When was daniel written

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The Book of Daniel was most likely written between 167 and 164 BCE, during the Maccabean revolt, with scholarly consensus pointing to the 2nd century BCE rather than the 6th century BCE as traditionally believed.

Key Facts

The Book of Daniel was written around 167–164 BCE, not the 6th century BCE.
It was composed during the persecution of Jews under Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
Daniel is written in both Hebrew and Aramaic, with chapters 2–7 in Aramaic.
The book includes apocalyptic visions and symbolic dreams interpreted by Daniel.
It was finalized after the Maccabean revolt, around 164 BCE.

Overview

The Book of Daniel is a significant text in both Jewish and Christian traditions, known for its prophetic visions and apocalyptic literature. While traditionally attributed to the prophet Daniel during the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE, modern scholarship overwhelmingly dates its composition to the 2nd century BCE.

Historical and linguistic evidence suggests the book was written during a time of intense persecution under the Seleucid ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes. This context explains its focus on divine deliverance, visions of future kingdoms, and the ultimate triumph of God’s people.

Composition date: Most scholars agree that Daniel was written between 167 and 164 BCE, during the height of the Maccabean revolt against Antiochus IV.
Historical setting: The narrative is set in the 6th century BCE Babylonian and Persian empires, but reflects 2nd-century BCE political tensions under Greek rule.
Linguistic evidence: The use of late Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic supports a later date, as the Aramaic in Daniel resembles forms used in the 2nd century BCE.
Prophecy and history: The book accurately predicts events up to the rise of Antiochus IV, but fails to foresee his downfall, suggesting it was written during his reign.
Canonical status: Daniel is part of the Ketuvim (Writings) in the Hebrew Bible but is considered a prophetic book in Christian Bibles.

How It Works

The Book of Daniel functions as both narrative and prophecy, blending historical storytelling with symbolic visions. Its structure alternates between court tales and apocalyptic dreams, each revealing divine sovereignty over human empires.

Prophecy fulfillment:Chapter 11 details a remarkably accurate sequence of conflicts between the Ptolemies and Seleucids, culminating in Antiochus IV’s desecration of the Temple in 167 BCE.
Symbolic imagery: The four beasts in Daniel 7 represent four successive empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Seleucid Syria—with the fourth matching Antiochus’ oppressive reign.
Use of Aramaic: The shift to Aramaic in chapters 2–7 reflects a literary device, possibly indicating a broader, international audience or a later editorial layer.
Angelology: Daniel introduces named angels like Michael, marking a development in Jewish theology during the Second Temple period.
Eschatology: The book emphasizes a final resurrection (Daniel 12:2), a concept that became central in later Jewish and Christian thought.
Historical inaccuracies: Errors in Babylonian and Persian history (e.g., confusing Darius the Mede with historical figures) suggest the author relied on tradition rather than firsthand knowledge.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how Daniel compares to other prophetic and apocalyptic texts in terms of date, language, and themes:

Book	Estimated Date	Language	Key Themes	Historical Context
Isaiah	8th–6th century BCE	Hebrew	Divine judgment, restoration	Assyrian and Babylonian threats
Jeremiah	7th–6th century BCE	Hebrew	Exile, repentance	Fall of Jerusalem
Ezekiel	6th century BCE	Hebrew	Temple visions, divine glory	Babylonian exile
Daniel	167–164 BCE	Hebrew and Aramaic	Apocalyptic visions, resurrection	Persecution under Antiochus IV
Book of Enoch	3rd–1st century BCE	Aramaic, Ethiopic	Angelic rebellion, judgment	Second Temple Judaism

Unlike earlier prophets, Daniel does not call for repentance but offers hope through divine revelation. Its focus on end-time events and resurrection reflects evolving Jewish theology in the Hellenistic period, distinguishing it from classical prophecy.

Why It Matters

Understanding when Daniel was written reshapes how we interpret its message and purpose. Far from being a 6th-century prediction, it is a 2nd-century response to crisis, offering hope through symbolic visions.

Influence on Christianity: Jesus references Daniel’s ‘abomination of desolation’ (Matthew 24:15), showing its importance in early Christian eschatology.
Jewish resistance: The story of Daniel in the lions’ den and the three youths in the furnace became symbols of faithfulness during persecution.
Apocalyptic genre: Daniel is foundational for later apocalyptic literature, including the Book of Revelation and 1 Enoch.
Resurrection belief:Daniel 12:2 is one of the earliest biblical affirmations of bodily resurrection, shaping later Jewish and Christian theology.
Historical insight: The book provides indirect evidence of the cultural and religious struggles during the Hellenistic period.
Modern interpretation: Many Christian dispensationalist movements base end-time timelines on Daniel’s prophecies, despite scholarly dating.

The Book of Daniel remains a powerful text, not because it predicts the distant future, but because it speaks to enduring faith in times of oppression. Its 2nd-century BCE origins highlight its role as a theological response to real historical trauma.