Daniel is the main character in the Book of Daniel of the Old Testament. Daniel lived at a time when the Babylonians were powerful. Daniel was captured and taken to Babylon. He was very young at the time and was brought up to learn Babylonian ways. However, he never forgot his Jewish roots.

He began to be able to interpret visions and dreams that were seen by the Babylonian kings. As a result he became very influential at court.

In later years, when Darius was king, others in court arranged for Daniel to be thrown into the lion's den because they wanted him killed. This famous story tells of how that never came about because God prevented the lions from harming Daniel.