Dr. Esa Autero

OTS 501 INTRO TO OLD TESTAMENT

1.1 Introduction to DanielWhat are the most commonly known stories in

Dan?In what setting are they often read/told?

Most commonly focused issues in Daniel among evangelicals?

Has your view of Daniel changed after reading the textbook and Daniel? If yes, how?

Daniel and Hosea

1.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthorship, composition, date

Traditional viewUnified work written by Daniel in the 6th century

BC

Questioned by critical scholarship b/c (cf. Porphyry AD 233-304)Challenge of historicity Challenge of unityChallenge of prophecy (and genre)

Daniel and Hosea

Historical challengeDarius the Mede unknown in extra-biblical sources

Satrapy system not until Darius Hystaspes (20 satraps over Persia)

7-year insanity of Nebuchanezzar unknownChronological problem(s)

3rd yr. of Jehoiakim’s reign (609-598BC) & siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchanezzar (Dan 1:1) vs. 4th yr. of Jehoiakim = 1st yr. of Nebuchanezzar (Jer 25:1)

Unity of Daniel challengeChs. 1-6 have a positive view of gentile leaders whereas

chs. 7-12 have a negative viewHebrew (1:1-2:4a & 8:1-12:13) and Aramaic sections

(2:4b-7:28)Three additional stories in LXX

1) Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Men 2) Susanna 3) Bel and the Dragon

Daniel and Hosea

Challenge of prophecy (and genre) Stories in chs. 1-6 are court tales, legends, edifying storiesApocalyptic genre and ANE & Jewish parallels

ANE Akkadian apocalypses Pseudonymity (e.g. 1-2 Enoch; 4 Ezra) and vaticinium ex eventu

Accurate “prophecy” up to Antiochus IV (11:31-39; 168BC) but Antiochus’ death inaccurate (11:40-45 [†164/3BC]) Daniel written b/w 168-164BC [b/f Antiochus IV’s death in 163/4]

How should one respond to these arguments?How important are the questions of historicity and accuracy?Some evangelical scholars spent lifetime researchingSome challenges historical – others worldview & faith issues

Daniel and Hosea

Some arguments from evangelical scholarsHistorical issues & attempts at solutions

Darius the Mede (5:30; 9:1) – king after Belshazzar“Darius” as throne name – cf. e.g. Tiglath-Pileser = Pul (1Chr

5:26) Gubaru the governor (not general) of Babylon (from Akkadian texts) Cyrus the Great – “Darius”, adopted name to rule over Babylon (cf.

1Chr 5:26); kings could use two names for ruling over two different nations

Cyrus ruled over a 14-month period through a vassal who was “king of Babylon” = Darius the Mede; Darius identified as Gubaru of Nabonidus Chronicles (‘general’ not ‘governor’ [see above])

All of these are possible suggestions not “hard evidence”Additional historical perspectives

Belshazzar (5:1-2; 7:1; 8:1) “king of Babylon” Thought inaccurate 100 yrs. ago

Nabodinus’ early “retirement” & son’s reign (Bel-šar-ușur)

Daniel and Hosea

7-year insanity of NebuchanezzarNo records of Nebuchadnezzar’s activities b/w 581-

573BC except the siege of Tyre Chronological discrepancy (Dan 1:1 and Jer 25:1)

Two systems of dating – ascension year and non-ascension year

Daniel and Hosea

Chronology in Daniel and Jeremiah

Ascension year

Acc. yr. 1st yr. 2nd yr.

3rd. yr.

Dan 1:1

Non-ascension year

1st. yr. 2nd yr.

3rd yr.

4th yr. Jer 25:1, 9; 46:2

Unity of Daniel and attempts at solutionChanged circumstances & differences b/w 1-6 and

7-12Also later editing could play a part

Text indicates Daniel only as recipient of visions and object of stories

Thematic unity of the book; connections b/w sections (2&7; 3&6)

Additional stories in LXX Lack thematic unity of Daniel and likely legendary

additions To add and heighten miraculous to the stories

Daniel and Hosea

Prophecy and apocalyptic genre – solutionsChs. 1-6 appear as historical narrative

Miracles, worldview, and “fantastic stories” – worldview issue

Daniel and other apocalypsesNot all apocalypses are pseudonymous (e.g.

