The Book of Daniel in Smiths Bible Dictionary
stands at the head of a series of writings in which the
deepest thoughts of the Jewish people found expression after
their close of the prophetic era. Daniel is composed partly
in the vernacular Aramaic (Chaldee) and partly in the sacred
Hebrew. The introduction, Dan. 1-2:4 a, is written in
Hebrew. On the occasion of the "Syriac" (i.e. Aramaic)
answer of the Chaldeans, the language changes to Aramaic,
and this is retained till the close of the seventh chapter
(2:4 b-7). The personal introduction of Daniel as the writer
of the text, 8:1, is marked by the resumption of the Hebrew,
which continues to the close of the book. ch. 8-12. The book
may be divided into three parts. The first chapter forms an
introduction. The next six chapters, 2-7, give a general
view of the progressive history of the powers of the world,
and of the principles of the divine government as seen in
the events of the life of Daniel. The remainder of the book,
chs. 8-12, traces in minuter detail the fortunes of the
people of God, as typical of the fortunes of the Church in
all ages. In the first seven chapters Daniel is spoken of
historically; int he last five he appears personally as the
writer. The cause of the difference of person is commonly
supposed to lie int he nature of the case. It is, however,
more probable that the peculiarity arose from the manner in
which the book assumed its final shape. The book exercised a
great influence upon the Christian Church. The New Testament
incidentally acknowledges each of the characteristic
elements of the book, its miracles, Heb 11:33,34 its
predictions, Mt 24:15 and its doctrine of angels. Lu 1:19,26
The authenticity of the book has been attacked in modern
times. (But the evidence, both external and internal, is
conclusive as to its genuineness. Rawlinson, in his
"Historical Evidences," shows how some historical
difficulties that had been brought against the book are
solved by the inscription on a cylinder lately found among
the ruins of Ur in Chaldea. --ED.)
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