8:1 - [ ch. 7:1 ]•3 8:1 - [ ch. 7:1 ]•4 8:2 - See Neh. 1:1•5 8:2 - See Isa. 11:11•6 8:2 - See Ezek. 1:1•7 8:2 - See Ezek. 1:1•8 8:2 - ver. 16•9 8:3 - [ver. 20]•10 8:4 - [ Deut. 33:17 ; Ezek. 34:21 ]•11 8:4 - [ ch. 7:17 ]•12 8:4 - [ver. 7]•13 8:4 - [ ch. 3:15 ]•14 8:4 - [ ch. 11:3, 16, 36 ]•15 8:4 - ver. 8•16 8:5 - [ver. 21]•17 8:5 - [ver. 21]•18 8:6 - [ver. 20]•19 8:6 - [ Job 15:26 ]•20 8:7 - ch. 11:11•21 8:7 - [ver. 4]•22 8:7 - [ Ps. 7:5 ]•23 8:8 - [See ver. 5 above]•24 8:8 - ver. 4•25 8:8 - [ver. 5]; See ch. 7:2, 3•26 8:8 - [ver. 5]; See ch. 7:2, 3•27 8:9 - ch. 7:8•28 8:9 - [ ch. 11:25 ]•29 8:9 - ch. 11:16, 41 ; [ Ps. 48:2 ; Ezek. 20:6, 15 ]•30 8:10 - [ ch. 11:28 ]•31 8:10 - Isa. 14:13•32 8:10 - Isa. 14:13•33 8:10 - [ Rev. 12:4 ]•34 8:10 - ver. 7•35 8:11 - ver. 25; See ch. 11:36•36 8:11 - Josh. 5:14•37 8:11 - ch. 11:31 ; 12:11•38 8:12 - ver. 24; ch. 11:28, 30•39 8:13 - See ch. 4:13•40 8:13 - ch. 12:6 ; [ Rev. 6:10 ]; See ch. 9:21-27

•41 8:13 - See ch. 11:31•42 8:14 - [ver. 26]•43 8:15 - [ 1 Pet. 1:10, 11 ]•44 8:15 - ch. 7:13 ; 10:16, 18 ; Ezek. 1:26 ; Rev. 1:13•45 8:16 - See ch. 12:5-7•46 8:16 - See ch. 12:5-7•47 8:16 - ver. 2•48 8:16 - ch. 9:21 ; Luke 1:19, 26•49 8:17 - [ Luke 1:12 ]•50 8:17 - Ezek. 1:28•51 8:17 - See Ezek. 2:1•52 8:17 - [ver. 19; ch. 11:27, 35, 40 ; 12:4, 9 ]•53 8:18 - ch. 10:9 ; [ Luke 9:32 ]•54 8:18 - ch. 9:21 ; 10:10, 18•55 8:19 - ch. 11:36•56 8:19 - [ Ps. 102:13 ]; See ver. 17•57 8:20 - [ver. 3]•58 8:20 - [ ch. 6:8 ]•59 8:21 - [ver. 5]•60 8:21 - [ver. 5]•61 8:21 - ch. 10:20 ; 11:3•62 8:22 - ver. 8•63 8:22 - ver. 24•64 8:24 - Rev. 17:17•65 8:24 - ver. 12; ch. 11:28, 30•66 8:24 - [ ch. 7:21 ]•67 8:25 - [ ch. 11:23 ]•68 8:25 - ver. 11•69 8:25 - [ ch. 11:21, 24 ]•70 8:25 - ver. 11•71 8:25 - See ch. 2:34•72 8:26 - [ver. 14]•73 8:26 - [ ch. 10:1 ]•74 8:26 - [ ch. 12:4, 9 ]•75 8:26 - ch. 10:14•76 8:27 - [ ch. 7:28 ]•77 8:27 - [ver. 16]

Dan. 8:1–27 In this next vision, Daniel sees what is to come of the Medo-Persian Empire, Alexander the Great’s empire, and the Hellenistic empires that succeed it. The upheavals to come will mean terrible times for God’s people, but they must endure, knowing that God rules over all.

Dan. 8:3 In this vision, Daniel saw an all-powerful ram with two horns, one of which was

longer than the other. The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire, with

the higher horn representing the stronger, Persian part.

Dan. 8:5 a male goat came from the west. Alexander the Great came from Greece,

which was to the “west” of both Babylon and Persia. without touching the ground.

Alexander conquered the mighty Persian Empire with amazing speed.

Dan. 8:7 he was enraged. Alexander’s father was king of Macedonia and brought all of

Greece under his control by 336 B.C. Alexander was only 20 when his father was murdered, but he consolidated his hold on Greece and unified the Greeks.

Dan. 8:8 the goat became exceedingly great. Alexander the Great’s kingdom

extended all the way to India, exceeding any kingdom before it in size. there came up

four conspicuous horns. After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C., four of his

generals divided his kingdom into four parts.

Fact: Antiochus IV EpiphanesThe reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 B.C.) was disastrous for the Jews

(11:21–35; see 8:9–14, 23–25). He banned circumcision, ended the sacrifices,

and defiled the temple. Judas Maccabeus led a revolt against him in 167 B.C.

Dan. 8:9–10 A little horn grows out of one of the four horns and expands his realm. Most

scholars identify this little horn as Antiochus IV Epiphanes (ruled 175–164 B.C.). Antiochus IV tried to unify his kingdom by forcing his subjects to adopt Greek cultural and religious practices. He banned circumcision, ended sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem, and deliberately defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and placing a pagan religious object in the Most Holy Place. This horn grew great, even to the host of heaven,

andsome of the stars it threw down to the ground. This probably refers to the

faithful who were killed during Antiochus IV’s reign.

Dan. 8:11 The Prince of the host probably refers to God, because of the similar

expression “Prince of princes” in v. 25. the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.

When the Jews refused to adopt Antiochus IV’s pagan religion, he punished them severely.

Dan. 8:12–14 Because of renewed transgression on the part of God’s people, the saints

and the temple sacrifices were handed over to Antiochus IV, but only for a limited period: 2,300 evenings and mornings, or a little over six years. In the end, the little horn

will be judged and the sanctuary restored to its rightful state. Unlike the less precise

“time, times, and half a time” of 7:25, this period is measured in days, suggesting that God has a precise calendar for the times of his people’s suffering.

Dan. 8:15–26 The angel Gabriel explains to Daniel that the vision concerns the future of the

region, which God rules for his purposes. The vision is given to prepare God’s people for the coming events, even the severe persecutions under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

Fact: Gabriel

Gabriel is the first angel mentioned by name in the Bible (8:16; 9:21). Michael,

the only other angel named in Scripture, also appears in Daniel (10:13, 21; 12:1). In the NT, Gabriel was the angel who announced the births of John the

Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:19, 26). Michael appears again in Rev. 12:7.

Dan. 8:20–22 Unlike the vision of ch. 7, the vision of 8:3–14 is precisely interpreted by the angel. The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia, of whom Cyrus, king of Persia, became the dominant partner. The goat was the king of Greece, Alexander the Great. See note on v. 8.

Dan. 8:23 The “little horn” of v. 9corresponds to a king of bold face, who was completely wicked. This describes Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 B.C.). See note on vv. 9–10.

The Empires of Daniel’s Visions: The Greeksc. 335–303 B.C.The ascension of Alexander the Great to the throne of the Macedonian kingdom (in northern Greece) spelled the end for the mighty Persian Empire. After

gaining the loyalty of the other city-states of Greece, Alexander’s astounding military prowess and success enabled him to systematically overtake virtually all of Persia’s former territory within 12 years. Soon after he died in Babylon at age

33 (323 B.C.), Alexander’s conquered territory was divided among his generals, who constantly vied for power among each other until their territories resembled those shown here (c. 303).

