Why God Chose to Communicate through Visions
Dn 4 and the birth of Apocalyptics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47182/rb.83.n3-4-2021289Keywords:
vision report, visions, dreams, states of consciousness, Daniel, Apocalyptic, NebuchadnezzarAbstract
The article proposes to recognize in Daniel 4 a “vision report” that is
presented in a similar way to those we find in the Hebrew Bible, with the great difference
that the visionary is a pagan king and not the believing and devout prophet
of Israel. On the other hand, it proposes a possible link with the post-exilic apocalyptic
literature –a characteristic feature of the second part of the book of Daniel–
thanks to the presence of some apocalyptic elements within the chapter. The function of the oracles and other interpretative elements within the “vision report” is one of the points addressed in the present study, as well as the learning involved in the
short visit to the fictional world.
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