Hij verandert tijden: Een studie van de doxologie in Daniel 2:20-23 in relatie tot de beschrijving van de tiende hoorn in Daniel 7:24-26

This dissertation investigates six doxologies present in both the Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek versions of the Book of Daniel. It utilizes three methodologies of historical criticism: textual, literary, and redaction criticism. Throughout three chapters, the study contends that the doxologies within Daniel 2-6 are editorial insertions. Chapter 1 of this dissertation delineates the current state of research, addressing the principal witnesses to the Book of Daniel, the predominant issues associated with the text, the diverse theories related to its development, and the various hypotheses concerning the doxologies in Daniel 2-6. It affirms that this dissertation is congruent with contemporary scholarly debates surrounding the Book of Daniel. Chapter 2 examines the terminology used in the doxologies in comparison to the narratives in which they are situated. It identifies several terminological discrepancies between the doxologies and the narratives. Some of the terminology absent in the narratives is present in the apocalyptic vision in Daniel 7, thereby revealing noteworthy literary and theological connections between this vision and the doxologies. Additionally, this chapter observes that OG-Daniel incorporates language not found in the narratives, particularly terms emphasizing God's role as the Creator of the universe and those engaging in polemics against other gods and idols. Chapter 3 presents a comprehensive literary analysis of the narratives in Daniel 2-6, both with and without the embedded doxologies. The analysis emphasizes key terms and repetitions, particularly "dream," "to tell," "to read," "to make known," "interpretation," "to reveal," "mystery," "to deliver," and "to rescue" from danger. The findings indicate that the narratives and doxologies share two primary literary and theological themes—namely, revelation and salvation from danger—and a common content theme, which is God's sovereignty. Furthermore, the study illustrates that the doxologies comprise themes absent in the narratives, specifically: (a) the everlasting duration of God's sovereignty; (b) the depiction of God as the creator of the universe in OG-Daniel 4 (vs. 34a); and (c) polemics against other gods in OG-Daniel 4 (vss. 34a and 34c). Chapter 4 juxtaposes the Danielic doxologies with other texts that share similar phraseology and theological themes, specifically Psalm 145, the doxologies in Jeremiah 10 (vss. 6-7, 10, 12-13), and the Prayer of Nabonidus (4Q242). Different conclusions emerge from the close relationship of the Danielic doxologies to these texts: (a) Psalm 145 and the doxologies in Jeremiah 10 influenced the Danielic doxologies; (b) the strong correlation between Jeremiah 10:10 and the doxology ascribed to Darius in Daniel 6 (vss. 26-28) suggests that both texts may have originated from a common tradition of themes and attributes, though expressed through different phrases and contexts; and (c) the Prayer of Nabonidus (4Q242) and the Danielic doxologies share a similar tradition.