People of Daniel

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Wise Men of Babylon

Royal advisors who failed to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream

A collective of scholars, enchanters, and advisors to King Nebuchadnezzar who failed to interpret his dream, leading to the rise of Daniel in the Babylonian court.

The Satraps Who Accused Daniel

Officials who conspired to have Daniel thrown into the lions' den

A collective group of high-ranking Persian officials who conspired to execute Daniel by manipulating King Darius into issuing an irrevocable decree regarding prayer.

Belshazzar

King of Babylon who saw the supernatural writing on the wall during a sacrilegious feast

The final ruler of the Babylonian Empire mentioned in the book of Daniel, known for the 'writing on the wall' incident during a sacrilegious feast.

Darius the Mede

King who reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions' den and later praised the living God

The Median ruler who assumed control of the Babylonian kingdom after the fall of Belshazzar and famously spared Daniel from the lions' den.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Michael, the Chief Prince

Archangel who leads the heavenly host and protects the people of Israel

A celestial prince and archangel who serves as the spiritual guardian of Israel and leader of the heavenly armies against spiritual forces.

Belshazzar's Queen

Queen who advised King Belshazzar to summon Daniel to interpret the writing on the wall

The queen of Babylon who entered Belshazzar's feast to advise the king to consult Daniel regarding the writing on the wall.

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.

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.

Moses

Prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Ten Commandments

The preeminent prophet and lawgiver of Israel who led the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage and mediated the Covenant at Mount Sinai.

Ashpenaz

Man living at the time of Exile and Return

Ahasuerus

King of Persia who married Esther and authorized the defense of the Jews against Haman's plot

The powerful Persian king of the post-exilic period who deposed Queen Vashti and eventually chose Esther to be his queen, unknowingly saving the Jewish people from genocide.

Jeremiah, Son of Hilkiah

Prophet who predicted the seventy-year Babylonian exile and the New Covenant

A major prophet of the Divided Monarchy who predicted the fall of Jerusalem and the 70-year Babylonian exile while suffering intense persecution for his message.