Revelation)Daniel – if pseudonymous, why not use a more

prominent figure of the past (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Job etc.)?

Definition of apocalypse – “prophetic-apocalyptic” continuum

Vaticinium ex eventum, Antiochus’ death, and date of Daniel “abomination of desolation” Zeus’ altar in Temple in

167BC (11:31)Dan moves beyond Antiochus to Rome & distant future

(7:23-5) Prophecy and “telescopic” view of the future Trans-historical nature of apocalyptic visions

Daniel and Hosea

In support of earlier date Appears as a historical narrative (cf. Ezek 14:14, 20; 28:3)

Not necessarily written by Daniel in wholeBoth Hb. and Aramaic style closer to 4th and 5th century than 2nd LXX (c. 250BC-150) and Qumran contain manuscripts of Daniel

4QFlor (cf. Matt 24:15; Ant. x.11.4 249)If Daniel written c. 164BC – how accepted into OT canon so

quickly?Brief evaluation and remaining questions

How close is Daniel to other apocalypses? Late date (c. 165BC), pseudonymity, and vaticinium ex eventum

“prophecy” accepted by some evangelical scholars To what extent the message of Daniel is dependent on this?

Some historical difficulties remain Date of Daniel

6th century BC to c. 165/4BC – mid 4th century possible too even if Daniel is considered the “fountain head” of the book

Daniel and Hosea

1.3 Background, purpose, structureHistorical background

Daniel and Hosea

Some important events and dates

Nabopolassar enthroned king of Babylon

626BCAssyria fallsFall of Nineveh (Capital of Assyria) 612BC

Fall of Carchemish 605BC

Nebuchadnezzar enthroned king of Babylon

605BC BABYLON

First group of exiles to Babylon (Judah)

605BC

Second group of exiles 598/7BC

Fall of Jerusalem 587/6BC

End of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign 562BC Persia

Fall of Babylon by Cyrus of Persia 539BC

Purpose of DanielDemonstrate God’s sovereignty over the

nationsSituation of oppressionDelay of establishing God’s kingdom (cf. 9:1-2)

Kingdom not established after 70-year Exile Return from exile does not equal full restoration

Endurance & faithfulness in the interim period

Daniel and Hosea

Structure of DanielChs. 1-6 – from Nebuchadnezzar to the reign of Darius

Daniel and friends in Babylon in king’s court (1-6)Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams and interpretations (2; 4)

The world empires (cf. 7) and Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation (4)Belshazzar’s feast and writing on the wall (5)

Stories of deliverance (3; 6) – fire and lions Chs. 7-12 – 1st year of Belshazzar to 3rd yr of Cyrus

Apocalyptic visionsFour beasts and its interpretation – triumph of the kingdom (7)Ram and a Goat and its interpretation (8)Daniel’s prayer and the 70 weeks (9)Visions of heavenly powers, time of the End, resurrection (10-

12) Delay of the kingdom & God’s ultimate triumph

Daniel and Hosea

1.4 Themes in DanielGod’s sovereignty and power of nations

God’s control of gentile kings and nations (2:20-23; 4:17, 34-37)Sovereign control of history – visions of the

kingdom (2; 7; 9)“Lord let…Jehoiakim…fall…” (1:2; 1:8)Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, insanity, worship (2:37-38,

46-47; 4:28-37)

Raising and deposing of Belshazzar (5:13-31)Darius the Mede acknowledges God’s power (6:26-27)Visions of the nations’ rise and fall (2:24-45; 7:1-8:27;

7:11-12) God’s eternal reign and kingdom vs. temporal human reigns

Comparison of the evil beasts and human-like God (7:1-28)

