DOCSLIB.ORG

Who Was the Fourth King in Dan 11:2? Frank W

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Who Was the Fourth King in Dan 11:2? Frank W Modified 09/14/15 Who Was the Fourth King in Dan 11:2? Frank W. Hardy And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. (Dan 11:2) Ezra 4 1. Cyrus II (559-530) vs. 5 2. Darius I (522-486) vs. 5 3. Xerxes I (486-465) vs. 6 4. Artaxerxes I (465-424) vs. 23 5. Darius I (522-486) vs. 24 Dan 11 (proposed) 1. Cambyses II (530-522) 2. Bardiya (522) 3. Darius I (522-486) 4. Xerxes (486-465) The fourth king listed In Ezra 4 is Artaxerxes I (465-424). In Dan 11:2 we are told that three others would arise in Persia and that the next king the angel wanted to talk about was the fourth. Can we reason from Ezra to Daniel in this regard and argue that because Artaxerxes is fourth in Ezra he should also be fourth in Daniel? That possibility is attractive, but doesn’t work. The lists in Ezra 4 and Dan 11 are quite different from each other. Daniel requires us to start counting after Cyrus II The Great (559-53) and to include his next three successors. Since the text does not tell us who these are, we must go to history to learn their names. History tells us that the next three men to occupy the throne of Persia after Cyrus were Cambyses II (530- 522), Bardiya (522), and Darius I (522-486). The king who ruled next after Darius was Xerxes. Thus in Daniel Xerxes is the fourth king. But in arriving at this result, have we counted correctly? What the text of Daniel says is that “three more kings shall arise in Persia.” It doesn’t say they would arise for the right reasons, or that they would rule for the right period of time; only that they would arise. This in context is the meaning of the word cōmdîm “arising.” Bardiya was a usurper who had no business ruling, but he did rule – for seven months. During this time he even achieved a certain measure of popularity, because he promised a three-year program of tax relief. But the important thing about Bardiya for our purposes is not that he was a usurper, or that he ruled seven months. Daniel says nothing about such matters. What he does say is, “three more kings shall arise in Persia.” Bardiya was a king, he arose in Persia, and during the time he was in power he was the only one in power. There were no other claimants to the throne during his rule. Thus he qualifies as one of the three based on what the angel tells us in Dan 11:2. The text requires that we include him. Page 1 Hardy Fourth King The information Ezra gives us is quite different. He gives names of kings but does not tell us how to count them, or that we should count them. And the names he gives are not in a continuous bloc. Between Cyrus and Darius there is a period of eight years that Ezra does not account for (the reign of Cyrus ends in 530 and that of Darius begins in 522). Nor is there anything wrong with the way Ezra does this. His purpose is not to tell us who ruled Persia, but to bring together an account of how the temple was restored after the Jews’ return from exile. Certain kings contributed to this process and these are the ones he talks about. So if we wish to count in Ezra as we must count in Daniel, we would have to exclude Cyrus. If we exclude Cyrus, there is no fourth king (Cyrus, Darius, Xerxes, . .), because the Darius who follows Artaxerxes in Ezra’s list (4:23) is the same as the Darius that we find in 4:5. In both cases the reference is to Darius I The Great (522-486). 1 On the other hand, if we wish to count in Daniel as we must count in Ezra (including Cyrus, but following the rest of what Daniel tells us), the fourth king is Darius I (Cyrus II, Cambyses II, Bardiya, Darius I). If the above arguments are wrong and Artaxerxes is the fourth king in Dan 11:2 after all, we have a historical problem, because Artaxerxes (465-424) ruled immediately after Xerxes (486-465). The reason why this fact is problematic is that Xerxes was by far the wealthiest king to rule Persia during the fifth century and the text says the fourth king would be richer than “all of them.” If Xerxes was the fourth, all difficulty vanishes. If Artaxerxes was the fourth king, he would have to be richer than Xerxes. And not merely richer, but “far richer.” This would be hard to do and hard to imagine doing, because Xerxes’ wealth was incalculable. No one, including Artaxerxes, ever matched it. Another problem corresponding to the first is that Artaxerxes did not lead a military campaign against Greece. Xerxes had already done that in the previous reign. In summary, Daniel asks us to count the kings, but does not tell us who they are; Ezra tells us who the kings are, but does not ask us to count them. Daniel requires us to leave Cyrus out and put Cambyses I and Bardiya in; Ezra requires us to put Cyrus in and leave Cambyses I and Bardiya out. These are different lists, they serve different purposes, and the kings referenced in them must be counted using different methodologies. It would be unsafe to reason from the one list to the other in order to determine who the fourth is in Dan 11:2. 