Daniel

Prologue, two chiasms, and epilogue

Frank B. Holbrook, Andrew E. Steinmann, and Sidney Greidanus, The Seventy Weeks, Leviticus, and the Nature of Prophecy; Daniel (Concordia Commentary); Preaching Christ from Daniel

A historical prologue and a prophetic epilogue frame a chiasm on the kingdoms of the world (chapters 2–7) and a chiasm on the post-Babylonian kingdoms (chapters 8–12a).

1. AHistorical Prologue1
2. IFour kingdoms, trials, and kings2–7
3. IIVisions on the post-Babylonian kingdoms8–12:4
4. A′Prophetic Epilogue12:5–13

Daniel in two parallel halves

D. W. Gooding, The Literary Structure of the Book of Daniel and Its Implications

1. A
   Daniel refuses to eat king's food, Daniel vindicated by God1
2. B
   Two Images2–3
3. C
   Two Kings Disciplined4–5
4. A′
   Daniel refuses king's command not to pray, Daniel vindicated by God6
5. B′
   Two Visions of Beastly Kingdoms7–8
6. C′
   Two Angelic Explanations of Kingdoms Destroyed9–12

Concentric structure establishing God's sovereignty over Gentile empires (Daniel 2–7)

J. Paul Tanner, The Literary Structure of the Book of Daniel

Chapter 1 gives the historical setting (Hebrew). Chapters 2–7 are in Aramaic; chapter 7 also opens the visions given to Daniel (chapters 7–12, Hebrew from chapter 8).

1. A
   Dream: four-part image2
2. B
   Refusal to worship image3
3. C
   Humbling of King Nebuchadnezzar4
4. C′
   Humbling of King Belshazzar5
5. B′
   Refusal to stop praying6
6. A′
   Four beasts7

Visions given to Daniel (Daniel 7–12)

J. Paul Tanner, The Literary Structure of the Book of Daniel

Vision 1 (chapter 7) doubles as A' of the concentric structure in chapters 2–7.

1. Vision 1Four beasts7
2. Vision 2Ram and goat8
3. Vision 3Seventy weeks9
4. Vision 4Final vision: Antiochus — Antichrist10–12