when did daniel write? liberals typically declare that the book of daniel had to be written during...

When did Daniel Write?When did Daniel Write?

Liberals typically declare that the Book of Daniel had to be written during the reign of Antiochus IV (175-164 BC).


Liberals typically declare that the Book of Daniel had to be written during the reign of Antiochus IV (175-164 BC).

The reasoning is that the book so accurately portrays the events surrounding the reign of Antiochus, it had to be written after the events took place.


Samuel Rolles Driver, a well-known liberal scholar, wrote a commentary on Daniel in 1901.


Samuel Rolles Driver, a well-known liberal scholar, wrote a commentary on Daniel in 1901.◦ “The minuteness of the predictions, embracing even special

events in the distant future, is . . . out of harmony with the analogy of prophecy.”


Samuel Rolles Driver, a well-known liberal scholar, wrote a commentary on Daniel in 1901.◦ “The minuteness of the predictions, embracing even special

events in the distant future, is . . . out of harmony with the analogy of prophecy.”

◦ While Driver did not deny predictive prophecy as a rule, he did declare that the predictions in Daniel were too precise to be written before they took place.


The issue with many interpreters is simply an anti-supernatural bias.


The issue with many interpreters is simply an anti-supernatural bias.◦ They believe that any God who might be out there could never

have the power to know the future.



have the power to know the future.◦ Therefore, they come to the book already believing that it

could not have been written prior to the events it predicts.



have the power to know the future.◦ Therefore, they come to the book already believing that it

could not have been written prior to the events it predicts.◦ Then, they find “evidence” that the book was written during

Antiochus’ reign.


If the book was written during the reign of Antiochus, contrary to the claims of Scripture, then how can we trust any part of Scripture?


If the Book of Daniel was written during the reign of Antiochus, then Jesus Christ was simply a fraud.


If the Book of Daniel was written during the reign of Antiochus, then Jesus Christ was simply a fraud.◦ “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the

prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Mt 24:15-16, ESV).


If the Book of Daniel was written during the reign of Antiochus, then Jesus Christ was simply a fraud.◦ Mt 24:15-16.◦ Shouldn’t we expect that the Son of God would know if the

historical Daniel wrote the book that bears his name?


If the Book of Daniel was written during the reign of Antiochus, then Jesus Christ was simply a fraud.◦ Mt 24:15-16.◦ Shouldn’t we expect that the Son of God would know if the

historical Daniel wrote the book that bears his name? Yes, this is strong language, but either Jesus Christ or

the liberal theology is right.


In an earlier era, this material was only espoused in liberal seminaries.


In an earlier era, this material was only espoused in liberal seminaries.◦ However, Newsweek, Time, the Discovery Channel, etc., have

popularized this view.


In an earlier era, this material was only espoused in liberal seminaries.◦ However, Newsweek, Time, the Discovery Channel, etc., have

popularized this view.◦ Thus, it’s essential that we take some time to establish the

validity of the Scriptures.


The testimony in the book is that it was written by Daniel.


The testimony in the book is that it was written by Daniel.◦ 7:2; 8:1; 9:2; 12:4, 9.


The testimony in the book is that it was written by Daniel.◦ 7:2; 8:1; 9:2; 12:4, 9.◦ It is amazing that "scholars" living so long after the writing of

Daniel would know more about who wrote it than the author himself!


Daniel is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, another book coming from the Babylonian Exile.


Daniel is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, another book coming from the Babylonian Exile.◦ 14:14, 20.


Daniel is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel, another book coming from the Babylonian Exile.◦ 14:14, 20.◦ The picture of Daniel in the Book of Ezekiel matches the

picture painted of Daniel in the Book of Daniel (Ezek 28:3).


The ancient Jews believed that no books were added to the Old Testament after the reign of Artaxerxes (464-424 BC).


About this, Josephus writes: "This interval of time [the writing of the Old Testament] was little short of three thousand years; but as to the time from the death of Moses till the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, who reigned after Xerxes, the prophets, who were after Moses, wrote down what was done in their times in thirteen books [the Minor Prophets were considered one book: “The Book of the Twelve”]. The remaining four books contain hymns to God, and precepts for the conduct of human life. It is true, our history hath been written since Artaxerxes very particularly, but hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers, because there hath not been an exact succession of prophets since that time; and how firmly we have given credit to these books of our own nation is evident by what we do; for during so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add any thing to them, to take any thing from them, or to make any change in them; but it is become natural to all Jews immediately, and from their very birth, to esteem these books to contain Divine doctrines, and to persist in them, and, if occasion be willingly to die for them" (Against Apion, I.8).


While the Jews accepted no books as authentic after the reign of Artaxerxes, they always accepted the Book of Daniel as canonical.


While the Jews accepted no books as authentic after the reign of Artaxerxes, they always accepted the Book of Daniel as canonical.◦ Other books were written during the Intertestamental Period

(e.g., 1 & 2 Maccabees).



(e.g., 1 & 2 Maccabees). Josephus says that such books "hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers."



