TRADITION VS SCHOLARSHIP

"Many scholars date the book of Daniel to the second century BCE — centuries after the Babylonian setting of its stories." Agree or disagree that this is a serious scholarly position?

The answer

Agree. Daniel is set in the sixth-century Babylonian exile, but its detailed visions track the wars of the Greek kingdoms down to Antiochus IV around 167 BCE, then diverge from what subsequently occurred. Critical scholars widely date its final form to that crisis, roughly 167-164 BCE, while noting the court tales in chapters 1-6 may draw on older material; more traditional scholars defend a sixth-century origin.

Why it’s interesting

The visions are strikingly precise about second-century events and then part company with what actually happened — the pattern that shapes the debate. Jewish tradition also places Daniel among the Writings rather than the Prophets, though canon placement reflects a long process and not simply a book's date.

Genuinely debated

You can know the Bible.

Not just the stories, but the history, authorship, and scholarship behind it.