Biblical Meaning of the Name Daniel: God Is My Judge
The voice of Jesus from our film series.
Where the name comes from
Daniel is Hebrew (Daniyyel), from dan, "to judge", and El, one of the names of God. It is usually rendered "God is my judge" or "God has judged"; some prefer "judge of God". The Bible does not gloss the name in its own text, but the book named for the prophet is one long argument that God, not the empire, has the last word.
Daniel in the Bible
Daniel is a Jewish exile in the courts of Babylon and Persia. He interprets the king's dream, keeps praying with his window open when the law forbids it, and comes out of the lion's den unharmed. Two others in the Bible carry the same name.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me.
A blessing for Daniel
Daniel, may you know that God sees more than the room you are in. May you keep praying with your window open, and may your innocence be your defence.