Phil J Botha

University of Pretoria, Department of Ancient Languages and Cultures, Faculty Member

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Retired from the University of Pretoria. Studied Semitic Languages and Theology at the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg. Lectured Hebrew, Syriac and Aramaic at the University of Pretoria until 2019. Published on Ephrem the fourth-century Syriac-speaking theologian and a number of psalms. Still busy with research on the Biblical book of Psalms.
Phone: +27124202685
Address: Department of Ancient Languages
University of Pretoria

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The Interpretation of Daniel 3 in the Syriac Commentary Ascribed to Ephrem the Syrian

Acta Patristica et Byzantina

This paper investigates the exegetical notes on Daniel 3 in the Syriac commentary attributed to E... more This paper investigates the exegetical notes on Daniel 3 in the Syriac commentary attributed to Ephrem the Syrian. It is established that the text which the author of the commentary used is most probably that of the Peshitta. The commentary's interpretation of this chapter is compared with the work of Aphrahat and Ephrem. The interpretation of the commentary seems to be straightforward, in contrast to the highly creative and symbolic interpretation of Dan 3 in Ephrem's genuine hymns. Despite this difference, however, peculiar interpretational similarities are found between the commentary, Aphrahat's demonstrations and Ephrem's hymns. One example of this is the idea that the "nature of the fire" in the furnace was changed to keep it from hurting the three friends of Daniel. It is concluded that Ephrem's authorship of the commentary cannot be proven through this investigation, but that it can also not be excluded. _____________________________________________________________ 30 Acta Patristica et Byzantina (16) 2005 author of the commentary had at his disposal; to describe the peculiarities of the author's exposition of Daniel 3; and to compare this with Ephrem's interpretation of the same chapter to the extent that his views on this can be gleaned from his genuine hymns. Daniel 3 is a rather unique chapter in the book of Daniel. As is well known, the first six chapters of the book are all narratives written in the third person about Daniel and his friends: Chapter 1: The introduction of the four young Jews to the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 2: The dream Nebuchadnezzar had of an image which was smashed by a rock and Daniel's explanation of the dream. Chapter 3: The story of the three young men who were thrown into the fiery furnace because they would not worship the huge image that Nebuchadnezzar had erected. Chapter 4: Nebuchadnezzar's second dream, Daniel's explanation of it, and the king's humiliation and eventual restoration. Chapter 5: The story of the writing on the wall at Belshazzar's feast. Chapter 6: The story of how Darius was tricked into being forced to throw Daniel into the lion's den and Daniel's miraculous escape from the lions.

format_quoteThe commentary reflects knowledge of additional Peshitta details, emphasizing the accusers' punishment as a significant textual variant.format_quote

Phil J Botha

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