Dreams, Riddles, and Visions: Textual, Contextual, and Intertextual Approaches to the Book of Daniel (Beihefte zur Zeitschrift fur die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft): 455

The volume contains eight original studies, each of which focuses on a different chapter or central passage in Daniel and offers a new interpretation or reading of the passage in question. The studies span the Danielic tales and apocalypses, offering innovative analyses that often challenge the scholarly consensus regarding the exegesis of this book. The eight chapters relate to Daniel 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, Susanna, and the conception of angelology in Daniel. The studies are all based on careful textual analysis, including comparison between the Hebrew/Aramaic and Greek versions (especially regarding Daniel 4-6), and, in each case, the larger arguments are built upon solid philological foundations. Many of the insights proposed in this volume are based upon the realization that the authors of Daniel were frequently interpreters of earlier biblical books, and that the identification of these intertextual clues can be the key to unlocking the meaning of these texts. In this sense, Daniel is similar to other contemporaneous works, such as Jubilees and Qumran literature, but the extent of this phenomenon has not been fully appreciated by scholars of the book. This volume therefore contributes to the appreciation of Daniel as both the latest book in the Hebrew Bible, and a significant work in the landscape of Second Temple Judaism. Contents 5 Abbreviations 9 0. Introduction 13 1. Introducing the Book of Daniel (Daniel 1) 25 2. Daniel as Interpreter of Dreams: The Literary Development of the Narrative in Daniel 2 44 3. Rereading the Writing on the Wall (Daniel 5) 67 4. The Textual and Literary Development of Daniel 4 106 5. Reconsidering the Theological Background of Daniel 7 144 6. The Chronological Conception of the Persian Period in Daniel 9 167 7. Rethinking Jewish Life in the Diaspora: The Story of Susanna 192 8. Conclusion 212 Index of Modern Authors 241 Index of Ancient Texts 245 Introduction -- Introducing The Book Of Daniel (daniel 1) -- Daniel As Interpreter Of Dreams : The Literary Development Of The Narrative In Daniel 2 -- Rereading The Writing On The Wall (daniel 5) -- The Textual And Literary Development Of Daniel 4 -- Reconsidering The Theological Background Of Daniel 7 -- The Chronological Conception Of The Persian Period In Daniel 9 -- Rethinking Jewish Life In The Diaspora : The Story Of Susanna -- Conclusion. Michael Segal. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. In der Reihe Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft (BZAW) erscheinen Arbeiten zu sämtlichen Gebieten der alttestamentlichen Wissenschaft. Im Zentrum steht die Hebräische Bibel, ihr Vor- und Nachleben im antiken Judentum sowie ihre vielfache Verzweigung in die benachbarten Kulturen der altorientalischen und hellenistisch-römischen Welt Contains seven studies, each of which focuses on a different vision or chapter in Daniel and offers a new interpretation or reading of the passage in question.