Dan. 8:25 he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes. This title refers to

God. Antiochus IV rebels against even God’s legitimate sovereignty, as he shows by desecrating the temple (see note on 11:31–32).

Dan. 8:27 Even though Daniel did not fully understand the vision, he was

nonetheless overcome and appalled, for he recognized the severity of the suffering

coming on his own people. Like the other prophets, he sympathized with his people when they faced the judgment of God. Yet in spite of his deep concern for the future, he went

about the king’s business.

Daniel 9Daniel's Prayer for His People

1 1In the first year of 2Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a 3Mede, who was made

king over the realm of the 4Chaldeans--

2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that,

according to 5the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of

the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by 6prayer and pleas for mercy with

fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

4 I prayed to the LORD my God and 7made confession, saying, 8"O Lord, the9great and

awesome God, who 10keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep

his commandments,

5 11we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly 12and rebelled, turning aside from

your commandments and rules.

6 13We have not listened to 14your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to 15our

kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

7 To you, 16O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men

of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, 17those who are near and 18those

who are far away, in 19all the lands to which you have driven them, because of 20the

treachery that they have committed against you.

8To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers,

because 21we have sinned against you.

9 22To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him

10 23and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he

set before us by 24his servants the prophets.

11 25All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, 26refusing to obey your

voice. 27And the curse and oath 28that are written in the Law of 29Moses the servant of God

have been poured out upon us, because 30we have sinned against him.

12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against 31our rulers who

ruled us,a by 32bringing upon us a great calamity. 33For under the whole heaven there has

not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem.

13 34As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not

entreated the favor of the LORD our God, 35turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by

your truth.

14 36Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us,37for the

LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and 38we have not obeyed his

voice.

15 And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt 39with a

mighty hand, and 40have made a name for yourself, as at this day, 41we have sinned, we

have done wickedly.

16 "O Lord,42according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away

from your city Jerusalem, 43your holy hill, 44because for our sins, and for 45the iniquities of

our fathers, 46Jerusalem and your people have become 47a byword among all who are

around us.

17 Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy,

and for your own sake, O Lord,b 48 make your face to shine upon 49your sanctuary, which is

desolate.

18 50O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see 51our desolations,

and 52the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you

because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.

19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. 53Delay not, 54for your own

sake, O my God, because 55your city and 56your people are called by your name."

Gabriel Brings an Answer

20 57While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel,

and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for 58the holy hill of my God,

21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man 59Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the

first, 60came to me in swift flight at 61the time of the evening sacrifice.

22 62He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, "O Daniel, I have now come

out to give you 63insight and understanding.

23 64At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, 65and I have come to tell it to

you, for 66you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word 67and understand the vision.

The Seventy Weeks

24 68"Seventy weeksc are decreed about your people and 69your holy city, to finish 70the

transgression, to put an end to sin, 71and to atone for iniquity, 72to bring in everlasting

righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and 73to anoint a most holy place.d

25 74Know therefore and understand that 75from the going out of the word to restore

and 76build Jerusalem to the coming of an 77anointed one, a 78prince, there shall be seven

weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, 79but in a

troubled time.

26 And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall 80be cut off and shall have nothing.

And the people of the prince who is to come 81shall destroy the city and the

sanctuary.82Itse end shall come with a flood, 83and to the end there shall be

war.84Desolations are decreed.

27 And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week,f and for half of the week

he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering.85And on the wing of abominations shall come

one who makes desolate, until86the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."

Footnotesa 9:12 - Or our judges who judged us

•b 9:17 - Hebrew for the Lord's sake•c 9:24 - Or sevens; also twice in verse 25 and once in verse 26•d 9:24 - Or thing, or one•e 9:26 - Or His•f 9:27 - Or seven; twice in this verse

Cross References1 9:1 - ch. 11:1

•2 9:1 - See ch. 5:31•3 9:1 - [ ch. 8:20 ]•4 9:1 - ch. 5:30•5 9:2 - [ Ezra 1:1 ; Jer. 25:12 ]•6 9:3 - ver. 17, 18, 23; [ Neh. 1:4 ]•7 9:4 - ver. 20; [ Ezra 10:1 ; Neh. 1:6 ]•8 9:4 - Neh. 1:5 ; 9:32•9 9:4 - Neh. 1:5 ; 9:32•10 9:4 - Deut. 7:9•11 9:5 - ver. 15•12 9:5 - Lam. 3:42•13 9:6 - 2 Chr. 36:15, 16•14 9:6 - Ezra 9:11 ; Zech. 1:6•15 9:6 - Ezra 9:7 ; Neh. 9:34•16 9:7 - [ver. 14; Lam. 1:18 ]•17 9:7 - [ Esth. 9:20 ]

•18 9:7 - [ Esth. 9:20 ]•19 9:7 - See Jer. 8:3•20 9:7 - Lev. 26:40•21 9:8 - [See ver. 5 above]•22 9:9 - Neh. 9:17 ; Ps. 86:15•23 9:10 - [See ver. 6 above]•24 9:10 - [See ver. 6 above]•25 9:11 - See Isa. 1:4-6•26 9:11 - [ Jer. 40:3 ; 44:23 ]•27 9:11 - Jer. 44:22•28 9:11 - See Lev. 26:14-45 ; Deut. 28:15-68•29 9:11 - 1 Chr. 6:49 ; 2 Chr. 24:9 ; Neh. 10:29•30 9:11 - [See ver. 5 above]•31 9:12 - [ Ps. 82:2, 3 ]•32 9:12 - Jer. 39:16•33 9:12 - Ezek. 5:9 ; [ Lam. 1:12 ]•34 9:13 - [See ver. 11 above]•35 9:13 - Hos. 7:10•36 9:14 - [ Jer. 1:12 ]•37 9:14 - Neh. 9:33 ; See ver. 7•38 9:14 - ver. 10•39 9:15 - Ex. 32:11 ; [ Ex. 6:1 ; Neh. 1:10 ]•40 9:15 - Ex. 14:18 ; Neh. 9:10•41 9:15 - See ver. 5•42 9:16 - Ps. 31:1 ; 71:2•43 9:16 - ver. 20; ch. 11:45 ; Jer. 31:23 ; Zech. 8:3•44 9:16 - Lam. 1:5•45 9:16 - [ Ex. 20:5 ]•46 9:16 - Lam. 2:15, 16•47 9:16 - Ps. 44:13 ; 79:4 ; Ezek. 36:4 ; Mic. 6:16•48 9:17 - Num. 6:25•49 9:17 - Lam. 5:18•50 9:18 - 2 Kgs. 19:16 ; Isa. 37:17•51 9:18 - ver. 26; See ver. 27•52 9:18 - Jer. 25:29•53 9:19 - Ps. 40:17 ; 70:5•54 9:19 - Ps. 25:11 ; 79:9•55 9:19 - [See ver. 18 above]•56 9:19 - Jer. 14:9•57 9:20 - Isa. 65:24•58 9:20 - See ver. 16•59 9:21 - See ch. 8:16•60 9:21 - See ch. 8:18

