1. 1 Date of Daniel

2. 2 “Probably no date of a biblical book has been so positively asserted or so stridently denied as that of Daniel.” “Probably no date of a biblical book has been so positively asserted or so stridently denied as that of Daniel.”

3. 3 Major Views of Authorship The Sixth Century BC Date The Sixth Century BC Date Around 165 BC Around 165 BC Chapters 1-6 maybe as early as the sixth century, but 7-12 later Chapters 1-6 maybe as early as the sixth century, but 7-12 later

4. 4 An Old Problem Porphyry wrote his twelfth book against the prophecy of Daniel, denying that it was composed by the person to whom it is ascribed in its title, Porphyry wrote his twelfth book against the prophecy of Daniel, denying that it was composed by the person to whom it is ascribed in its title,

5. 5 An Old Problem (cont.) but rather by some individual living in Judaea at the time of the Antiochus who was surnamed Ephiphanes. He furthermore alleged that “Daniel” did not foretell the future so much as he related the past, but rather by some individual living in Judaea at the time of the Antiochus who was surnamed Ephiphanes. He furthermore alleged that “Daniel” did not foretell the future so much as he related the past,

6. 6 An Old Problem (cont.) and lastly that whatever he spoke of up till the time of Antiochus contained authentic history, whereas anything he may have conjectured beyond that point was false, inasmuch as he would not have foreknown the future… and lastly that whatever he spoke of up till the time of Antiochus contained authentic history, whereas anything he may have conjectured beyond that point was false, inasmuch as he would not have foreknown the future…

7. 7 An Old Problem (cont.) But this very attack testifies to Daniel’s accuracy. For so striking was the reliability of what the prophet foretold, that he could not appear to unbelievers as a predicter of the future, but rather a narrator of things already past. But this very attack testifies to Daniel’s accuracy. For so striking was the reliability of what the prophet foretold, that he could not appear to unbelievers as a predicter of the future, but rather a narrator of things already past.

8. 8 How Do We Know the Bible is the Word of God? Impartiality of the Biblical Writers Impartiality of the Biblical Writers Calmness of the Authors Calmness of the Authors Unexplained Brevity of the New Testament Records Unexplained Brevity of the New Testament Records Air of Infallibility of the Biblical Writers Air of Infallibility of the Biblical Writers Power of the Scriptures to Move Men to Holy Living Power of the Scriptures to Move Men to Holy Living

9. 9 Ezekiel 40-48 Return from Captivity Return from Captivity Christ Dwells with Man in his ministry (John 1:14) God dwells with us in eternity (Rev. 21:3)

10. 10 Is Daniel 11:40ff Failed Prophecy? 1. Telescoping -- two events connected theologically are separated chronologically 1. Telescoping -- two events connected theologically are separated chronologically 2. Emphasize the reason for judgment-set himself against the people of God 2. Emphasize the reason for judgment-set himself against the people of God 3. An apocalyptic ideal 3. An apocalyptic ideal

11. 11 The Language of Daniel Fifteen Persian Words in Daniel Fifteen Persian Words in Daniel By the time the Septuagint was translated the meaning of four of these words was purely guess work By the time the Septuagint was translated the meaning of four of these words was purely guess work

12. 12 Persian Words The fifteen Persian words are largely pertaining to government functions and administrative titles. The fifteen Persian words are largely pertaining to government functions and administrative titles. No Greek terms are found to describe these government functions or administrative titles. No Greek terms are found to describe these government functions or administrative titles.

13. 13 Greek Words in Daniel Three Greek words appear in Daniel’s list of musical instruments in Daniel 3:5 Three Greek words appear in Daniel’s list of musical instruments in Daniel 3:5 Greek mercenaries served in the Babylonian army by 600 BC so the people would have been exposed to Greek words by Daniel’s time. Greek mercenaries served in the Babylonian army by 600 BC so the people would have been exposed to Greek words by Daniel’s time.

14. 14 Hebrew Language The Hebrew of Daniel more closely resembles the Chronicler than the Mishnah or Qumran. The Hebrew of Daniel more closely resembles the Chronicler than the Mishnah or Qumran.

15. 15 Aramaic Language The Aramaic of Daniel is closer to Ezra (4:8-6:18) and the fifth century Elephantine papyri than Qumran The Aramaic of Daniel is closer to Ezra (4:8-6:18) and the fifth century Elephantine papyri than Qumran

16. 16 Dates of Daniel Asses- sion year 1:1 Accessi on year 1st yr. 2nd yr. 3rd yr. Non- Assessi on yr. Jer. 25:1,9 46:2 1st yr 2nd yr 3rd yr 4th yr.

17. 17 Persian Kings Cyrus 539-530 Cyrus 539-530 Cambyses 530-522 Cambyses 530-522 Darius 521-486 Darius 521-486 Xerxes486-464 Xerxes486-464 Artaxerxes 464-423 Artaxerxes 464-423

18. 18 Who was Darius the Mede? 1. Shea claimed he was Gubaru. 1. Shea claimed he was Gubaru. 2. Whitcomb believed the same, but distinguished between Gubaru and Ugbaru. 2. Whitcomb believed the same, but distinguished between Gubaru and Ugbaru. 3. Wiseman claimed Darius was the Median name of King Cyrus. 3. Wiseman claimed Darius was the Median name of King Cyrus.

19. 19 Historical Accuracy of Daniel Nebuchadnezzar pictured as changing Babylonian law at will (2:12, 46). Nebuchadnezzar pictured as changing Babylonian law at will (2:12, 46). Darius the Mede unable to change the laws of the Medes and Persians (6:8). Darius the Mede unable to change the laws of the Medes and Persians (6:8).

20. 20 Historical Accuracy of Daniel (cont.) Babylonians used fire as a means of capital punishment (3:11) Babylonians used fire as a means of capital punishment (3:11) Persians used the lions’ den as a means of capital punishment (6:7) Persians used the lions’ den as a means of capital punishment (6:7)

21. 21 Kingdoms of Daniel 2 and 7 Babylonian 605-539 Babylonian 605-539 Medo-Persian 539-331 Medo-Persian 539-331 Greece 331-167 Greece 331-167 Roman 63 -- New Testament times and beyond Roman 63 -- New Testament times and beyond

22. 22 Liberal View of the Four Kingdoms Babylonian Babylonian Median Median Persian Persian Greecian Greecian

23. 23 Does Daniel View the Median and Persian Kingdom as Different Kingdoms? 5:28 5:28 6:8, 12, 15 6:8, 12, 15 8:20-21 8:20-21

24. 24 Qumran and the Date of Daniel Because of findings at Qumran a Maccabean date for Chronicles, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes as been eliminated. Because of findings at Qumran a Maccabean date for Chronicles, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes as been eliminated. One Qumran manuscript of Daniel can be dated no later than 120 BC. One Qumran manuscript of Daniel can be dated no later than 120 BC. Does this leave enough time for a book written in 165 to be accepted and spread over a large area? Does this leave enough time for a book written in 165 to be accepted and spread over a large area?

25. 25 The Apocrypha and the Date of Daniel I Maccabees 4:40 and 14:41 view prophecy as past I Maccabees 4:40 and 14:41 view prophecy as past I Maccabees 1:54 may quote from Daniel I Maccabees 1:54 may quote from Daniel