A 1:1-21. The Captivity of Judah. Historical Events connected with its Beginning. B 2:1-49. The Dream of Nebuchadnezzar. The Beginning and Duration of Gentile Dominion. C 3:1-30. Daniel's Companions. The "Fiery Furnace". Angelic Deliverance. D 4:1-37. The 1st king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the "Great Tree". D 5:1-31. The last king of Babylon. Belhazzar's Vision of the "Hand", Revealing his Final doom. C 6:1-28. Daniel himself. The "Den of Lions". Angelic Deliverance. B 7:1-8:27. The Dream and Vision of Daniel. The end of Gentile Dominion. A 9:1-12:15. The Desolations of Jerusalem. Prophetic Announcement connected with their End.
The position of the book in "Hagiographa", or 3rd division of the Old Testament ("the Psalms"), rather than the 2nd division ("the Prophets"), may be explained by the fact that, unlike the other 3 greater prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel), its stands in relation to them as the Apocalypse speaks of the O.T.; and as pertaining to what is yet future. And whereas those 3 greater prophets speak of the future from a pro-Israelitish standpoint, Daniel has their prophecies are his background; and, instead of looking at Zion and its neighboring localized peoples, Daniel has universal Monarchies as his perspective; and is therefore separated from them in the Hebrew Cannon, becoming to us as the "light" or "lamp" of 2 Pet. 1:19, and realization of 1 Pet. 1:11.
The 1st half of the book, 1:1-6:28, is historic; while the latter half , 7:1-12:3, is prophetic.
Moreover, of the former portion, 2:4-7:28 is written in Aramaic (or Chaldee), while the latter portion, 8:1-12:13, is written in Hebrew. This is to teach us that the historic portion is in the Gentile language, because it is concerned with "the times of the Gentile", and with the Gentile supremacy in relation to Israel; while the prophetic portion is in Hebrew (the language of Israel), because it is concerned with "the time of the end", and with the events which will lead up to the time when God will "restore again the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6).
In Hezekiah's day (604 B.C.) Syriac (or Aramaic) was not understood by the Jews (2 Kings 18:26); but after the Exile, in Ezra's day (426 B.C.), Hebrew had been so far forgotten that it had to be explained (Neh. 8:8). In Daniel's day (495 B.C.) both languages were generally understood; and both could be, and were, thus used by him. If an impostor had written the book in Hebrew some 250 years later (as alleged by modern critics), why should he have defeated his own object by writing any portion in Aramaic as well, thus providing himself to be a fool as well as a "forger"?
A A 1,2. Time.
B C 3. Daniel and his companions.
D a 4. Their attainments.
b 5. Their provision. [Appointment.]
B C 6,7. Daniel and his companions.
D b 8-16. Their provision. [Resolve.]
a 17-20. Their attainments.
Daniel = God will Judge, which accords with the character and contents of the book. Daniel was of the royal seed of Judah. See v.3. Daniel was about 15 years old at the time of this writing. He is mentioned 3 times by Ezekiel, his contemporary [14:14,20; 28:3], and once by our Lord. In Matt. 24:15 [Mark 13:14], the Lord referred also to Dan. 8:13; 9:27; 11:31; 12:11. In Matt 24:30; 26:64. Mark 14:62. Luke 22:69, He referred to Dan. 7:15. In Matt. 25:15-15, 20-22, He referred to Dan. 12:1. Daniel is an overlay of the Book of Revelation, lets you know before the fact. Lets you know how antichrist will make his appearance. Type of system in the end times. Babylon = confusion. Those who play church and never get around to digging into God's Word.Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose strong, and Dare to make it known!
497 B.C.
Daniel 1)
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah (it was in the 3rd year of Jehoiakim that Nebuchadnezzar set out from Babylon; and Daniel, writing here, speaks of the starting, not of the arrival at Jerusalem. In the 4th year Yahaveh says by Jeremiah [25:9], "I will send". The date would be 497 B.C. and Daniel's 16 year, as being born probably 513 B.C. [Jeremiah's 18th year].) proceeded (Nebuchadnezzar did set out in Jehoiakim's 3rd year, but was delayed by fighting the battle with Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish. In the 4th year [Jer. 46:2], he carried out the object with which he had set out. Cp. 2 Kings 24:1, and 2 Chon. 36:6,7) Nebuchadnezzar (= may Nebo protect the crown. Nebo = the god who presides over the learning of letter.) king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it. (One of the 1st libraries that was well-stocked. The Babylonian plates and tablets found from here. He was a well educated man, so he had knowledge of how to conquer Jerusalem and how to rule over people in captivity. God used him. See Jer. 27:6.)
