The traditional understanding of both Jews and Christians is that the book of Daniel was recorded in the sixth century b.c., and that Daniel was its writer. But just because the book of Daniel is named by the prophet this does not necessarily indicate authorship. However, there are several strong points that support this traditional understanding. Let’s examine the facts:
The Claims of the Book
The prophet Daniel writes in the first person in many places such as the following: chapters 8:1–7, 13–19, 27; 9:2–22; 10:2–5; etc. He records that he personally got the divine command to preserve the book. He wrote, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end (ch. 12:4). Also, there are parts of the book in which the writer refers to himself in the third person. Examples to that are found in chapters 1:6–11, 17, 19, 21; 2:14–20; etc. And this is not uncommon for in ancient literary works such a style is often used (Ezra 7:18).
The Author Acquainted with History
Only a person of the sixth century (b.c.), very knowledgeable in Babylonian matters, could have recorded some of the historical facts written in the book of Daniel. The information about these facts was lost after the sixth century b.c. It was not written in other old literature after that period. Comparatively recent archaeological findings have once more introduced these facts to public.
The Testimony of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ mentioned Daniel as author when He quoted a passage from the book of Daniel in His preaching. He said, “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand)” (Matthew 24:15). Now the testimony of Jesus settles the question for any Christian as to who wrote the book of Daniel?
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
