Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Dan Wagner <Dan.Wagner AT datastream.net>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Brian Tucker [mailto:editor AT journalofbiblicalstudies.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2001 14:14
> To: Biblical Hebrew
> Subject: SHABUA in Dan 9:24-27
> 
> 
> Could someone provide a critque of TWOT statements concerning SHABUA:
> 
> >>In Dan 9:24, 25, 26, 27  SHABUA denotes a period of seven 
> years  in each
> of its appearances in these four verses. This is proven by the context
> wherein Daniel recognizes that the seventy-year period of captivity is
> almost over. The land had been fallow for seventy years and 
> thus repaid
> the Lord the seventy sabbatical years owed to him for the 
> prior seventy
> periods of seven years (Dan 9:2; Jer 25:12; cf. 2Chr  36:21 
> !). Just as
> Daniel is in prayer concerning this matter, the angel Gabriel 
> appears and
> informs him that Israel's restoration will not be complete 
> until she goes
> through another seventy periods-of-seven, SHABUA (Dan 
> 9:24ff)! Note also
> the apparent reference in Dan 12:1 to half of Daniel's last 
> seventy (Dan
> 9:27); it is 1290 days, approximately three and a half years. 
> Thus here it
> means years.<<

It's OK by me.

> 
> Is the older translation 'weeks' appropriate? If so, why?

"Heptad" seems to be the most non-controversial way to translate it.

> 
> Is this section to be considered a 'expository midrash'? 
> (Goldingay, 231)

No, prophecy! (no, i'm not going to take time now to respond whatever flak
may come for that statement!)

> 
> Is the distinction between chronology and chronography (a 
> stylized scheme
> of history used to interpret historical data rather than arising from
> them) (Goldingay, 257) appropriate here?

The outworking in time follows the prophecy.

Dan Wagner

> 
> Are there any legitmate literary problems with verse 27 (i.e. 
> that it was
> added later, if so, why? Maccabean period?) (NIDOTTE, 4:21-22)

I think the very fact of its cryptic nature and difficulty shows that it is
orignal with Daniel like all the rest. If late, after-the-fact, why would it
be so tough to figure out?

> 
> Does the context of chapters 7-9 help in understanding this section?

Yes, but too big a question for the moment for me....

Dan Wagner