Daniel 1:21 kjv

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Daniel 1:21 nkjv

Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

Daniel 1:21 niv

And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Daniel 1:21 esv

And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Daniel 1:21 nlt

Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.

Daniel 1 verses

Daniel 1 21 Meaning

This verse succinctly marks the temporal extent of Daniel's service and influence in the courts of Babylon and Persia. It signifies that Daniel, who was brought to Babylon as a young man, not only survived the entire seventy-year period of Babylonian exile but also continued to hold a prominent position even into the foundational year of the Persian Empire under King Cyrus. This highlights Daniel's remarkable longevity, his sustained divine favor, and his pivotal presence during a significant transition in biblical history—the very year when the decree for the return of the exiles would be issued.

Daniel 1 21 Context

Daniel chapter 1 introduces the prophet Daniel and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—as young men of Judah's royal or noble lineage, taken captive to Babylon in the third year of King Jehoiakim's reign. The chapter details their resolve to remain faithful to God amidst the pagan customs of the Babylonian court, particularly regarding dietary laws. Despite their resolve, they demonstrate wisdom and discernment, which is recognized and blessed by God. They surpass all the wise men of Babylon in understanding and knowledge, leading to their appointment to prominent positions in King Nebuchadnezzar's service. Verse 21, at the end of this foundational chapter, serves as an essential chronological bridge, connecting Daniel's initial establishment in the Babylonian court with the critical period of Persian rule. It sets the stage for the wider prophecies and events of the book by signifying Daniel's consistent presence and enduring service, effectively marking the conclusion of the Babylonian era and the dawn of the Persian period as relevant to God's plan for His people. This temporal marker anticipates the subsequent unfolding of historical and prophetic events related to the seventy-year exile and the eventual return to Jerusalem.

Daniel 1 21 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction serves to connect the initial narrative of Daniel's faithfulness and success in the first chapter with the long expanse of his service detailed throughout the rest of the book. It indicates a continuation of divine favor and historical sequence.

• Daniel: The Hebrew name Daniyyel (דָּנִיֵּאל) means "God is my judge." This name holds profound significance as the book repeatedly shows God vindicating Daniel and His people, demonstrating divine judgment against oppressive empires and faithfully guiding His servant. His enduring presence through tumultuous political changes highlights that his authority and survival ultimately rested with God, not human rulers.

• continued: The Hebrew word yehi (יְהִי), a form of haya (היה), primarily means "to be," "to become," or "to exist." In this context, it implies a sustained existence in a specific state or role. It's not merely that he was alive, but that he remained a figure of prominence, a living testament to God's preserving power, despite the passage of regimes. It implies his service, influence, and even his spiritual insight remained active and unbroken.

• even unto: The Hebrew preposition ‘ad (עַד) specifies a temporal boundary, meaning "up to" or "until." This precisely marks the span of Daniel's recorded continuous presence and influence, pointing to the pivotal year of Cyrus. It's a statement about his endurance through a defining historical era.

• the first year: The Hebrew phrase shnat ‘achat (שְׁנַת אַחַת) denotes a specific and highly significant chronological marker. This exact timing points to the very beginning of King Cyrus's reign, the precise moment anticipated in prophecy (Jer 29:10) for the completion of the seventy-year Babylonian captivity and the subsequent decree permitting the return of the exiles to Jerusalem. It emphasizes the precision of God’s divine timing.

• King Cyrus: The Hebrew name Koresh (כּוֹרֶשׁ) refers to Cyrus II the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. He is a monumental figure in biblical history, divinely ordained even by name centuries before his birth (Isa 44:28; 45:1). His first regnal year is the date of his famous edict (Ezra 1:1), which allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple, thereby fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy of the end of the 70-year exile.

• Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus: This entire phrase functions as a significant epochal statement. It compresses nearly seven decades of Daniel's life and service, from his deportation (around 605 BC) to the year the exiles were permitted to return (538 BC). It silently confirms Daniel’s longevity and consistent faithfulness, suggesting he not only lived through the entire seventy-year Babylonian exile (which concluded with the rise of Cyrus) but was present and influential when God moved the heart of Cyrus. This short statement anticipates the fulfillment of prophecy and God’s providential control over history and kings, affirming Daniel's enduring role as a wise and trusted figure in consecutive powerful empires.

Daniel 1 21 Bonus section

• This verse effectively condenses approximately 67 years of Daniel's life and service into a single declarative statement, beginning from his initial capture (c. 605 BC) until the pivotal year of Cyrus (538 BC), which marks the end of the 70-year exile and the start of the Jewish return.
• The brevity of this verse speaks volumes: Daniel, unlike many contemporaries, not only survived but thrived under foreign domination, consistently occupying positions of influence. This signifies God's exceptional preservation and purpose for Daniel's life.
• The presence of Daniel, a devout prophet knowledgeable in prophecies, in the court of Cyrus in his first year, suggests the possibility of Daniel's direct influence in bringing Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years of exile to Cyrus's attention, leading to the decree of return. This highlights God’s use of His servants in significant historical moments.
• The verse sets the stage for the rest of the book's prophetic visions and historical accounts, assuring the reader of Daniel's enduring presence and divine connection through all major events leading up to the promised return. It solidifies Daniel's role not just as an interpreter of dreams but as a participant and witness to the fulfillment of God's redemptive timeline.

Daniel 1 21 Commentary

Daniel 1:21 provides a crucial historical and thematic bridge in the narrative of Daniel. It concisely summarizes Daniel's incredible seventy-year career, enduring successive empires and demonstrating God's unwavering favor upon His faithful servant. Far from being a mere statement of fact, it underscores God's meticulous timing and providential care in preserving Daniel through profound political upheavals and placing him strategically. This ensures his witness and potential influence extended precisely to the moment of prophecy's fulfillment concerning the end of the Babylonian exile and the decree of King Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem. The verse subtly implies Daniel's high standing under successive regimes allowed him to bear witness to, and perhaps even facilitate, the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s seventy-year prophecy, thus highlighting the accuracy of divine foresight and the steadfastness of God's plan for His people.