Author Daniel
The author claims to be a contemporary of:
Nebuchadnezzar (605-562)
Belshazzar (556-539)
Cyrus (539-530)
Author Daniel
Jesus identified the author as Daniel (Matt.
24:15)
Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF
DESOLATION which was spoken of through
Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy
place
Author Daniel
The Jewish Talmud also identifies the sixth
century Daniel as its author.
Author Daniel
Conclusion: There is no valid reason to deny
the authorship of Daniel.
Author Daniel
The primary reason liberal critical scholars are
not willing to accept the sixth century Daniel
as its author is: their anti-supernatural
presuppositions.
The Settlement
Kitchen
Store-rooms
Cisterns
Scriptorium
Pools
Potters shop
Tower
Aqueduct
Refectory
Larder
Recipients
The prophecies given and recorded in this book
were written to the Hebrews living in captivity
in Babylon.
Date
He lived at least until the third year of Cyrus
reign, around 536 BC (10:1).
He may have compiled this book bearing his
name shortly after these events were recorded.
Place
Daniel was writing from the capital of Babylon
where he served several Babylonian Kings
(Nebuchadnezzar, 2:1; Belshazzar, 5:1; Darius
the Mede, 5:31; and Cyrus the Persian, 10:1).
Nelson Glueck
A famous biblical archaeologist
who identified 1500
archaeological sites.
In 1963 he founded the Hebrew
Union College Biblical and
Archaeological School
(Jerusalem).
Nelson Glueck
It may be stated categorically
that no archaeological discovery
has ever controverted a Biblical
reference. Scores of
archaeological findings have been
made which confirm in clear
outline or exact detail historical
statements in the Bible. And, by
the same token, proper evaluation
of Biblical descriptions has often
led to amazing discoveries.
Robert Koldewey
German Oriental Society
Excavated for 18 years
(1899-1917)
Dedication Inscription
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the
faithful prince appointed by the will of
Marduk, the highest of princely princes,
I laid the foundation of the gates
Upon the walls in the inner room of the
gate are bulls and dragons and thus I
magnificently adorned them with
luxurious splendor for all mankind to
behold in awe...
Purposes
(1) Reminds the covenant people that God is
sovereign over all.
(2) Comforts the covenant people of God that
He will restore them one day (despite their
repeated rebellions)
(3) Challenges the covenant people of God to
remain faithful to their covenant-keeping God.
Message
God is sovereign overall, using even evil
empires and wicked rulers to accomplish his
purpose. In His time, He will restore Israel to
its proper place of prominence and His
Theocratic Kingdom will be established forever,
a kingdom superior in every way to the
preceding Gentile empires.
Genre: Apocalyptic
A. Characterized by many symbols with literal
referents
B. Unveils something that will happen, usually
in the end times
Genre: Apocalyptic
Apocalyptic literature is symbolic visionary
prophetic literature, composed during
oppressive conditions consisting of visions
whose events are recorded exactly as they were
seen by the author and explained through a
divine interpreter, and whose theological
content is primarily eschatological.