•61 9:21 - Ex. 29:39 ; [ 1 Kgs. 18:36 ; Ezra 9:4, 5 ]•62 9:22 - [ ch. 8:16 ]•63 9:22 - [ ch. 1:4, 17 ]•64 9:23 - [ver. 20]•65 9:23 - [ ch. 10:12, 14 ]•66 9:23 - ch. 10:11, 19•67 9:23 - [ Matt. 24:15 ; Mark 13:14 ]•68 9:24 - [ Ezek. 4:6 ]•69 9:24 - Neh. 11:1•70 9:24 - ch. 8:13•71 9:24 - [ Ps. 78:38 ; Heb. 2:17 ]; See Jer. 31:34•72 9:24 - Rom. 3:25, 26 ; See Jer. 23:5, 6•73 9:24 - [ Ps. 45:7 ; Isa. 61:1 ; Acts 4:26, 27 ]•74 9:25 - [ver. 23]•75 9:25 - [ 2 Chr. 36:23 ; Ezra 1:3 ; 4:24 ; 6:15 ; Neh. ; 6:15 ; Neh.•76 9:25 - [ Ps. 51:18 ]•77 9:25 - John 1:41•78 9:25 - Isa. 55:4•79 9:25 - See Neh. 4:7, 8, 16-18•80 9:26 - Isa. 53:8 ; [ Mark 9:12 ; Luke 24:26 ]•81 9:26 - [ Matt. 24:2 ; Mark 13:2 ; Luke 19:43, 44 ]•82 9:26 - Nah. 1:8 ; [ ch. 11:10, 22, 26, 40 ]•83 9:26 - Matt. 24:6, 14•84 9:26 - ver. 18; See ver. 27•85 9:27 - Matt. 24:15 ; Mark 13:14 ; [ Luke 21:20 ]•86 9:27 - Isa. 10:23

Dan. 9:1–27 While reading the book of Jeremiah and realizing that the “seventy years” (v. 2) are almost over (see Jer. 29:10), Daniel turns to God in prayer, seeking mercy for Jerusalem. The angel Gabriel appears to him (Dan. 9:21) and explains that another period of 70 “sevens” is at hand for God’s people. The name Yahweh (represented by LORD, in small capital letters), not used elsewhere in Daniel, is used seven times in this chapter, emphasizing God’s covenantal relationship to his people. This vision occurs in Darius’s first year (539 B.C.), about 11 years after the one in ch. 8. Daniel appears to be over 80 years old. On the identity of Darius the Mede, see note on 5:30–31.

Fact: Daniel’s prayerDaniel’s prayer. Jeremiah prophesied that God would restore his people after 70

years in Babylon (Jer. 25:11–14; 29:10). With this in mind, Daniel prays for

Israel’s restoration (Dan. 9:1–19).

Dan. 9:1–19 Daniel knows why the exile came upon the Jewish people, and he confesses his own and his people’s sins and prays for forgiveness and mercy.

Dan. 9:2 Some interpreters understand the seventy years to extend from 605B.C. to the

first return of the exiles in 538, following Cyrus’s decree allowing the Jews to return. Others suggest that the 70 years extend from 586 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, to 515, when the rebuilding of the temple was completed under Zerubbabel.Jeremiah 29:10–14 suggests that at the end of the 70 years Israel will pray to God and he will hear them. This passage may suggest a time when the temple is complete and is being used for prayer. Both interpretations are reasonable, but Daniel appears to be suggesting the first interpretation. At the end of the 70 years Babylon will be punished, which fits well with the events of 539 B.C.

Dan. 9:3 Daniel began to pray for the restoration of God’s people to their land. Daniel also

fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes.

Dan. 9:4 Daniel’s prayer begins with praise of God’s power and justice. Daniel pleads with

God to show grace to his people.

Dan. 9:11 Under the terms of the Sinai covenant, the unfaithfulness that Daniel confesses in

vv. 5–11 would result in the exile of God’s people from the Land of Promise. Yet when his people repented of their sins, the Lord would gather them again to the land.

Dan. 9:17 Daniel asked the Lord to show favor to his sanctuary and to end the exile, thus

honoring his own name.

Dan. 9:20–27 The angel Gabriel, first seen in ch. 8, appears to Daniel and reveals that

there is more to come. This is clear proof that Daniel’s prayer has been heard and his request for favor has been honored by the Lord.

Dan. 9:24–27 There are many suggested interpretations of the seventy weeks, but there

are three main views: (1) the passage refers to events surrounding Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 B.C.); (2) the 70 sevens are to be understood figuratively; and (3) the passage refers to events around the time of Christ. Most scholars understand the 70 “sevens” to be made up of 70 periods of seven years, or 490 years, but they apply these years to different periods of time. (See diagram.) In any case, the important point is that God has appointed a certain amount of time until the end of his people’s suffering, and thus they should not lose heart.

Dan. 9:24 Gabriel says Daniel’s requests for his people and city will be answered. Cyrus

fulfilled this when he allowed the Jews to return home. Gabriel also explains when Jerusalem will be completely cleansed. The transgression, sin, and iniquity that had led God to

abandon Israel will ultimately be atoned for. God will bring everlasting righteousness,

making his people into a holy nation. Because of their past neglect of the prophets’ words, the Lord will seal their words as an ancient document writer might seal a letter. God will stamp

the words of the prophets as authentic expressions of his mind through their fulfillment. To

anoint a most holy place might refer to the sanctuary in Jerusalem and its

reconsecration by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C. Or, it might refer to the “anointing” of the heavenly most holy place by Christ when he died. The Lord was committed to bring in the promised new covenant of Jer. 31:31–33.

Dan. 9:25–26 The promised restoration of God’s people and sanctuary will come in three

stages. The first seven periods of sevens will run from the issuing of the decree to restore

and rebuild Jerusalem to the time when that rebuilding is complete. This period of restoration will be a time of trouble, as will the subsequent sixty-two periods of sevens after the city

had been rebuilt. The messianic ruler will make his appearance at the end of these 69

sevens. Even the appearing of this anointed one, a prince, will not immediately usher in

the peace and righteousness that Jer. 31:31–33 anticipated. Instead, the anointed one will himself be cut off, leaving him with nothing, surely a reference to the crucifixion of Christ.

After the cutting off of the anointed one,the people of the prince who is to come will

destroy Jerusalem and its sanctuary. Many commentators understand this “coming prince” as a reference to the Roman general Titus, whose army destroyed Jerusalem in A.D.70, or as a reference to a future antichrist. Other interpreters understand him to be the same “anointed prince” anticipated in Dan. 9:25. This person is addressed as “anointed one,” where the focus is on his priestly work of offering himself as a sacrifice, and as a “ruler” whose people fail to submit to his rule. The principal cause of the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem in A.D.70 was the transgression of God’s people in rejecting the Messiah that God had sent to them (Luke 19:41–44).

Dan. 9:27 he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. In one interpretation, this

refers to Christ’s atonement. With the death of Jesus on the cross, the atoning sacrifices of the OT were abolished. In another interpretation, if “the prince who is to come” (v. 26) is not the Messiah but an opponent of God’s people, then “he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering” means he will destroy the temple, and thus the prediction refers to the destruction of Jerusalem. A third interpretation argues that this will be fulfilled at the end of the church age, during the great tribulation. The final part of v. 27 is extremely difficult to translate. Literally, it reads, “In the middle of that seven, he will put an end to sacrifice and offering, and on account of the extremity [or “wing”] of abominations that cause desolation, until the end that has been decreed, it will be poured out unto desolation.” On the connection of abominations and makes desolate, see note on 11:31–32.

Daniel 10Daniel's Terrifying Vision of a Man

1 1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, 2who was named

Belteshazzar. And 3the word was true, and it was a great conflict.aAnd 4he understood the

word and 5had understanding of the vision.

