1. Dan. 1-6: Stories of Daniel and friends in exile Dan. 7-12: Apocalyptic visions Book of Daniel

2. apokalypsis = “revealing” or “unveiling” eschatology = what will happen at end of life or world age Types of apocalypse: Otherworld journey Historical apocalypse

3. Features of Apocalyptic Literature 1. Revelation: through vision or dream, otherworld journey or instruction from divine being 2. Symbolism: meaning concealed unless symbols are understood

4. Features of Apocalyptic Literature 3. Determinism: the course of the future is set 4. Expectation of imminent end: in historical apocalypses. Flaw of apocalyptic writing 5. Pseudonymity: being written under a false name. Daniel did not write this

5. Features of Apocalyptic Literature 6. Vaticinium ex eventu: “prophecy after the fact.” Common in historical apocalypses. Review of history up to author’s time followed by predictions. Helps in dating 7. Social Setting: appears among those dissatisfied with current state of world. Source of dissatisfaction not always apparent

6. Book of Daniel dates from c. 165 BC 333-332 BC Alexander the Great (r. 336-323) ousts Persians from Holy Land, promotes Hellenistic culture. Soon after Jews of Egypt produce Septuagint 323-198 BC Ptolemies rule Holy Land

7. 198 BC Seleucids take control of Holy Land 175-63 BC Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes 167 BC Antiochus plunders temple, commits “abomination of desolation” 166 BC Jewish revolt led by Mattathias, then son Judas Maccabeus (“the Hammerer”) 164 BC Judas garrisons Jerusalem, re-dedicates temple (origin of Hanukkah)

8. Stories reflecting real persecutions (e.g. Dan. 1: 8-10) Meaning of real courage (Dan. 3: 16-18) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2) elaborated on in Dan. 7 ff. God’s chosen people: stone uncut by human hands (Dan. 2: 45) or human being/ “one like a son of man” (Dan. 7: 13-14)

9. Outline of Seleucid history and future events (Dan. 10-12) Maccabean revolt? (Dan. 11: 34) Deliverance: angel Michael as patron of Jews (Dan. 12: 1) First clear expression of resurrection/afterlife belief (Dan. 12: 2)