DANIEL, whose name signifies THE JUDGMENT OF GOD, was of the royal blood
of the kings of Juda: and one of those that were first of all carried
away into captivity. He was so renowned for wisdom and knowledge, that
it became a proverb among the Babylonians, AS WISE AS DANIEL (Ezech.
28.3). And his holiness was so great from his very childhood, that at
the time when he was as yet but a young man, he is joined by the SPIRIT
of GOD with NOE and JOB, as three persons most eminent for virtue and
sanctity, Ezech. 14. He is not commonly numbered by the Hebrews among
THE PROPHETS: because he lived at court, and in high station in the
world: but if we consider his many clear predictions of things to come,
we shall find that no one better deserves the name and title of A
PROPHET: which also has been given him by the SON of GOD himself, Matt.
24, Mark 13., Luke 21.