Daniel 1:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

NIV: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

NASB: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

CSB: In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.

NLT: During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

KJV: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

NKJV: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

According to history, Nebuchadnezzar orchestrated three sieges against Jerusalem. They occurred in 605 BC, 597 BC, and 586 BC. After defeating the Egyptians at Cachemish in 605 BC, his father Nabopolassar was king of Babylon, but after Nabopolassar's death, Nebuchadnezzar returned to Babylon to be crowned king. Second Kings 24:1 and 2 Chronicles 36:6 record Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Jerusalem.

The reference to the assault on Jerusalem in the third year of Jehoiakim's reign seems to conflict with Jeremiah's dating of it in Jehoiakim's fourth year (Jeremiah 25:1), but both dates are accurate. Among the possible explanations is that the Jewish calendar began in the fall, while the Babylonian calendar began in the spring. The Babylonian calendar would cite Jehoiakim's fourth year as the time of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion. Daniel seems to be using the Jewish calendar in this instance.

As part of their conquest, the Babylonians will take gifted Israelite boys back to be trained as court advisors (Daniel 1:4–5). This was likely meant to help Babylon integrate the Jewish people into their empire.

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.

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.