Grace Institute: The Writings : Daniel Part 1

Daniel Survey of the Old Testament: The Writings Fall 2006

Introduction

Date & Author

The book represents itself as having been written by Daniel himself. Much of the book is written in the first person (8:1, 9:2, 10:2). This puts the date of the book to be written shortly after the events of the book, or during the exilic period.

However, many modern biblical scholars place the dating of Daniel much later, such as the 1^st or 2^nd century BC. The basis for this, however, is primarily due to the exacting nature of the prophecies in Daniel. From this vantage point, because the author was so specific in the prophecy, they must have been written after the fact. This viewpoint reveals a anti-prophetic bias in the scholars.

Nature of the Book

Daniel is unique in that it is both narrative and prophecy. The Greek and English emphasize the prophetic nature of the book by placing the book with the Major Prophets, while the Hebrew bible emphasizes the narrative, placing it with the writings.

Chapters 2-7 are written in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the day.

Theme

The Sovereignty of God in the Affairs of the Nations.

Structure

I. The Personal History of the Prophet (chapter 1) – in Hebrew
    1 – Daniel and the King’s food
II.   The Prophetic History of the Gentiles (chapter 2-7) – in Aramaic
    2 – Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream of the Statue
    3 – The Fiery Furnace
    4 – Nebechadnezzer’s Dream and his Insanity
    5 – Belshazzar and the Writing on the Wall
    6 – Darius, Daniel and the Lion’s Den
    7 – Daniels Dream of the 4 Beasts
III.    The Prophetic History of Israel (chapters 8-12) – in Hebrew
    8 – The Vision of the Ram, Goat and Little Horn
    9 – The  Vision of the 70 Weeks
    10-12 – The Vision of Israel’s Future
        10 – Daniel’s terror
        11 – Vision of the Kings of North & South
        12 – Israel and the End Times

[Next: The Faith of the Hebrews]