2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for 6three weeks.

3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I 7anoint myself at all,

for 8the full three weeks.

4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing 9on the bank of the great river

(10that is, the Tigris)

5 11I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold,12a man clothed in linen, 13with a belt of

fine 14gold from Uphaz around his waist.

6 His body was like 15beryl, his face 16like the appearance of lightning, 17his eyes like

flaming torches, his arms and 18legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and19the sound of

his words like the sound of a multitude.

7 20And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision,

but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.

8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and 21no strength was left in me. My radiant

appearance was fearfully changed,b 22 and I retained no strength.

9 Then I heard the sound of his words, 23and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my

face in deep sleep24with my face to the ground.

10 And behold, 25a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, 26man greatly loved, 27understand the words that I speak

to you, and 28stand upright, for 29now I have been sent to you." And when he had spoken

this word to me, I stood up trembling.

12 Then he said to me, 30"Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you 31set your heart to

understand and 32humbled yourself before your God,33your words have been heard, 34and I

have come because of your words.

1335The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 36twenty-one days, but37Michael,

one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

14 38and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people 39in the latter

days. For 40the vision is for days yet to come."

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, 41I turned my face toward the

ground42and was mute.

16 And behold, 43one in the likeness of the children of man44touched my lips. Then I opened

my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision

pains have come upon me, and 45I retain no strength.

17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no

breath is left in me."

18 Again 46one having the appearance of a man 47touched me and strengthened me.

19 And he said, 48"O man greatly loved, 49fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of

good courage." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for

you have strengthened me."

20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against

the 50prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of 51Greece will come.

21 But I will tell you 52what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by

my side against these except53Michael, your prince.

a 10:1 - Or and it was about a great conflict Footnotes•b 10:8 - Hebrew My splendor was changed to ruin

Cross References1 10:1 - [ ch. 1:21 ]; See ch. 6:28•2 10:1 - See ch. 1:7•3 10:1 - [ ch. 8:26 ]•4 10:1 - See ch. 1:17•5 10:1 - See ch. 1:17•6 10:2 - [ver. 13]•7 10:3 - [ Amos 6:6 ; Matt. 6:17 ]•8 10:3 - [See ver. 2 above]•9 10:4 - [ ch. 12:5 ]•10 10:4 - Gen. 2:14

•11 10:5 - [ Josh. 5:13 ]•12 10:5 - Ezek. 9:2•13 10:5 - [ Rev. 1:13 ; 15:6 ]•14 10:5 - Jer. 10:9•15 10:6 - [ Ezek. 1:16 ; 10:9 ]•16 10:6 - Ezek. 1:14 ; Matt. 28:3•17 10:6 - Rev. 1:14•18 10:6 - Rev. 1:15•19 10:6 - Rev. 1:15•20 10:7 - [ Acts 9:7 ]•21 10:8 - [ ch. 7:28 ]•22 10:8 - ver. 16•23 10:9 - ch. 8:18•24 10:9 - ch. 8:18•25 10:10 - See Ezek. 2:9•26 10:11 - ver. 19; ch. 9:23•27 10:11 - See ch. 1:17•28 10:11 - Ezek. 2:1•29 10:11 - [ Heb. 1:14 ]•30 10:12 - ver. 19; [ Judg. 6:23 ; Rev. 1:17 ]•31 10:12 - [ ch. 9:3 ]•32 10:12 - [ ch. 9:3 ]•33 10:12 - [ Acts 10:4 ]•34 10:12 - [ ch. 9:23 ]•35 10:13 - ver. 20•36 10:13 - [ver. 2, 3]•37 10:13 - ver. 21; ch. 12:1 ; Jude 9 ; Rev. 12:7•38 10:14 - [See ver. 12 above]•39 10:14 - ch. 2:28•40 10:14 - ch. 8:26 ; [ Hab. 2:3 ]•41 10:15 - ver. 9; ch. 8:18•42 10:15 - Ps. 39:2, 9•43 10:16 - See ch. 8:15•44 10:16 - Isa. 6:7•45 10:16 - ver. 8•46 10:18 - [See ver. 16 above]•47 10:18 - [See ver. 16 above]•48 10:19 - ver. 11; ch. 9:23•49 10:19 - See ver. 12•50 10:20 - ver. 13•51 10:20 - ch. 8:21•52 10:21 - ch. 12:1, 4 ; [ Ex. 32:32 ]•53 10:21 - See ver. 13

Dan. 10:1–12:13 Conflicts on earth reflect conflicts in the heavens, and this will continue to

the end, when God will ultimately win the battle.

Dan. 10:1–11:1 A heavenly visitor tells Daniel about conflict in heaven. He explains that he

has met resistance from other spiritual powers. He has come to tell Daniel about future events.

The 70 Weeks of Daniel 9

Dan. 10:1 Chapters 10–12 form a single vision, received in the third year of Cyrus

king of Persia. Two years earlier, the first party of Jewish exiles had returned to

Jerusalem, but they faced severe opposition and had stopped their rebuilding work.Dan. 10:2–3 As a sign of identification with the trials of his brothers and sisters in Judah,

Daniel was in mourning for three weeks. He went without meat or wine and did not

use the lotions that made life more comfortable.

The Hebrew Calendar

The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.

Hebrew Month

Gregorian (Modern)

MonthBiblical References

First Month: Abib (Preexile) Nisan (Postexile)

March–April

Ex. 13:4; 23:15; 34:18; Deut. 16:1; Neh. 2:1; Est. 3:7 (compare Gen. 8:13;Ex. 12:2, 18; 40:2, 17; Lev. 23:5; Num. 9:1; 20:1; 28:16; 33:3; Josh. 4:19;1 Chron. 12:15; 27:2, 3; 2 Chron. 29:3, 17; 35:1; Ezra 6:19; 7:9; 8:31; 10:17; Est. 3:7, 12; Ezek. 29:17; 30:20; 45:18, 21; Dan. 10:4)

Festivals: 14th: Passover (Ex. 12:18;Lev. 23:5) 15th–21st: Unleavened Bread (Ex. 12:14–20; Lev. 23:6) 16th: First Fruits (Lev. 23:9–11)Second Month: Ziv (Preexile) Iyyar (Postexile)

April–May1 Kings 6:1, 37 (compare Gen. 7:11; 8:14; Ex. 16:1; Num. 1:1, 18; 9:11; 10:11; 1 Chron. 27:4; 2 Chron. 3:2; 30:2, 13, 15; Ezra 3:8)

Festival: 14th: Later Passover (Num. 9:10–11)

Third Month:Sivan May–June

Est. 8:9 (compare Ex. 19:1; 1 Chron. 27:5; 2 Chron. 15:10; 31:7; Ezek. 31:1)Festivals:

4th: Pentecost [Feast of Weeks] (Lev. 23:15–16)

Fourth Month:Tammuz June–July

Ezek. 8:14 (compare 2 Kings 25:3; 1 Chron. 27:7; Jer. 39:2; 52:6; Ezek. 1:1; Zech. 8:19)

Fifth Month: Ab July–August

Not mentioned by name in the Bible (compare Num. 33:38; 2 Kings 25:8; 1 Chron. 27:8; Ezra 7:8, 9; Jer. 1:3; 28:1; 52:12; Ezek. 20:1; Zech. 7:3, 5; 8:19)

Sixth Month:Elul

August–September Neh. 6:15 (compare 1 Chron. 27:9; Ezek. 8:1; Hag. 1:1, 15)

