Understanding Δανιήλ (Daniḗl) Strong’s G1158: The Prophetic Bridge Between Old and New Testament Apocalyptic Vision

Pronunciation Guide: dah-nee-ALE (with emphasis on the final syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1158: Δανιήλ (Daniḗl) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniel), meaning “God is my judge” or “God has judged.” In the New Testament, this name specifically refers to the Old Testament prophet Daniel, whose apocalyptic visions and prophetic writings became foundational for New Testament eschatology. The name carries with it the authority of divine revelation and the faithfulness of God to His covenant people during exile.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Proper noun (masculine)
• Origin: Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Dānīyēʾl) transliterated into Greek
• Root components: דן (dān, “judge”) + אל (el, “God”)
• Primary usage: Prophetic and apocalyptic literature
• Indeclinable in Greek (remains the same form regardless of case)

Δανιήλ Morphology:

• Δανιήλ (nominative) – Daniel (as subject)
• Δανιήλ (genitive) – of Daniel
• Δανιήλ (dative) – to/for Daniel
• Δανιήλ (accusative) – Daniel (as object)

Origin & History

The name Δανιήλ originates from the Hebrew דָּנִיֵּאל (Dānīyēʾl), a theophoric name combining דן (dān, “to judge”) with אל (el, “God”), conveying the meaning “God is my judge” or “God has judged.” In the Tanakh, Daniel was a Jewish nobleman carried into Babylonian captivity who rose to prominence through his prophetic gifts and unwavering faithfulness to יהוה (Yahweh) despite persecution.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures completed around the 2nd century BCE, the name appears as Δανιήλ throughout the Book of Daniel and in Ezekiel’s references to this righteous figure (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3). The Greek form preserves the pronunciation of the Hebrew while adapting it to Greek phonology. The early Church Fathers, including Irenaeus in “Against Heresies” and Hippolytus in his commentary on Daniel, frequently cited Δανιήλ as an authoritative prophetic voice whose visions illuminated the Messiah’s coming and the end times.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Prophet of יהוה (Yahweh) during the Babylonian exile who received apocalyptic visions concerning future kingdoms and the coming Messiah
• A canonical book of Scripture containing prophecies and apocalyptic literature
• A paradigmatic example of faithfulness to God amidst persecution and exile
• A prophetic authority cited by Yeshua (Jesus) regarding end-time events

Δανιήλ Translation Options:

• Daniel – The standard transliteration adopted by most English translations
• The Prophet Daniel – When emphasizing his prophetic office
• Daniel the Seer – Highlighting his visionary capacity
• Book of Daniel – When referring to the canonical text
• The Apocalyptic Prophet – When emphasizing his eschatological significance

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, Δανιήλ appears explicitly only once in Matthew 24:15, where Yeshua (Jesus) directly cites Daniel’s prophecy concerning the “abomination of desolation.” This singular reference carries immense theological weight, as the Messiah Himself affirms the prophetic authenticity and eschatological significance of Daniel’s visions. It creates a direct connection between Old Testament apocalyptic literature and New Testament eschatology.

The influence of Daniel’s prophecies extends far beyond this single citation, however. The apocalyptic imagery and language found throughout Revelation draws heavily from Daniel’s visions. The “Son of Man coming on the clouds” (Daniel 7:13-14), the imagery of beasts representing kingdoms (Daniel 7), and concepts of prophetic time periods all find their echo in New Testament eschatology.

• “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Δανιήλ the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).” Matthew 24:15
• “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus…” Acts 3:12-13 (While not naming Daniel explicitly, this passage reflects Daniel’s influence on apocalyptic expectation)
• “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!” Daniel 7:13 (LXX version using Δανιήλ as the prophetic voice)

Cultural Insights

In Second Temple Judaism (the period between the rebuilding of the Temple and its destruction by the Romans in 70 CE), the Book of Daniel gained extraordinary prominence, becoming a cornerstone of messianic expectation and apocalyptic hope. The Essene community at Qumran treasured Daniel’s writings, producing more copies of this book than most other prophetic texts. Archaeological findings from the Dead Sea Scrolls include eight manuscripts of Daniel, demonstrating the text’s importance to Jewish sects awaiting messianic deliverance during the time of Roman occupation.

Daniel’s position as a Jewish exile maintaining faithfulness in a foreign court resonated deeply with Jews living under foreign domination. His refusal to defile himself with the king’s food (Daniel 1) became a paradigm for Jewish dietary observance (kashrut) in diaspora settings. Similarly, his regular prayer toward Jerusalem despite the threat of the lions’ den (Daniel 6) established a pattern for Jewish prayer orientation (facing Jerusalem) that continues to this day. When Yeshua referenced Δανιήλ in His Olivet Discourse, He was drawing upon a prophet whose example and visions had profoundly shaped Jewish identity and hope during centuries of foreign rule.

Theological Significance

Yeshua’s citation of Δανιήλ creates a powerful theological bridge between Old Testament prophecy and New Testament fulfillment. By invoking Daniel’s name and authority, the Messiah affirms the divine inspiration of Daniel’s visions and their continued relevance for understanding יהוה (Yahweh)’s eschatological purposes. This endorsement elevates Daniel’s prophecies from historical Jewish apocalyptic literature to divinely authorized revelation that continues to unfold in the Messianic era.

The theological implications are profound. Daniel’s visions of successive kingdoms leading to an eternal divine kingdom (Daniel 2 and 7) provide the framework for understanding Yeshua’s proclamation that “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). The “Son of Man” title that Yeshua frequently applied to Himself draws directly from Daniel 7:13-14, where this figure receives “dominion, glory, and a kingdom” from the Ancient of Days. By connecting Himself to Daniel’s prophecies, Yeshua reveals that His first coming initiates the fulfillment of these ancient visions, while His second coming will bring them to completion.

Furthermore, Daniel’s faithfulness despite exile and persecution foreshadows the faithfulness expected of believers in Messiah who live as “exiles and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11) in a world often hostile to God’s kingdom. The God who preserved Daniel in the lions’ den is the same God who promises to preserve His people through tribulation until the final establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Personal Application

The invocation of Δανιήλ by our Messiah reminds us that we serve a God who speaks with consistency throughout history. When we face uncertainty or persecution, we can draw strength from knowing that יהוה (Yahweh) revealed His plans to Daniel centuries ago and continues to fulfill His word in our time. Just as Daniel maintained unwavering faithfulness in Babylon—praying openly despite threats, refusing to compromise his convictions, and seeking God’s wisdom rather than worldly approval—we too are called to stand firm in an increasingly secular culture.

Consider implementing a “Daniel practice” in your daily life: set aside regular times for prayer and Scripture study, regardless of external pressures; maintain biblical convictions even when they conflict with cultural norms; and cultivate the spiritual discernment to interpret current events through the lens of God’s redemptive purposes rather than temporary political frameworks. Remember that Daniel’s prophecies were given “to make the wise understand” (Daniel 11:33)—seek this wisdom through prayer and study, trusting that the same God who revealed His plans to Daniel will guide you through the complexities of modern life.

Related Words

• Προφήτης (Prophḗtēs, pro-FAY-tace) – Prophet, one who speaks forth God’s message. Daniel is explicitly identified as a προφήτης by Yeshua in Matthew 24:15, emphasizing his divine authority as a spokesperson for יהוה (Yahweh). See G4396
• Ἀποκάλυψις (Apokálypsis, ah-po-KAL-oop-sis) – Revelation, unveiling. Daniel’s visions represent apocalyptic literature that unveils future events and heavenly realities, similar to John’s Revelation. See G602
• Ὅρασις (Hórasis, HOR-ah-sis) – Vision, something seen in prophetic sight. Daniel repeatedly received ὁράσεις that revealed God’s sovereign plan for history. See G3706
• Βδέλυγμα (Bdélygma, bdeh-LOOG-mah) – Abomination, detestable thing. In Matthew 24:15, Yeshua references “the abomination of desolation” (τὸ βδέλυγμα τῆς ἐρημώσεως) prophesied by Daniel. See G946
• Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (Huiòs toû anthrṓpou, hwee-OS too anth-ROH-poo) – Son of Man, a messianic title from Daniel 7:13 that Yeshua frequently applied to Himself. See G5207 + G444

Did you Know?

• Did you know that Daniel is one of only two major prophets explicitly named by Yeshua in the Gospels? The Messiah’s direct citation of Daniel by name in Matthew 24:15 places him in the unique position of having his prophetic authority personally affirmed by the Son of God. This explicit endorsement elevates Daniel’s eschatological visions as essential for understanding the signs of the end times.
• Did you know that archaeological discoveries have confirmed many historical details in the Book of Daniel? Though critics once questioned the existence of King Belshazzar mentioned in Daniel 5, Babylonian inscriptions discovered in the 19th century confirmed he served as co-regent with his father Nabonidus. Similarly, Daniel’s description of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness (Daniel 4) aligns with a historical period when the king’s name disappears from Babylonian records for several years—a fascinating correlation that supports the biblical account.
• Did you know that Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) provided the precise timeframe for the Messiah’s first coming? When calculated from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, this prophecy pointed to the exact time when Yeshua would present Himself as Israel’s King—what we now commemorate as Palm Sunday. This mathematical precision demonstrates how Daniel’s prophetic chronology bridges the testaments and reveals God’s meticulous timing in fulfilling His redemptive plan through Yeshua the Messiah.

Remember This

Δανιήλ stands as the divine bridge between Old and New Testament apocalyptic vision, endorsed by the Messiah Himself as the prophetic key for discerning God’s sovereign plan throughout history and into eternity.