Heavenly conflict & God’s triumph in human history (10:1-12:13)

Daniel and Hosea

God’s protection and deliveranceGod’s protection of His people (1;3; 6)

Supernatural protection of righteous (1:5-17;3:16-30; 6:16-28, 22)

Revelation of the dreams to Daniel (2:10-12, 27-45; )Daniel’s superior wisdom (1:18-20; 4:9; 5:12, 14; 6:3)

Pride of the human rulersNebuchadnezzar’s pride – golden statue (3:1-23; 5:18-21)Belshazzar’s pride (5:18-23)Darius’ pride – worship as a god (6:6-9)

Ultimate triumph of the godly due to God’s kingdomGod’s kingdom victorious (2:44-45; 7:9-18)Wickedness increases – “wise” suffer, fall, die (8:9-14; 11:33-

35, 41; 2:17-18) Ultimate victory and the resurrection (12:1-4)

Daniel and Hosea

Symbolism and prophetic visionsThe kingdoms and the kingdom – Dan 2 & 7

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the statue of four parts (Dan 2)Four successive kingdoms starting w/ Babylonia God’s kingdom smashes the fourth (2:44-45)

Four beasts out of the sea (Dan 7)Four beasts & the coming of the Son of Man to the

Ancient of D.Further query about the fourth beast – “different” from

others Ten horns, , “another horn…three earlier plucked up” (7:7-9)

Making sense of the strange visions(?)

Daniel and Hosea

Most common suggestions

message: God’s kingdom triumphs over earthly kingdoms

Daniel and Hosea

Statue (Dan 2) & Beasts out of the sea (Dan 7)

Head of gold/1st beast

Babylonian empire

Babylonian empire

Babylonian empire

Breast of silver/2nd beast

Medo-Persian empire

Median kingdom

Medo-Persian empire

Belly of brass3rd beast

Greek empire

Persian empire

Alexander the Great

Legs of iron4th beast

Roman empire

Greek empire

Alexander’s successors

Ram, He-goat, and horns (8:1-27) [8:1, 550/547BC]Ram w/ two horns = Medo-Persian empire [Persia

= longer]He-goat from the west = Macedonian army [horn =

Alex.Grt.]Four small horns = Alexander’s four generals “little horn” = Antiochus Epiphanes IV (215-163BC) –

profaned the Temple 12/27 168BC (1Macc 1:54; 2Macc 6:2; Ant. xii.5.4.248-256)

But what about “king of bold countenance” (8:23-26)?Vision “many days from now” (8:26) - “time of the end”

(8:17) “End time” or “end of persecution” during Antiochus’ time?

Was Antiochus IV “not destroyed by human hands”? Antiochus IV died of grief and remorse in Babylon (1 Macc

6:8-16) More generalized note of destruction by God

Daniel and Hosea

Daniel’s seventy weeks (9:20-28)70 weeks decreed for people and city - …put end to sin,

atone for iniquity, everlasting righteousness…anoint holy… (9:24)7 wks: from the time the word went out word to restore

Jerusalem…[until an anointed prince – Hb. punct.] (9:24)For 62wks…Jerusalem…to be built…in troubled time (9:24)After 62wks anointed one cut off…troops destroy city and

sanctuary…his/its end with a flood…war (9:26)1wk & 1/2wk: strong covenant with many for 1 week – sacrifice

ceases for ½ week, abomination of desolation…end to the desolator (9:27)

How should these numbers and references be understood?Christ’s first and second coming/end times Time of the exile and the history up to Antiochus IV

Daniel and Hosea

“Standard” prophetic evangelical understanding of “70 sevens” 70 weeks – 70x7 years = 490 yrs.7 weeks (49yrs. b/w fall of Jerusalem and Cyrus’ decree) –

“restore Jerusalem….until anointed prince” (9:25a) From exile to decree by Cyrus to rebuild the Temple in 538-537BC

