biblica et orientalia—47

HOLGER GZELLA

COSMIC BATTLE AND POLITICAL
CONFLICT

Studies in Verbal Syntax and
Contextual Interpretation of Daniel 8

EDITRICE PONTIFICIO ISTITUTO BIBLICO—ROMA 2003

ISBN 88-7653-350-8

© E.P.I.B.—Roma—2003

Iura editionis et versionis reservantur

Dis manibus

James A. Montgomery (1866–1949)

inter viburna cupressus

Acknowledgements

This monograph is the result of my research done on the Book of Daniel at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, during the academic year 2001–2002. It was Agustinus Gianto, S.J., Professor of Semitic Philology and Linguistics, who, with his keen acumen and liberality, guided the research and later encouraged me to expand the original work into a monograph for inclusion in Biblica et Orientalia. I owe him my heartfelt thanks for his constant interest and unfailing support throughout my student days at the Biblicum. I shall remember them with joy when the days of darkness will be many (Eccl 11:8). Although anybody familiar with his works will realize the great extent to which his ideas have inspired me, I take full responsibility for the views expressed in this book.

My interest in the theological significance of linguistic and literary features of Old Testament texts goes back to Erich Zenger, of Münster, who introduced me to Biblical Studies, and to Jan Lambrecht, S.J., of Leuven. Much of my understanding of the intrinsic relationship between Theology and literary scholarship is indebted to Christian Gnilka and Thomas Pröpper, both of Münster.

I am also grateful to Werner Mayer, S.J., for everything I was able to learn from him, even beyond the boundaries of Assyriology proper. Last but not least, I want to express my gratitude to another mentor of mine in semiticis, Craig Morrison, O.Carm., who has steadily fostered my love for Aramaic. He has also contributed a number of stylistic improvements to an early draft of the present study.

I should add that my triennial stay at the Collegium Germanicum et Hungaricum in Rome would have been much less challenging—and less enjoyable too—without the inspiring company there and elsewhere in the Eternal City. I would like to mention, among others, Christian Wirz, Christof Strüder, Eka Beridze, Georg Müller, Hermann Backhaus, Martin Marahrens, and Stephan Lüttich, from whom I have received much moral support. I shall remember with appreciation and loyalty that I originally came to Rome at the instigation of Franz-Hermann Lürken, although many things have changed since then.

Holger Gzella

March 2003

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CONTENTS

ABBREVIATIONS

1 INTRODUCTION

1. Apocalypticism and Symbolism: A First Thought

2. Daniel 8 in the Context of the Book of Daniel

a. A Theology of Power

b. The Framework of Apocalypticism

3. The Language of Daniel 8

2 THE TEXT OF DANIEL 8

1. A Reading Text and Translation of Daniel 8

2. Textual Commentary

3. The Textual History

4. The Principal Ancient Versions of Daniel 8

a. The Greek Versions: The Old Greek and Theodotion

b. The ...