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Dan. 1-6: Stories of Daniel and friendsin exile
Dan. 7-12: Apocalyptic visions
Book of Daniel
apokalypsis = “revealing” or “unveiling”
eschatology = what will happen at end oflife or world age
Types of apocalypse:
Otherworld journey
Historical apocalypse
Features of Apocalyptic Literature
1. Revelation: through vision or dream,otherworld journey or instruction fromdivine being
2. Symbolism: meaning concealed unlesssymbols are understood
Features of Apocalyptic Literature
3. Determinism: the course of the future isset
4. Expectation of imminent end: in historicalapocalypses. Flaw of apocalyptic writing
5. Pseudonymity: being written under a falsename. Daniel did not write this
Features of Apocalyptic Literature
6. Vaticinium ex eventu: “prophecy after thefact.” Common in historical apocalypses.Review of history up to author’s timefollowed by predictions. Helps in dating
7. Social Setting: appears among thosedissatisfied with current state of world.Source of dissatisfaction not alwaysapparent
Book of Daniel dates from c. 165 BC
333-332 BC Alexander the Great (r. 336-323)ousts Persians from Holy Land,promotes Hellenistic culture. Soon afterJews of Egypt produce Septuagint
323-198 BC Ptolemies rule Holy Land
198 BC Seleucids take control of Holy Land
175-63 BC Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes
167 BC Antiochus plunders temple, commits“abomination of desolation”
166 BC Jewish revolt led by Mattathias, thenson Judas Maccabeus (“the Hammerer”)
164 BC Judas garrisons Jerusalem, re-dedicatestemple (origin of Hanukkah)
Stories reflecting real persecutions(e.g. Dan. 1: 8-10)
Meaning of real courage (Dan. 3: 16-18)
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2) elaboratedon in Dan. 7 ff.
God’s chosen people: stone uncut by humanhands (Dan. 2: 45) or human being/“one like a son of man” (Dan. 7: 13-14)
Outline of Seleucid history and future events(Dan. 10-12)
Maccabean revolt? (Dan. 11: 34)
Deliverance: angel Michael as patron of Jews(Dan. 12: 1)
First clear expression of resurrection/afterlifebelief (Dan. 12: 2)