Seventh Month: Ethanim (Preexile) Tishri (Postexile)

September–October

1 Kings 8:2 (compare Gen. 8:4; Lev. 16:29; 23:24, 27, 34, 39, 41; 25:9;Num. 29:1, 7, 12; 2 Kings 25:25; 1 Chron. 27:10; 2 Chron. 5:3; 7:10; 31:7;Ezra 3:1, 6; Neh. 7:73; 8:2, 14; Jer. 28:17; 41:1; Ezek. 45:25; Hag. 2:1;Zech. 7:5; 8:19)

Festivals: 1st: Trumpets (Lev. 23:24;Num. 29:1) 10th: Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:29–34; 23:27–32) 15th–21st: Booths (Lev. 23:34–40) 22nd: Solemn assembly (Lev. 23:36)

Eighth Month: Bul (Preexile) Marchesvan

October–November

1 Kings 6:38 (compare 1 Kings 12:32, 33; 1 Chron. 27:11; Zech. 1:1)

(Postexile)

Ninth Month:Chislev (Kislev)

November–December

Neh. 1:1; Zech. 7:1 (compare 1 Chron. 27:12; Ezra 10:9; Jer. 36:9, 22;Hag. 2:10, 18)

Festival: 25th: Dedication (John 10:22)

Tenth Month:Tebeth

December–January

Est. 2:16 (compare Gen. 8:5; 2 Kings 25:1; 1 Chron. 27:13; Ezra 10:16;Jer. 39:1; 52:4; Ezek. 24:1; 29:1; 33:21; Zech. 8:19)

Eleventh Month:Shebat

January–February Zech. 1:7 (compare Deut. 1:3; 1 Chron. 27:14)

Twelfth Month:Adar*

February–March

Ezra 6:15; Est. 3:7, 13; 8:12; 9:1, 15, 17, 19, 21 (compare 2 Kings 25:27; 1 Chron. 27:15; Jer. 52:31; Ezek. 32:1; 32:17)

*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.

Dan. 10:5–6 Daniel received a vision of a heavenly being, dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold . . . around his waist. His body glowed with inner light,like beryl, a gemstone. His face shone like lightning. His eyes were like torches and his arms and legs like polished bronze. The sound of his words echoed like the roar of a crowd. Yet this glorious figure was unable to complete his task without the help of Michael (v. 13), so it is unlikely that this is a physical manifestation of God or Christ.

Dan. 10:10–12 This messenger encouraged Daniel by telling him that he was greatly loved by God. He had been sent to Daniel to give him insight in response to his prayer about the situation in Jerusalem.

Dan. 10:13 The angelic messenger was delayed on his journey twenty-one days by the prince of the kingdom of Persia, an evil angel associated with the Persian Empire. Although this spiritual opponent was powerful enough to delay God’s messenger for a period of three weeks, all he could do was delay him. When Michael, one of the chief

princes, came to help him, the angel was finally able to complete his journey.

Fact: Michael

Michael (v. 9) is the only archangel identified by name in Scripture. In the book

of Daniel, he is the guardian of God’s people (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He also

leads the heavenly army in the fight against the dragon in Rev. 12:7.

Dan. 10:15–16 On hearing of the power of the evil spiritual forces, Daniel was overtaken by

such a sense of weakness that he was bowed to the ground, unable even to speak until the angel touched him on the lips.

Dan. 10:20 The angel declared that he would return to the fight against the prince of

Persia, and after that against the prince of Greece.

Dan. 10:21 The book of truth most likely refers to God’s plan for Israel and the world.

Daniel 11

The Kings of the South and the North

1 "And as for me, 1in the first year of 2Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen

him.

2 "And now I will show you 3the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a

fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his

riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.

3 Then 4a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and5do as he wills.

4 And as soon as he has arisen, 6his kingdom shall be broken and divided 7toward the 8four

winds of heaven, but 9not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled,

for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.

5 "Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than

he 10and shall rule, and his authority shall be a great authority.

6 After some years 11they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south

shall come to the king of the north to make an agreement. But she shall not retain the

strength of her arm, and he and his arm shall not endure, but she shall be given up, and her

attendants, he who fathered her, and he who supporteda her in those times.

7 "And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the

army and enter the12fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall

prevail.

8He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their metal images and their

precious13vessels of silver and gold, and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the

king of the north.

9 Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return to his own

land.

10 "His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall keep

coming 14and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as

his 15fortress.

11 Then the king of the south, 16moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king

of the north.17And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand.

12 And when the multitude is taken away, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down

tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail.

13 For the king of the north shall again18raise a multitude, greater than the first. And 19after

some yearsb he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies.

14 "In those times many shall rise against the king of the south, and the violent among your

own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but 20they shall fail.

15 Then the king of the north shall come and 21throw up siegeworks and take a well-fortified

city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his best troops, for there shall be no

strength to stand.

16 But he who comes against him shall 22do as he wills, and23none shall stand before him.

And he shall stand in 24the glorious land, with destruction in his hand.

17 He shall 25set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring

terms of an agreement and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to

destroy the kingdom,c but it shall not stand or be to his advantage.

18 Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands and shall capture many of them, but a

commander shall put an end to his insolence. Indeed,d he 26shall turn his insolence back

upon him.

19 Then he shall turn his face back toward the 27fortresses of his own land, but he

shall 28stumble and fall,29and shall not be found.

20 "Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an30exactor of tribute for the glory of the

kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle.

21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been

given. 31He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom 32by flatteries.

22 Armies shall be 33utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the

covenant.

23 And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall

become strong with a small people.

24 34Without warning he shall come into 35the richest partse of the province, and he shall do

what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder,

spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time.

25 And he shall stir up his power and his heart against 36the king of the south with a great

army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army,

but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him.

26 Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be 37swept away, and many

shall fall down slain.

27 And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at

the same table, but to no avail, for 38the end is yet to be at the time appointed.

28 And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the

holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.

29 "At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time

as it was before.

30 For ships of 39Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and

shall turn back and 40be enraged and41take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn

back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant.

31 Forces from him shall appear and42profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away

the regular burnt offering. And 43they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.

32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know

their God shall stand firm and take action.

33 44And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days

they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.

34 When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to

them with flattery,

35 and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, 45purified, and 46made

white, until 47the time of the end, 48for it still awaits the appointed time.

36 "And the king shall 49do as he wills. 50He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above

every god, 51and shall speak astonishing things against 52the God of gods. 53He shall

prosper 54till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.

37 He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He

shall not pay attention to any other god, for 55he shall magnify himself above all.

38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not

know he shall honor 56with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts.

39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who

acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and 57shall

divide the land for a price.f

40 58"At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attackg him, but the king of the north

shall rush upon him59like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And

he shall come into countries and 60shall overflow and pass through.

41 He shall come into61the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be

delivered out of his hand: 62Edom and 63Moab and the main part of the 64Ammonites.

42He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not

escape.

43 He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of

Egypt, and the 65Libyans and the 66Cushites shall follow in his train.

44 But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury

to destroy and devote many to destruction.

