The New Student's Reference Work/Daniel

Dan′iel (a Hebrew word meaning God is judge) was a Hebrew prophet. According to the book which bears his name, he was descended from one of the highest families in Judah. As a youth he was carried captive to Babylon with three other Hebrew youths of rank. He and his companions were chosen for instruction in the language and literature of the Chaldeans, and the names of all four were changed—Daniel being called Belteshazzar; that is, prince of Bel. Not long after, he interpreted a dream for Nebuchadrezzar, and in consequence rose into high favor and was made governor of the province of Babylon and head-inspector of the priestly caste. This high position he kept under Darius and Cyrus, in spite of the intrigues of hostile courtiers. At one time, because he refused to give up the worship of God, he was cast into a den of lions, but was preserved and reached still higher rank. He assisted his people in their return to their native land. The book of Daniel was written partly in Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, and is now divided into 12 chapters, the first half consisting of narratives and the second half of predictions. The predictions are in the form of visions, which tell the story of four successive empires, perhaps the Chaldean, Median, Persian and Macedonian, culminating in the eternal kingdom of Christ.