The Book of Daniel is found in the Old Testament. The Book of Daniel was written in both Hebrew and Aramaic and is constructed of six chapters of narrative and four chapters each focusing on an apocalyptic vision that Daniel has. The first six chapters are told in the third person and the last four are from Daniel’s perspective as he reflects on the meaning of his interpretations of the king’s dreams. The book takes place in Babylon where the Jews were exiled, during a period called the Babylonian Captivity. The Jews of the Kingdom of Judah were deported to Babylon during the sixth century BC. Nebuchadnezzar was the king of Babylon at the time and Daniel’s story is about his time as an advisor to Nebuchadnezzar. The book includes renditions of times when the royal court-tested Daniel’s religious loyalty as well as, most notably, Daniel’s interpretation of the king’s dreams.
The Book of Daniel has many implications in Christianity and the lives of Christians. In the Catholic mass, the Song of the Three Children which is included in the Book of Daniel is used, as is the prayer of Azariah. In mainstream Christian culture and Christian literature, the two main elements of the Book of Daniel that hold significance are that of Daniel’s supposedly historically accurate prophecies and the reference to resurrection and judgment. There are some historical discrepancies in the story of Daniel, among them the appearance of King Darius as ruler of Babylon who does not appear in any other historical source from or concerning the sixth century. Also, although Christians believe that the book was written by Daniel himself during the sixth century Babylonian Captivity, it is widely held by most biblical scholars today that this is not true. Still, the apocalyptic visions that Daniel has are the foundation of much of Christian literature. Christians consider the visions Daniel described as being deemed by Jesus as signs that the apocalypse is truly coming. There are many reiterations of the book of Daniel in the book of Mark which, in the Christian religion, prove that Daniel’s revelations had, and would continue, to come true. Because of this verification by Jesus, Christian leader, and son of God, Christians live with the belief that their Messiah will return in these terms.
The book contains the initial mentions of resurrection which relates to the Christian belief that Jesus was resurrected from the dead after three days in the ground. The mentions of resurrection also contain references to the “Kingdom of God” which implicates the Christian belief in the afterlife and heaven, and the idea that when we die, and when the messiah returns all souls are judged for their sins. This is essential to the Christian life because Christians who live by the Bible consider a virtuous life and passage into heaven to be a top priority. Another aspect of the Book of Daniel that correlates with the life of Jesus is the depiction of the “Son of Man” which was a name for the prophet that denotes his ties to his followers and his ultimate sacrifice for his brethren. There are also many elements of the Book of Daniel that Christians hold as moral stories which are utilized in Christian life to explain the justification of certain virtues and to teach students how to live a Christian life. For example, Daniel was considered a prophet by Christians and his teachings are of reverence for his leader and insight into the future. This teaches Christians the importance of loyalty and dedication, and that it is beneficial to one’s self to follow their leader.
Works Cited
“The Book of Daniel” The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testament (2003).
Thomas Nelson and Sons: New York. Page 791-1090.