The book of Daniel describes events from the late seventh century BC into much of the sixth century BC. This was a dark period in Israel’s history. The nation had been under Egyptian domination (2 Kings 23:29–35). Babylon now has displaced Egypt and, to worsen the situation, carried many of the nation’s future leaders into bondage in a distant land (2 Kings 24:1–25:21). The Jews have every reason to question what the coming years hold in store for them. Daniel now comes forth, however,