(e.g., 1 & 2 Maccabees). Josephus says that such books "hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers.“

◦ If Daniel were written after the reign of Artaxerxes (as the liberals claim), why did the Jews accept it as canonical?


The casting of Daniel's three companions & Daniel's casting into the den of lions is recorded in 1 Maccabees (1 Macc 2:59-60).


The casting of Daniel's three companions & Daniel's casting into the den of lions is recorded in 1 Maccabees (1 Macc 2:59-60).◦ “Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael, for their faith, were saved

from the fire. Daniel, for his innocence, was delivered from the jaws of lions” (1 Macc 2:59-60).


The casting of Daniel's three companions & Daniel's casting into the den of lions is recorded in 1 Maccabees (1 Macc 2:59-60).◦ 1 Maccabees was probably written about 100 BC.


The casting of Daniel's three companions & Daniel's casting into the den of lions is recorded in 1 Maccabees (1 Macc 2:59-60).◦ 1 Maccabees was probably written about 100 BC.◦ In an era prior to the printing press & the Internet, it took

considerable time for books to circulate.



considerable time for books to circulate. Remember, they had to be copied by hand.



considerable time for books to circulate. Remember, they had to be copied by hand. It is highly unlikely that a book could gain widespread readership in

just 60 years.


As previously mentioned, Jesus Christ believed the book was written by the historical Daniel.


Josephus, writing about AD 94, accepted the book as historical.


Josephus, writing about AD 94, accepted the book as historical.◦ As mentioned last week, Josephus says that the Book of

Daniel was shown to Alexander the Great on his visit to Jerusalem.


Josephus, writing about AD 94, accepted the book as historical.◦ As mentioned last week, Josephus says that the Book of

Daniel was shown to Alexander the Great on his visit to Jerusalem. While most modern historians deny that Alexander ever set foot in Jerusalem, his use of that legend shows he accepted the Book as written before the reign of Antiochus.


Josephus, writing about AD 94, accepted the book as historical.◦ Josephus recounts the horrible events surrounding the reign of

Antiochus IV.


Josephus, writing about AD 94, accepted the book as historical.◦ Josephus recounts the horrible events surrounding the reign of

Antiochus IV. "It so came to pass, that our nation suffered these things under

Antiochus Epiphanes, according to Daniel's vision, and what he wrote many years before they came to pass. In the very same manner Daniel also wrote concerning the Roman government, and that our country should be made desolate by them. All these things did this man leave in writing, as God had showed them to him, insomuch that such as read his prophecies, and see how they have been fulfilled, would wonder at the honor wherewith God honored Daniel" (Antiquities of the Jews, X.11.7).


Daniel also shows a precise knowledge of ancient culture.


Daniel also shows a precise knowledge of ancient culture.◦ If one were to forge a letter from a historical figure (e.g.,

George Washington), he would need to write in the style of that figure.



George Washington), he would need to write in the style of that figure. He would need a good grasp of geography, culture, language,

political environment, economy, etc.




political environment, economy, etc. Today, it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to do so with a good library &

diligent research.




political environment, economy, etc. Today, it wouldn’t be terribly difficult to do so with a good library &

diligent research. However, such knowledge of 6th century Persia would have been in

short supply in 2nd century Palestine.


Daniel shows an immense knowledge of 6th century Palestine.


Daniel shows an immense knowledge of 6th century Palestine.◦ Daniel is quite precise in the way he describes the magi (2:4,

27). Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the accuracy of Daniel's description.




◦ Daniel describes the practice of Belshazzar's wives & concubines eating with men on festive occasions (5:1-4). This was the practice in ancient Persia, but it was not the practice in ancient Palestine.





◦ Daniel refers to the law of the Medes & Persians (5:28; 6:8, 12, 15); in later history, because of the rise of the Persian Empire, the Persians were mentioned first (cf Est 1:19).





◦ Daniel refers to the law of the Medes & Persians (5:28; 6:8, 12, 15); in later history, because of the rise of the Persian Empire, the Persians were mentioned first (cf Est 1:19).

◦ Daniel places the city of Shushan in the province of Elam (8:2); later, however, the city was located in the province of Susiana.


Scrolls of Daniel have been found at Qumran (the community that gave us the Dead Sea Scrolls).


Scrolls of Daniel have been found at Qumran (the community that gave us the Dead Sea Scrolls).

Evidence from these scrolls show that the original was composed several hundred years before the second century BC. The evidence that has been uncovered at Qumran is complex & linguistic, but it does demonstrate that Daniel was written well before the reign of Antiochus.


By the time of the Greek writer Herodotus, the name "Belshazzar" (5:1) had disappeared until it was rediscovered in the late 1800's.


By the time of the Greek writer Herodotus, the name "Belshazzar" (5:1) had disappeared until it was rediscovered in the late 1800's.

How could a writer in the second century BC get a name right when the name had disappeared from historical records?

when did daniel write? liberals typically declare that the book of daniel had to be written during...

Documents

book of daniel

prophet daniel

historical daniel

reign of antiochus

antiochus reign

jesus christ

antisupernatural bias

special events