דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל (da.niy.yel)
da.niy.yel
Daniel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 25 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Daniel means "God is my judge." It appears twenty-five times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the book that bears his name and occasionally in Ezra. The sources identify him as a significant figure taken into exile during the first deportation to Babylon, where he rose to become second in command under both the Babylonian and Persian empires.
His reputation for integrity is notable; the prophet Ezekiel refers to him as a model of righteousness and wisdom alongside Noah and Job. Within the biblical text, Daniel is distinguished by his ability to interpret dreams and visions, a gift that allowed him to serve in high office while maintaining his faith. His prophecies regarding future kingdoms have long been central to Christian discussions about end-time events.
The name itself reflects a theological conviction rather than mere identity. By bearing the title "God is my judge," Daniel’s life story illustrates a trust that divine justice supersedes earthly power. This theme resonates through his experiences in Babylon, where he faced persecution yet remained steadfast, offering readers a portrait of faithful endurance in a hostile world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Daniel carries the meaning "God is my judge." This simple phrase offers a profound anchor for anyone facing unfair treatment or complex situations where truth seems obscured. In a world that often demands we defend ourselves or seek immediate vindication, this name points to a different posture: trusting that God sees clearly and acts with perfect justice.
Daniel’s life in Babylon illustrates this trust. When faced with a decree that threatened his friends’ lives, he did not panic or scheme. Instead, he responded with wisdom and prayer, asking for mercy from the God of heaven (Daniel 2:18). His confidence was not in his own cleverness but in the sovereignty of God, who reveals secrets and governs history.
For you, this means that your integrity matters more than your reputation. Even when circumstances are hostile or unclear, you can rest in the knowledge that God is your ultimate judge. He values faithfulness over success, and He is able to turn difficult situations into opportunities for His glory.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 25 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Daniel16×
- to/ Daniel5×
- and/ Daniel3×
- <obj.>/ Daniel3×
- in/ Daniel1×
- and/ to/ Daniel1×
- [are] Daniel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דָּנִיֵּ֥אל2×
- דָּֽנִיֵּ֔אל2×
- דָנִיֵּאל֙2×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּֽאל\׃1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֣אל1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֜אל1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֛אל1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֗אל1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֖אל1×
- לְ/דָנִיֵּ֔אל1×
- לְ/דָֽנִיֵּאל֙1×
- וּ/לְ/דָנִיֵּ֖אל1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:18
that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret, that Daniel and his companions would not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
This verse shows Daniel turning to prayer rather than panic when facing a death decree, highlighting reliance on divine mercy.
-
Daniel 2:20
Daniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.
Here Daniel praises God for possessing wisdom and might, acknowledging that true insight comes from the Creator alone.
-
Daniel 5:17
Then Daniel answered before the king, “Let your gifts be to yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation.
Daniel refuses royal gifts to interpret the writing, demonstrating that his loyalty and message belonged to God, not the king.
-
Daniel 7:28
“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts troubled me greatly, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.”
This closing statement reveals Daniel’s internal struggle with heavy visions, showing that even faithful leaders carry deep spiritual burdens.