Daniel 1:1 kjv

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Daniel 1:1 nkjv

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Daniel 1:1 niv

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Daniel 1:1 esv

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Daniel 1:1 nlt

During the third year of King Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 1 Meaning

Daniel 1:1 establishes the critical historical context for the book of Daniel. It precisely dates the beginning of Jerusalem's siege by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. This event marked the initial phase of the Babylonian exile, a period of divine judgment upon Judah for its unfaithfulness, and set the stage for Daniel's experiences and prophecies in a foreign land. The verse emphasizes God's sovereign control over nations and their rulers, even in the midst of Judah's defeat.

Daniel 1 1 Context

Daniel 1:1 serves as the crucial opening verse to the entire book, immediately grounding it in a specific historical event that forever altered the course of Judah's history. This was not a minor skirmish, but the beginning of a sustained Babylonian dominance that culminated in Jerusalem's eventual destruction and the Temple's burning. Historically, Judah had continually drifted into idolatry and disobedience, despite repeated warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. This siege, orchestrated by Nebuchadnezzar, was the Lord's hand of judgment being poured out, fulfilling prophecies (e.g., Isa 39; Jer 25). For the original Jewish audience, this verse invoked the pain of exile, yet for believers, it subtly introduces the theme of God's sovereignty, as even powerful pagan kings serve as instruments in His divine plan. It also sets the stage for the narrative of Daniel and his friends, showing how faithful individuals navigated their faith within a hostile, foreign culture following the national downfall. The "third year" dating initiates a major period in Israel's history – the "times of the Gentiles" – when Jerusalem would be under foreign dominion.

Daniel 1 1 Word analysis

• In the third year: (בִּשְׁנַת - bi-shnat, lit. "in the year of"). This precise chronological marker immediately establishes the historical grounding of the narrative. While there appears to be a discrepancy with Jeremiah's dating (Jer 25:1, which states the fourth year), this is often reconciled by different ancient calendar reckoning methods (e.g., accession year vs. non-accession year calculation common in Babylonia and Judah respectively) or refers to a specific, early wave of Nebuchadnezzar's campaign rather than the main deportations later. It highlights the author's intentional historical anchoring.
• of the reign of Jehoiakim: (יְהוֹיָקִים - Yehoiakim). King Jehoiakim was a puppet king installed by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt (2 Ki 23:34). His reign (609-598 BC) was characterized by wickedness, oppressive policies, and opposition to the prophets of the Lord (2 Ki 23:37; Jer 36). His spiritual corruption and political shortsightedness contributed directly to Judah's demise and divine judgment.
• king of Judah: Designates the territory over which Jehoiakim ruled, the southern kingdom descended from David, where Jerusalem, the capital and site of the Temple, was located. This was the remnant of Israel, now facing God's wrath due to sustained disobedience.
• Nebuchadnezzar: (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר - Nevukhadnetsar). The mighty and rising king of Babylon. His name, possibly meaning "Nabu protect my son" or "Nabu, the protector of the border," signifies his pagan deity. In biblical theology, he is consistently depicted as God's chosen instrument to punish disobedient Judah and to exert dominion over the then-known world, yet always under God's ultimate sovereignty (Jer 25:9).
• king of Babylon: Identifies the formidable geopolitical power rising in Mesopotamia, destined to conquer the fading Assyrian Empire and become the dominant empire of the age. Babylon often symbolizes the peak of human earthly power that opposes God's people.
• came to Jerusalem: This marks the specific military objective of Nebuchadnezzar's campaign. Jerusalem, God's chosen city, becomes the direct target of judgment. This arrival signifies not a friendly visit but an invading force.
• and besieged it: (וַיָּצַר - vay-yatzar, "and he laid siege to it"). This technical military term indicates the surrounding of a city to cut off supplies and communication, with the intent of forcing surrender or taking it by force. It signals a definitive act of war and a clear demonstration of Babylon's military superiority and Judah's vulnerability, as prophesied by Isaiah (Isa 39:6-7) and Jeremiah.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah": This phrase sets a precise chronological anchor, establishing Daniel's narrative as rooted in historical fact. It situates the events within the broader Old Testament historical framework, highlighting Judah's political and spiritual decline under a wicked king and hinting at the reasons for God's impending judgment.
• "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it": This powerful statement introduces the divine instrument of judgment—Nebuchadnezzar and the mighty Babylonian Empire. It concisely describes the decisive act of war against Jerusalem, a fulfillment of prophecies regarding the exile. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over earthly powers, using them to accomplish His will, even when it involves His people's suffering and displacement.

Daniel 1 1 Bonus section

• Theological Implications of Chronology: The seeming discrepancy between Daniel's "third year" and Jeremiah's "fourth year" (Jer 25:1) for Jehoiakim's reign does not diminish the historical accuracy but highlights the use of different reckoning systems common in the ancient world. Daniel likely employs the Babylonian "accession year" system (where the year a king took the throne counted as year zero), while Jeremiah uses the Judean "non-accession year" system. This technical detail shows the meticulous nature of the record and that Daniel's perspective is from Babylon. This initial invasion by Nebuchadnezzar in Jehoiakim's third year led to a preliminary group of deportees, including Daniel and his friends, signifying the very beginning of the exile period even before the full destruction of Jerusalem.
• Polemical Edge: While subtly, the opening immediately contrasts Judah's reliance on their Temple and city for security with the reality of God's judgment using a pagan king. It underscores that Jerusalem's fortifications or political alliances could not prevent God's chosen instrument of discipline. This serves as an implied polemic against any notion that Judah's God was weak or confined to their land; rather, He was sovereign over even the mightiest foreign empires and could use them against His own people when they rebelled.
• Starting Point for Prophetic Eras: This event marks a critical juncture for understanding the "seventy years" of Babylonian exile (Jer 29:10; Zech 1:12) and serves as the historical backdrop for subsequent prophecies in Daniel concerning future Gentile empires and the ultimate coming of God's eternal kingdom.

Daniel 1 1 Commentary

Daniel 1:1 is more than just a historical timestamp; it is theologically significant as it frames the entire book of Daniel. The siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar was not merely a political conflict, but a divinely orchestrated judgment for Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against God, particularly during Jehoiakim's wicked reign. This verse initiates the period of exile and foreign domination known as the "times of the Gentiles," during which Jerusalem is oppressed by foreign powers. The verse highlights that even powerful kings like Nebuchadnezzar act within the boundaries of God's sovereign plan. It foreshadows the themes of God's ultimate control over nations and the faithfulness of His people amidst adversity that are central to Daniel's narrative. It establishes that Daniel's story, of thriving and witnessing to God's power in a pagan court, begins with national humiliation and exile. This provides an important example: even when earthly circumstances appear dire and seemingly contrary to God's promises to His people, God remains enthroned and active, working through unexpected means to accomplish His will.