Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

Hi Scott!

I don't agree with the NET textual note on this. The noun נקא means 'pure' in the sense of 'unblemished' or 'perfect'. Cognates include the word for 'innocent'. It does not mean lamb's wool. I think the NET is misunderstanding the nature of the construct here. The _expression_ עמר נקא means 'pure wool'. The question then arises, where does wool come from. It comes from sheep. But the noun נקא itself does not in any way refer to sheep. So the _expression_ implies lamb's wool, but does not actually mean 'lamb's wool'.

The Greek version of Daniel has some very significant differences to the MT—not just in ch.7. The Greek version seems to be of a different 'pedigree', if that's the right term to use. I refer you to the introductory section in Collins' Daniel commentary (Hermeneia series) for a fuller discussion.

Wheels on thrones were common enough in antiquity. It seems to be a cross between a throne and a chariot—a kind of portable throne. You see them, for instance, in Ezekiel's vision of Yahweh (Ezek 1–2). The motif is taken up in coinage, too, where Yahweh is depicted on a wheeled throne that even has wings. See the following link for some images and discussion:

http://www.bibleorigins.net/YahwehWheelCoin.html

This kind of depiction (wheels and wings) is known from the Aegean world. Have a look at this link, for example:

http://www.bibleorigins.net/ezekielscherubim.html

But it seems clear that the idea of a wheeled throne is older than the wheels-and-wings motif. It seems to imply that the one who sits on the wheeled throne is one who brings swift change and/or justice to even the remotest places. Think of it as a kind of ancient version of Airforce One.

GEORGE ATHAS

Dean of Research,

Moore Theological College (moore.edu.au)

Sydney, Australia

From: Scott Lawson <Lostntym8 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Sunday, 30 June 2013 4:44 PM
To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] Daniel 7:9

At Daniel 7:9 the NET says: "While I was watching, thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.

His attire was white like snow; the hair of his head was like lamb's wool.

His throne was ablaze with fire and it's wheels were all aflame."

Textual Note 25 on this verse says: "Traditionally the Aramaic word (neqe') has been rendered "pure" but here it more likely means "of a lamb." Cf. the Syriac neqya' ("a sheep, ewe"). On this word see further, M. Sokoloff "'amar neqe', 'Lamb's Wool' (Daniel 7:9, "JBL 95 (1976): 277-79."

How much weight does this rendering have?

Also, I note that the LXX does not mention the flaming wheels of the throne. Why the omission?

Also what is the purpose of wheels on a throne? I note that the verse starts out indicating that thrones were set up, so would wheels be for the purpose of making that process easier? Is there some ancient custom connected with this or is there some other reason?

Scott Lawson

Sent from my iPhone

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