DANIEL: INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY STRUCTURE

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This intriguing book can be viewed structurally from several different perspectives, from the most obvious to more subtle modes of organization. To the reader who approaches Daniel in a modern translation, the book divides naturally into a series of ten basic units (stories or prophetic visions) equivalent to our present chapter divisions (combining Daniel 10-12 into one unit). Each of these units has a self-contained organization, with the first six units even possessing highly developed symmetrical structures. In Daniel 1-6, each of the stories follows the same pattern and contains the following elements which always occur in the same order:

1. A decision, dilemma or decree of the king which threatens the life or life-style of the faithful.

2. The faithful resolve to remain loyal to God or turn to him for help.

            3. A trial or test

            4. Successful conclusion to test

            5. King's decision in favor of God and his followers.

As one example of the internal symmetry found within each story, Chapter 1 is outlined below.

Figure 1: Structure of Daniel 1

A. Historical Setting: Kings of Judah and Babylon (1:1-2)

    B. Men chosen for training to enter king's service (1:3-5)

        C. Jews tested (1:6-14)

                1. Four from Judah given new names (1:6-7)

                    2. Daniel asks official for new diet (1:8-9)

                        3. Official refuses (1:10)

                1'. Four from Judah have guard appointed (1:11)

                    2'. Daniel asks guard for new diet (1:12-13)

                        3'. Guard agrees (1:14)

        C'. Results of test (1:15-17)

    B'. Men enter king's service (1:18-20)

A'. Historical setting: King of Persia (1:21)

The individual sections are unified using several literary techniques:

1. In the first place, each set of adjoining chapters may be seen to share at least one key word or phrase. This literary device serves to lead the reader from one section to the next.

Figure 2: Verbal Links Between Adjacent Chapters

Chapters 1 & 2 “magicians and enchanters”

Chapters 2 & 3 “image of gold,” three Jewish men are “appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon,” “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,” ending with Nebuchadnezzar's praise to God

Chapters 3 & 4 “decree,” “seven times,” “Chaldeans,” “peoples, nations and languages,” “Most High God,” Nebuchadnezzar blessing God

Chapters 4 & 5 “spirit of the holy god(s) is within you,” “Belteshazzar,” “iron and bronze,” story of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, references to diviners, companion portraits of monarchs – one who repents and one who does not

Chapters 5 & 6 “King Darius,” “Medes and Persians,” Daniel has “an excellent spirit”

Chapters 6 & 7 beasts that “break in pieces,” an everlasting dominion that will never end

Chapters 7 & 8 King Belshazzar's third year, symbolic dream visions with image of the little horn, reference in 8:1 to ch. 7, roughly 3 ½ year time period, similar ending describing Daniel's feelings.

Chapters 8 & 9 transgression that makes “desolate,” “sanctuary,” “Gabriel,” presence of an angel who reveals the truth

Chapters 9 & 10 Daniel fasts, he is “greatly beloved,” an angel “comes because” of Daniel's prayers

2. An unusual feature of Daniel is the way in which the book is divided by original languages of composition. Verses 2:4b-7:28 are in Aramaic while the rest is in Hebrew. But looking at the general subjects and genres that occur in Daniel, one comes up with a slightly different two-fold division for the book. Namely, the first six chapters are widely recognized as court tales involving Daniel and his friends and told in the third person while the rest of the book consists of various visions and revelations usually classified as apocalyptic literature and narrated by Daniel himself. Why is Daniel 1 in Hebrew instead of Aramaic as are the other court stories of Daniel, and why isn't Daniel 7 in Hebrew with the other visions of the second half of the book?

It has been pointed out that the first year of a reign (only at Daniel 1:21 and 7:1) “connotes the beginning of something.” Therefore a possible answer to the question above is that Daniel 1 is written in Hebrew to highlight its unique function as an introduction to the entire book by starting with the Exile and alluding to the Return with its mention of Cyrus at end. Similarly, retaining Daniel 7 in Aramaic acts as “an interlocking device” to tie together the two halves of the book.

3. An additional reason for seeing a second half beginning at 7:1 comes from a consideration of the various reigns in which each section is said to take place. Thus, as in Daniel's visions themselves and in the Book of Revelation, there are successive cycles of action with the time frame shifted ahead slightly in each new cycle: a phenomenon sometimes called progressive recapitulation. Chs.10-12 comprise “a climactic revelation,” being the longest, most detailed and clearest.

Nebuchadnezzar (chs. 1-4)

Belshazzar (ch. 5)

Darius (ch. 6)

                    -----------------------------

                         Belshazzar (chs. 7-8)

                                     Darius (ch. 9)

                                                 Cyrus (chs. 10-12)

4. The overall theme of God's victory throughout the ages presents itself both in God's judgment on the rulers of the world and his vindication of the saints. Both points are emphasized repeatedly by the literary structure of the book: (a) the introductory verses (1:1-2) lay out the theme, (b) the message is stated by dating each story according to the earthly ruler at the time, each of whom is deposed to make way for the next, and (c) both aspects of God's coming kingdom are reiterated in the last half of ch. 12, which belongs to the last vision but also functions as a conclusion to the whole book.