Book of Daniel — New World Translation Study Guide
Section: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 12 · Written by: Daniel · Approximate date: c. 605–535 BC · Theme: Jehovah's Sovereignty over All Kingdoms
Summary of the Book of Daniel
Daniel blends remarkable narrative accounts and prophetic visions to show that Jehovah is sovereign over all human empires and history. Daniel 2:44 foretells Jehovah's Kingdom that will crush all rival governments and stand forever.
Why the Book of Daniel Matters Today
Daniel is the prophetic skeleton of Jehovah's Witness understanding of history. Daniel 2:44 — 'the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed' — is the foundational scripture for the Kingdom-preaching work. The four kingdoms of chapter 2 and chapter 7, the Gentile Times calculation, and the prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9) are all centrally important. Beyond prophecy, Daniel's personal integrity under Babylonian pressure — including the three Hebrews' 'even if not' faith (Daniel 3:17–18) — gives every Witness facing modern pressure a model of uncompromising loyalty.
Key Verses in Daniel
- Dan 2:44
- Dan 3:17–18
- Dan 6:26
Notable Passages in Daniel
Daniel 2:44
The prophecy that 'the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed' is foundational to JW understanding of Jehovah's Kingdom as the only lasting government.
Daniel 3:17–18
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's declaration 'even if he does not' deliver us exemplifies absolute integrity before Jehovah regardless of consequences — the 'even if not' faith.
Daniel 6:26
Darius' proclamation that Daniel's God 'is the living God and he endures forever' shows how faithful integrity can move even pagan rulers to acknowledge Jehovah's sovereignty.
Study Questions for Daniel
As you read the book of Daniel, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:
- How did Daniel and his three companions (chapters 1–6) demonstrate that it is possible to maintain integrity under intense pressure from a hostile world power?
- What does Daniel 2:44 — Jehovah setting up a kingdom that will never be destroyed — teach about the certainty of Jehovah's Kingdom?
- How did the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (chapter 3) exemplify the 'even if not' faith that Jehovah's Witnesses may need during persecution?
- What does the prophecy of the Gentile Times (Daniel 4) and the great image in Daniel 2 reveal about the succession of world powers and Jehovah's timetable?
- How does Daniel's faithful prayer practice — praying three times daily regardless of the royal decree (chapter 6) — teach the importance of consistent, regular worship?
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel
- Who wrote the book of Daniel?
- Daniel the prophet wrote the book bearing his name, completing it around 536 BCE in Babylon after the fall of the Babylonian Empire to the Medes and Persians.
- When was the book of Daniel written?
- Daniel was written between approximately 618 BCE and 536 BCE during Daniel's life in Babylon, covering events from the early exile through the reign of Cyrus.
- What is the main theme of Daniel?
- Daniel shows that Jehovah is sovereign over all human governments and history. The book contains the foundational prophecy of Jehovah's coming Kingdom (Daniel 2:44) and remarkable accounts of integrity under hostile rule.
How to Study Daniel with JW Study
Track your progress through all 12 chapters of Daniel in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters as you read, save personal notes on key passages, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.
Reading Plans That Include Daniel
The book of Daniel is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.
- NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation, all 66 books, in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
- Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Read all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
- Major Prophets in 90 Days — Read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel in 90 days. (90 days, 183 chapters)
- Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in 90 days with a steady, focused schedule. (90 days, 1189 chapters)
Related Bible Study Topics
Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:
- Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
- Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
- Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
- Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
- The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
- The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
- What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
- What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
- God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
- Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
- The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today
Continue Reading the Hebrew Scriptures
- Previous book: Book of Ezekiel
- Next book: Book of Hosea
- All 66 Bible Books
- All Reading Plans
- JW Study Blog