Introduction to Daniel

B.Daniel’s prayer and vision of the seventy weeks (9:1-27)

C.Daniel and his final visions (10:1-12:13)

Under Ashurbanipal, Assyrians capture and destroy Babylon. 649

Birth of Jeremiah 640?

Jeremiah’s call to be a prophet; warns of invasion from the north 626

Birth of Ezekiel 623

Birth of Daniel 620

Under Nabopolassar (626-605) Asshur and Nineveh fall, marking the end of the Assyrian Empire. 612

Babylonians and Medes take Harran from what remained of Assyrian forces. 610

Jeremiah’s temple sermon 609

Josiah killed by the Egyptians at Megiddo 609

Babylonians defeat Pharaoh Neco of Egypt at Carchemish. The Babylonians hold the balance of power in the region. 605

The Babylonians besiege Jerusalem; some of the royal family and nobles, including Daniel, are taken to Babylon. 605

Daniel and his Hebrew companions are trained to serve Nebuchadnezzar. 604-603

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the colossal statue and Daniel’s interpretation 602

Jerusalem falls to the third Babylonian siege and the temple is destroyed. 586

Nebuchadnezzar’s seven years of insanity 573-566

Evil-merodach, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, succeeds him as king of Babylon. 562

Daniel interprets the handwriting on the wall for Belshazzar. Cyrus captures Babylon without resistance. 539

Gabriel visits Daniel with the message of 70 weeks. 539

Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jews to return to Judah. 538

Daniel, now 84 years old, is thrown into the lions’ den. 536

Daniel receives vision of future events 535