Nebuchadnezzar's Court

Arioch, Commander of the King’s Guard

Babylonian commander who facilitated Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

A high-ranking Babylonian official under Nebuchadnezzar II tasked with executing the royal wise men before Daniel intervened.

Ashpenaz

Man living at the time of Exile and Return

Azariah, Companion of Daniel

Youth who survived the fiery furnace with Shadrach and Meshach

A noble youth of Judah taken into Babylonian captivity who survived the fiery furnace after refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image.

Cyrus

Persian king who issued the decree allowing the Jews to return from exile and rebuild the Temple

The Persian king who ended the Babylonian exile by decreeing the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and returning its sacred vessels to the Jewish people.

Daniel, Prophet of the Exile

Prophet who survived the lions' den and interpreted the handwriting on the wall

A Judean exile who rose to high office in Babylon and Persia, known for his uncompromising faith, wisdom, and prophetic visions concerning the rise and fall of world empires.

Hananiah, Friend of Daniel

Judean exile who survived being thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol

One of four Judean youths taken into Babylonian exile, known by the Babylonian name Shadrach, who survived the blazing fiery furnace.

Israel

Patriarch who wrestled with God and fathered the twelve tribes

The third patriarch of the covenant, formerly known as Jacob, who received his name after wrestling with God and became the father of the twelve tribes.

Jehoiakim

King of Judah who burned the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies

The second son of King Josiah who reigned over Judah for eleven years as a vassal to Egypt and later Babylon, known for his wickedness and opposition to the prophet Jeremiah.

Judah, Son of Jacob

Patriarch who received the blessing of the scepter and whose lineage produced King David and Jesus Christ

The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of the Tribe of Judah and the Davidic line, known for his leadership and pivotal role in the preservation of his family.

Melzar

Steward who allowed Daniel and his friends to eat vegetables instead of the King's meat

The Babylonian steward or guardian appointed to oversee the welfare, diet, and training of Daniel and his three companions during their initial exile in Babylon.

Mishael, Companion of Daniel

Judean noble who was renamed Meshach and miraculously survived the fiery furnace

Mishael was a noble youth from Judah who was taken into Babylonian captivity and miraculously survived a fiery furnace after refusing to worship a golden idol.

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and was humbled by God

The powerful king of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem, deported the Judeans, and eventually acknowledged the sovereignty of the God of Israel.