The Doxologies in Daniel 2–6
Composition and Redaction Criticism
By (author) Thaddeus Nduka Oparah
Hardback (Published)
(October 2026)
ISBN: 9783506706096
6.1 x 9.25 inches
Price: $95.00
On back order
Evidence shows that over time, scribes gathered, revised, rewrote, and expanded the Book of Daniel. External manuscript evidence (such as Old Greek manuscripts and the Prayer of Nabonidus) suggests that the stories in Daniel 2-6 were initially separate and only later compiled. Internal literary evidence of redaction, including unique terminology, literary features, and cross-references among Daniel 2-7, further supports this. This study focuses on the doxologies in Daniel 2-6, which earlier scholars argued were not originally part of the individual stories but were likely added later. It thoroughly analyzes the proposal by exploring the doxologies from different perspectives. It examines the terminology within the narratives and doxologies, analyzes their literary and theological themes, and compares them with other texts. Particular attention is given to contrasting these doxologies with Daniel 7, Psalm 145, Jeremiah 10:1-16, and the Prayer of Nabonidus.
Thaddeus Nduka Oparah is a Catholic priest and biblical scholar renowned for his work on the Book of Daniel. Born in Imo State, Nigeria, Oparah cultivated an early interest in Scripture. He obtained a licentiate from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and completed both a Master’s and a Doctoral degree at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He has authored three influential articles on the doxologies in Daniel, published in VT (2024), ZAW (2025), and BZ (2026).
- By (author) Thaddeus Nduka Oparah
“This is the most detailed study to date of the doxologies in Daniel 2–6. It is distinguished by the careful comparative analysis of terminology, demonstrating the affinities of the doxologies with the vision in chapter 7. A significant contribution to the study of the formation of the Book of Daniel.”
John J. Collins, Emeritus: Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale.
“This is a thorough analysis of the doxologies in chapter 2-6 of the book of Daniel. It considers a wide range of factors and features — terminological, linguistic, thematic, redactional, historical, and chronological. The study investigates the Masoretic text as well as the Old Greek, the Dead Sea Scrolls material (Prayer of Nabonidus [4Q242]) as well as other biblical doxologies (Ps 145 and Jer 10). It is a most illuminating and important contribution to the subject.”
Steven E. Fassberg, Emeritus: Caspar Levias Professor of Ancient Semitic Languages, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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