What does the Bible say about captivity in Daniel?

The beginning of the book of Daniel presents the captivity of Israel as a major theme in the Old Testament. Israel's captivity to Babylon was foretold by prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah, emphasizing that this event was not outside of God's sovereign control. God allowed Israel to be taken captive as a picture of the greater captivity of sin that all His people experience. The 70 years in Babylon symbolizes the average lifespan of a person on Earth, reflecting the human condition of living under the captivity of sin. This sovereign captivity serves to showcase God's plan for deliverance, just as He sovereignly orchestrated their return through figures like Cyrus after 70 years, thus demonstrating the theme of God's providence and grace throughout Scripture.