Daniel is partly a collection of court tales (faithfulness under foreign kings) and partly apocalyptic visions. It recounts Daniel’s integrity in Babylon and includes symbolic dreams about God’s sovereign plan, providing hope that God will establish a lasting kingdom.

Author: Traditionally Daniel himself (in the 6th century BCE). Modern scholarship often dates its final composition to the 2nd century BCE.

Date Written: Genre suggests 2nd century BCE (c.165 BCE, during the Maccabean revolt).

Context: Though set in exile (6th c BCE), Daniel’s cryptic visions respond to 2nd century Jewish persecution (Antiochus IV Epiphanes). It encourages persecuted Jews with apocalyptic imagery, influencing later messianic thought.