Sheffield Old Testament Guides: Daniel

by Philip R. Davies

Publisher:

Sheffield Academic Press

, 1998

Overview

Daniel has produced a good deal of controversial debate, especially regarding its date and authorship and its apocalyptic character. In this study guide, Philip R. Davies carefully notes and evaluates the scholarly issues pertinent to this debate. Emphasis is placed on the literary and theological aspects of the book, which have been comparatively neglected, but which reflect the concerns and interests of contemporary Old Testament scholarship. This volume thus looks both at the past scholarship and points towards future trends in the understanding of a unique literary and theological masterpiece.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Porphyry also believed that Daniel had been written in Greek and not Hebrew and Aramaic” (Page 16)

“We can say, however, that not only the series of visions, but the book of Daniel in its canonical form was produced during the persecution of Antiochus IV.” (Pages 33–34)

“But with all due allowance, the most that can be allowed in this direction is that the writers of Daniel came from the same broad circle as Ben Sira.” (Page 124)

“Hence it is likely that they originate in a world closer in time and place to their hero Daniel than to the audience of the visions.” (Page 14)

“The most important issue for a student of Daniel to appreciate, however, is the issue of God’s control of history.” (Pages 23–24)

Product Details

• Title: Sheffield Old Testament Guides: Daniel
• Author: Philip R. Davies
• Publisher: Sheffield
• Publication Date: 1998
• Pages: 131

About Philip R. Davies

Philip R. Davies (1945–) is a biblical scholar with interests in early Judaism, ancient Israel, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. He earned degrees from Oxford University and the University of St. Andrews.

In 1974, Davies began teaching at the University of Sheffield, where he is now the Research Professor of Biblical Studies. He served as a co-founder of Sheffield Academic Press, the academic imprint based at the University of Sheffield.

Davies contributed volumes in several different collections including the Sheffield Reader Collection, Studies on the Prophets, and the Studies on Genesis. He has authored and edited several books and essays like First Person: Essays in Biblical Autobiography and The Bible in Human Society: Essays in Honor of John Rogerson.