1 Shea taught that the king list in Ezra is proleptic. It goes forward out of sequence, mentioning both Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I. The chronological baseline for the chapter is the reign of Darius I. Page 2 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Satrap of Western Anatolia and the Greeks
    University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations 2017 The aS trap Of Western Anatolia And The Greeks Eyal Meyer University of Pennsylvania, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations Part of the Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons Recommended Citation Meyer, Eyal, "The aS trap Of Western Anatolia And The Greeks" (2017). Publicly Accessible Penn Dissertations. 2473. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/2473 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/edissertations/2473 For more information, please contact [email protected]. The aS trap Of Western Anatolia And The Greeks Abstract This dissertation explores the extent to which Persian policies in the western satrapies originated from the provincial capitals in the Anatolian periphery rather than from the royal centers in the Persian heartland in the fifth ec ntury BC. I begin by establishing that the Persian administrative apparatus was a product of a grand reform initiated by Darius I, which was aimed at producing a more uniform and centralized administrative infrastructure. In the following chapter I show that the provincial administration was embedded with chancellors, scribes, secretaries and military personnel of royal status and that the satrapies were periodically inspected by the Persian King or his loyal agents, which allowed to central authorities to monitory the provinces. In chapter three I delineate the extent of satrapal authority, responsibility and resources, and conclude that the satraps were supplied with considerable resources which enabled to fulfill the duties of their office. After the power dynamic between the Great Persian King and his provincial governors and the nature of the office of satrap has been analyzed, I begin a diachronic scrutiny of Greco-Persian interactions in the fifth century BC.
    [Show full text]
  • The History of Ancient Egypt “Passionate, Erudite, Living Legend Lecturers
    “Pure intellectual stimulation that can be popped into Topic Subtopic the [audio or video player] anytime.” History Ancient History —Harvard Magazine The History of Ancient Egypt “Passionate, erudite, living legend lecturers. Academia’s best lecturers are being captured on tape.” —The Los Angeles Times The History “A serious force in American education.” —The Wall Street Journal of Ancient Egypt Course Guidebook Professor Bob Brier Long Island University Professor Bob Brier is an Egyptologist and Professor of Philosophy at the C. W. Post Campus of Long Island University. He is renowned for his insights into ancient Egypt. He hosts The Learning Channel’s popular Great Egyptians series, and his research was the subject of the National Geographic television special Mr. Mummy. A dynamic instructor, Professor Brier has received Long Island University’s David Newton Award for Teaching Excellence. THE GREAT COURSES® Corporate Headquarters 4840 Westfields Boulevard, Suite 500 Chantilly, VA 20151-2299 Guidebook USA Phone: 1-800-832-2412 www.thegreatcourses.com Cover Image: © Hemera/Thinkstock. Course No. 350 © 1999 The Teaching Company. PB350A PUBLISHED BY: THE GREAT COURSES Corporate Headquarters 4840 Westfi elds Boulevard, Suite 500 Chantilly, Virginia 20151-2299 Phone: 1-800-TEACH-12 Fax: 703-378-3819 www.thegreatcourses.com Copyright © The Teaching Company, 1999 Printed in the United States of America This book is in copyright. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of The Teaching Company.
