'Friends' in the Bible

So the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they looked for Daniel and his friends to kill them.

Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter,

so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.