E z e k i e l.(*):.means the Creator will strengthen. Written B.C.E. 574. He was the son of Buzi the priest.(Ezekiel 1:3).and became one of the priests. He was one of the Judean.exiles who settled at Tel-Abib, on the banks of the Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans.

Ezekiel was the only prophet.strictly at Babylon. For Daniel was rather a seer, unveiling the future in the pagan court where he was high in position, but not discharging the prophetical office as Ezekiel among the covenant people; therefore his book was not classed with the prophets but with the hagiographa.

The Infinite One wanted Ezekiel to know that He was serious about the message He was going to give him, as described in the book of Ezekiel, so he came with an amazing 'entry', as described in the first chapter. Then when Ezekiel heard the Creator speak to him.(beginning with the last verse in chapter 1), he knew that this was very serious and important and he better listen carefully.

Ezekiel was probably carried away captive with Jehoiachin about B.C.E. 597. His prophetic call came to him 'in the fifth year of Jehoiachin's captivity'.(B.C.E. 594). He had a house in the place of his exile, where he lost his wife in the ninth year of his exile.

He held a prominent place among the exiles and was frequently consulted by the elders. His ministry extended over twenty three years, B.C.E. 595-573, during part of which he was contemporary with Daniel and Jeremiah and probably also with Obadiah. 

The time and manner of his death are unknown. His reputed tomb is pointed out in the neighbourhood of Bagdad, at a place called Keffil.

Much of Christ will be found in this book, especially in the conclusion. Ezekiel's vision of the Creator and of the angelic host is in Ezekiel chapters 1-14.

The conduct of Divine Providence is in Ezekiel chapters 15-25. 

A revelation of the Son of man upon his heavenly throne is in Ezekiel chapters 26-28. 

The closing visions of this book are referred to in the book of Revelation:.Ezekiel chapter 38 = Revelation 20:8; Ezekiel 47:1-8 = Revelation 22:1,2.

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D a n i e l.(*): means God is my judge or judge being of God. Written B.C.E. 534. Daniel was probably born in Jerusalem about B.C.E. 623, during the reign of Josiah. Daniel was of noble birth, if not one of the royal family of Judah.

The book of Daniel is partly historical, relating various circumstances which befell himself and others of his family at Babylon; but is chiefly prophetical, detailing visions and prophecies which foretell numerous important events relative to the four great empires of the world, the coming and death of the Messiah, the restoration of those of the tribe of Judah and the conversion of the Gentiles.

The book is basically about the prophecies about Christ taking over from worldly kings, once and for all:.Daniel 2:44; 7:9,14; 7:18-22.

Daniel and three other noble youths were carried off to Babylon, along with part of the vessels of the temple in the fourth year of Jehoiachin, B.C.E. 606.

There he was obliged to enter into the service of the king of Babylon and in accordance with the custom of the age received the Chaldean name of Belteshazzar, i.e., 'prince of Bel' or 'Bel protect the king!' His residence in Babylon was very probably in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar, now identified with a mass of shapeless mounds called the Kasr on the right bank of the river.

His training in the schools of the wise men in Babylon.(Daniel 1:4).was to fit him for service to the empire. He was distinguished during this period for his piety and his strict observance of the Mosaic Law and gained the confidence and esteem of those who were over him. His habit of attention gained during his education in Jerusalem enabled him soon to master the wisdom and learning of the Chaldeans and even to excel his peers or companions.

Daniel held high offices.(Daniel 2:46-49), both under the Babylonian and Persian empires. There were those who were jealous of him and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego.(Daniel 2:49).who were thrown into in the fiery furnace:.Daniel 3rd chapter.

At the close of his three years of discipline and training in the royal schools, Daniel was distinguished for his proficiency in the wisdom of his day and was brought out into public life. He soon became known for his skill in the interpretation of dreams and rose to the rank of governor of the province of Babylon and became 'chief of the governors' over all the wise men of Babylon.

He made known and also interpreted Nebuchadnezzar-II's dream and many years afterwards, when he was now an old man, amid the alarm and consternation of the terrible night of Belshazzar's.(grandson of Nebuchadnezzar).impious feast, he was called in at the instance of the queen mother.(perhaps Nitocris, the daughter of Nebuchadnezzar).to interpret the mysterious handwriting on the wall. 

Belteshazzar/Daniel.(the Chaldee name given to Daniel by Nebuchadnezzar-II: Daniel 1:7; 'Beltis' protect the king!).was rewarded with a purple robe and elevation to the rank of third ruler.

Daniel interpreted the mysterious hand writing, a strange message on the wall.(Daniel 5th chapter).and 'in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain'..(Belshazzar was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar-II, king of the first world ruling empire)

After the taking of Babylon, Cyrus, who was now master of all Asia from India to the Dardanelles, placed Darius, a Median prince, on the throne, during the two years of whose reign Daniel held the office of first of the 'three presidents' of the empire and was thus practically at the head of affairs, no doubt interesting himself in the prospects of the captive Judeans whom he had at last the happiness of seeing restored to their own land, although he did not return with them, but remained still in Babylon.

His fidelity to Creator exposed him to persecution and he was cast into a den of lions.(Daniel chapter 6).but was miraculously delivered, after which Darius issued a decree enjoining reverence for 'the God of Daniel'. He 'prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian' whom he probably greatly influenced in the matter of the decree which put an end to the Captivity.(B.C.E. 536).

He was about ninety four years old at the time of the last of his visions. The time and circumstances of his death are not recorded.

The captivity of Daniel and his companions is in.Daniel chapters 1-7.

Their refusal to eat the king's meat:.Daniel chapters 8-16.

Their improvement in wisdom:.Daniel chapters 17-21.
Ezekiel, with whom he was contemporary, mentions him as a pattern of righteousness and wisdom.

More on Daniel.