Who was Daniel in the Bible?

The name of three men in the Old Testament

Hebrew name: דָּנִיֵּאל (danniyel)

Name meaning: “God is my judge”

a. A prophet (Daniel 1:6 ff.)

Daniel was an Israelite who was exiled to Babylon in 605 B.C. A well-educated man of integrity, he eventually worked his way up into the Babylonian government, serving under Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 B.C.) and the Persian king who conquered Babylon, Darius. The book of Daniel recounts the prophet’s time in captivity in Babylon, his interpretation of dreams and visions, and his unwavering faith in God. Daniel’s commitment to prayer, his refusal to compromise his beliefs, and his trust in God’s sovereignty are all characteristics that make him a revered figure in the biblical narrative. In the latter chapters of Daniel, his prophecies are recorded. These prophecies detail future events, including the rise and fall of kingdoms and the coming of the Messiah. Daniel’s visions and interpretations revealed God’s sovereign plan for the world and the ultimate victory of His kingdom.

b. Son of Ithamar (Ezra 8:2; Nehemiah 10:6)

Daniel is mentioned among the exiles who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra (5th century B.C.). He was a signatory of Nehemiah’s covenant (Nehemiah 10:6).

c. Son of David (1 Chronicles 3:1)

Also known as Chileab, Daniel was one of David’s sons born to David’s wife, Abigail (2 Samuel 3:3). He is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture.