Daniēl (pronounced da-nee-EL, Δανιήλ) is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), found under Strong’s Concordance number G1158. The name Daniēl is composed of two parts: דָּן (Dan), meaning “judge,” and אֵל (El), meaning “God.” Thus, the name Daniēl can be understood to mean “God is my judge” or “Judge of God.” The name is most famously associated with the prophet Daniel, a major figure in the Old Testament known for his unwavering faith in God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions.

Daniēl primarily refers to the prophet Daniel, a key figure in the Hebrew Bible who lived during the Babylonian exile. The Book of Daniel, which bears his name, recounts his experiences in the court of Babylonian kings, his interpretations of dreams, and his visions concerning future events. Daniel is celebrated for his righteousness, wisdom, and prophetic insights. The name Daniēl thus carries connotations of divine judgment, righteousness, and spiritual insight.

Scripture References

1. Daniel 1:6 (LXX): “Among these were Daniel (Δανιήλ, Daniēl), Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.” This verse introduces Daniel as one of the young men taken to Babylon and trained in the king’s court.
2. Matthew 24:15: “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Δανιήλ, Daniēl), standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).” Jesus refers to the prophecy of Daniel, emphasizing its importance in eschatological teachings.
3. Ezekiel 14:14 (LXX): “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel (Δανιήλ, Daniēl), and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.” Daniel is mentioned alongside Noah and Job as examples of righteous men.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

In BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Daniēl is recognized as the Greek form of the Hebrew name Daniel. The lexicon emphasizes the significance of Daniel as a prophet in Jewish and Christian traditions, noting that his name is associated with divine judgment and wisdom. BDAG also highlights the role of Daniel in the New Testament, where Jesus references him in the context of prophetic teachings about the end times.

Thayer’s Lexicon defines Daniēl as “God is my judge” and focuses on the person of Daniel, the prophet. Thayer’s emphasizes Daniel’s importance in both the Hebrew Bible and Christian eschatology. The lexicon points out that Daniel’s name and story are integral to understanding Jewish expectations of the Messiah and the end times, as well as Christian interpretations of prophecy.

The LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) lexicon acknowledges Daniēl as a Hebrew name transliterated into Greek, emphasizing its use in the Septuagint and other Greek translations of Hebrew scriptures. The lexicon notes that Daniēl was a well-known figure in Jewish history, whose legacy continued to influence early Christian thought and literature.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists Daniēl as “Daniel,” highlighting its meaning as “God is my judge.” The concordance underscores Daniel’s role as a prophet and his significance in both the Old and New Testaments. It also notes that the name Daniēl appears frequently in prophetic and apocalyptic contexts, reflecting the enduring impact of Daniel’s visions and prophecies.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

Daniēl as a name appears predominantly in biblical and related religious texts rather than in classical Greek literature. However, the influence of Daniel’s story is evident in early Christian writings and Jewish apocryphal literature.

1. The Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, consistently uses Daniēl to refer to the prophet Daniel. The LXX preserves the narratives and prophecies of Daniel, ensuring that his story was accessible to Greek-speaking Jewish and early Christian communities.
2. Flavius Josephus, in his work “Antiquities of the Jews,” refers to Daniēl as a wise and righteous man who served in the courts of Babylonian kings and was known for his ability to interpret dreams and visions.
3. The Book of 1 Enoch, a Jewish apocryphal text, mentions Daniel in the context of righteous individuals who are upheld as models of faithfulness and wisdom in the face of adversity.

Summary

Daniēl (pronounced da-nee-EL, Δανιήλ) is the Greek form of the Hebrew name דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniyyel), meaning “God is my judge.” The name is closely associated with the prophet Daniel, a key figure in the Old Testament known for his unwavering faith and prophetic insights during the Babylonian exile. In the Bible, Daniel’s story is celebrated for its themes of divine judgment, righteousness, and wisdom, making his name emblematic of these virtues. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, and LSJ emphasize the significance of Daniel in both Jewish and Christian traditions, noting his role in prophetic literature and eschatological teachings. Although Daniēl does not appear in classical Greek literature, his influence is evident in biblical translations and early Christian writings, where his legacy as a prophet and righteous man continues to inspire.