Dwight pentecost writes, the prophecy of daniel is the first great book of apocalyptic literature in the bible. Lorenzo ditommaso this volume illuminates the full extent of the corpus of ancient and mediaeval apocryphal daniel literature. The intertestamental period, and the biblical apocalyptic. The book of daniel guide to the lesson plan and preclass preparation.
Biblical literature biblical literature apocalyptic and eschatological works. Although apocalyptic has its roots in ot prophecy in general, the real prototype of the non biblical ap. The most famous and influential of the early jewish apocalypses is the last part of the biblical book of daniel chapters 712, written about 167 bce and. This style of writing filled with symbolism and visions has become known as apocalyptic and the books as apocalyptic literature. One peculiarity in this connection must be referred to. The use of daniel in jewish apocalyptic literature and in the revelation of st. In the prophets and psalmists the messiah had mainly to do with israel. My data base for the book of daniel approaches four thousand items. The youngest book in the hebrew bible, daniel brings together old traditions and oral tales, along with new genres like apocalyptic.
This is the greek name of the book of revelation, and the book is known as the. Revelation, apocalyptic writing and the old testament grace. The book of daniel this book takes its name not from the author, who is actually unknown, but from its hero, who was allegedly among the first jews deported to babylon, where he lived at least until 538 b. In fact, it has been said that the apocalyptic was really an attempt to rationalize and systematize the predictive side of prophecy. One feature of this section is daniel s reliance on heavenly figures to interpret and explain his visions. The four visions of chapters seven to twelve are an early example of apocalyptic literature and, in contrast to the earlier chapters, are introduced in the first person. Calls gods people to faithfulness and abidance during times of hardship. Alike in prophecy and in apocalypse there is reference to the coming of the messiah, but in the latter not only is the messianic hope more defined, it has a wider reference. Aug 01, 2017 daniel as an apocalypse daniel provides the earliest fullblo wn apocalypse that we have from jewish antiquity. The term is taken from its use in the first verse of the book of revelation, the title of which is literally the apocalypse or revelation of st.
Link to kregel this new contribution to kregels handbooks of old testament exegesis has a more narrow focus since apocalyptic literature only appears in parts daniel and a few other prophetic books. There are other passages in the hebrew bible that scholars have suggested embody clear or reasonably clear apocalyptic perspectives. The rich veins of insight to be mined in the book of daniel and other apocalyptic texts are being rediscovered. It is the first study to examine the daniel legenda, the apocryphal apocalypses, and the prognostica as discrete categories of texts and to see more. Readership all those interested in the book of daniel, biblical apocrypha and pseudepigrapha, rewritten bible, biblical folklore, mediaeval studies, mediaeval christianity, apocalypses and apocalyptic literature, and. Following this model, most of them use vision as a literary device by which to introduce their conceptions. Part 1 provides criteria for interpreting apocalyptic literature. However, in recent decades it has moved to the forefront of research. In the second major section of the book, the author guides the reader through specific examples of the bible s apocalyptic literature. The book of daniel differs from the majority of hebrew prophecy.
Revelation, apocalyptic writing and the old testament. The book of daniel, the first of the apocalyptic writings, did not represent an entirely new type of literature. The books in verse 2 is the first and only time when the technical term for the hebrew bible is used in the old testament. Other old testament books relevant to the study of apocalyptic literature, such as zechariah, also have significant bibliographies. Daniel was popular in jewish and christian literature, where he was seen as a prophet and a model of jewish faith in a pagan world. As has been said of the book of revelation, so we might say of daniel 712, that it is a picture book rather than a code book. I take this opportunity to express my thanks to some of those who. Resources for understanding the apocalyptic literature of the bible. The latter half of the book of daniel and the book of revelation are representative of the apocalyptic genre. The fully apocalyptic visions in daniel 712, as well as those in the new testaments revelation, can trace their roots to the preexilic latter biblical prophets.
The bible contains several important segments of apocalyptic literature that include isaiah 5666 and ezekiel 3748 both referred to as proto apocalyptic, daniel 712, and revelation 422. Daniel, with an introduction to apocalyptic literture is volume xx of the forms of the old testament literature, a series that aims to present a formcritical analysis of every book and each unit in the hebrew bible. Bce the book of daniel contains many features and themes of apocalyptic literature, including an eschatology according to which god dramatically intervenes in human history, destroying the wicked understood as other nations and saving the righteous understood as israel. With an introduction to apocalyptic literature john. Daniel is also about hope and faith in the midst of exile. Such reasoning ignores the most likely explanation.
