Dan·iel /ˈdænjəl ||ˈdænḷ/
 男子名,丹尼爾,丹尼爾書


 Dan·i·el n. A Hebrew prophet distinguished for sagacity and ripeness of judgment in youth; hence, a sagacious and upright judge.
    A Daniel come to judgment.   --Shak.

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 Daniel
      n 1: (Old Testament) a youth who was taken into the court of
           Nebuchadnezzar and given divine protection when thrown
           into a den of lions (6th century BC)
      2: a wise and upright judge; "a Daniel come to judgment" --
         Shakespeare
      3: an Old Testament book that tells of the apocalyptic visions
         and the experiences of Daniel in the court of
         Nebuchadnezzar [syn: Book of Daniel, {Book of the
         Prophet Daniel]


 Daniel
    God is my judge, or judge of God. (1.) David's second son, "born
    unto him in Hebron, of Abigail the Carmelitess" (1 Chr. 3:1). He
    is called also Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3).

      (2.) One of the four great prophets, although he is not once
    spoken of in the Old Testament as a prophet. His life and
    prophecies are recorded in the Book of Daniel. He was descended
    from one of the noble families of Judah (Dan. 1:3), and was
    probably born in Jerusalem about B.C. 623, during the reign of
    Josiah. At the first deportation of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar
    (the kingdom of Israel had come to an end nearly a century
    before), or immediately after his victory over the Egyptians at
    the second battle of Carchemish, in the fourth year of the reign
    of Jehoiakim (B.C. 606), Daniel and other three noble youths
    were carried off to Babylon, along with part of the vessels of
    the temple. There he was obliged to enter into the service of
    the king of Babylon, and in accordance with the custom of the
    age received the Chaldean name of Belteshazzar, i.e., "prince of
    Bel," or "Bel protect the king!" His residence in Babylon was
    very probably in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, now identified
    with a mass of shapeless mounds called the Kasr, on the right
    bank of the river.

      His training in the schools of the wise men in Babylon (Dan.
    1:4) was to fit him for service to the empire. He was
    distinguished during this period for his piety and his stict
    observance of the Mosaic law (1:8-16), and gained the confidence
    and esteem of those who were over him. His habit of attention
    gained during his education in Jerusalem enabled him soon to
    master the wisdom and learning of the Chaldeans, and even to
    excel his compeers.

      At the close of his three years of discipline and training in
    the royal schools, Daniel was distinguished for his proficiency
    in the "wisdom" of his day, and was brought out into public
    life. He soon became known for his skill in the interpretation
    of dreams (1:17; 2:14), and rose to the rank of governor of the
    province of Babylon, and became "chief of the governors" (Chald.
    Rab-signin) over all the wise men of Babylon. He made known and
    also interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream; and many years
    afterwards, when he was now an old man, amid the alarm and
    consternation of the terrible night of Belshazzar's impious
    feast, he was called in at the instance of the queen-mother
    (perhaps Nitocris, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar) to interpret
    the mysterious handwriting on the wall. He was rewarded with a
    purple robe and elevation to the rank of "third ruler." The
    place of "second ruler" was held by Belshazzar as associated
    with his father, Nabonidus, on the throne (5:16). Daniel
    interpreted the handwriting, and "in that night was Belshazzar
    the king of the Chaldeans slain."

      After the taking of Babylon, Cyrus, who was now master of all
    Asia from India to the Dardanelles, placed Darius (q.v.), a
    Median prince, on the throne, during the two years of whose
    reign Daniel held the office of first of the "three presidents"
    of the empire, and was thus practically at the head of affairs,
    no doubt interesting himself in the prospects of the captive
    Jews (Dan. 9), whom he had at last the happiness of seeing
    restored to their own land, although he did not return with
    them, but remained still in Babylon. His fidelity to God exposed
    him to persecution, and he was cast into a den of lions, but was
    miraculously delivered; after which Darius issued a decree
    enjoining reverence for "the God of Daniel" (6:26). He
    "prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the
    Persian," whom he probably greatly influenced in the matter of
    the decree which put an end to the Captivity (B.C. 536).

      He had a series of prophetic visions vouch-safed to him which
    opened up the prospect of a glorious future for the people of
    God, and must have imparted peace and gladness to his spirit in
    his old age as he waited on at his post till the "end of the
    days." The time and circumstances of his death are not recorded.
    He probably died at Susa, about eighty-five years of age.

      Ezekiel, with whom he was contemporary, mentions him as a
    pattern of righteousness (14:14, 20) and wisdom (28:3). (See NEBUCHADNEZZAR.)



 Daniel, judgment of God; God my judge