2 And the Lord (Yahaveh) gave (see Isa. 39:6,7. Jer. 8-11; 26. Ezek. 21:26,27) Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part (others by Cyrus) of the vessels of the house of God (Elohim): which he carried into the land of Shinar (between the 2 rivers, Tigris and Euphrates, ref. to Gen. 10;10; 11:2; 14:1,9. Outside of the Pentateuch found only in Josh. 7:21. Isa. 11:11. Zech 5:11) to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spoke to Ashpenaz (= horse nose) the master of the eunuchs (Heb. rab sārīsāyn; whence the title "Rab-saris" in 2 Kings 18:17), that he should bring certain of the sons of Israel, even of the king's seed, and of the princes; (He wanted the nobles, the smart ones)
4 Youths in whom was no blemish, but well favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and skillful in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace (the inscriptions show that there was a palace school with elaborate arrangements for special education. Knowledge begets knowledge), and whom they might teach the books (See Prof. Sayce's Babylonian Literature: which shows the existence of a huge literature and famous libraries, in which were arrangements for procuring books from librarians as in our own day) and the tongue (This was a special and important department. He needed these to communicate. The Chadeans had 5 different dialects) of the Chaldeans. (a name not peculiar to Daniel. From Genesis onward it is met with, especially in Jeremiah. They were distinct from the Babylonians [Jer. 22:25. Ezek. 23:23], and belonged to south Babylonia. Used here of a special class, well know as such at that time, and distinct from other learned classes. The word is used also in the wider sense of a nationality [5:30])
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's food, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years (3 Years of teaching. God will take care of you even when you're in captivity. You can convert those that are holding you. 497,496,495 B.C. See 2:1. It does not say these years were concluded before the events of chapter 2 took place), that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. (See Gen. 41:46)
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah (= God's gift), Mishael (= who is as El?), and Azariah (= helped of Yah):
7 To whom the ruler of the eunuchs gave names (In token of subjection. See 2 Kings 23:34; 24:17): for he gave to Daniel the name of Belteshazzar (an abbreviated form of Balat-su-ŭsur = protect you [O Bel] his life, favored by Bel); and to Hananiah, of Shadrach (= the great scribe, or according to Delitzch = Sudur-Aku = command of Aku, the moon-god); and to Mishael, of Meshach (= guest of a king, or Mish-Aku = who is as Aku?); and to Azariah, of Abednego (= servant or worshiper of Nebo.).
8 But Daniel made up his mind (cp. Prov. 23:7) that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat (this was because meat was killed with the blood, polluted [contrary to Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14; 19:26], and offered to idols [Ex. 34:15. 1 Cor. 10:20. Cp. Acts 15:29]. Not because they were acting on vegetarian and temperance principles. In a polluted word, God knows what keeps us healthy), nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God (with the article = the Triune God) had brought Daniel into favor and compassion with the prince of the eunuchs. (Intercessory prayer works. God can change minds.)
10 And (or, Yet) the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces sadder (i.e. thin and sad-looking. Cp. Matt. 6:16) than the children which are of your own age? then shall you make me endanger my head to the king." (Daniel was a wise person.)
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar (= the steward or butler, who had charge of the wine,&c.), whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 "Prove your servants, I beseech you, ten days (cp. the 10 days to end times when delivered up, Rev. 2:9,10. Amos 8); and let them give us vegetable food and lentils to eat (to avoid the idol-tainted meat), and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before you, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as you see, deal with your servants." (i.e. you be the judge.)
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh (good muscle tone) than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them vegetable food. (By obeying God, Daniel has control)
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom (but they had to work at it): and Daniel had discernment in all visions and dreams. (An extra gift.)
18 Now at the end of the days (3 years had passed) that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (God's hand was on them): therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better (10 = Ordinal perfection, testimony; Law and responsibility) than all the magicians and astrologers (see 2:2) that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued in office (cp. Ezek 39:14 "continual employment") even unto the first year (i.e. during the whole period of the Babylonian supremacy over Israel for 69 years [495-426 B.C.]. It does not say that he did not continue longer, but that he lived to see that important epoch. Cp. 10:1. Cp with Joseph in Egypt) of king Cyrus. (= the sun. 1 of 4 people named by God.)