When viewing these first six chapters of Daniel as a foreshadowing, it is important to relate meanings to the places and people to the story being told. In this case, the primary setting is Babylon. It's where the Israelites were taken as captives after being cast out of their homeland. Babylon is representative of our being after the fall. Israel is descriptive of us before the fall and Judah is of heaven. The main characters are Nebuchadnezzar --I liken him to our lost soul; Daniel --the Holy Spirit; Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah describe Jesus' purpose; Belshazzar --the deeds of our flesh; and Darius --our regenerated soul.
As you read through this story about Daniel, you might want to refer to this list of meanings to help understand the story.
| Name | Meaning | Representation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel (Belteshazzar) | Directing a straight path; Judge of God | The Holy Spirit | |
| Jehoiakim, King of Judah | One that God raised up | Human spirit; Our connection to heaven | |
| Egypt | Sinful desires | ||
| Babylon | Our entire being | ||
| Nebuchadnezzar | Fallen human soul | ||
| Ashpenaz and Chief official | Human will | ||
| Arioch and Court guards | Human emotions | ||
| Hananiah (Shadrach) | He camped with us | Jesus living here with us | |
| Mishael (Meshach) | Who and What is God? | Explanation of the Father | |
| Azariah (Abednego) | Helper or protector from God | The Counselor | |
| Ten days of testing | Ten Commandments | ||
| King Cyrus | When Jesus reigns in us | ||
| Magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers | Worldly ideals and beliefs | ||
| Satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and other officials | Methods putting those ideals and beliefs into practice | ||
| Rock cut without human hands | Jesus | ||
| Image of gold | Things we make important | ||
| Musical instruments | What we use to show something is important | ||
| Belshazzar | Our corrupt nature with worldly desires | ||
| Temple goblets | Things used in offering worship to God | ||
| Writing on the wall | God Himself writing the Law of Sin and Death | ||
| Dreams and visions | Hearing the gospel |
