TIMELINE research

609 BC - King Jehoikim as 18th King of Judah (reigned 609 to 598 BC as king of Judah)

606/605 BC - this is 3rd year of King Jehoikim and when he was taken captive to Babylon  (Daniel 1)

____________________

605 BC - King Nebuchadnezzar reigned as king of Babylon 605 BC to 562 BC (Daniel 2)

604 BC -  2nd year of King Nebuchadnezzar reign (Daniel 2)

562 BC - end of King Nebuchadnezzar reign as king of Babylon (Daniel 2)

Review this before you go any further.

As we look at the time line, it’s important to note that Daniel began his time in Babylon serving in Nebuchadnezzar’s court but ends up serving under Darius the Mede. The Medo-Persians took over Babylon in 539 BC, which is only explicitly mentioned in Daniel 5:30-31. Here is a simple key of the kings in Daniel:

1. Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon (605–562 BC)

2. Belshazzar – Grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, Co-Regent of Babylon with his father Nabonidus (553-539 BC)

3. Darius – Governor of Babylon under Cyrus (~539 – 530 BC)

4. Cyrus – King of Persia (559 – 530 BC)

Now that we recognize the times of these kings we can put together a chronology of the book. Here’s a simple outline that will help you organize the book chronologically. The dates are approximate as most historians and scholars differ over the exact dates of the respective reigns of the kings.

Now, if we take the outline above and organize it chronologically, the chapters of the book of Daniel unfold in the following way:

1. Chapter 1 – Refuses King’s Delicacies, 605 BC under Nebuchadnezzar

2. Chapter 2 – Great Golden Image, 603 BC

3. Chapter 3 – Golden Stature/Fiery Furnace, 587 BC under Nebuchadnezzar

4. Chapter 4 – Nebuchadnezzar’s Judgment, 571 – 562 BC

5. Chapter 7 – Four Beasts, Little Horn, Ancient of Days, 553 BC

6. Chapter 8 – Ram and the Goat, 551 BC

7. Chapter 5 – Writing on the Wall, 539 BC

8. Chapter 9 – Seventy Weeks, 539 BC

9. Chapter 6 – Lion’s Den, 538~534 BC under Darius

10. Chapter 10 – 12 – King of the North and King of the South to 1335 days, ~534 BC

In my owns studies I found that as I organized the book chronologically it became easier for me to understand the story line. Hopefully this will serve as a helpful tool for you as you study the Book of Daniel.