45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet

he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

Footnotesa 11:6 - Or obtained•b 11:13 - Hebrew at the end of the times•c 11:17 - Hebrew her, or it•d 11:18 - The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain•e 11:24 - Or among the richest men•f 11:39 - Or land as payment•g 11:40 - Hebrew thrust at

Cross References1 11:1 - ch. 9:1•2 11:1 - ch. 9:1•3 11:2 - ch. 10:21•4 11:3 - [ ch. 7:6 ; 8:5, 21 ]•5 11:3 - ver. 16, 36; [ ch. 8:4 ]•6 11:4 - [ ch. 8:8, 22 ]•7 11:4 - [ ch. 8:8, 22 ]•8 11:4 - See ch. 7:2•9 11:4 - Ps. 109:13•10 11:5 - [ ch. 7:6 ]•11 11:6 - [ver. 23]•12 11:7 - [ver. 10, 19, 38, 39]•13 11:8 - [ver. 43]•14 11:10 - ver. 26, 40; Isa. 8:8•15 11:10 - [See ver. 7 above]•16 11:11 - ch. 8:7•17 11:11 - ver. 13•18 11:13 - ver. 11•19 11:13 - [ ch. 4:16 ]•20 11:14 - ver. 19, 33, 34

•21 11:15 - See Ezek. 4:2•22 11:16 - ver. 3, 36•23 11:16 - [ Josh. 10:8 ]•24 11:16 - ver. 41; See ch. 8:9•25 11:17 - See Jer. 42:15•26 11:18 - [ Hos. 12:14 ]•27 11:19 - [ver. 7, 10, 38, 39]•28 11:19 - Jer. 46:6•29 11:19 - Job 20:8 ; Ps. 37:36 ; Ezek. 26:21•30 11:20 - [ Isa. 60:17 ; Zech. 9:8 ]•31 11:21 - ver. 24•32 11:21 - [ver. 34]•33 11:22 - [ver. 10; Jer. 46:7 ]•34 11:24 - ver. 21•35 11:24 - [ Gen. 27:28, 39 ]•36 11:25 - [ ch. 8:9 ]•37 11:26 - ver. 10, 40•38 11:27 - [ver. 35]•39 11:30 - Gen. 10:4 ; Num. 24:24•40 11:30 - See ver. 28•41 11:30 - See ver. 28•42 11:31 - [ ch. 12:11 ]•43 11:31 - Matt. 24:15 ; Mark 13:14 ; [ ch. 8:13 ; 12:11 ]•44 11:33 - ch. 12:3, 10•45 11:35 - [ Mal. 3:3, 4 ]•46 11:35 - [ Rev. 7:14 ]•47 11:35 - [ver. 27, 40]•48 11:35 - [ver. 27, 40]•49 11:36 - ver. 3, 16•50 11:36 - [ ch. 7:25 ; 2 Thess. 2:4 ]•51 11:36 - [ ch. 7:25 ; Rev. 13:5, 6 ]•52 11:36 - Deut. 10:17•53 11:36 - [ ch. 8:12 ]•54 11:36 - [ Isa. 10:25 ]; ch. 9:27•55 11:37 - [See ver. 36 above]•56 11:38 - [ Joel 3:5 ]•57 11:39 - [ Lam. 5:2, 6 ]•58 11:40 - [ver. 27, 35]•59 11:40 - Zech. 9:14•60 11:40 - ver. 10, 26•61 11:41 - ver. 16; See ch. 8:9•62 11:41 - [ Isa. 11:14 ]•63 11:41 - [ Isa. 11:14 ]

•64 11:41 - [ Isa. 11:14 ]•65 11:43 - [ 2 Chr. 12:3 ]•66 11:43 - 2 Chr. 12:3 ; Ezek. 30:4, 5 ; Nah. 3:9

The Empires of Daniel’s Visions: The Ptolemies and the Seleucids (Early)c. 323–198 B.C.

The two most powerful successors to Alexander, Ptolemy and Seleucus, continued to expand their domains into territory claimed by other generals of Alexander, and they repeatedly clashed with each other over land along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, including the land later called Palestine.

Dan. 11:1 Mention of the first year of Darius the Mede (539 B.C.) is significant since

it was the year when the decree was issued that allowed the Jews to return to their homeland.

Dan. 11:2 Three more kings will arise in Persia after Cyrus, and then a fourth, who

will be richer and more powerful than the others. This fourth king was Xerxes I (486–

464 B.C.), who invaded Greece, only to be defeated at the Battle of Salamis (480).

Fact: Mighty kingThe mighty king mentioned in 11:3 is Alexander the Great, who reigned from

336 to 323 B.C. Alexander created one of the largest empires in ancient history,

stretching from Greece to India. He brought the Greek language and culture to the Middle East, which is why the NT was originally written in Greek.

Dan. 11:3 The prophecy skips over several lesser Persian kings to focus on the mighty

king who will bring down the Persian Empire and rule a vast realm. He is Alexander the

Great (336–323B.C.). See note on 7:6.

Dan. 11:4 as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided

toward the four winds of heaven. See note on 8:8.

Dan. 11:5 Ptolemy I Soter (323–285 B.C.,king of the south) was a very capable general

under Alexander. He became ruler of Egypt. About the same time, Seleucus I Nicator (king of the north) started out as a lesser general under Alexander and was given Babylon to rule. One of the other generals, Antigonus I Monophthalmus, took over Babylon and caused Seleucus to flee (c. 316 B.C.) to Ptolemy I Soter in Egypt to serve under him. Thus for a short time Seleucus I became one of his princes. Then Antigonus was defeated at Gaza in

312 B.C., and Seleucus returned to Babylon to retake his former authority. He increased

significantly in power and took over the areas of Babylon, Syria, and Media, so that he was stronger than Ptolemy I Soter.

Dan. 11:6 the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of

the north to make an agreement. There was constant conflict between the Ptolemaic

(Egyptian) and Seleucid (Syrian) kingdoms. Around 250 B.C. there was an attempt at peace. Ptolemy II Philadelphus (reigned 285–246; “the king of the south”) sent his daughter Berenice to marry Antiochus II Theos (reigned 261–246; “the king of the north”). Antiochus II then planned to divorce his first wife, Laodice, and disinherit her sons so that he could marry Berenice and have a child who would rule over the Seleucid kingdom. But Laodice had Antiochus II and Berenice poisoned, fulfilling the words she shall not retain the

strength of her arm and he and his arm shall not endure.

Dan. 11:7–9 Egypt’s Ptolemy II was succeeded by Berenice’s brother, Ptolemy III

Euergetes I (reigned 246–221B.C.), a branch from her roots. In retaliation for the death of

his sister, Ptolemy III invaded the Seleucid kingdom and conquered its capital, Antioch (He

shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north).

He took the Syrian gods and other precious vessels of silver and gold. He even

returned to Egypt some of the sacred idols taken by the Persian monarch Cambyses in

524 B.C.when he had sacked the Egyptian temples. Afterward Ptolemy III made a peace treaty with Seleucus II Callinicus (reigned 246–226 B.C.) and he did refrain from attacking them

so that he could work on expanding his kingdom in the Aegean area. Verse 9 says that Seleucus II shall come into the realm of the king of the south, but there is no

record of such an invasion, and he must have retreated hastily (shall return to his own

land).

Dan. 11:10 After Seleucus II Callinicus’s death in 226 B.C., his sons continued fighting with

the Ptolemies. Seleucus III was murdered after a short reign, but his brother took the disorganized state and made it a strong nation. In 219–218 B.C.Antiochus III advanced through Phoenicia and Palestine as far as the Ptolemies’ fortress in Raphia.

Dan. 11:11–12 Ptolemy IV Philopator (reigned 221–204 B.C., king of the south)

responded quickly to Antiochus III’s advances. Antiochus III was defeated at Raphia. Antiochus III’s losses were very high (Ptolemy IV cast down tens of thousands), yet

Ptolemy IV’s victory was short-lived (he shall not prevail).

