Plotting Antiochus’s Death: The Book of Daniel on the End of Seleucid Rule

Updated by: 
Ruth A. Clements
Research notes: 
RAC/not checked/18/12/2023
Reference type: 
Journal Article
Author(s): 
Avneri Meir, Rotem
year: 
2023
Full title: 

Plotting Antiochus’s Death: The Book of Daniel on the End of Seleucid Rule

Journal / Book Title || Series Title: 
Vetus Testamentum
Volume: 
73
Issue / Series Volume: 
4-5
Pages: 
505-521
Work type: 
Essay/Monograph
Abstract: 

According to Dan 11:45, the king of the north, recognizably Antiochus IV, dies in the area of Judea, bringing an end to his kingdom. The book of Daniel thus provides a unique, although historically inaccurate, perspective on the downfall of the Seleucid Empire. In this article I show that this account uses two Danielic kings—Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar—as models for Antiochus’s actions and thus exposes a literary pattern used to portray the king’s end. I argue that doing so, Dan 11 is more interested in reflecting on kingship in Judea in the post-Seleucid period than conveying historical information. Finally, I explore the implications of this reading on our understanding of Daniel’s historical settings.

Hebrew bible: 
Book: 
Daniel
Chapter(s): 
11
URL: 
https://brill.com/view/journals/vt/73/4-5/article-p505_2.xml
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.1163/15685330-bja10118
Label: 
25/12/2023
Record number: 
112 196