Heidegger's Bible Handbook: Daniel: Description of Daniel

2. A description of Daniel.

Daniel is descended from the tribe of Judah, Daniel 1:6. That he was born of the royal or princely stock, learned men generally argue out of Daniel 1:3, 7, where Ashpenaz, having been commanded to bring to the King of the the children of Israel מִזֶּ֥רַע הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה וּמִן־הַֽפַּרְתְּמִֽים׃, of the seed of Royalty, and of the princes, then brought among others Daniel. Josephus also, in Antiquities, book X, section 11, affirms that he, as also his three companions, sprung from the lineage of King Zedekiah. It appears that he both lived and survived the whole seventy years in which the people were captive: and that he did not return to his native land, whether on account of old age, or so that by his presence and esteem, whereby he was exerting influence before the King, he might both defend the Jews remaining in Babylon, and advance the affairs of those returning.