NOTES ON DANIEL CHAPTER 1
During the time Daniel Chapter One takes place (6th century B.C.), construction on the Acropolis in Athens begins; Mayan civilization was flourishing in Mexico; Aesop wrote his fables; Confucius and Buddha live; Greek art comes into its own; the Phoenicians make the first known sea journey around Africa.
1:1-- King Jehoiakim of Judah-- Jehoiakim was a Judean king placed on the throne by Pharaoh-Necho of Egypt; his name "Jehovah raises up" mocked his illegitimate ascendancy. Nebuchadnezzar is a Hebrew transliteration of the Babylonian name Nebu-kudduri-utzur, which means "Nebu protects the crown."
1:2-- Judah was exiled to Babylonia because she disobeyed God’s word regarding covenant-keeping, the Sabbath years, and idolatry. The 1st deportation started in 605 B.C. (which included Daniel and his friends), the 2nd in 597 B.C. (which included Ezekiel), and the 3rd in 586, when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple
1:6-- Daniel means “The Lord is my judge.” Hananiah means “The Lord shows grace.” Mishael means “No one else can be God.” Azariah means “The Lord is my helper.”
1:7 Belteshazzar means “Bel, protect my life!” Shadrach means “at the command of Aku.” Aku was the moon-god. Meshach means “No one else can be like Aku.” Abed-nego means “Servant of Nego.” Nego was another Babylonian god.
1:8-- Jews considered food eaten at King Nebuchadnezzar’s table to contaminated because part of had been sacrificed to idols. To eat this food violated Mosaic law.
1:20-- The magicians here are the “magi”-- the same type of Persian soothsayers and magicians that found Jesus also known as the “Wisemen.”
