Daniel 1 - Printer Friendly

The first chapter of this book introduces Daniel and explains how he became a renowned advisor under several pagan rulers. It also mentions three other Hebrew boys, who would become part of a famous story of bravery and faith. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were boys of royal families taken for reeducation in Babylon. As part of this, they would be immersed in Babylonian religion, culture, language, and literature. To represent the effort to change the youths' identities, the man in charge of their training renames them as Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:1–7).

Most of the captured youths were probably integrated easily into Babylonian culture. The four named in this chapter, however, remained committed to their faith. Though captives, they wanted to continue to obey God and His laws, including in matters of food. Daniel asked the man responsible for his training, the chief eunuch, to allow him to abstain from the king's food. The king's food would have been excellent—but also would have included unclean animals and not been prepared according to the Law of Moses. Despite his great respect for Daniel, the chief eunuch hesitated to allow anyone to skip part of their reeducation regimen. Daniel proposes a test, and in ten days proves he and his fellow Hebrews can thrive on vegetables and water (Daniel 1:8–16).

God honors Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah with extraordinary wisdom and intellect. The use of their Hebrew names, rather than their new Babylonian titles, expresses how God's providence brought them to their new roles. Daniel is also blessed with insight into dreams and visions. These skills will make all four important figures in Babylon—and will force several conflicts between faithfulness and self-preservation (Daniel 3; 6). Daniel will live on as a brilliant advisor through several regime changes, surviving until the rule of Cyrus the Great (Daniel 1:17–21).

Daniel 1:1–7 introduces several main characters featured in this book. Along with King Nebuchadnezzar are Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These four young men came from royalty and nobility but were taken to Babylon after the fall of Jerusalem. King Nebuchadnezzar planned to educate them in Babylonian culture and immerse them in his lifestyle. The four were to be presented to the king after three years to see the results of their training. The four captive boys are given new names to correspond with their new lives: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 1:8–16 explains one of the ways Daniel and three other captured Hebrew boys (Daniel 1:1–7) resisted being corrupted by the pagan culture of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar assigned the Hebrew youths the same kind of food and wine that he ate and drank. These would have been unclean, for various reasons, under the Law of Moses. Daniel received permission from his supervising steward to eat only vegetables and water for a ten-day test. When the Hebrew youths were healthier than those who ate the king's food, they were allowed to continue their special diet.

When Daniel was young, Babylon conquered Jerusalem and took many of its treasures and people back to their land. Daniel was chosen to become an advisor due to his good looks and bright mind. Along with other boys, he was educated and given a Babylonian name. Daniel and several friends demonstrate faithfulness to God by avoiding foods that might be unclean. They also excel in their roles. This leads Daniel to become an important advisor regarding dreams and visions, as described starting in chapter 2.

Daniel was taken captive when Babylon conquered the nation of Israel. The first chapter of the book establishes his history, his level of natural talent, and the depth of his faith. This is followed by a series of prophetic interpretations tied to Gentile nations in chapters 2—7. Chapters 8—12 focus on prophecies more closely related to the nation of Israel. Many of these details are restated or expanded in the book of Revelation.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.