Daniel

the one in the lions’ den

Who was Daniel?

A young man of Judah taken to Babylon. There he was named Belteshazzar and trained to serve the king. Daniel 1:3-7; Daniel 5:13
God gave him understanding of visions and dreams. He explained King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue. Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:27-28, 36
He kept praying to his God even though a law forbade it. He was thrown into the lions’ den, and God saved him. Daniel 6:11, 17, 23

The name: His name means “God is my judge.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), “Daniel”
Also called: Belteshazzar, the name he was given in Babylon Daniel 1:7
From: From Judah Daniel 1:6
Occupation: In the king’s service; governor of the province of Babylon and chief of its wise men Daniel 1:19; Daniel 2:48
Feast day: July 21: Saint Daniel, prophet

What the Bible says

Daniel 1:3-7; Daniel 5:13

³And the king spoke to Asphenez the master of the eunuchs, that he should bring in some of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed and of the princes, ⁴Children in whom there was no blemish, well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, acute in knowledge, and instructed in science, and such as might stand in the king’s palace, that he might teach them the learning, and the tongue of the Chaldeans. ⁵And the king appointed them a daily provision, of his own meat, and of the wine of which he drank himself, that being nourished three years, afterwards they might stand before the king. ⁶Now there were among them of the children of Juda, Daniel, Ananias, Misael, and Azarias. ⁷And the master of the eunuchs gave them names: to Daniel, Baltassar: to Ananias, Sidrach: to Misael, Misach: and to Azarias, Abdenago.

Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:27-28, 36

And to these children God gave knowledge, and understanding in every book, and wisdom: but to Daniel the understanding also of all visions and dreams.

Daniel 6:11, 17, 23

¹¹Now when Daniel knew this, that is to say, that the law was made, he went into his house: and opening the windows in his upper chamber towards Jerusalem, he knelt down three times a day, and adored, and gave thanks before his God, as he had been accustomed to do before. ¹⁷Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of the lions. And the king said to Daniel: Thy God, whom thou always servest, he will deliver thee. ²³My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut up the mouths of the lions, and they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him justice hath been found in me: yea and before thee, O king, I have done no offence.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Daniel

Before Jesus. King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. Daniel was one of the young men of Judah chosen to serve in his palace. Daniel 1:1-6
Before Jesus. He did not want to defile himself with the king’s food. He asked for vegetables and water, and after ten days he looked healthier than the others. Daniel 1:8-15
With Jesus. The king had a dream that no one could explain. Daniel and his companions prayed, and God revealed the dream to Daniel. Daniel 2:1, 10-11, 17-19
With Jesus. Daniel explained the dream to the king. A stone shattered a great statue, and God would set up a kingdom without end. Daniel 2:31-35, 44
With Jesus. The king made him governor of the province of Babylon. At Daniel’s request, he also gave posts to his three companions. Daniel 2:48-49
Afterward. Under another king, Belshazzar, Daniel read and explained the writing that appeared on the palace wall. Daniel 5:5, 13, 25-28
Afterward. Under King Darius, Daniel’s enemies got a law passed: for thirty days, people could make requests only to the king. Daniel 6:5-10
Afterward. Daniel kept praying three times a day. He was thrown into the lions’ den, and God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel 6:11, 17, 23

Words of Daniel

“I am clear from the blood of this woman.” Daniel 13:46

When Susanna was being led to her death, falsely accused by two elders.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord from eternity and for evermore: for wisdom and fortitude are his.” Daniel 2:20

When God revealed the king’s dream to him at night.

“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth mysteries, who hath shewn to thee, O king Nabuchodonosor, what is to come to pass in the latter times.” Daniel 2:28

To the king, before explaining his dream.

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut up the mouths of the lions, and they have not hurt me…” Daniel 6:23

To King Darius, from the den, the next morning.

“Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, that created heaven and earth, and hath power over all flesh.” Daniel 14:5

To the king, who asked him why he did not worship the idol Bel.

What they were like

Faithful in small things: he would not defile himself with the king’s food. Daniel 1:8
Wise: he spoke calmly with the chief of the king’s guard. Daniel 2:14
A man of prayer: he prayed three times a day and gave thanks to God. Daniel 6:11
Honest in his work: his enemies could find no fault in him. Daniel 6:5

The greatest thing they did

He defended Susanna, who was falsely accused by two elders, and her innocence was proved. Daniel 13:45-62
King Darius ordered that the God of Daniel be respected throughout his kingdom. Daniel 6:26-28

Not to be confused with

In Babylon, Daniel was given the name Belteshazzar. Belshazzar, on the other hand, was the king of the feast and the writing on the wall. Daniel 1:7; Daniel 5:1, 5

In the Church today

Feast day: July 21, Saint Daniel, prophet (commemoration (not on the General Roman Calendar or the U.S. calendar)). Roman Martyrology, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1908), “Daniel”

In art, recognized by: The lions beside him From Dn 6, 17-23; this is how Christian art shows him

What people ask

Was Daniel with the lions twice?

The book tells two stories. In the second, Daniel spent six days in the den, and the prophet Habakkuk brought him food. Daniel 6:17-24; Daniel 14:31-40

What is the “Son of Man” that Daniel saw?

In a vision, Daniel saw one like a son of man who received an everlasting kingdom from God. Jesus spoke of himself as the Son of Man. Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 26:64

Are the stories of Susanna and Bel part of the Bible?

Yes. They are chapters 13 and 14 of Daniel in the Catholic Bible. The Church has always held them to be inspired Scripture. Daniel 13:1; Daniel 14:1; NAB note on Dn 13, 1

Did the angel Gabriel appear to Daniel?

Yes. Gabriel came to explain a vision to him while Daniel was praying. Centuries later, Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary. Daniel 9:20-23; Luke 1:26-31

Did Jesus speak about Daniel?

Yes. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus mentions him as “Daniel the prophet.” Matthew 24:15

What it cost him His visions left him troubled and terrified. Daniel 7:15, 28 Little known He scattered ashes in the temple of Bel. The footprints showed that the priests…

The rest of this page (daily life, failings, little-known facts, for you…) is part of the subscription.

See the map

Who Daniel is connected to

Hananiah · companions in Babylon
Azariah · companions in Babylon
Mishael · companions in Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar · the king’s dream
Jesus · the Son of Man

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

See Daniel on the map