דָּנִיֵּאל
Daniel / Daniel
“God is my judge”
Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל, Daniel) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “god is my judge,” pronounced “da-ni-EL.” From the Hebrew elements דִּין (din, 'judgment') and אֵל (El, 'God'). The name appears as early as Ezekiel 14:14 alongside Noah and Job as paragons of righteousness.
| Hebrew | דָּנִיֵּאל |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Daniel |
| English Name | Daniel |
| Meaning | God is my judge |
| Pronunciation | da-ni-EL |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Daniyyel, Danyel, Daniele, Daniil, Dániel |
| Key Scripture | Daniel 6:22 |
Daniel's name is a declaration of ultimate allegiance: 'God is my judge' — not Nebuchadnezzar, not Babylon, not the empire. Taken captive as a teenager and thrust into the most powerful pagan court on earth, Daniel maintained his faith so uncompromisingly that even his enemies could find no fault in him except 'concerning the law of his God' (Daniel 6:5). His name became a prophecy of his life — a man who answered only to divine judgment while interpreting divine mysteries for bewildered kings.
Key Scripture: Daniel 6:22
“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.”
What Does Daniel Mean in Hebrew?
From the root ד-י-ן (dalet-yod-nun) meaning 'to judge' combined with אֵל (El, 'God'). The compound דָּנִיֵּאל means 'God is my judge' or 'God has judged.' The 'my' is implied by the personal possessive construction.
Daniel in the Bible
Daniel was taken to Babylon as a young exile, trained in the king's court, and rose to become one of the highest officials in both the Babylonian and Persian empires. He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, read the writing on the wall at Belshazzar's feast, survived the lion's den, and received apocalyptic visions about the end of days.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The Book of Daniel is unique in the Hebrew Bible for being written in both Hebrew and Aramaic, reflecting Daniel's life in two worlds. In Jewish tradition, Daniel is classified among the Writings (Ketuvim) rather than the Prophets, though Christianity places it among the major prophets.
Daniel has been one of the most popular boys' names worldwide for decades, consistently ranking in the top 15 in the US, UK, and many European countries. In Israel, Daniel is among the top 10 most common boys' names.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel
What does Daniel mean in Hebrew?
Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל, Daniel) means “God is my judge” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew elements דִּין (din, 'judgment') and אֵל (El, 'God'). The name appears as early as Ezekiel 14:14 alongside Noah and Job as paragons of righteousness.
How do you pronounce Daniel in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Daniel is “da-ni-EL.” The name is written דָּנִיֵּאל in Hebrew script.
What does Daniel mean in Hebrew?
Daniel (דָּנִיֵּאל) means 'God is my judge' in Hebrew, combining the root ד-י-ן (din, 'judgment/justice') with אֵל (El, 'God'). It's a theophoric name — one that incorporates the name of God — declaring that only God has ultimate authority to judge. This meaning defined Daniel's life of uncompromising integrity.
What happened to Daniel in the lion's den?
When Daniel's political rivals manipulated King Darius into banning prayer to anyone but the king, Daniel continued praying to God three times daily. He was thrown into a den of lions as punishment, but God sent an angel who shut the lions' mouths (Daniel 6:22). Daniel emerged unharmed, and his accusers were thrown in instead.
Why is Daniel important in biblical prophecy?
Daniel received some of the most detailed prophetic visions in Scripture, including the prophecy of four world empires (Daniel 2, 7), the seventy weeks pointing to the Messiah (Daniel 9:24-27), and visions of the end times (Daniel 10-12). His prophecies are foundational to both Jewish and Christian eschatology.
Sources & Further Study
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