Daniel 1:21 (KJV)

What does Daniel 1:21 mean?

Daniel 1:21 states that Daniel remained in his position and continued serving until the first year of King Cyrus. This verse marks the length of Daniel’s influence and presence at the royal court, showing that he outlasted the Babylonian empire and was still there when the Persians took over.

The book of Daniel is written in the third person here, summarizing Daniel’s long service from the time he was taken captive as a youth under Nebuchadnezzar to the beginning of King Cyrus’s reign. This note highlights Daniel’s faithfulness and the continuity of his role through major changes in world powers, setting up the rest of the book’s historical context.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 1:21

• דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniel; Danîy’ēl): This is Daniel’s Hebrew name, meaning “God is my judge.” The use of his Hebrew name, rather than his Babylonian name, emphasizes his Jewish identity throughout his long service.
• כֹּרֶשׁ (Cyrus; Kōresh): This is the Hebrew form of the name of the Persian king who conquered Babylon. Mentioning Cyrus by name anchors the story in a real historical transition and shows that Daniel’s influence extended into a new empire.

Why Daniel 1:21 matters

• Daniel 1:21 clarifies that Daniel’s service was not short-lived; he remained a significant figure through the entire Babylonian period and into the Persian era, which would have been remarkable for someone taken captive as a youth.
• This verse connects the opening of the book to later chapters, where Daniel interacts with Persian rulers, showing that the stories to come are set in both Babylonian and Persian times.
• By mentioning King Cyrus, Daniel 1:21 quietly points forward to the fulfillment of prophecies about the return of the Jewish people from exile, since Cyrus is known for allowing the Jews to return to their land.