    [Show full text]
  • Kings & Events of the Babylonian, Persian and Greek Dynasties
    KINGS AND EVENTS OF THE BABYLONIAN, PERSIAN, AND GREEK DYNASTIES 612 B.C. Nineveh falls to neo-Babylonian army (Nebuchadnezzar) 608 Pharaoh Necho II marched to Carchemesh to halt expansion of neo-Babylonian power Josiah, King of Judah, tries to stop him Death of Josiah and assumption of throne by his son, Jehoahaz Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, replaced Jehoahaz on the authority of Pharaoh Necho II within 3 months Palestine and Syria under Egyptian rule Josiah’s reforms dissipate 605 Nabopolassar sends troops to fight remaining Assyrian army and the Egyptians at Carchemesh Nebuchadnezzar chased them all the way to the plains of Palestine Nebuchadnezzar got word of the death of his father (Nabopolassar) so he returned to Babylon to receive the crown On the way back he takes Daniel and other members of the royal family into exile 605 - 538 Babylon in control of Palestine, 597; 10,000 exiled to Babylon 586 Jerusalem and the temple destroyed and large deportation 582 Because Jewish guerilla fighters killed Gedaliah another last large deportation occurred SUCCESSORS OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR 562 - 560 Evil-Merodach released Jehoiakim (true Messianic line) from custody 560 - 556 Neriglissar 556 Labaski-Marduk reigned 556 - 539 Nabonidus: Spent most of the time building a temple to the mood god, Sin. This earned enmity of the priests of Marduk. Spent the rest of his time trying to put down revolts and stabilize the kingdom. He moved to Tema and left the affairs of state to his son, Belshazzar Belshazzar: Spent most of his time trying to restore order. Babylonia’s great threat was Media.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Egyptian Chronology.Pdf
    Ancient Egyptian Chronology HANDBOOK OF ORIENTAL STUDIES SECTION ONE THE NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST Ancient Near East Editor-in-Chief W. H. van Soldt Editors G. Beckman • C. Leitz • B. A. Levine P. Michalowski • P. Miglus Middle East R. S. O’Fahey • C. H. M. Versteegh VOLUME EIGHTY-THREE Ancient Egyptian Chronology Edited by Erik Hornung, Rolf Krauss, and David A. Warburton BRILL LEIDEN • BOSTON 2006 This book is printed on acid-free paper. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Ancient Egyptian chronology / edited by Erik Hornung, Rolf Krauss, and David A. Warburton; with the assistance of Marianne Eaton-Krauss. p. cm. — (Handbook of Oriental studies. Section 1, The Near and Middle East ; v. 83) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-90-04-11385-5 ISBN-10: 90-04-11385-1 1. Egypt—History—To 332 B.C.—Chronology. 2. Chronology, Egyptian. 3. Egypt—Antiquities. I. Hornung, Erik. II. Krauss, Rolf. III. Warburton, David. IV. Eaton-Krauss, Marianne. DT83.A6564 2006 932.002'02—dc22 2006049915 ISSN 0169-9423 ISBN-10 90 04 11385 1 ISBN-13 978 90 04 11385 5 © Copyright 2006 by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. Koninklijke Brill NV incorporates the imprints Brill, Hotei Publishing, IDC Publishers, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, and VSP. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, translated, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use is granted by Brill provided that the appropriate fees are paid directly to The Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Suite 910, Danvers, MA 01923, USA.