(Ezra 1:1-4; 6:3-5) or 458 Artaxerxes to Nehemiah (Ezra 7:11-26) or to Nehemiah 445-444 (Neh 2:5-8, 17-18)

[ TIME GAP…] Hb. punctuation (cf. NRSV, NAB, NIV) “Time of an anointed prince” 1st coming of the Messiah (9:25b)

62 weeks [434yrs.] – anointed one cut off, city destroyed, war (9:26) Crucifixion of Messiah and destruction of Jerusalem AD 70 INDEFINITE TIME GAP…

1 week & 1/2 week – covenant, offerings cease, abomination, end Rise of antichrist characterized by week long covenant (7yrs);

breaking of the covenant, abomination of desolation after ½ week (3.5yrs); destruction of the antichrist and the end

Daniel and Hosea

More historically oriented understanding70 weeks: 490yrs. OR symbolical for “period of history”

From exile to restoration (Jubilee & Sabbath yr; cf. 1En; Jub) 7 weeks – “restore Jerusalem….until anointed prince” (9:25a)

From exile (586BC) to decree by Cyrus (538BC) or Artaxerxes“Time of an anointed prince” Zerubbabel or Joshua (Ezra 2:2; 3:2;

Hag 1:1-14; Zech 6:9-14)62 weeks – anointed one cut off, city destroyed, war (9:26)

62wks = round number of the time down to Antiochus IVAnointed one = Onias III (†171BC; 2Macc32-34); prince = AntiochusIV

1 week & 1/2 week – covenant, offerings cease, abomination, endAntiochus’ covenant w/ apostate Jews (1Macc 1:11-15)Desecration of the Temple 167BC and his end 164BC Antiochus IV - a prototype for eschatological desecration & persecution

Daniel and Hosea

Some interpretative principlesApocalyptic genre and imagery

When to look for specifics and when broader principles/message Check for alternative interpretations – caution on dogmatism

Primarily a sustaining word for first audience or future prophecy?

Telescopic vision – near at hand and distant future merged

e.g. “kingdom not made w/ hands” did not replace Antiochus IV’s rule as a historical reality

Vision sealed and secret until the end of times (12:9)

Daniel and Hosea

2.1 Introduction to HoseaWhat kind of person was Hosea?

What did God ask Hosea to do?

Sermons from Hosea?

Daniel and Hosea

2.2 Historical and Critical IssuesAuthor, composition, date

Hosea the son of Beeri (1:1) – author or main figure?

The dates of the kings and Hosea’s ministry

Daniel and Hosea

Kings of Judah and Israel (Hos 1:1)

Judah’s kings Israel’s kings Hosea

Uzziah 785-733[42]

Jeroboam II

789-746[53]

PROPHECY750-746

Jotham 758-743[32]

Zachariah, Shallum

6 months, 1 month

Ahaz 743-727

Menahem 747-37[42]

Hezekiah

727-698[87]

Pekahiah & PekahHoshea

737-735735-732732-724

Hosea prophesied against the northern kingdomWhy most kings in 1:1 are from Judah?

Number of references to Judah (1:7; 2:2; 4:15; 5:5-14; 6:4-11; 8:14…)

Hosea prophesied to both? Prophetic vision for bothProphecies to both by Amos (2:4-8) and Isaiah (5:7;

48:1)Judah and Israel are envisioned together

Later editing or “Judean redaction”? (cf. 12:2)Prophecies from Israel later applied to Judah b/c

similar situation

Book of Hosea – dated to c. 722BCOr later (exilic) if it had a Judean “updating”

Daniel and Hosea

2.3 Background, purpose, structureHistorical background

Hosea, son of Beeri“deliverance”, “help”, “salvation” (cf. Joshua, Isaiah, Jesus)8th century pre-exilic prophet

Contemporary of Isaiah, Micah, and Amos Married Gomer “take…wife of whoredom” (1:2; 3:1)

