Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel: A Literary Comparison (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament. Supplement Series, 198) PDF
Preview Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel: A Literary Comparison (Journal for the Study of the Old Testament. Supplement Series, 198)
JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SUPPLEMENT SERIES 198 Editors David J.A. Clines Philip R. Davies Executive Editor John Jarick Editorial Board Robert P. Carroll, Richard J. Coggins, Alan Cooper, J. Cheryl Exum, John Goldingay, Robert P. Gordon, Norman K. Gottwald, Andrew D.H. Mayes, Carol Meyers, Patrick D. Miller Sheffield Academic Press This page intentionally left blank Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel A Literary Comparison T.J. Meadowcroft Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 198 For Sue 'Facts,' murmured Basil, like one mentioning some strange, far-off animals, 'how facts obscure the truth... Every detail points to something, certainly; but generally to the wrong thing. Facts point in all directions, it seems to me, like the thousands of twigs on a tree. It's only the life of the tree that has unity and goes up—only the green blood that springs, like a fountain, at the stars.' G.K. Chesterton in 'The Tremendous Adventure of Major Brown' Copyright © 1995 Sheffield Academic Press Published by Sheffield Academic Press Ltd Mansion House 19 Kingfield Road Sheffield, SI 19AS England Typeset by Sheffield Academic Press and Printed on acid-free paper in Great Britain by Bookcraft Midsomer Norton, Somerset British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 1-85075-551-5 CONTENTS Preface 11 Abbreviations 12 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 15 Limits 17 Literary or Historical Approaches 18 'Literary' or 'Narrative' Criticism 21 Form-Critical Considerations 22 The Septuagint as a Translation 23 Some Important Terms 26 Textual Witnesses to the Septuagint 29 Chapter 2 DANIEL 4 31 Arrangement of Material 32 Person of the Narrator 34 The Narrator in Biblical Literature 37 The Nature of the King's Exile 41 Wisdom in Daniel 42 Use of Dialogue 44 Symbol or Allegory? 47 Symbol and Allegory: a Distinction 50 Differences in Interpretation 52 Differences in the Account of the Dream 53 Literary Merit in the Septuagint 54 Conclusion 55 6 Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel Chapter 3 DANIEL 5 57 Setting 58 The Sin of Belshazzar 62 The King's Motivation and Fate 63 Characters 67 Perspective 71 Narrative and Narrator 73 The Writing on the Wall 75 Words and Vision 78 Other Literary Features 79 Links with Daniel 4 81 Conclusion 84 Chapter 4 DANIEL 6 85 Linking of Scenes 87 Ascription of Motive 90 Narratorial Presence 91 Pace 92 Irony in Biblical Narrative 93 'A Cheerful Haggadic Tone' 94 Parody 97 Dramatic Irony 98 The Building Blocks of Irony 101 Perspectives on Prayer 101 The Divinity of the King 105 Darius and his Encyclical 107 The Personalizing of Darius 109 The King and Daniel 111 The Character of Daniel 112 Idols 113 The Trial of Daniel 113 Literary Merit in the Septuagint 116 Narrative Links with Daniel 4 and 5 117 Thematic Links with Daniel 4 and 5 117 Literary Links with Daniel 4 and 5 119 Conclusion 120 Contents 1 Chapter 5 DANIEL 3 122 The Additions: Narrative Insertions? 123 The Additions as Part of the Narrative 128 Differing Interests of the Additions 129 Narrative Shape 130 Narrative Perspective 134 The Repeated Lists 136 Repetition of the Lists as Comedy 140 Repetition of Phrases 142 Setting of the Story 144 Other Literary Devices 147 Theological Differences 148 Narrative Links with Daniel 4-6 154 Literary Links with Daniel 4-6 155 Thematic Links with Daniel 4-6 156 Septuagint Links with Daniel 4 157 Conclusion 159 Chapter 6 DANIEL 2 161 Verses 13-23: Inserted Material? 162 The Song of Praise as Insert 167 Narrative Structure 173 Irony and Ambiguity 173 Point of View 175 Narratorial Stance 181 Literary Devices 182 Interpretation of the Dream 183 Differences in Theological Outlook 187 Differing Traditions about Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar 190 Differing Historical Backgrounds 193 Conclusion: Links with Daniel 3-6 196 Chapter 7 DANIEL 7 198 The Ancient of Days in the Masoretic Text 200 The Son of Man in the Masoretic Text 201 The Holy Ones of the Most High in the Masoretic Text 203 Daniel 7: Coherent and Consistent? 206 8 Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel Narrative Structure 208 A Further Literary Note 212 The Character of Daniel 213 Vision and Interpretation: Insignificant Differences 215 Verses 26-27: Further Insignificant Differences 217 Differences in Understanding of the Four Beasts 221 Differences in Understanding of the Son of Man 223 Differences in Understanding of the Holy Ones 230 Links with Other Stories: Daniel the Visionary 234 Links with Other Stories: Bestiality/Humanity Theme 236 Links with Other Stories: Four Empires Theme 238 Links with Other Stories: The Final Kingdom 240 Further Literary Links with Other Stories 241 Structural Links with Other Stories 242 Conclusion 243 Chapter 8 DIFFERENCES IN DANIEL l AND 8-12 245 The Nature of the Translation 245 Translations of Particular Words 250 Differing Traditions Represented in the Septuagint? 251 Translation of Key Terms 252 Treatment of People 254 Treatment of Geographical Terms 256 The Daughter 258 Dating in 9.24-27 259 Conclusion 260 Chapter 9 CONCLUSION 262 Reasons for Variations 262 Narrative Technique 263 Narrative Structure 265 Literary Merit in the Septuagint 266 The Symbolic 267 Wisdom 268 Theological or Political Concerns 271 Text-Historical Questions 272 Prospects 277 Contents 9 Appendix 1 THEODOTION 281 Daniel 2 281 Daniel 3 282 Daniel 4 285 Daniel 5 286 Daniel 6 286 Daniel 7 287 Appendix 2 SEPTUAGINT DANIEL 2-7 IN ENGLISH 289 Daniel 2 289 Daniel 3 293 Daniel 4 298 Daniel 5 301 Daniel 6 302 Daniel 7 305 Bibliography 307 Index of Biblical References 319 Index of Authors 333
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