Open English Translation DAN Introduction

Introduction

This document is about Daniyel (originally spelt as ‘Daniyyel’). He was captured as a young man in Yehudah (Judah) and taken to serve in Bavel (Babylonia). He wrote this at a time when the Jewish people were suffering a lot of mocking and persecution by those who worshipped false gods. Daniyel became one of the highest officials in Bavel and we learn here about his obedience in serving God during the reigns of King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar), Belshatsar (Belshazzar), Dareyavesh (Darius), and Koresh (Cyrus). This document also has some brief but important sections telling about his three friends Hananyah, Meyshak, and Azaryah (perhaps better known as Shadrak, Meyshak, and Aved-Nego).

God’s revelations which Daniyel prophesied are also included here, concerning the strengthening or destruction of other nations starting with Bavel. It’s also prophesied here about what would happen in the ‘end-times’.

One of the themes of this document is about how God determines everything that happens in this world. He’s the one who forms nations, and he’s the one who determines their end. He also looks after his people.

This document about Daniyel was written with around 44% written in Hebrew (1:1–2:4a; 8:1–12:13) and the middle 56% in Aramaic (2:4b–7:28). (Modern Syria is in the former Aram region. Aramaic is most closely related to Hebrew, Syriac, and Phoenician, and was written in a script derived from the Phoenician alphabet.)

This is still an early look into the unpolished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.