Symbolize the apostasy of Israel & YHWH’s love toward IsraelChildren’s names & judgment – Jezreel*, Lo-Ruhamah, Lo-Ammi

Historical situation Jeroboam II’s military expansion (2Kgs14:25-28)

Economic prosperityIdolatry, moral decay, and apostasy (4:2, 18; 6:8-9; 10:15; 11:2)

Daniel and Hosea

Political instability and assassinations Syro-Ephraimite conflict & war (735-734BC; cf. 5:8-6:6)Attempts at foolish diplomacy (7:11)

Menahem a vassal of Assyria to avoid invasion 740BC (2Kgs 15:19)

Pekah’s raid into Judah in 735BC (2Kgs 16:5-9)Ahaz of Judea sought help from AssyriaKing Hoshea sough help from Egypt (2Kgs17:1-6)

Purpose of Hosea“Immediate doom, eventual hope”

Call to repentance of the apostate nationDramatization of YHWH’s faithfulness to Israel (14:4)

YHWH’s dilemma of punishing beloved children (11:8) Recounting of past deliverance and covenant (11:1-4;

12:2-6, 9)

Daniel and Hosea

Structure – basic division 1-3 & 4-14Hosea’s marriage w/ Gomer (1:2-3:5)

Reflection of God’s relationship w/ IsraelFirst prophetic cycle (4:1-11:11)

Oracles of judgment (4:1-10:15)God’s love overwhelms His anger (11:1-11)

Second prophetic cycle (11:12-14:8)Israel’s sins and God’s anger (11:12-13:16)Israel’s repentance and blessing (14:1-8)

Wisdom colophon (14:9)

Daniel and Hosea

2.4 Themes in Hosea The covenant – judgment and salvation

Mosaic covenant – blessings and curses presupposed“hunger and fertility” curse (Deut 28:17-18) & Hos 4:10-

11Judgment b/c breaking the covenant (6:7; 8:1)

“lack of knowledge” (4:1, 6) – “spirit of whoredom” (5:4)Idolatry (4:1-13; 5:11; 8:6; 13:2) & “return to wilderness”

(2:14)Lying, deceit, sexual sins (4:2, 14, 18; 6:7-11)Socio-economic injustice and oppression (12:6-8; 9:9; 7:1; 6:6;

5:10) Second exodus and restoration (2:14-15; 11:8-9)Salvation as healing/restoration of the nation and the land

(6:1-3; 11:3; 14:4)

Daniel and Hosea

Reflecting on salvation, judgment & the creation careGod’s judgment and desolation of the earth (4:2-3)Salvation and the healing of the earth (2:18-19, 21-22)

Creation imagery related to salvation/judgment (2:6, 12; 8:7; 10:8; 14:4-7)

Baal and the fertility cultManipulation of divine forces to bring about harvestIdentification of natural forces (rain, thunder etc.) w/

divinityYHWH – Creator and Savior/provider

The connection b/w covenant faithfulness & the creationDoes this have any implications how we treat the creation?

http://www.creationcare.org/index.php evang. environt. network

Daniel and Hosea

Hosea’s marriageAnalogy b/w human marriage and divine-

human covenantIsrael’s infidelity to the covenant and Gomer’s

infidelityExclusive nature of marriage and covenant

Was Hosea’s marriage literal or symbolical? (1:2 & 3:1)Hypothetical, allegorical or prophetic visionOne literal marriage: was Gomer a prostitute all

along/became one? Two literal marriages: marriage to Gomer (1:2) and

another marriage of an unknown woman (3:2)

Daniel and Hosea

An option – one marriage to prostituting Gomer1:2 and 3:1 two separate events After the initial marriage Hosea had to purchase

her from slave market to redeem her from debt and prostitution

How could God ask such an unethical thing? Only priests were forbidden marry a prostitute (Lev

21:7, 14)To enact YHWH’s covenant love and Israel’s

unfaithfulness

Daniel and Hosea