Apocalyptic literature, of which daniel is surely a classic example, is characterized by a sense of divine sovereignty, even determinism. The book, however, was written in a later time of national crisiswhen the jews were suffering severe persecution under antiochus iv epiphanes. In his introduction to jewish apocalyptic literature, collins examines the main characteristics and discusses the setting and intention of apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic literature biblical studies oxford bibliographies. Apocalypse could only have been possible under the domination of the great empires. Apocalyptic refers, in a broad sense, to a group of books written between 200 b. The book of daniel is a 2ndcentury bce biblical apocalypse with an ostensible 6th century bce setting, combining a prophecy of history with an eschatology a. For instance, in the book of revelation, john describes a woman clothed with the sun, in childbirth pain, with a dragon waiting to attack her. The existence of other ot passages that contain elements of apocalyptic e. And in fact the book of revelation is largely a christian interpretation of the.
Feb 26, 2017 this definition of apocalypse, bandstra asserts, is strictly fits daniel 712, even with other books in the hebrew bible, such as isaiah 2427, and the book of revelation in the new testament. The book of daniel in the ot and the revelation in the nt are possible exceptions. Two of the most interesting books in the bible are the books of daniel and revelation. He begins his discussion of daniel with a survey of the book s anomalies and an examination of the bearing of form criticism on those anomalies. Any attempt at a correct understanding of these important passages necessitates some understanding of the nature of apocalyptic literature and how.
The bible contains two great examples of apocalyptic. Apocalyptic literature introduction bible study tools. Additionally, revelation and daniel pieces of literature on the subject. Apocalyptic comes from the greek word apokalupsis, meaning disclosure or revelation revelation 1. The book of daniel and the apocryphal daniel literature. Apocalypse had its beginnings in passages in the works of the prophets. Daniel, with an introduction to apocalyptic literture is volume xx of the forms of the old testament literature, a series that aims to present a formcritical analysis of every book and each unit. The book of daniel is a 2ndcentury bce biblical apocalypse with an ostensible 6th century setting, combining a prophecy of history with an eschatology a portrayal of end times both cosmic in scope and political in focus. Many dozens of apocalyptic books appeared during the period 165 bce to the destruction of the jerusalem temple in 70 ce. This type of literature is most readily recognized in the book of daniel in the old testament and the revelation to john in the new. Let me suggest that biblical apocalyptic which i will differentiate from the genre apocalyptic literature that modern scholars have developed actually is best understood similarly to eschatology. But just as the distinctive themes of apocalyptic appear throughout the scriptures, so we find that its literary forms have walkon parts in many other books eze.
Apocalyptic refers, in a broad sense, to a group of books. It is derived from the greek word apokalypsis, a word that simply means revelation. Apocalyptic bakers evangelical dictionary of biblical. John the prophet would have been aware that there were many other works which possessed similar literary characteristics as his own, the most notable being the book of daniel. The book of daniel presents a collection of popular stories about daniel, a loyal jew, and the record of visions granted to him, with the babylonian exile of the 6th century bce as their background. Apr 28, 2017 a popular introduction to and overview of biblical apocalyptic literature, with a theological and canonical emphasis. Apocalyptic in the old testament apart from the book of daniel. The apocalyptic literature interpreting biblical texts. He addresses both the bestknown examples the biblical books of daniel and revelation and other important but lesser known examples zechariah and some. What does apocalyptic literature mean for us today. Written during a period of persecution in the 2 nd c.
This study explores the remarkable depth and breadth of this famous biblical book. Taylor has crafted a handbook to explore those riches and uncover a way to understand apocalyptic literature. The elements of apocalyptic literature in daniel 712. Apocalyptic literature is a genre of prophetical writing that developed in postexilic jewish culture and was popular among millennialist early christians. The biblical use of apocalyptic language, like the broader use of prophetic and eschatological language, serves the exhortation to.
Chapters 1 to 6 describe daniel s interpretation of king nebuchadnezzars dream. But just as the distinctive themes of apocalyptic appear throughout the scriptures, so we find that its literary forms have walkon parts in many other books ezekiel. Doc apocalyptic of daniel and revelation meajor eric. The book of revelation belongs to a class of chiefly jewish and later christian literature called apocalyptic. Apocalyptic essentials can be noticed in the holy books of joel and zechariah, while isaiah sections 2427 and 33 present wellbuilt apocalypses.
