Outline adapted from “The Bible Exposition Commentary”
– Warren Wiersbe (Victor / Cook’s Communications Ministries) pg. 251

I. Daniel the Prisoner – Chapter 1

II. Daniel the Interpreter – Chapters 2-6

• Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the image – 2
• Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden image (Daniel absent) – 3
• Interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree – 4
• Interpreting the handwriting on the wall (Belshazzar) – 5
• Daniel in the lion’s den – 6

III. Daniel the Seer – Chapters 7-12

• Vision of the 4 beasts – 7
• Vision of the ram & the he-goat – 8
• Vision of Israel’s 70 weeks – 9
• Vision of Israel’s future and the end – 10-12

This note is adapted from “Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament” – Warren Wiersbe (Chariot Victor Publishing / Cook Communications) pg. 551

The first half of the book shows Daniel interpreting the dreams of others. In the second half of the book Daniel is given visions of his own that reveal the future of his people. The book of Daniel is not arranged chronologically. The chronological order would appear as follows:

Chapter 1 – Captivity (605-604 B.C.) Chapter 2 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the image (602 B.C.)
Chapter 3 - Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden image
Chapter 4 – Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree and his humiliation
Chapter 7 – Daniel’s vision of the four beasts (556 B.C.)
Chapter 8 – Daniel’s vision of the ram and the he goat (554 B.C.)
Chapter 5 – Belshazzar’s feast – Babylon falls (539 B.C.)
Chapter 9 – Daniel’s vision of 70 weeks (538 B.C.)
Chapter 6 – Darius’ decree / Daniel & the lion’s den (Daniel was about 80)
Chapters 10-12 – Daniel’s closing visions