Daniel: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (23)

by Wendy L. Widder, Daniel I. Block (Editor)

Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament features today's top Old Testament scholars and brings together commentary features rarely gathered together in one volume. With careful discourse analysis and interpretation of the Hebrew text, the authors trace the flow of argument in each Old Testament book, showing that how a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say. Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help readers grasp the flow and meaning of the The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series is the go-to resource for pastors and Bible teachers looking for deep but accessible study that equips them to connect the needs of Christians today with the biblical text.

608 pages, Hardcover

Published September 26, 2023

Reviews

[Michael Philliber · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been said that John Calvin preached and taught through every book of the Bible except one. He avoided The Apocalypse because of how much heat and conflict it generated. I’ve felt that way for years regarding Daniel. But then I found Wendy Widder’s 608-page commentary on Daniel, and jumped in. Widder, an author, teacher, and scholar, has compiled a detailed study of this ‘Major’ prophet called “Daniel: God’s Kingdom Will Endure” which is part of Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (ZECOT). Because of her style, attention to language details and intertextual flavors, she has pulled together a valuable, readable tome that is friendly to preachers, Bible teachers, and the person who simply wants to grow.

The format is fairly standard for the ZECOT series. Each chapter gives the main idea of the passage, takes in the literary context, presents a translation and outline, shows the structure, explains the passage, and then concludes with an application section. That standard format helps to keep the reading flow moving along, while allowing readers to stay “in the game.” It’s easy to pick up at any place in the volume, figure out quickly where you are, and get right into the middle of things. And with large margins, one can jot down plenty of personal notes.

Widder is a gentle writer. She makes her position clear but doesn’t sass those who might disagree. Rather, she invites the reader into her work to see how her perspective is not what matters most, but that this biblical prophet is God’s word to his people, especially when they walk through dire times. For example, after she states that Daniel records real events that happened to a real Daniel, she makes her case why this book might have been compiled long after Daniel had passed from the scene, even including vaticinium ex eventu prophecies (spoken of after the event). Then she states that she does not “consider these issues critical to understanding the meaning and significance of the book” (31). True to her stated conclusion, rarely does her after-the-fact outlook intrude into the comments. For Widder, however Daniel came together, it is God’s word to God’s people. And of that the author is certain.

Though I might disagree with some of her conclusions here and over there, nevertheless she eased my apprehensions and drew me into this biblical book. And my time there, with Widder, was deeply profitable. I came away firmly reminded that no matter who is governing, no matter how egotistical and arrogant they might be, no matter how much they may claim the throne of God for themselves, no matter how much adversity may assault the people of God, no matter what happens on the world scene with all of its raging and storming, God’s kingdom will endure. “We are part of a greater story that God is writing as he brings history to its consummation under the earthly rule of his Anointed One” (540), and “God cares about and is in control of every detail of history” (541). While reading her commentary, I decided that it was time for me to overcome my reticence and preach a sermon series at my church on Daniel. And the author helped me to see that 2024 was the time, and I have a good source to use as I take on this high adventure.

“Daniel: God’s Kingdom Will Endure” from the ZECOT series, is just the right book! Perfect for that preacher you wished would teach or preach through Daniel, and not get lost in all the fanciful interpretations that include Apache Helicopters and the Trilateral Commission. It is also a useful resource for seminary and Christian academic libraries. And this coming year is the ideal season to pick it up and prayerfully work through it, because no matter who is governing, no matter how egotistical and arrogant they might be, no matter how much they may claim the throne of God for themselves, no matter how much adversity may assault the people of God, no matter what happens on the world scene with all of its raging and storming, God’s kingdom will endure. I highly recommend the commentary.

My thanks to Zondervan for sending me a free copy of the commentary for this review. They made no demands on me. They offered me no bribes. No one was held hostage, and no animals were harmed. Therefore, this evaluation is all mine, freely written and freely given.

[Caleb Lawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really was not impressed with this commentary. To begin with, the commentary takes a rather critical-liberal view of authorship and dating which surprised me given the solidly evangelical and conservative editors like Daniel Block and Stephen Dempster. Widder rejects a 6th century date, suggests “vaticinium ex eventu” prophecy (prophecy "after the fact" i.e. not prophecy in any real sense of the word) might be used, and readily admits of significant historical errors in the book. In the same vein, she argues for the "Greek view" of Dan. 2 & 7 which doesn't see Rome mentioned at all as the 4th kingdom. She also argues (quite unconvincingly) the "stone" of Dan. 2:45 refers to the people of God, not the Messiah which was a novel view to me. The "70 weeks" of Dan. 9:24 are to be interpreted symbolically, the Messiah in Dan. 9:25 & 26 refers to the high priests Joshua and Onias III, and pretty much everything was fulfilled in the 2nd century BC. I certainly disagree with these views and conclusions, but furthermore, I just didn't find the main body of the commentary all that compelling. There simply weren't many "exegetical gems" that make a great commentary. Not recommended for conservative evangelical pastors or students of God's Word... although if that doesn't describe you, maybe this is right up your alley haha

