Daniel Intro NextIn the
Hebrew Bible, the Book of
Daniel is part of the
Hagiographa (Heb. Ketubim). It consists of two distinct parts. The first part, consisting of the first six chapters, is chiefly historical; and the second part, consisting of the remaining six chapters, is chiefly prophetical.
Contents
1 Structure
1.1 Historical Part
1.2 Prophetical Part
2 Discussion of Genuineness
3 Relations to other biblical books
4 Modern references
Structure
Historical Part
The historical part of the book treats of the period of the
Captivity. Daniel is "the historian of the Captivity, the writer who alone furnishes any series of events for that dark and dismal period during which the
harp of
Israel hung on the trees that grew by the
Euphrates. His narrative may be said in general to intervene between Kings and Chronicles on the one hand and
Ezra on the other, or (more strictly) to fill out the sketch which the author of the Chronicles gives in a single verse in his last chapter: 'And them that had escaped from the sword carried he i.e., Nebuchadnezzar away to
Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia'" (2 Chr. 36:20).
Prophetical Part
The prophetical part consists of three visions and one lengthened prophetical communication.
Discussion of Genuineness
The genuineness of this book has been much disputed, but the arguments in its favour fully establish its claims. (1.) We have the testimony of
Christ (Matt. 24:15; 25:31; 26:64) and his
apostles (1 Cor. 6:2; 2 Thess. 2:3) for its authority; and (2) the important testimony of Ezekiel (14:14, 20; 28:3). (3.) The character and records of the book are also entirely in harmony with the times and circumstances in which the author lived. (4.) The linguistic character of the book is, moreover, just such as might be expected. Certain portions (Dan. 2:4; 7) are written in the
Chaldee language; and the portions written in Hebrew are in a style and form having a close affinity with the later books of the Old Testament, especially with that of Ezra. The writer is familiar both with the Hebrew and the Chaldee, passing from the one to the other just as his subject required. This is in strict accordance with the position of the author and of the people for whom his book was written. That Daniel is the writer of this book is also testified to in the book itself (7:1, 28; 8:2; 9:2; 10:1, 2; 12:4, 5).
Relations to other biblical books
The story of Daniel's comet-like rise in a foreign kingdom, his ability to interpret
dreams, and the perils he overcomes closely resembles the story of
Joseph's rise in
egypt.
Modern references
It might be noted that the high position at a non-jewish court, and Daniel's use of his position to help poorer jews, is mirrored in Jud S?? by Lion Feuchtwanger, the life story of Joseph S?? Oppenheimer.
This entry includes text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897.
Daniel Intro Next