Dan. 11:13 After about 15 years, Antiochus III (the Great, reigned 223–187 B.C., the king

of the north) invaded Phoenicia and Syria with a great army. Ptolemy IV had died

(203 B.C.), and Antiochus III intended to use the instability around the young new king, Ptolemy V Epiphanes (reigned 203–180B.C.), to his advantage. It worked, at least initially, and by 201 B.C. the fortress of Gaza had been recaptured.

The Empires of Daniel’s Visions: The Ptolemies and the Seleucids (Late)c. 198–133 B.C.

By the second century B.C., the Seleucid Empire was losing its grip on much of its territory, and the Roman Empire was rapidly expanding throughout the Mediterranean world. In an attempt to unite his empire and shore up his defenses against these pressures, Antiochus IV Epiphanes imposed a strict

policy of Hellenization over his domain, which now included the land of Israel. His policy proved too abhorrent for many Jews, including the Maccabean (also

called Hasmonean) family, and in 167 B.C. they led a revolt that established a new, independent kingdom of Israel.

Dan. 11:14 There was instability in the beginning of Ptolemy V Epiphanes’s reign (many

shall rise against the king of the south). A large number of Jews were tired of the

heavy taxation, and thus preferred to be ruled by the Seleucids. Many Jews revolted (the

violent among your own people) against Egyptian rule. General Scopas of the

Egyptian army, angered at their rebellion, punished the leaders of Jerusalem and Judah.

Dan. 11:15–16 Antiochus III the Great (the king of the north) fought against General

Scopas and the forces of the south at the battle of Panium, a well-fortified city, in

198 B.C. The Egyptian forces were soundly defeated and they fled to Sidon, where General Scopas finally surrendered. Antiochus took control of Phoenicia and Palestine, which remained under Syrian control until Pompey’s invasion in 63 B.C. established Roman rule.

Dan. 11:17–19 After General Scopas’s surrender, Egypt was forced into an alliance with

the Syrians. Antiochus III the Great even gave his daughter, Cleopatra (not the famous one

from a later period), to Ptolemy V in marriage. Antiochus III hoped that her offspring would rule over Egypt to give him further power, but Cleopatra supported Ptolemy V Epiphanes instead of her father (it shall not stand or be to his advantage). Verses 18–19 record

Antiochus III’s initial successes in the region of the coastlands (a reference to Asia Minor

and possibly also mainland Greece). Ultimately he was defeated by Roman and Greek troops. The Romans forced him to sign a treaty at Apanea in 188 B.C. and surrender territory, much of his military force, and 20 hostages (one was his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes). He was also forced to pay a large tribute to Rome. He returned home and was killed by an angry mob (he shall stumble and fall) while he was trying to steal from a temple of Zeus in

Elymais to pay for the heavy tribute to Rome.

Dan. 11:20 Seleucus IV Philopater (reigned 187–175 B.C.) succeeded his father, Antiochus

III the Great. Seleucus IV sent a “tax collector,” Heliodorus, to collect the money to pay Rome their yearly tribute of 1,000 talents. He even tried to steal from the temple in Jerusalem, but decided against it after being terrified by a dream. Seleucus IV was not killed in anger, or in

battle, but was poisoned by Heliodorus.

Dan. 11:21–23 In his place shall arise a contemptible person. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 B.C.) is the “little horn” of ch. 8. He took the name Antiochus “Epiphanes,” but others called him “Epimanes” (“madman”). Seleucus IV Philopater’s son, Demetrius I Soter, was the rightful heir to the throne. He was imprisoned in Rome, so Antiochus IV Epiphanes took the throne, even though royal majesty had not been given to him. He paid off important people for supporting him (obtain the kingdom by flatteries). Ptolemy VI Philometer (reigned 181–145 B.C.) of Egypt came against Antiochus IV but was defeated and held as a hostage. Later Ptolemy VI (the prince of the covenant) made an alliance with Antiochus IV to regain his throne because his brother (Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II Physcon) had taken it while he was imprisoned in Syria. This worked, and he received his throne back. Later he broke this covenant and joined with his brother Ptolemy VIII to force Antiochus IV out of Pelusium, one of Egypt’s fortress cities.

Dan. 11:24 Without warning, Antiochus IV Epiphanes retaliated and stole from some

of the richest parts of Egypt’s territory. He appeared to divide the goods among his

soldiers, but his grand plans against Egypt’s strongholds lasted only for a time.

Dan. 11:25–27 These verses appear to refer to the events of Antiochus IV Epiphanes’s first

battle with Egypt and explain in more detail why Ptolemy VI Philometer was defeated. Ptolemy VI’s own trusted counselors (those who eat his food) encouraged him to go

against Antiochus IV (his uncle), and he was defeated. Then the two kings, Antiochus IV

and Ptolemy VI (now the former’s prisoner), made a covenant to regain control of Egypt from Ptolemy VI’s brother, Ptolemy VIII. Neither king intended to keep the covenant (they shall

speak lies to each other). Their alliance had initial success capturing Memphis, but it failed

to capture all of Egypt. Ptolemy VIII continued to rule in Alexandria. Later the two brothers, Ptolemy VI and Ptolemy VIII, joined forces and ruled together over all of Egypt.

Dan. 11:28 Antiochus IV Epiphanes returned to his land after raiding Egypt in 169 B.C. On

his way home he stopped in Palestine and found a rebellion going on. He dealt viciously with the Jews (his heart shall be set against the holy covenant), killing eighty thousand

men, women, and children and looting the temple. The Jews were furious at the brutality of this ruler and began a full-fledged revolt.

Dan. 11:29–30 In 168 B.C. (that is, thetime appointed by God) Antiochus IV Epiphanes

invaded Egypt again. This time he met with a humiliating defeat. The Romans had joined forces with the Ptolemies, and Antiochus IV was no match for the Roman army. In 167 B.C.he turned his anger toward Palestine (and be enraged and take action against the

holy covenant) and sent his chief tax collector, Apollonius, to Jerusalem. Initially

Apollonius appeared to come in peace, but on the Sabbath he began killing people and looting the city. He also rewarded those Jews who supported the Hellenistic policies.

Dan. 11:31–32 Later in 167 B.C., Syrian forces came back to stop the Jewish religious

practices. They entered the temple. They stopped the regular burnt offering, and on the

fifteenth day of Chislev (December), 167 B.C., they set up an altar or idol devoted to Zeus (Jupiter) in the temple (the abomination that makes desolate; compare 9:27; 12:11).

They then offered up sacrifices (likely swine) on the altar. This act is commonly called the “abomination of desolation,” which comes from the translation of the Greek phrase. This is the background for Jesus’ prediction of “the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel” (Matt. 24:15–16). Antiochus IV’s flattery enticed some of the Jews to turn against

the covenant. But some faithful Jews (those who know their God) chose

to stand strong and die rather than go against God’s laws, and many did die.

Dan. 11:33–35 the wise among the people shall make many understand. This

likely refers to those who truly fear God and who will encourage others to fight and even die rather than offer unclean sacrifices to God. In this time of persecution, the nation will receive

a little help, which probably refers to the small forces that initially rebelled against the

Syrians in Modein, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Jerusalem. They were led by Mattathias, a priest, and later by his third son Judas Maccabeus. The rest of v. 34 probably has in view the many who would join themselves to the Maccabean rebellion out of necessity to save

their lives, though it may more specifically refer to those who joined with the Maccabeans and killed those who were sympathetic to the Seleucids.Some of the wise shall

stumble likely describes true believers who will die in this persecution. Through this

persecution they will be refined, purified, and made white.

