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In many ways, the Old Testament book of Daniel is an enigma.
It consists of two different kinds of material: stories about Judean exiles working in the court of pagan kings (chapters 1-6) and accounts of visions experienced by one of these exiles (chapters 7-12). It is written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, and the language division does not match the subject division. Whether the book's affinities lie more with the Hebrew prophets or with later Jewish apocalypses is debated, as are its affinities with the wisdom traditions of both Israel and Babylon.
Refreshingly, Enest Lucas postpones much of the discussion of such issues to an Epilogue, and invites the reader to an investigation of the meaning of the text in the form in which we now have it. He identifies the central theme of the book as the sovereignty of the God of Israel.
With even-handedness and clarity, Lucas demonstrates that, for preachers and teachers, there is much in Daniel that is fairly readily understandable and applicable, and that there are also theological depths that are rewarding for those willing to plumb them and wrestle with the issues they raise.
It consists of two different kinds of material: stories about Judean exiles working in the court of pagan kings (chapters 1-6) and accounts of visions experienced by one of these exiles (chapters 7-12). It is written in two languages, Hebrew and Aramaic, and the language division does not match the subject division. Whether the book's affinities lie more with the Hebrew prophets or with later Jewish apocalypses is debated, as are its affinities with the wisdom traditions of both Israel and Babylon.
Refreshingly, Enest Lucas postpones much of the discussion of such issues to an Epilogue, and invites the reader to an investigation of the meaning of the text in the form in which we now have it. He identifies the central theme of the book as the sovereignty of the God of Israel.
With even-handedness and clarity, Lucas demonstrates that, for preachers and teachers, there is much in Daniel that is fairly readily understandable and applicable, and that there are also theological depths that are rewarding for those willing to plumb them and wrestle with the issues they raise.
359 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2002
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About the author
Ernest C. Lucas
11 books1 followerLucas is vice-principal and tutor in biblical studies at Bristol Baptist College in England. He is the author of a number of scholarly articles on the book of Daniel and, at the popular level, Can We Believe Genesis Today?
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 1, 2013
Another good Daniel commentary. An easier read than Goldingay, and slightly more superficial, but works really hard at implications, focussing on some themes which may otherwise have been missed.
The thing which was 'different' was his insights from Akkadian - which IMHO was a bit of much ado about nothing.
Straddled the fence a bit in terms of dating; as a result wasn't able to some points as strongly as he might have liked to.
The thing which was 'different' was his insights from Akkadian - which IMHO was a bit of much ado about nothing.
Straddled the fence a bit in terms of dating; as a result wasn't able to some points as strongly as he might have liked to.
April 25, 2023
Absolutely phenomenal and thorough commentary. Lucas interacts with ancient history, the Hebrew text, and the history of (modern) interpretation. His "explanations" at the end of each section were very strong.
It can be hard to find in print, but it's worth picking up if you can.
It can be hard to find in print, but it's worth picking up if you can.
February 21, 2018
Daniel is an Old Testament commentary, written byErnest C. Lucas published by IVP Academic. It has been a long time since a mildly-conservative critical, yet highly scholarly work has been published on the Book of Daniel and Lucas did not disappoint, weighing in at almost 360 pages.
This commentary is the newest edition of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series with editors David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume continues this legacy, but does not propel it to new heights. This volume is one of the weaker volumes in the series, but to its less than anticipated conservative approach. Yet while Lucas answer the critical issues yet he yielded to far left critics on many issues such as date and historical reliability of the kings and rulers of Babylon. While this is an issue, do not dismiss the work completely rather use it with discernment, for while it it critical it does produce some great thought provoking exegesis and well informed applicaiton.
Daniel has two main sections the typical general introduction, and then followed by a insightful exegetical commentaries on this partly historical and partly prophetic book. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters of the book and how they relate to the Bible as a whole. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different methodical approaches to study of this book Lucas takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He also uses his own translation of the Hebrew text, which demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the text itself.
While I disagree with Lucas on a great many major and minor issues with regard to Old Testament interpretation, the arguments he makes are intriguing and brought up new ideas I had never considered before. Lucas is innovate in his interpretation and application while staying mostly in the realm of orthodoxy. In the vein of recommending, Daniel , to others I would recommend this commentary to some pastoral and all scholars, but to the pastor I again suggest that this work be used with discernment. There are many commentaries about the book of Daniel available at this moment but Daniel of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series is a very scholarly works worthy of your time.
This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
This commentary is the newest edition of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series with editors David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, a series which is synonymous with excellent exegesis and superior application, this volume continues this legacy, but does not propel it to new heights. This volume is one of the weaker volumes in the series, but to its less than anticipated conservative approach. Yet while Lucas answer the critical issues yet he yielded to far left critics on many issues such as date and historical reliability of the kings and rulers of Babylon. While this is an issue, do not dismiss the work completely rather use it with discernment, for while it it critical it does produce some great thought provoking exegesis and well informed applicaiton.
Daniel has two main sections the typical general introduction, and then followed by a insightful exegetical commentaries on this partly historical and partly prophetic book. With regard to the general introduction it is the typical study into the introductory matters of the book and how they relate to the Bible as a whole. This is a serious scholarly work which dives into contextual as well as the as the different methodical approaches to study of this book Lucas takes great care in carefully showing the original context of passage while applying it directly to the modern day reader. He also uses his own translation of the Hebrew text, which demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the text itself.
While I disagree with Lucas on a great many major and minor issues with regard to Old Testament interpretation, the arguments he makes are intriguing and brought up new ideas I had never considered before. Lucas is innovate in his interpretation and application while staying mostly in the realm of orthodoxy. In the vein of recommending, Daniel , to others I would recommend this commentary to some pastoral and all scholars, but to the pastor I again suggest that this work be used with discernment. There are many commentaries about the book of Daniel available at this moment but Daniel of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary series is a very scholarly works worthy of your time.
This book was provided to me free of charge from IVP Academic in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews