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INTRODUCTION TO DANIELTime: 597 B.C. to just before Daniel's death (approx. 670 B.C.) BEFORE READING PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A MAP OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE in 721 B.C. I. Proceeding Events There is 490 years between the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, till the first year of the captivity that Daniel took part in. In 609 B.C. Israel was taken over by the Egyptians. (2 Ki. 23:33,34) Egypt, which is south west of Judah, made Judah a colonial state of Egypt. At that time the Egyptians killed Judah's king. The Jews then anointed Jehoahaz as king, but Egypt exercised her sovereignty over Judah and quickly replaced Jehoahaz with Jehoiakim. (2 Ki. 23:33,34). In 605 B.C. the Babylonians from the north attacked and defeated Egypt. (2 Ki. 24:1-7) Judah then became a colonial state of Babylon Empire but was aloud to keep its own national, spiritual, and cultural identity. In 597 B.C. Jehoiakim, the king of Israel rebelled against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, miserably defeated Jehoiakim and Israel. Because of this rebellion Nebuchadnezzer completely destroyed Jerusalem, Judah's capital, as well as many other major cities. Nebuchadnezzar killed many Jews. He also took around 10,000 selected captives. Among these including Daniel and his friends, mentioned in this book. Ezekiel, the author of the former book was also taken captive. The captivity of Israel lasted 70 years. (This count starting from Nebuchadnezzar's initial defeat of the Egypt and Judah in 605.) II. About Daniel the Author Daniel was of the tribe of Judah and from the royal line of David. (1:3) In his time Daniel was famous his wisdom throught the world. (Ez. 28:3) Before his captivity he was trained in the Jewish life. At the beginning of his captivity he was trained in the best university in Babylon, the world's greatest power. Daniel is distiquished for his holy life. God equates his righteousness with Noah and Job. (Ez. 14:12-14) His counterparts also recignized his righteousness. (6:5) Daniel was also noted as a great man of prayer. (6:10) Daniel possision was a counselor. He reigned in the courts and councils of some of the greatest monarchys the world ever had; Nebuchadnear, Cyrus, and Darius. None of Daniel's family is mentioned, niether his parents nor any decendance. His parents were probably killed by the Babylonian army. He was probably made a eunuuchs. (Isa. 39:7) III. About the Book The first chapter, and the first three verses of the second chapter are in Hebrew. From there to the eigth chapter it in the Chaldee dealect. From the eigth chapter to the end is in Hebrew. CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO DANIEL STUDY 1 QUESTIONS CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO DANIEL STUDY 1 COMMENTS
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