Publisher's Synopsis
Daniel (Hebrew: דָּנִיּאֵל), Daniel's name means "He who is judged by God" or "God has thus judged," or, "God (El) is my judge." Also called Belteshazzar, he was a young Jewish prince taken as a prisoner of war by the troops of the Babylonian empire in the midst of the rebellion for Judah's independence. He served King Nebuchadnezzar II and his successors loyally and competently until the time Babylon was conquered by Cyrus the Great, and through the wisdom of his God, Jehovah, interpreted the dreams and visions of the kings, becoming a prominent figure in the Babylonian court.He is not considered a prophet in Judaism, but the rabbis regarded him as the most distinguished member of the Babylonian Diaspora, unsurpassed in piety and good deeds, steadfast in his adherence to the Law despite being surrounded by enemies who sought his downfall. Daniel is regarded as a prophet in Christianity, and although he is not mentioned in the Koran, Muslim sources qualify him as a prophet.The Book of Daniel was written at a time when the Jews were oppressed and persecuted by pagan peoples. The book is called "apocalyptic" because it deals with events related to the end of the world (see Rev. Intr.). These events are revealed to the prophet through visions and dreams (chapters 7-12). The prophet tries to explain to God's people why they are being persecuted and at the same time urges them to be faithful to God. For the day will come when God will end the heathen's rule, and once again Israel will be a free and independent nation.
