F.W. Farrar's The Expositor's Bible: The Book of Daniel is a classic guide to one of the Bible's most dramatic and puzzling books. Written for the everyday reader, it breaks down the ancient text without getting lost in academic jargon.

The Story

The biblical Book of Daniel is set during a time of exile. The kingdom of Judah has fallen, and bright young men like Daniel are taken to serve in the court of Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar. It's a story of survival and faith in a hostile environment. Daniel and his friends face one life-or-death test after another. They risk execution by refusing to eat the king's food. Three friends are thrown into a superheated furnace for not worshipping a giant golden statue. Daniel himself is famously sent into a den of lions for praying to his God. Woven through these intense personal stories are the king's strange dreams and visions—like a giant statue made of different metals and a tree cut down—that only Daniel can interpret. The second half of the book shifts to Daniel's own apocalyptic visions of future empires and cosmic struggles, which have fascinated readers for centuries.

Why You Should Read It

Farrar treats these stories not as dry religious lessons, but as powerful human dramas. He makes you feel the tension Daniel must have felt standing before a furious king. The book's strength is how it connects these ancient conflicts to timeless questions about courage, identity, and holding onto your principles when the cost could be everything. Farrar also honestly tackles the big scholarly debates about when the book was written and what its prophecies mean, presenting different views clearly. He doesn't shy away from the difficult parts, but he always brings the focus back to the heart of the narrative: what does it mean to be faithful?

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for curious readers who know the basic stories of Daniel and the lions' den but want to understand them better. It's great for anyone interested in biblical history, the psychology of resilience, or just fantastic ancient storytelling. If you find some modern commentaries too technical or preachy, Farrar's conversational and thoughtful style is a refreshing change. It's less of a lecture and more of an engaging discussion with a deeply knowledgeable guide. You'll come away with a much richer appreciation for one of the Bible's most compelling books.