Genre: Apocalyptic
C. Old Testament Apocalyptic books: Daniel,
Ezekiel, Zechariah
D. New Testament Apocalyptic book:
Revelation
Chapter
Nation
Ruler
Year of
Reign
Date
Genre
Event/Vision
Judah
Jehoiakim
3rd (1:1)
605 BC
History
Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar
2nd (2:1)
603 BC
History
Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar
--
> 603 BC
History
Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar
--
ca. 571 BC
History
Neb's Demise
Babylon
Belshazzar
--
539 BC
History
Belshazzar's Feast
Medio-Persia
Darius
--
> 539 BC
History
Babylon
Belshazzar
1st (7:1)
553 BC
Vision
Babylon
Belshazzar
3rd (8:1)
550 BC
Vision
Medio-Persia
Darius
1st (9:1)
539 BC
Vision
Vision of 70 Heptads /
Weeks
10
Medio-Persia
Cyrus
3rd (10:1)
536 BC
Vision
Final Vision
11
Medio-Persia
Cyrus
--
536 BC
Vision
12
Medio-Persia
Cyrus
--
536 BC
Vision
Historical Background
Chess Board
Chess Teams
Chess Pieces
Chess Board
Palestine
Egypt
Assyria
Babylon
Persia
Greece
Rome
Chess Board
Chess Teams
Israel
Egyptians
Babylonians
Assyrians
Chess Teams
Medio-Persians
Greco-Macedonians
Romans
Gods Team
Egyptian Team
One of the earliest dominating
world powers
Oppressors of the Israelites during
the time of Moses
Continued to be a threat to Israel
during the Monarchy
Assyrian Team
Their empire was centered in modern day
Syria
Their capital was based in Nineveh
Assyrian Team
Their empire was centered in modern day Syria
Their capital was based in Nineveh
Their most powerful king was Sennacherib
They took the 10 northern tribes of Israel into
captivity (722 BC)
Sennacherib threatened but was NOT able to
conquer Jerusalem
Sennacheribs Prism
Sennacheribs Prism
Records the achievements of Sennacherib
Defeated many cities of Judah and
deported many people
Jerusalem was left unharmed because God
miraculously intervened (2 Ki. 19:7)
Sennacheribs Prism
historiography of the ancient Near East
was rarely intended to present an objective
view of what actually happened. More often,
propaganda was clothed in historical attire
with the purpose of benefiting those in
power. Royal inscriptions were often selfserving documents whereby a king could
boast of his accomplishments, embellishing
the positive, ignoring the negative
Sennacheribs Prism
when the reward [goal] is power and
prestige, accuracy becomes of little
concernThe purpose of this
historiography was to support the king,
not to offer an objective account of what
really happened.
-John Walton, A Survey of
Sennacheribs Prism
shut Hezekiah in Jerusalem like a
bird in a cage.
Babylonian Team
Their empire was centered in modern day
Iraq
They successfully defeated Assyria and
Egypt
Babylonian Team
Their empire was centered in modern day
Iraq
They successfully defeated Assyria and
Egypt
Their famous king was Nebuchadnezzar
Babylonian Team
First captivity (605 BC) - Daniel and his three
friends were taken amongst this first exiled.
Second captivity (597 BC) - Ezekiel and 10,000
Hebrews were taken into exile
Third captivity (586 BC) During this third and
final deportation, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed
Jerusalem and devastated the temple
Chess Pieces
Daniel and Friends
Nebuchadnezzar
Belshazzar
Darius the Mede
Chess Pieces
Cyrus the Great
Alexander the Great
Antiochus Epiphanes
Anti-Christ
The Tribulation
Develops the purpose, timing, and events
of the tribulation period (Dan. 9:24-27)
Describes the rise of the anti-Christ (Dan.
9:27)
Describes the abomination of
desolation (Dan. 9:27)
Dylan Roof
Author Daniel
He was known as:
righteous (Ezek. 14:14-20)
wise (Ezek. 28:3)
intelligent, handsome, and from the royal
family (Dan. 1:4).
Author Daniel
He was a man of prayer (6:10-12)
He was a student of the Scriptures (9:2)
Author Daniel
He lived during three different governments:
Judean (Jehoiakim; 1:1)
Babylonian (Nebuchadnezzar, 2:1;
Belshazzar, 5:1)
Medio-Persian (Darius, 5:31; Cyrus, 10:1)
Belteshazzar
Hananiah
Shadrach
Mishael
Meshach
Azariah
Abednego
Image
Verse(s)
Corresponding
Empires
Head
36-38
Babylonian Empire
39a
Medio-Persia Empire
39b
Greek Empire
Legs
40
Roman Empire
Feet
41-43
Stone
44-45
Breast and
Arms
Belly and
Thighs
Dedication Inscription
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the
faithful prince appointed by the will of
Marduk, the highest of princely princes,
I laid the foundation of the gates
Upon the walls in the inner room of the
gate are bulls and dragons and thus I
magnificently adorned them with
luxurious splendor for all mankind to
behold in awe...
