Daniel (biblical figure)

Daniel is the central figure of the Book of Daniel, a key text in the Hebrew Bible. As depicted in the biblical account, he was a young Jewish noble from Jerusalem who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon. Despite his circumstances, Daniel proved himself to be a loyal and capable servant, earning the trust of Nebuchadnezzar and his successors, and continuing to serve them until the rise of the Persian king Cyrus.

The historicity of Daniel is a matter of scholarly debate. While some researchers argue that he was a real individual who lived in the 6th century BCE, the majority of scholars believe that the character of Daniel was likely based on a legendary figure from earlier traditions. The Book of Daniel is thought to contain allusions to the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Hellenistic king who ruled in the 2nd century BCE, suggesting that the text may have been written or compiled during this later period. As a result, the details of Daniel's life and experiences are considered to be more literary than historical.