Daniel Chapter 1 Vs. 1

Book of Daniel Chapter 1

The book of Daniel was written by the prophet Daniel. Daniel prophesied after he was taken to Babylon with the first captives. He was taken on the first of three steps to overthrow Jerusalem which happened in 605 B.C., then on 597, then finally on 586 B.C.

He was chosen out to learn the language, and to work in the king's palace. He was chosen, along with other young men from prominent families, to serve in the Babylonian court.

Some believe that Daniel was a eunuch which was a procedure that was required for those serving in the king’s court. According to what I’ve found I do not know of a passage of scripture that specifically states that Daniel was a eunuch, there is strong evidence to believe so. The prophesy of Isaiah concerning the fall to Babylon, chapter 39, vs. 7 in particular, speaks of the young men of Judah being taken away and made "eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon".

These prophesy took place during the younger years of Daniels life. Daniel chapter 1, verses 1 and following, state that Daniel was among those brought to Babylon, vs. 6 in particular. Also, we see that Daniel was placed under the charge of Ashpenaz, master of the eunuchs. The fact that Daniel rose to such a high position of authority under the rules of Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, almost certainly confirms that Daniel was made a eunuch, common practice in biblical days to prevent any offspring being born to anyone who might challenge the throne.

Daniel's prophecies were different from Isaiah's, and Jeremiah's. Their prophecies were usually begun by saying, "Thus saith the Lord". Daniel did not use that expression when giving his. His ministry was involved in interpreting dreams and riddles. The most prominent of ministries, possibly, were the visions he had himself of events future to even our day. Revelation and Daniel have much in common. Some future events are mentioned in both. Daniel had three friends who were fellow captives. We will see all four of these young men, standing up for God under great stress.

The book of Daniel must be understood through the spirit, if we are to understand anything it says. As with many prophecies, this covers the time they lived in, and covers times future to us, as well. The sovereignty of God is revealed in this book.



"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it." Dan. 1:1 

Jehoiakim began to reign after Josiah. Josiah did right in the sight of God, but Jehoiakim was evil. This is a setting of the time on the attack of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Eliakim and Jehoiakim is the same person.

“In the third year”: This occurred in 606-605 B.C. It was the third year by Babylonian dating, which did not count a king’s initial accession year, but began with the following year. So the “third year” is in harmony with the same year labeled as “forth” by the Judean system of dating. Jehoiakim was the son of Josiah.

II Chronicles 36:5 "Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God."