Daniel
About this date: A prophet's narrative setting, ministry dates, and the composition history of the book bearing a prophetic name are related but distinct.
Wise court figure and visionary in the book of Daniel.
Historical context
Prophetic books and narratives address covenant infidelity, injustice, worship, imperial crisis, judgment, and restoration. A traditional book title does not establish authorship of every passage.
Key points
- Wise court figure and visionary in the book of Daniel.
- Primary reading: Daniel 1–6; 7. Read the complete passage in its literary context.
- Read an oracle in its literary unit and historical horizon; a prophet's ministry and a book's final composition are distinct questions.
Scripture
- Daniel 1–6; 7 — Principal biblical passage cluster for Daniel; check the summary against the complete text.
Primary sources
Daniel reports:
Daniel's night vision introduces the humanlike figure who approaches the Ancient of Days.
there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man
Passage context and translation
Daniel's night vision moves from four beasts to a humanlike figure brought before the Ancient of Days and given enduring dominion.
Before the excerpt
I saw in the night visions, and behold,
After the excerpt
and he came even to the Ancient of Days
Sources and further reading
- USCCB introduction to Daniel
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event.