Dan. 11:36 Toward the end of the prophecy, the focus of the vision seems to shift. It now

addresses a situation that is greater than the persecution under Antiochus IV. The remainder of the chapter is often thought to deal with the “Antichrist,” which many believe is the figure described in 2 Thess. 2:3–4; Rev. 13:5–8. Though Antiochus IV was powerful, he was able to do as he willsonly up to a point, since the Romans were much more powerful than he.

Dan. 11:37–38 Antiochus IV viewed himself as a god, as his nickname “Epiphanes” (“[god]

manifest”) made clear. But it is doubtful that he fulfilled the prophecy that he shall magnify

himself above all. He abandoned the gods of his fathers, including Apollo, and

showed no regard for the one beloved by women, probably the god Adonis or Dionysius.

Instead, he worshiped Zeus, a god who embodied military strength. All these were Greek gods, so there is some question as to whether Antiochus IV abandoned “the gods of his fathers.” Instead, the person being described will worship the god of fortresses and will

spend lavishly to support this strength.

Dan. 11:39 The passage probably speaks of a future king, one who will truly “do as he

wills,” will deal with the strongest fortresses, and will make his followers rulers

over many. Many interpreters see here another prediction of the Antichrist, whom they

connect to the “little horn” of ch. 7 and the ruler of9:26 who is to come.

Dan. 11:40–41 At the time of the end there will be a major battle where armies will

come from the north and the south to attack this powerful ruler in the land of Israel (the

glorious land). Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites will

escape from him, possibly because of their connection with Israel or because they are out of his way.

The Maccabean Kingdomc. 167–63 B.C.

The Maccabean kingdom of Israel had its beginnings when the priest Mattathias and his family refused to obey the Seleucid rulers’ order to sacrifice to the pagan god Zeus at Modein. They led a revolt that initially controlled only the territory of Judea in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Over the next hundred years, however, the Maccabean rulers slowly added portions of territory to the kingdom until it resembled the borders of the territory allotted to the Israelite tribes by Joshua.

Dan. 11:44–45 One striking difference between Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Antichrist

lies in the events surrounding the king’s death. Antiochus IV died during a relatively minor campaign against Persia in 164 B.C., not between the sea and Jerusalem after a grand

and successful assault on Egypt. When compared to the precision of fulfillment of the early verses of ch. 11, these later verses may be looking for a greater fulfillment that is yet to come at the time of the end. the glorious holy mountain. This is the Temple Mount in

Jerusalem.

Daniel 12The Time of the End

1 "At that time shall arise 1Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people.

And 2there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till

that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered,3everyone whose name shall be

found written in the book.

2 And many of those who 4sleep in 5the dust of the earth shall 6awake, 7some to everlasting

life, and8some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 9And those who are wise 10shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;a and 11those

who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

4 But you, Daniel, 12shut up the words and 13seal the book, until 14the time of the

end. 15Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on 16this bank of the stream and

one on that bank of the stream.

6 And someone said to 17the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the

stream,b 18 "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"

7 And I heard19the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; 20he

raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and 21swore by him who lives forever

that it would be for a 22time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of 23the

power of 24the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.

8 I heard, 25but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of

these things?"

9 He said, 26"Go your way, Daniel,27for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of

the end.

10 28Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but 29the

wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, 30but those who are

wise shall understand.

11 And from the time that 31the regular burnt offering is taken away and 32the abomination

that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.

12 33Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.

13 34But go your way till the end. 35And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place

at 36the end of the days."

Footnotes

a 12:3 - Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6-8•b 12:6 - Or who was upstream; also verse 7

Cross References1 12:1 - See ch. 10:13•2 12:1 - Jer. 30:7 ; Matt. 24:21 ; Mark 13:19 ; [ Rev. 16:18 ]•3 12:1 - Ex. 32:32, 33 ; [ Ezek. 13:9 ; Luke 10:20 ; Rev. 20:12 ]•4 12:2 - [ Ps. 17:15 ; John 11:11 ]

•5 12:2 - [ Isa. 26:19 ]; See Ezek. 37:1-10•6 12:2 - [ Isa. 26:19 ]; See Ezek. 37:1-10•7 12:2 - Matt. 25:46 ; John 5:28, 29 ; Acts 24:15 ; Rev. 20:12, 13•8 12:2 - Matt. 25:46 ; John 5:28, 29 ; Acts 24:15 ; Rev. 20:12, 13•9 12:3 - ch. 11:33•10 12:3 - Matt. 13:43•11 12:3 - [ Mal. 2:6 ]•12 12:4 - [ver. 9; ch. 8:26 ]•13 12:4 - Isa. 8:16 ; 29:11 ; Rev. 5:1 ; 10:4 ; 22:10•14 12:4 - [ver. 13]; See ch. 8:17•15 12:4 - Amos 8:12•16 12:5 - [ ch. 10:4 ]•17 12:6 - ch. 10:5 ; Ezek. 9:2•18 12:6 - ch. 8:13•19 12:7 - [See ver. 6 above]•20 12:7 - See Gen. 14:22•21 12:7 - [ Rev. 10:6 ]•22 12:7 - ch. 7:25•23 12:7 - [ ch. 8:24 ]•24 12:7 - [ ch. 8:24 ]•25 12:8 - [ ch. 8:15 ]•26 12:9 - ver. 13•27 12:9 - [ver. 4]•28 12:10 - [ ch. 11:35 ]29 12:10 - [ Rev. 9:20 ; 22:11 ]•30 12:10 - [See ver. 3 above]•31 12:11 - ch. 11:31•32 12:11 - See ch. 11:31•33 12:12 - [ Matt. 10:22 ]•34 12:13 - ver. 9•35 12:13 - Isa. 57:2 ; [ Rev. 6:11 ]•36 12:13 - [ Matt. 13:39 ]

Dan. 12:1–4 A time of trouble unlike any other is a desperate time. Sometime afterward

there will be a resurrection of the dead. Those who were faithful in life,everyone whose

name shall be found written in the book, will rise to everlasting life in glory, while the

others will rise to shame and everlasting contempt. The faithful will shine brightly like the

stars forever and ever. However, in the meantime, Daniel was instructed to shut up the

words and seal the book. He was to do this because the message of the book was not fully

understandable, and also to keep the message safe for future generations of God’s people to

read.

Dan. 12:5–13 Daniel and his angelic companion ask the divine messenger two related

questions: How long shall it be till the end of these wonders? And what shall be the

outcome of these things? The answer to the question “How long?” has two parts: “for a

time, times, and half a time” and for “1,290 days.” Revelation 11:3 and 12:6apparently look

back to this idea, though the number in those two verses is 1,260 days. “A time, times, and

half a time” (probably three and a half times) focuses on the limited nature of this period as

half of a complete period of judgment.

Dan. 12:10 Those who are wise will be able to determine specifically when the three

and a half years of the tribulation start, namely, “from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away.”

Dan. 12:11 The specification of 1,290 days emphasizes the precision with which the

period is measured, predetermined by God to the very day. In this time many will purify themselves, and their enemies will shatter the Jewish nation. Then God will step in to defend them.

Dan. 12:12–13 The additional figure of 1,335 days, 45 days longer than the 1,290-day

period, heightens the sense of mystery that surrounds the Lord’s timing and emphasizes the need for the saints to persevere under suffering. God’s people are to go on living faithfully in this corrupt world, confident of the inheritance that is stored up for them at the end of the

days.

ESV Bible text with cross references from biblestudytools.comStudy Bible notes from ESVBible.org