Daniel: Faith in Exile and Apocalyptic Imagery

Introduction

The book of Daniel is unique in the Old Testament, combining court tales of faithfulness in exile (chs. 1–6) with apocalyptic visions of future kingdoms and God’s ultimate rule (chs. 7–12). Written in both Hebrew and Aramaic, Daniel straddles genres: narrative, wisdom, prophecy, and apocalyptic. It addresses the challenge of maintaining covenant fidelity under foreign domination, while also providing hope that history is moving toward God’s decisive intervention.

Daniel has been especially influential in Jewish and Christian traditions. Its stories of Daniel in the lions’ den and the fiery furnace exemplify faith under persecution, while its apocalyptic visions shape Jewish eschatology and Christian New Testament writings, including Revelation.

This article explores Daniel’s historical context, narrative sections, apocalyptic visions, theological themes, and later interpretations, highlighting the balance between faith in exile and hope for God’s ultimate victory.

Historical Context

Setting in Exile

The narrative framework sets Daniel during the Babylonian exile and early Persian period (6th century BCE). Daniel and his friends are taken from Judah, educated in Babylonian wisdom, and placed in the royal court (Dan. 1).

Composition Debate

Scholars debate when Daniel was composed. Traditional views hold that Daniel himself wrote the book in the 6th century BCE. Many modern scholars, noting detailed prophecies about the Seleucid period (2nd century BCE), argue for final composition during the time of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BCE). Regardless, the book situates its message in exile, addressing persecution and sustaining hope.

Language

Daniel is written in both Hebrew (1:1–2:4a; 8–12) and Aramaic (2:4b–7:28). This bilingual structure reflects its setting in a multicultural world and suggests wide circulation among Jews in diaspora.

Court Tales: Faith in Exile (Daniel 1–6)

Dietary Faithfulness (Dan. 1)

Daniel and his friends refuse the royal food, choosing vegetables and water to avoid defilement. God blesses them with wisdom, and they surpass their peers. This story models covenant faithfulness in exile and trust in God’s provision.

Fiery Furnace (Dan. 3)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Thrown into the furnace, they are miraculously preserved by a fourth figure “like a son of the gods.” This story emphasizes courage, God’s presence in suffering, and deliverance.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dreams (Dan. 2, 4)

Daniel interprets dreams revealing that earthly kingdoms are temporary and subject to God’s rule. Nebuchadnezzar learns humility after a period of madness, underscoring divine sovereignty over kings.

Writing on the Wall (Dan. 5)

Belshazzar’s feast features blasphemy by using temple vessels. A mysterious hand writes “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN.” Daniel interprets: the kingdom has been weighed and found wanting. That night, Babylon falls. This narrative illustrates God’s judgment on arrogant rulers.

Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Dan. 6)

Under Persian rule, Daniel refuses to cease praying to God. Cast into a den of lions, he is preserved by divine intervention. Like the fiery furnace, this story demonstrates faithfulness under persecution and God’s power to deliver.

Apocalyptic Visions (Daniel 7–12)

Four Beasts and the Son of Man (Dan. 7)

Daniel sees four beasts representing successive empires. Then he sees the “Ancient of Days” and “one like a son of man” given authority and everlasting dominion. This vision reveals God’s sovereignty over history and introduces the figure of the Son of Man, later central in New Testament Christology.

Ram, Goat, and Little Horn (Dan. 8)

The ram and goat symbolize Medo-Persia and Greece. A “little horn” arises, often identified with Antiochus IV, who desecrated the temple. The vision offers assurance that God will defeat oppressive rulers.

Seventy Weeks (Dan. 9)

Daniel prays for restoration, and Gabriel reveals a symbolic timeline of seventy weeks (sevens), culminating in atonement and righteousness. This passage has been interpreted in multiple ways, fueling Jewish messianic expectation and Christian eschatology.

Final Visions (Dan. 10–12)

Daniel sees angelic conflict behind human history and visions of future persecution, resurrection, and final judgment: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake” (Dan. 12:2). This is one of the clearest Old Testament references to resurrection hope.

