E-Book Overview
Daniel 2-7 are noteworthy chapters in the Bible, partly because they are in Aramaic rather than Hebrew and partly because the early Greek translation of those chapters, known to us as the Septuagint, is quite different from the Aramaic text that we have. This book highlights and analyzes the differences by exploring the effectiveness of each version as a piece of narrative. A new appreciation of the craft of the Aramaic narrative is one result. Another is an enhanced understanding of how biblical narrative handles symbolism. Through this study the reader also gains insight into differing circles of wisdom in Persian times, each giving rise to a textual tradition still accessible to us.
E-Book Content
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
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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 Abbreviations
11 12
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION Limits Literary or Historical Approaches 'Literary' or 'Narrative' Criticism Form-Critical Considerations The Septuagint as a Translation Some Important Terms Textual Witnesses to the Septuagint
15 17 18 21 22 23 26 29
Chapter 2
DANIEL 4 Arrangement of Material Person of the Narrator The Narrator in Biblical Literature The Nature of the King's Exile Wisdom in Daniel Use of Dialogue Symbol or Allegory? Symbol and Allegory: a Distinction Differences in Interpretation Differences in the Account of the Dream Literary Merit in the Septuagint Conclusion
31 32 34 37 41 42 44 47 50 52 53 54 55
6
Aramaic Daniel and Greek Daniel
Chapter 3
DANIEL 5 Setting The Sin of Belshazzar The King's Motivation and Fate Characters Perspective Narrative and Narrator The Writing on the Wall Words and Vision Other Literary Features Links with Daniel 4 Conclusion
57 58 62 63 67 71 73 75 78 79 81 84
Chapter 4
DANIEL 6 Linking of Scenes Ascription of Motive Narratorial Presence Pace Irony in Biblical Narrative 'A Cheerful Haggadic Tone' Parody Dramatic Irony The Building Blocks of Irony Perspectives on Prayer The Divinity of the King Darius and his Encyclical The Personalizing of Darius The King and Daniel The Character of Daniel Idols The Trial of Daniel Literary Merit in the Septuagint Narrative Links with Daniel 4 and 5 Thematic Links with Daniel 4 and 5 Literary Links with Daniel 4 and 5 Conclusion
85 87 90 91 92 93 94 97 98 101 101 105 107 109 111 112 113 113 116 117 117 119 12