Danielboek as apokaliptiek

Abstract

The tales in the Book of Daniel (Dan 1-6) do not have typical apocalyptic features. The tales form part of a book that also includes visions (Dan 7-12) that exhibit definite apocalyptic features. The question is posed: must the tales be interpreted as apocalyptic literature because the writer in the second century placed it as a prologue to the book with its apocalyptic message of the end of all known kingdoms? To answer the question, it is first necessary to define what apocalyptic literature comprises. This is a difficult question, because each apocalyptic work has unique features. To answer the question on the historic and social origin of apocalypticism difficulty is also encountered because the modern researcher does not have precise historical information relating to the phenomenon of apocalypticism. This article concludes that each apocalyptic work should be investigated on its own right, and that the tales in the Book of Daniel should be interpreted with the writer's apocalyptic aims in mind.