Daniel

🏛️ Historical context

Though set in the exile, it was written during the persecution of Antiochus IV to sustain the faith of the martyrs. The Catholic text includes Greek parts: the song of the three young men, Susanna, and Bel and the dragon.

🔙 Background

Young deported Jews, like Daniel and his companions, serve at King Nebuchadnezzar's court without renouncing their faith.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1Daniel and his companions faithful to the Law (ch. 1)
2. 2The dream of the statue and God's eternal kingdom (ch. 2)
3. 3The three young men in the furnace and their song of praise (ch. 3)
4. 4Daniel in the lions' den (ch. 6)
5. 5Vision of the Son of Man on the clouds (ch. 7)
6. 6Resurrection of the dead (12:2)
7. 7Daniel saves the innocent Susanna (ch. 13)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• Daniel 2:44But in the days of those kingdoms, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, and his kingdom shall not be delivered up to another people: and it shall break in pieces, and shall consume all these kingdoms: and itself shall stand for ever.
• Daniel 3:17-18For behold our God, whom we worship, is able to save us from the furnace of burning fire, and to deliver us out of thy hands, O king. But if he will not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not worship thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou hast set up.
• Daniel 6:22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut up the mouths of the lions, and they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him justice hath been found in me: yea, and before thee, O king, I have done no offence.
• Daniel 7:13-14I beheld, therefore, in the vision of the night, and lo, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and he came even to the ancient of days: and they presented him before him. And he gave him power, and glory, and a kingdom: and all peoples, tribes, and tongues shall serve him: his power is an everlasting power that shall not be taken away: and his kingdom that shall not be destroyed.
• Daniel 12:3But they that are learned, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity.

💭 For reflection

• Why does Jesus call himself "Son of Man" (Mk 14:62)?
• How do I keep my faith in an unbelieving environment?

It narrates the faithfulness of Daniel and his companions in Babylon —the fiery furnace and the lions' den— and contains visions of the kingdoms of the world and the Son of Man who receives an everlasting kingdom.