He begins his discussion of daniel with a survey of the books anomalies and an examination of the bearing of form criticism on those anomalies. Daniel, with an introduction to apocalyptic literature is volume xx of the forms of the old testament literature, a series that aims to present a formcritical analysis of every book and each unit in the hebrew bible. Daniel the character comes to us from the babylonian exile. Apocalyptic literature encyclopedia of the bible bible. In later jewish and early christian apocalypses, in which the hero undertakes a heavenly trip and sees the secrets that are hidden from others, these sources of. Apocalyptic literature this type of literature is most readily recognized in the book of daniel in the old testament and the revelation to john in the new testament. It then continues sporadically throughout the book and the ending of isaiah contains an apocalyptic vision of the new city. Apocalyptic definition and meaning bible dictionary. Daniel as an apocalypse daniel provides the earliest fullblo wn apocalypse that we have from jewish antiquity. And in fact the book of revelation is largely a christian interpretation of the book.
The book of daniel and the apocryphal daniel literature brill. Apocalyptic elements can be detected in the prophetical books of joel and zechariah, while isaiah chapters 2427 and 33 present welldeveloped apocalypses. One god is in control of all events, persons, and nations. In the apocalypses the imperial outlook is prominent, beginning with daniel in which we find the messianic kingdom represented by a son of man over against the bestial empires that had preceded daniel 7. The genre is represented in the hebrew bible by the book of daniel, but the main corpus lies outside the bible in such books as 1 and 2 enoch, 4 ezra, 2 and 3 baruch, jubilees. Apocalyptic literature was much concerned about sources of information about the heavenly world and about the places of the damned and saved souls.
Jan 02, 2020 in both biblical and non biblical apocalyptic literature, symbols are an important means of conveying the message. He has published several books and articles on the hebrew bible, ancient and mediaeval apocalypses, and biblical apocrypha. But actually, we are not left to attempt a stab in the dark. Another example is preserved in the hebrew scriptures as the book of daniel. He addresses both the bestknown examples the biblical books of daniel and revelation and other important but lesser known examples zechariah and some words of jesus and paul. One well known example is the war scroll found among the dead sea scrolls and probably written by the essenes. The apocalyptic style seems to have been inspired by prophetic books of the bible, especially daniel. Introduction to hebrew bible old testament related courses.
For this reason, many events are described in metaphors, rather than in literal terms. Theyre also interesting because people have used these books in an unusual way in the modern period. The book of daniel is a rich piece of apocalyptic literature that includes several strange visions that point to the coming son of man, the messianic king who will deliver israel and the nations. Daniel the forms of the old testament literature book 20. Introduction to the old testament hebrew bible rlst 145 with christine hayes the book of ruth, in which a foreign woman enters the community of israel an. Apocalyptic literature apocalyptic literature, literature taking its name from the revelation gk. Although apocalyptic has its roots in ot prophecy in general, the real prototype of the nonbiblical ap.
Biblical literature apocalyptic and eschatological works. As above indicated, all these take the book of daniel as their model, and imitate it more or less closely. The book of daniel is prophetic and apocalyptic literature about a faithful servant of yahweh living in babylonian exile. An introduction to the interpretation of apocalyptic literature. The word apocalypse has been borrowed from the book of revelation and applied to these other writings. Introduction to the old testament hebrew bible rlst 145 with christine hayes the book of ruth, in which a foreign woman enters the. Strictly speaking, the book does not belong to the prophetic writings but rather to a distinctive type of literature known as apocalyptic, of which it is an early specimen. Extra biblical sources the other apocalyptic writings are outside the bible and mainly belong to the period 200 b. The book of daniel offers a fully matured and classic example of this genre of literature. Daniel, with an introduction to apocalyptic literature. And in fact the book of revelation is largely a christian interpretation of the book of daniel. One feature of this section is daniel s reliance on. Fundamentally exegetical, the fotl volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question.
We appreciate the nature of apocalyptic literature far better today than we did in centuries past. However, there are sources of apocalyptic literature in addition to these. The book of daniel is the apocalyptic book of the hebrew bible. He addresses both the bestknown examples the biblical books of daniel and revelation and other important but lesser known examples zechariah and some words of. This theological view of monotheism is unique in the ancient near east, whose religions were polytheistic and cyclical i.
Daniel 7 5 toward an interpretive strategy for the apocalyptic time. The first known record of apocalyptic literature is isaiah 24. The genre of daniel 712 is one form of biblical prophecy. Why is some literature in this style included in the bible. The book of ruth, in which a foreign woman enters the community of israel and becomes greatgrandmother to none other than king david, expresses a view of gentiles entirely opposed to that of ezra and nehemiah. It is thereby declared to be an authentic apocalypse.
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