When did Daniel the prophet die?

Answer 1

The Book of Daniel opens by telling us that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquered Jerusalem in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, or 587 BCE, and ordered his eunuchs to take Jewish children who were without blemish, skilful in wisdom and knowledgeable, to be taught the Chaldean language. Daniel lived on as a high official after the Persian conquest of Babylon, which occurred in 539 BCE, however the story does not tell us of his death.

Most biblical scholars now recognise that the Book of Daniel was a Jewish novel compiled shortly after 167 BCE. There was no historical Daniel and the story of Daniel concludes with him still living, so we can not provide a date for his death.

Answer 2

Daniel the lead character of the Book of Daniel is not mentioned elsewhere in The Bible, and there is no record in history of his existence, even though the story says that he rose to become the second most powerful person in each of the Babylonian and Persian Empires.

The Book of Daniel, written approximately 147 BCE, is of little help. It says that Daniel was a young boy at the time of the Babylonian Exile, but the story concludes with Daniel still very much alive.

Answer 3

According to traditional chronology, Daniel lived from about 435 BCE to about 340 BCE. His gravesite is known to this day, in Susa, Iran.

See also:

The Book of Daniel

The reliability of the Hebrew Bible

Answer 4

There is no absolute reference in the Bible as to when the Prophet Daniel died. Many scholars speculate that he died in the 6th century BC in Babylon.

Answer 5

It is traditionally believed that Daniel the prophet lived during the 6th century BC, and died around that time. There is no specific date recorded for his death in historical records.