The Arrogance of
Nebuchadnezzar
I myself have builtby the might
of my power and for the glory of
my majesty?
The Proclamation of
Nebuchadnezzar (4:37)
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt
and honor the King of heaven, for all
His works are true and His ways just,
and He is able to humble those who
walk in pride.
Nabonidus Chronicle
This tablet forms part of a series,
and summarizes the principal events
of each year from the accession of
Nabonidus in 556 until the 530s BC.
The chronicle stresses that
Nabonidus was absent in Arabia for
much of his reignThe king spent
ten years in Arabia and left
Babylonia administered by his son,
Bel-shar-usur (Belshazzar of the Old
Testament).
Nabonidus Cylinder
This cylinder
located in the
British Museum,
ends with a prayer in
the name of
Nabonidus and his
son, Belshazzar.
Nabonidus Cylinder
As for me, Nabonidus, king
of Babylon, save me from
sinning against your great
godhead and grant me as a
present a life long of days,
and as for Belshazzar,
the eldest son - my offspring
- instill reverence for your
great godhead in his heart
and may he not commit any
cultic mistake, may he be
sated with a life of
plenitude.
Isaiah 17:12-13
Alas, the uproar of many peoples
Who roar like the roaring of the seas,
And the rumbling of nations
Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!
The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters,
But He will rebuke them and they will flee far away,
And be chased like chaff in the mountains before the wind,
Or like whirling dust before a gale.
Revelation 17:15
And he said to me, The waters which you saw
where the harlot sits, are peoples and
multitudes and nations and tongues.
Symbol Verse
Further Description
Lion
7:4
Bear
7:5
Leopard
7:5
Terrifying
7:6-8
Beast
Revelation 1:14
His head and hair were white like wool, as
white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing
fire.
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened.
Another book was opened, which is the book of
life. The dead were judged according to what
they had done as recorded in the books.
Symbol Kingdom
Lion
Further Description
MedioPersian
Leopard
Greek
Terrifying
Beast
Roman
--
Bear
Symbol Kingdom
Lion
Further Description
MedioPersian
Leopard
Greek
Terrifying
Beast
Roman
--
Bear
Symbol Verse
Referent
10 horns
7:24a
10 kings / kingdoms
(Rev. 17:12-13)
Little horn
7:24b
3 horns
7:24c
Boastful
mouth
7:25
Daniel 2
Daniel 7
Statue
Four Beasts
Given to Neb.
Given to Daniel
4 kingdoms +1
4 kingdoms +1
1 man + a stone
General
Detailed
Daniel interpreted
An Angel interpreted
Symbol Verses
Referent
Ram
8:3-4
Two horns
One horn higher than the other
Goat
8:5-6
8:7-8
Horn of
the Goat
Symbol
Verses
Referent
Ram
8:3-4
Medio-Persian Empire
Goat
8:5-6
Greek Empire
Horn of the
8:7-8
Goat
Breaking of the
8:8
horn
Four surfacing
8:8
horns
Daniel 2
Metals
Daniel 7
Animals
Daniel 8
Animals
Nations
Gold
Winged lion
--
Babylon
Silver
Unbalanced
bear
Ram
MedioPersia
Bonze
Winged leopard
Goat
Greece
Unique beast
--
Rome
ds6h6 (Hesed)
steadfast, unfailing love and complete
loyalty
4. we rebelled
5. and abandoned your commandments
What is a heptad?
Heptad comes from the Hebrew noun
( shavuim) and can literally be
translated sevens, but some versions
cause confusion by translating it
weeks. To avoid confusion, it is better
to refer to it using the technical term
heptad.
What is a heptad?
This Hebrew noun heptad is recorded
20 times in the Old Testament, and is
used to speak of seven periods of time,
either: 7 days, 7 weeks, 7 months, or 7
years. So, which is it? Context dictates
that the divine author had 7 years in
mind, as most scholars agree.