[Philip Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A lot of careful textual work, thoughtful theological reflection, and a fair dealing with previous research/commentary. The series doesn't focus on the history of interpretation so don't expect much of that. The author takes a Greek fourth empire view but, following John Walton's older work on the four kingdoms, shows how other approaches could fit and still not alter the main theological meaning.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here’s a solid new commentary on Daniel in the winsome Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament (ZECOT) series. Widder projects as one who did her homework throughout. There’s the right balance between lucidity and depth throughout while the volume succeeds in finding its own niche in what has become a crowded commentary market.

What are the strengths of this commentary? Plenty to be sure. They become apparent in the Introduction. Avoiding stilted language, Widder manages to engagingly lay out scholarly trends on every issue, to weigh them, and to crown the scholarly consensus winners. She hit her stride on Structure after somewhat warming up on earlier topics like genre, authorship and date. Structure was clear and compelling. That is, wouldn’t you agree, fortuitous for this series with its specific aims? Significance of the book discussions and the outline proceed at a high level as well. In the commentary proper, depth, exegesis and clarity are good as is thriving in ZECOT’s sterling format. The tone resonates throughout her writing too and she never turns to lecturing us or grating on our nerves. She can go from macro to micro seamlessly as well. The discourse analysis sings.

What are the weaknesses? Though fewer, they sometimes stand close to the strengths. While the scholarly survey is tops, she is less adept at championing her conclusions. If that is not your preference as is mine, you’ll love the book even more. Perhaps the controversial Daniel 9:27 best illustrates what I’m saying. There’s more scholarly variety there, so the weighing gets harder while the conclusions get more imprecise. ( I’m not basing this merely on disagreeing with what she shared either).

She rarely cuts a new path either. Rather than any original explanations, it strikes me as more of a weighing of the known opinions. That’s worthwhile too, but that is what might separate, say, a really good commentary from a great, influential one.

Still, I’m comfortable in labeling this one a really good commentary. I should mention there’s some theological nuggets along the way too. The book as a whole package succeeds.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Widder’s new commentary on Daniel is quite impressive, very thorough, and will prove useful to anyone seeking to preach through this familiar, yet strange and difficult book of narrative and prophecy. I was unfamiliar with Dr. Widder prior to receiving this book, but I think she has combined weighty scholarship and expertise of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic with readability and applicability, which is no mean feat! Overall, I am very pleased to have this as a resource for my theological library, and if I have the opportunity to preach through Daniel, this will definitely be one of my go-to resources.

Here are some of the areas I appreciated. First, her explanation for Daniel being written in both Hebrew and Aramaic seemed sound. Her explanation of the authorship of Daniel, while in some ways differing from mine, was well thought out and still upheld Biblical infallability and inerrancy - two musts in my book! Second, while I thought her exegesis of the narrative parts of the book were very strong, it was in the prophetic sections, chapters 7-12, that I thought her work was even stronger, and I felt myself saying, “Oh!” a lot, as she made the challenge of these sections somewhat more understandable. She rightfully acknowledged that there are still some mysteries in these prophecies, while attempting to work out some of the difficulties to make them clearer. I think that overall, she succeeded.

My quibbles are mostly stylistic and minor. First, it is a pet peeve of mine when evangelical scholars cave into the secular scholarships terminology of BCE (Before Common Era) instead of the designation that was common through the mid-twentieth century, BC (Before Christ). Second, her frequent use of the term ‘overspecification’ seemed unnecessary and I don’t really think it added much to the explanation of the text.

These things notwithstanding, I am thankful for this solid work and definitely recommend it to any pastor, teacher, or Bible student for their studies of Daniel.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this commentary from Zondervan Academic, but was given no restrictions or conditions to follow in reviewing it. The opinions are mine alone.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on Daniel written from an evangelical but non-dispensational perspective with the characteristic features of the ZECOT series. Her most intriguing contribution to the discussion, in my mind, is her insistence that Dan 2 and therefore Dan 7 do not culminate in the Roman Empire but the Greek Kingdom and thus Antiochus IV Epiphanes is the immediate fulfillment of Dan 2, 7-11 though, with telescoping, it refers to the antichrist as well.

[Jennifer Layte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of Daniel is both familiar and mysterious, and Widder opens up “new treasures and old” that have been present in the text from its writing.