THE BOOK OF DANIEL WRITTEN IN HEBREW AND ARAMAIC EVENTS TAKE PLACE ABOUT B.C. Daniel - “God is my Judge” Belteshazzar – Babylonian name for Daniel The Bible mentions nothing of Daniel’s early childhood except what is written in the Book of Daniel.

A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL BY HAROLD HARSTVEDT SOUTH WALTON CHURCH OF CHRIST WALTON COUNTY FLORIDA, 32459

DANIEL MENTIONED WITH NOAH AND JOB READ: EZEKIEL 14: The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: 13"Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine in it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14"Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness," says the Lord GOD.(NKJ) WHAT DID THESE THREE MEN HAVE IN COMMON? WHY IS DANIEL LISTED WITH NAOH AND JOB?

DANIEL MENTIONED IN THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL READ:EZEKIEL 28:1-3 1The word of the LORD came to me again, saying, 2"Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because your heart is lifted up, and you say, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, in the midst of the seas,' yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god 3(Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you! WAS DANIEL WISE? WHO WAS THIS “PRINCE OF TYRE”? HIRAM? WHY WOULD HE BE COMPARED TO DANIEL? WHERE DID DANIEL GET HIS WISDOM?

DANIEL MENTIONED IN THE GOSPELS READ:MATTHEW 24: "When you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.(NKJ) READ:Mark 13:14 14“When you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.(NKJ) WAS DANIEL A PROPHET?

DANIEL CHAPTER ONE DANIEL, HANANIAH, MISHAEL AND AZARIAH TAKEN TO BABYLON THEIR NAMES ARE CHANGED DANIEL - BELTESHAZZAR HANANIAH - SHADRACH MISHAEL - MESHACH AZARIAH - ABED-NEGO

READ:DANIEL 1:1-2 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:1-2 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. WHO WAS KING OF JUDAH? WHO WAS KING OF BABYLON? WHO CAME TO BESIEGE JERUSALEM? WHO WAS THIS “NEBUCHADNEZZAR”? READ:1 CHRONICLES 6:15 15Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.(NKJ)

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? READ:2 CHRONICLES 36:5-21 5Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king. He reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God. 6Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried off some of the articles from the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? 8The rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, the abominations which he did, and what was found against him, indeed they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. 9Jehoiachin was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months and ten days. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 10At the turn of the year King Nebuchadnezzar summoned him and took him to Babylon, with the costly articles from the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah, Jehoiakim's brother, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? 11Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12He did evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. 13He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear an oath by God. But he stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD God of Israel.

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? 14All the leaders of the priests and the people transgressed more and more, according to all the abominations of the nations, and defiled the house of the LORD which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. 15The LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? 17Therefore He brought against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, on the aged or the weak; He gave them all into his hand. 18All the articles from the house of God, great and small, the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his leaders, all these he took to Babylon. 19They burned the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions.

WHO WAS THIS NEBUCHADNEZZAR? 20Those who escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon, where they became servants to him and his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, 21To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.(NKJ) ALSO READ: 2 KINGS CHAPTERS 24 AND 25 ANDJEREMIAH CHAPTER 39

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:1-2 2The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. And he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god. WHAT DID THE LORD GIVE TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR? WHAT DID NEBUCHADNEZZAR DO WITH THE THINGS TAKEN FROM THE HOUSE OF GOD?

READ:DANIEL 1:3-5 3The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, 4Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5The king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:3-5 3The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, WHO WAS ASHPENAZ? WHO DID THE KING WANT BROUGHT TO BABYLON?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:3-5 4Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE DID THE KING WANT? WHAT DID HE PLAN TO DO WITH THEM?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:3-5 5The king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. HOW DID THE KING PLAN TO FEED THEM? HOW LONG WERE THEY TO BE IN “TRAINING”? WHAT WERE THEY TO DO AFTER THEIR TRAINING?

READ:DANIEL 1:6-8 6From among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed- Nego. 8Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:6-8 6From among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed- Nego. WHO WAS FROM AMONG THE SONS OF JUDAH? WHAT WERE THEIR NAMES? WHAT DID ASHPENAZ NAME THEM?WHY?

FROM DANIEL 1:3-4 3The king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, 4Young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. WHAT CAN WE KNOW ABOUT DANIEL, HANANIAH, MISHAEL AND AZARIAH?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:6-8 8Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.Therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. WHAT DID DANIEL PURPOSE IN HIS HEART? WHAT WAS HIS REQUEST?WHY?

READ:DANIEL 1:9-10 9God brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10The chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king."

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1:9-10 9God brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. HOW DID GOD INTERCEDE FOR DANIEL?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: The chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.“ WHAT DID ASHPENAZ SAY TO DANIEL? WHAT WAS HE AFRAID WOULD HAPPEN? HOW WOULD HE BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

READ:DANIEL 1: Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13"Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14He consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12"Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. HOW LONG DID DANIEL ASK TO BE TESTED? WHAT DID THEY WANT TO BE FED?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: "Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14He consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. HOW DID HE ASK TO BE EXAMINED? DID THE STEWART AGREE TO DANIEL’S REQUEST? WHEN WWERE THEY TO BE TESTED?

READ:DANIEL 1: At the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. 16The steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 17As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: At the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. 16The steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF TEN DAYS? WHAT DID THE STEWART DO FOR THEM? WHY?

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom. And Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. WHAT DID GOD DO FOR THEM? WHAT DID GOD GIVE DANIEL?

READ:DANIEL 1: At the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: At the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF “THOSE DAYS”? WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THIS “TRAINING”?

READ:DANIEL 1: In all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. (NKJ)

QUESTIONS:DANIEL 1: In all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus. WHAT DID THE KING FIND WHEN HE EXAMINED THEM? HOW LONG DID DANIEL CONTINUE TO SERVE? WHO WAS KING CYRUS?