70 Heptads
Heptad = 7 years
70 X 7 years = 490 years
69 X 7 years = 483 years
1 X 7 years = 7 years
Daniels 70 Heptads
1. A Literal Interpretation Required (9:2)
Negative
Positive
1. To finish the
transgressions
1. To bring in
righteousness
Babylonian
Captivity
70 X 7=490 years
70 years
Future Predicted
Judgment
70 X 7=490
years
Isaiah had
prophesied that . . .
Cyrus would be the
king that would free
God's people (Isa.
45:1-13)
Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus King of
Rise to Power
Decrees and Reforms
Including the decree allowing
Date
Ruler
539
Cyrus
519
Darius
Reference
Project
Ezra 5:3-6:12
Temple
458/457 Artaxerxes
Ezra 7:11-26
Temple
445/444 Artaxerxes
Neh. 2:1-8
Walls
Date
Ruler
539
Cyrus
NO
NO
519
Darius
NO
NO
458/457 Artaxerxes
NO
NO
445/444 Artaxerxes
YES
YES
YES
Event
Jewish
Roman
Year
Xerxes Dies
--
Dec. 17
465
Artaxerxes reign
Nisan
Dec. 17
464-463
Chislev
Nov/Dec
445
Artaxerxes Decree
Nisan
March/Apr
444
Entrance of
Messiah
April 3, AD 33
Dan 9:25b
69 Heptads
Daniel 9:25
483 years
69 Heptads
Daniel 9:25
483 years
Entrance of
Messiah
April 3, AD 33
Dan 9:25b
Events of
Dan 9:26
Events Between
th
69
and
th
70
Heptad
Events Between
th
69
and
th
70
Heptad
69 Heptads
Daniel 9:25
483 years
Entrance of
Messiah
April 3, AD 33
Dan 9:25b
Events of
Dan 9:26
7 years
Peace Treaty
His agreement probably entails a promise of
protection in return for certain favors (likely
including those of an economic nature). It is easy to
understand why Israel would enter into such an
arrangement with the powerful forces of the
Antichrist. With such protection Israel will feel safe
and secure.
Miller, Daniel, 271.
Entrance of
Messiah
April 3, AD 33
Dan 9:25b
Abomination
of Desolation
Daniel 9:27b
69 Heptads
Daniel 9:25
483 years
Events of
Dan 9:26
3 v
3 v
th
------------ 70 Heptad-----
7 years
Artaxerxes
Decree 444 BC
Dan 9:25a
Neh 2:7-8
2nd Advent
Rev 19
Entrance of
Messiah
April 3, AD 33
Dan 9:25b
Rapture
1 Thes 4:13-18
Abomination
of Desolation
Daniel 9:27b
Eph 3:6
69 Heptads
Daniel 9:25
Events of
Dan 9:26
2 Thess
2:3
------------
70th
3 v
Heptad----3 v
Millennium
Rev 20
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Antiochus Epiphanes
Not only did he stop the daily sacrifices from
being performed, he burned copies of the
law, did away with Jewish festivals (1 Macc.
1:44-54), and worst of all he desecrated the
temple by erecting an altar to Zeus on the
altar of burnt offering (2 Macc. 6:2), and
sacrificed a pig on the alter. The Jews called
this the abomination that caused
desolation.
Antiochus Epiphanes
Antiochus deceives many with his
smooth words. However, others display
strength and take action. This strength
and action certainly refers to the
Maccabean revolt also called the
Hasmonean Wars. (11:32)
Hasmoneans
The Hasmoneans were a priestly family who were
angered by the desecration of temple. The revolt
was led by Mattathias, a priest, and his five sons.
Hasmoneans
One of his sons, Judas Maccabeus, meaning
the hammer killed Antiochuss general in
battle and freed the Jewish people.
Judas is also credited with cleansing the
temple in 165 BC.
Hasmoneans
Hannukah commemorates the Maccabean
revolt, cleansing, and rededication of the
temple.
Days of Daniel 12
30 days
before the
exact midpoint
1260 days
The Great Tribulation
45 days in
Millennium