Theme - Like Ezekiel, Daniel had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and held in Babylon along with the others. That he was of royal, or princely, descent is definitely stated in the book (1:6). Because of his rank and comeliness, and especially for his superior brilliance, Daniel was trained for court services under Nebuchadnezzar's directions. In the midst of political corruption, immoral practices, and gross pagan idolatries, Daniel lived a life of singular piety and usefulness. He faithfully served the kings of an alien people who held Israel in captivity; but even in these services his ministrations concerned future developments and national changes in which Israel's destinies were involved. Most important, however, is Daniel's work as a "seer" of Jehovah, distinguished as one who "dreams" and "sees visions" with prophetic elements concerning future events.

The four great world-empires embraced in Daniel's prophecies were: The Babylonian Empire, 625 to 536 B.C., the nation of Israel's captivity; the Persian Empire, 536 to 330 B.C., the nation of Israel's restoration; the Grecian Empire, which subdued the whole Persian world as well as other countries; and the Roman Empire, coming to its world-conquest through the breaking up of the Grecian Empire.

Outline - Daniel may be divided into four main sections: I. Daniel's History to the Second Year of Nebuchadnezzar (1:1-21) II. Interpretations of Nebuchadnezzar's Dreams (2:1-4:37) III. Daniel's Personal History under Belshazzar and Darius (5:1-6:28) IV. Daniel's Visions and Interpretations (7:1-12:13)