Cosmic Battle and Political Conflict: Studies in Verbal Syntax and Contextual Interpretation of Daniel 8

by Holger Gzella

Publisher:

Pontifical Biblical Institute

, 2003

Overview

This study offers a fresh appreciation of the various literary elements and genres that constitute Daniel 8 as a whole. Namely, these are the narrative frame, the vision report itself as well as its application to Jewish history under Antiochus IV. While situating the message of this chapter within the Book of Daniel, it also shows the importance of the Ancient Neat Eastern context for the understanding of biblical imagery. In that perspective the work gives a thorough treatment of the syntax of Hebrew verbs and other philological matters that have a special bearing on biblical interpretation. This Monograph makes one of the most challenging biblical texts more accessible to serious students of the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near Eastern languages in general.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Daniel 8 develops a theme already well known from earlier parts of the Book, namely the connection of supernatural powers with the powers of the world.” (Page 7)

“ evil force in the supernatural world which manifests itself in the human realm in the guise of the Hellenistic ruler.” (Pages 153–154)

“The apocalyptic wasteland, which they were believed to inhabit after God’s judgment on the nations” (Page 136)

“demoniac notion, namely the assault on the stars which the ‘little horn’ endeavours.” (Page 139)

“ it provides at the same time a view of the world as it really is” (Page 5)

Product Details

• Title: Cosmic Battle and Political Conflict: Studies in Verbal Syntax and Contextual Interpretation of Daniel 8
• Author: Holger Gzella
• Publisher: Pontifical
• Publication Date: 2003
• Pages: 187

About Holger Gzella

Holger Gzella is professor of Hebrew and Aramaic at Leiden University in the Netherlands. His other books include A Cultural History of Aramaic: From the Beginnings to the Advent of Islam.