DANIEL Prophet Of Today's Age, and How It Was Written, Part 3

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                

What do we know of the Biblical Book of Daniel, mentioned in Ezek. 14:14. Ezekiel was a Prophet of the 6th century BCE, and most likely a member of the priestly family of Zadok who served in the Temple before its destruction in 586 BCE. He was also exiled to Babylon before Jews were exiled to Tel Abib on the river Kebar in Babylonia where he prophesied over a period of 22 years (592-570 BCE).

 Daniel was named along with Noah and Job.  He was an ancient sage; is referred to in Ezek. 28:3 (which is the source of the phrase, "A Daniel come to judgment" in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice). 

 They say "Daniel" was also found in an ancient tale discovered in a Ugaritic text as well. Ugaritic texts originate from the ancient city-state of Ugarit, located on the Mediterranean coast of modern-day Syria. Specifically, the texts were discovered at Ras Shamra (the tell of Ugarit) and nearby Ras Ibn Hani. These texts provide valuable insights into the language and culture of the ancient Near East, including aspects of Northwest Semitic religion. 

In our  Tanach (Old Testament), Daniel is listed under "Writings" and is almost at the end, coming after Esther's story.  Daniel was from the tribe of Judah living in exile in Babylon  and lived in  300 BCE.   It's writing about the future !

He has amazing and unusual experiences at the courts of King Nebuchadnezzar , Darius the Mede, and Belshazzar.  Chapters 7-12 are apocalyptic;  the visions relate to ancient times, but the reference seems to be to the 4persecuting kingdoms of Babylonia  Media, Persia and Greece.

They allude to historical events down to the period of Antiochus Epiphanes of Syria (175-163 BCE) whose wicked rule is to be succeeded by the kingdom of heaven.  His visions seems tocome to Judah at the beginning of the  Maccabean revolt ofabout 165 BCE.  The Book of Daniel contains Aramaicwriting of chapters 2:4-7; and 28 which caused a profoundinfluence on subsequent mysticism.  

                          Aramaic, the Bible's 3rd language

Aramaic was the language of the Jews from the 5th century BCE to the 11th century CE. They wrote many of their religious books in it, including the Babylonian Talmud, Targumim, Midrash, and some parts of the Tanakh.  It became the international language used by many people.   Additionally, the Hebrew square script evolved from the Aramaic script in the 2nd century BCE.