The three additions to Daniel, a study

Chapter 32: Analysis. (Θ)

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About This Book

The author examines three apocryphal supplements to Daniel — the Song of the Three Holy Children, the History of Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon — analyzing their placement within the canonical narrative, authorship, language, textual integrity, theology, and liturgical use. He evaluates style and probable origin, weighs evidence about date and provenance while treating conclusions as provisional, and surveys early Christian reception and artistic representation. Each addition receives a concluding chapter that draws out moral and homiletic lessons for practical use. The study assembles dispersed materials to argue that these pieces deserve careful scholarly attention without asserting definitive resolutions.

The History Of Susanna.

Analysis. (Θ)

vv.

1-4. Susanna—her husband, family, and house.

5,6. Two newly-appointed Elders resort thither for official purposes.

7-14. How they yielded to the 'lust of the eye,' and laid their plot.

15-21. How they attempted to carry it out.

22-26. Susanna's soliloquy and cry.

27-41. The Elders' false accusation in private and in public, resulting in her condemnation to death.

42-44. Her prayer.

45-49. The inspiration of Daniel to clear her.

50-59. He re-opens the case, and proves the Elders to be false.

60-62. The death-penalty is transferred to them, and Susanna is delivered,

63, 64. Whose family thank God; while Daniel's reputation is established.

N.B.—It is not clear why the 'heading' or 'contents' in the A.V. begins with v. 16. Cf. the heading of Bel and the Dragon for a similar ignoring of the early verses, as also that of I. Macc. i.