Theological Themes

Faithfulness in Exile

Daniel and his friends embody covenant loyalty amid foreign pressure. Their refusal to compromise, even under threat of death, models steadfast faith.

God’s Sovereignty

Throughout Daniel, God humbles kings, delivers His servants, and rules over history. The rise and fall of empires demonstrate divine sovereignty.

Apocalyptic Hope

Daniel introduces apocalyptic theology: history is under divine control, earthly kingdoms will be judged, and God’s kingdom will prevail. Apocalyptic imagery provides hope during persecution, affirming that present suffering is temporary.

Resurrection and Final Judgment

Daniel 12:2–3 affirms resurrection and eternal destinies, marking a significant development in biblical eschatology. This hope sustains the faithful amid trials.

Later Interpretations

Jewish Tradition

In Judaism, Daniel sustained hope under persecution, especially during Antiochus IV’s oppression. The book inspired the festival of Hanukkah, which celebrates deliverance from Antiochus. The vision of resurrection influenced later Jewish eschatology.

Christian Tradition

Daniel profoundly shaped Christian thought:

• Jesus and the Son of Man: Jesus identifies with the Son of Man in Dan. 7, claiming authority and everlasting dominion (Mark 14:62).

• Resurrection Hope: Early Christians interpreted Dan. 12:2 as pointing to Christ’s resurrection and final judgment.

• Apocalyptic Tradition: Revelation draws heavily on Daniel’s imagery of beasts, thrones, and final victory.

For Christians, Daniel exemplifies both personal faith in exile and cosmic hope of God’s kingdom.

Scholarly Perspectives

1. Historical Setting: Collins (1993) argues that Daniel’s final form reflects the Maccabean crisis, encouraging resistance to Antiochus IV.

2. Apocalyptic Genre: Rowland (1982) emphasizes Daniel’s role in shaping Jewish apocalyptic literature.

3. Son of Man: Casey (1979) explores the interpretation of “Son of Man” from Daniel to Jesus.

4. Resurrection Theology: Wright (2003) highlights Daniel 12 as a milestone in Jewish belief in resurrection.

5. Bilingual Structure: Lucas (2002) sees the Hebrew-Aramaic division as reflecting Daniel’s diasporic context.

6. Theology of Sovereignty: Goldingay (1989) stresses divine sovereignty as Daniel’s unifying theme.

Conclusion

The book of Daniel integrates faith in exile with apocalyptic hope. Its stories of courage demonstrate covenant loyalty under pressure, while its visions proclaim God’s sovereignty over history and promise ultimate victory. Daniel speaks to communities facing oppression, assuring them that faithfulness will be vindicated and God’s kingdom will prevail.

For Jews, Daniel encouraged perseverance under Antiochus and shaped eschatological hope. For Christians, it foreshadowed Christ as Son of Man and influenced apocalyptic writings like Revelation. Across traditions, Daniel reveals that God’s people can remain faithful in exile, confident that history belongs to God.

Competency Goals

By the end of this article, you should be able to:

• Describe Daniel’s historical context and structure.

• Summarize the narrative court tales and apocalyptic visions.

• Analyze themes of faith, sovereignty, apocalyptic hope, and resurrection.

• Recognize Jewish and Christian interpretations of Daniel.

• Evaluate scholarly debates on Daniel’s date, genre, and theology.

References

Casey, M. (1979). Son of Man: The Interpretation and Influence of Daniel 7. SPCK.

Collins, J. J. (1993). Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. Fortress Press.

Goldingay, J. (1989). Daniel. Word Biblical Commentary. Word Books.

Lucas, E. C. (2002). Daniel. Apollos Old Testament Commentary. InterVarsity Press.

Rowland, C. (1982). The Open Heaven: A Study of Apocalyptic in Judaism and Early Christianity. Crossroad.

Wright, N. T. (2003). The Resurrection of the Son of God. Fortress Press.