Daniel 9.24-27: Poetry, 'Elevated Prose', or Something Else?

Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1993

In the Aramaic language, poetry is relatively scarce. This phenomenon makes the occurrence of a number of poetic passages in the Aramaic part of Daniel all the more striking. In this paper, two of these passages (2.20-23 and 6.27-28) are analysed. Attention is first paid to the content of the poetic passages. Secondly, the function of both poems in the narrative framework is established. This is done by means of a structural analysis, in which attention is paid to the place and function of the poetic passages on the level of the surface structure and on the semantic level. The conclusion is reached that both of the poetic passages, each in its own way, form an indispensable part of the narrative. They function as key to the interpretation of the narrative. This conclusion has implications for the interpretation of other poetic passages in Daniel and poetic passages in a mainly prose narrative framework in general.

Towards a Text-Analytical Commentary of Daniel 9:24 Koot van Wyk International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 5 no. 2 February 2015: 303-325 Abstract This paper investigates Daniel 9:24 in various ancient versions. The methodology that is used is not the conventional Eclectic Text Method but a reversal back to the Standard-Text Method due to the strong link that 4QDana provides with the modern Hebrew textual form with an error margin of less than 1%. It was found that the Ancient Versions, such as Old Latin, Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, Origen, Jerome in the Vulgate, Coptic, Syriac all tried to discover the Standard-Text that we are privileged to hold in our hands today, but that Library robberies, cultural antagonism, persecutions, book-burning practices, made it difficult to get access to good originals and seemingly the degenerative copies at Qumran provided the only avenue for the versions. Many of the variants originated due to slips of the hands, eye, ear, tongue and memory. It was not their intention to create a new text or to deviate from the text freely. They simply had no choice. The Standard-Text Textual Analysis Method brings these processes in the degenerative character of the versions, which they share with the degenerative character of the scribal practices of Qumran, to the front. Whereas the Eclectic Text Method leads to nihilism since it makes the reader the creator of his/her own text by self-reconstruction, the Standard-Text Textual Analysis Method places the text to be analyzed next to an objective ruler (the consonantal text of the Masoretic Tradition) and forces the reader to compare differences but also encourages the researcher to discover and see how the variant originated. This was done with various Versions including Latin, Greek, Coptic for Daniel 9:24. One cannot miss the clarity of understanding the origin of the variants. As compared to the consonantal text of the Masoretic tradition, they stand in a degenerative position as far as form is concerned. As far as interpretation is concerned it was found that scholars understood Daniel's prophetic times in the correct way using the year-day principle but that the heathen interpreter Porphyry wanted to read events and times back to Antiochus Epiphanes much to the frustration of Jerome. It was found that the Arabic Jewish commentator in the 10th century also suggested the year-day principle for Daniel 9:24 or 490 years for the days. Keeping these rules in mind opens up startling discoveries for the modern interpreter of Daniel who only up to this time has read Daniel through the glasses of the heathen interpreter Porphyry.

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 1993

Two poetic sections are identified and investigated in Daniel 2. Attention is paid to the function of these poems within the narrative in Daniel 2 and its particular structure. The conclusion is drawn that poetic speech is used here as a focusing technique to point out the main themes of the narrative.

The Bible Translator, 1990

TRANSLATION ISSUES IN DANIEL 9:24-27, 2024

For a new, critical translation of Daniel 9:24-27. This author approaches a range of Biblical Hebrew issues (semantic, syntactic, literary and critical textual). The paper was presented only to the Biblical Apocalyptic Study Group, a weekly zoom meeting of professional Adventist theologians.

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 2015

follows: "In order to expound the prophet a twofold knowledge is necessary. First grammar, and this can be esteemed a most potent thing. The other thing is even more necessary, to wit, a knowledge of history. .

The entire Book of Daniel is saturated in eschatological revelation especially in our focal passage of Dan. 9:24-27 which speaks of the “seventy weeks” which is better rendered as “units of seven” that scholars agree refers to time periods of seven years each. This prophecy of seventy weeks is in regard to when Daniel prays to God to act on behalf of his people (Israel) and receives a detailed but ambiguous prophecy from God through the angel Gabriel. This exegetical analysis provides relevant contextual/background information about the entire Book of Daniel. It then transitions to explaining the meaning of the given passage in light of four different views: Liberal, Conservative (Historical Christian), Contemporary Christian (Evangelical), and Jewish.

An exegesis of Daniel 7, 8, 9 preceded by a general Introduction to the Book of Daniel. Not exhaustive, nor perfect, but hopefully still useful for scolars and non scholars.

Journal of Biblical Literature, 2002

A review of Collins, John J. and Peter W. Flint, eds. The Book of Daniel: Part 1: Composition and Reception Supplements to Vetus Testamentum 83 Leiden: Brill, 2001. Pp. xx + 290, Cloth, No $85.00, ISBN 9004116753. by David W. Suter, Saint Martin's College published in RBL 9/2002

Biblische Notizen, 2005

This study investigates some short poetic passages of the Aramaic part of the Book of Daniel: Dan 2,20-23; 3,31ff.; 4,31f.; 6,26ff. All of these passages appear to be late additions to the Aramaic narratives. In this study, we explore the special features of these passages, and ask after their role in the highly complicated Entstehungsgeschichte of the Book of Daniel.