Daniel: Summary & Key Themes

The Book of Daniel at a glance, before you read it.

Written by	Daniel (traditional)
Written for	exiles
Type	Major prophet
Chapters	12
Position	Book 27 of 66 · book 27 of the Old Testament

Summary

Daniel and his friends stay faithful in Babylon: the fiery furnace, the writing on the wall and the lions’ den, followed by visions of kingdoms and God’s eternal kingdom.

Main themes

faithfulness under pressure
God rules over kings
hope

Key verse

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Daniel 6:22 (KJV)

How to read Daniel

Try one chapter a day: 12 days to finish. Ask three questions as you go: what did this mean to the first readers, what does it show about God, and what does it ask of me?

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