Bible Characters
Daniel: The Dream Interpreter Who Survived the Lions' Den (+Quiz)
Babylon, dreams, writing on a wall, and a den full of lions.
Daniel was a young Jew exiled to Babylon who became an adviser to kings - without abandoning his faith for a moment. The Book of Daniel is full of dreams, miracles, and visions of the end of days, and he is one of the most intriguing figures in Bible quizzes.
▶ Play now: the Daniel quiz — 50 questions per level
The Exile and the Refusal
Daniel and his three companions were brought to the court of Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. They refused to defile themselves with the king's food and asked for vegetables and water - yet they appeared healthier and better than all the rest. Daniel was granted wisdom and understanding in every dream and vision.
The Dream of the Statue
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and forgot it, and demanded that the wise men reveal both the dream and its meaning. Daniel, through prayer, revealed the dream of the statue - a head of gold, a chest of silver, and legs of iron and clay - a symbol of a succession of kingdoms that would fall before the kingdom of God.
The Fiery Furnace
Daniel's three companions - Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah - refused to bow to the golden statue and were thrown into the fiery furnace. They emerged unharmed, and a "fourth man" was seen walking with them in the fire - a miracle that sanctified God's name in the eyes of the king.
The Writing on the Wall
At Belshazzar's feast, when they used the vessels of the Temple, a hand appeared writing on the wall: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Daniel interpreted it - the kingdom of Babylon had been numbered and finished, and that very night it fell to the Medes and the Persians.
The Lions' Den
The famous story: the officials of King Darius envied Daniel and brought about a law forbidding prayer to any god other than the king. Daniel continued to pray to God three times a day, was thrown into the lions' den - and was saved: an angel of the Lord shut the lions' mouths.
The Visions of the End
In the final part of the book, Daniel describes visions of the end of days - beasts, kingdoms, and a "son of man." The book is considered one of the foundations of the biblical vision of redemption, and Daniel's figure a symbol of faithfulness in the heart of exile.
Play the Daniel quiz
Bible Quiz now has a dedicated Daniel quiz — real questions from the bank across five difficulty levels, 50 questions per level, from the easy questions up to the "Super-Rabbi" level with exact verses and numbers. You can also reach it from the character area or the game screen, via the "by hero" button.
FAQ
Why was Daniel thrown into the lions' den?
Because he continued to pray to God three times a day, in defiance of the law decreed by King Darius.
What was the writing on the wall?
"Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" - which Daniel interpreted as the end of Belshazzar's kingdom.
What did Daniel refuse to eat in Babylon?
The king's food - he asked for vegetables and water so as not to defile himself.
Who was saved from the fiery furnace?
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah - Daniel's three companions - who refused to bow to the statue.