In the Septuagint and, hence, the Christian Old Testament, Daniel is placed with the prophetic literature. In the Jewish tradition, Daniel is placed in “the writings.” Jewish rabbis apparently did not like the seemingly positive relationship between Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar as portrayed in the book.
Chps 1-6 are haggadic genre: stories with a moral purpose not necessarily based in fact. These chapters cover Daniel coming to Babylon and being made part of the King’s household. Also found here are the lion’s den and Daniel’s friends in the fiery furnace stories, as well as the mysterious writing on the wall. These are “court legends” – stories that portray Jewish figures excelling under foreign powers. Another example of this is stories about Joseph in Egypt or also the story of Esther.
Chps 7-12 are apocalyptic genre.
Apokálypsis in the Greek means laying bare; disclosure of truth; manifestation, appearance, revealing. Apocalyptic literature foretells cataclysmic events that will transpire at the end of the world. It takes narrative form, employs esoteric language along with spectacular visions, expresses a pessimistic view of the present, and treats the final events as imminent.
Most scholars regard early Christianity as a fervently apocalyptic religion, intent on the imminent “Second Coming” of Christ to preside over the Last Judgment and the end of the world. This genre flourished in the first century BC to the first century AD. It was especially popular in times of catastrophe or persecution, which fit the developing Christianity of that time.
The genre virtually disappeared after the Middle Ages, but it continues to be popular among fringe groups of disenfranchised people. Some Protestant denominations in the United States propound apocalyptic beliefs, and preachers like Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell were apocalyptic preachers. Also apocalyptic are books like The Left Behind series and Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth. The genre comes in handy when the values and structures of a society lose all meaning for some minority group, and are being replaced by new meanings and systems.
Chps 13-14 are not in the Protestant Bible and contain more court legends.
Features
- Dualism (world is bad, heaven is good; us and them)
- Alienation from and despair about the dominant culture
- Conviction that the world is headed for destruction and hope that God will save a remnant of the truly deserving (Hint, most of us are not in that group.)
- Conviction that it’s possible to see signs of The End in historical events
- Metaphorical and symbolic languages
- Woes
- Purpose is to encourage the faithful to endure their suffering in the sure knowledge that God’s purposes will prevail. In this, it is both practical and pastoral.
- Hang in there – God prevails!
The author was likely part of the Babylonian captivity. His early ministry probably took place in Jerusalem before it fell to Nebuchadrezzar in 598BC. The years following were devastating for the people and left them open to Babylonian invasion in 586BC, followed by deportation of the entire population out of their homeland.