📖 Biblical Definition
The fourth of the Major Prophets, twelve chapters covering the seventy-year ministry of Daniel in the courts of Babylon and Persia (605-535 BC). Chapters 1-6 are biographical narratives (the lions' den, the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall, Nebuchadnezzar's madness); chapters 7-12 are apocalyptic visions including the four beasts, the seventy weeks, and the time of the end. Christ Himself cited Daniel by name (Matt 24:15) regarding the abomination of desolation; Daniel's framework underlies most New Testament eschatology.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
DANIEL, n.
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A scriptural proper name; the fourth of the Major Prophets.
📖 Key Scripture
Daniel 2:44 — "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed."
Daniel 3:25 — "Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."
Daniel 7:13 — "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven."
Daniel 9:27 — "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern critics date Daniel late to deny prophecy; Christ cited it as authentic.
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Daniel is the most-attacked Old Testament book in modern critical scholarship. The case is straightforward: the prophecies in Daniel are so specific and so accurately fulfilled (the rise and fall of Persia, Greece, Alexander, the Diadochi, the Maccabean conflict) that critics conclude the book must have been written after the events — in the second century BC — and presented as ancient prophecy. The argument is anti-supernatural by design.
Christ cited Daniel by name in Matthew 24:15 as spoken of by Daniel the prophet. The Lord knew when the book was written; He treated it as authentic prophecy. Modern critical conclusions about Daniel are conclusions about Christ as well. Read Daniel as Daniel; receive its prophecies as the Lord did; the Most High still rules in the kingdoms of men, and the lions' mouths are still under His command.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H1840 — Daniyyel — Daniel; God is my judge
Usage
"Modern critics date Daniel late to deny prophecy; Christ cited it as authentic."
"Conclusions about Daniel's authorship are conclusions about Christ."
"The Most High still rules in the kingdoms of men; the lions' mouths are still under His command."