    [Show full text]
  • Reading G Uide
    1 Reading Guide Introduction Pharaonic Lives (most items are on map on page 10) Bodies of Water Major Regions Royal Cities Gulf of Suez Faiyum Oasis Akhetaten Sea The Levant Alexandria Nile River Libya Avaris Nile cataracts* Lower Egypt Giza Nile Delta Nubia Herakleopolis Magna Red Sea Palestine Hierakonpolis Punt Kerma *Cataracts shown as lines Sinai Memphis across Nile River Syria Sais Upper Egypt Tanis Thebes 2 Chapter 1 Pharaonic Kingship: Evolution & Ideology Myths Time Periods Significant Artifacts Predynastic Origins of Kingship: Naqada Naqada I The Narmer Palette Period Naqada II The Scorpion Macehead Writing History of Maqada III Pharaohs Old Kingdom Significant Buildings Ideology & Insignia of Middle Kingdom Kingship New Kingdom Tombs at Abydos King’s Divinity Mythology Royal Insignia Royal Names & Titles The Book of the Heavenly Atef Crown The Birth Name Cow Blue Crown (Khepresh) The Golden Horus Name The Contending of Horus Diadem (Seshed) The Horus Name & Seth Double Crown (Pa- The Nesu-Bity Name Death & Resurrection of Sekhemty) The Two Ladies Name Osiris Nemes Headdress Red Crown (Desheret) Hem Deities White Crown (Hedjet) Per-aa (The Great House) The Son of Re Horus Bull’s tail Isis Crook Osiris False beard Maat Flail Nut Rearing cobra (uraeus) Re Seth Vocabulary Divine Forces demi-god heka (divine magic) Good God (netjer netjer) hu (divine utterance) Great God (netjer aa) isfet (chaos) ka-spirit (divine energy) maat (divine order) Other Topics Ramesses II making sia (Divine knowledge) an offering to Ra Kings’ power
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to Old Persian Prods Oktor Skjærvø
    An Introduction to Old Persian Prods Oktor Skjærvø Copyright © 2016 by Prods Oktor Skjærvø Please do not cite in print without the author’s permission. This Introduction may be distributed freely as a service to teachers and students of Old Iranian. In my experience, it can be taught as a one-term full course at 4 hrs/w. My thanks to all of my students and colleagues, who have actively noted typos, inconsistencies of presentation, etc. TABLE OF CONTENTS Select bibliography ................................................................................................................................... 9 Sigla and Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................... 12 Lesson 1 ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 Old Persian and old Iranian. .................................................................................................................... 13 Script. Origin. .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Script. Writing system. ........................................................................................................................... 14 The syllabary. .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Logograms. ............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Territorial Gains Made by Cambyses in the Eastern Mediterranean
    GRAECO-LATINA BRUNENSIA 20, 2015, 1 MICHAL HABAJ (UNIVERSITY OF SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS, TRNAVA) THE TERRITORIAL GAINS MADE BY CAMBYSES IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN The Persian king Cambyses is most often mentioned in the context of his successful expedi- tion to Egypt. Both antique sources and modern scholarly research tend to focus on the suc- cess of Cambyses in Egypt, which is undoubtedly deserved of attention. As a result however, scholarly interest in Cambyses’ other territorial gains is marginal. His successful Egyptian expedition required extensive preparation. For example, one crucial factor was his ability to seize control over the eastern Mediterranean in preparation for the naval part of the campaign. These territorial gains, as well as his control over the sea in the region, inspired Herodotus to refer to Cambyses as ‘the master of the sea’. This is an important epithet which Herodotus grants Cambyses, since it seems to suggest that it was Cambyses who expanded the Persian empire to the eastern Mediterranean. Based on the aforementioned reference by Herodotus, the following study provides an analysis of the process of incorporation of these areas into the Persian Empire, insofar as the sources differ on whether these territories were annexed under Cyrus, Cambyses or Darius. In so doing, the analysis attempts to shed more light on the meaning of Herodotus’ words, and gives an account of Cambyses’ territorial gains in the Mediterranean. Key words: Achaemenid Persia, Cambyses II, Cyprus, Samos, Cilicia, Phoenicia Introduction The Persian king Cambyses is best known for his invasion and subse- quent successful conquest of Egypt.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 9 Study Guide Key
    Chapter 9 Study Guide Key 7th Grade World History Vocabulary Cavalry – a unit of soldiers who ride horses. The Persian empire was known for their use of cavalry, helping to make them so victorious in battle Hellenistic – Greek-like - when a cultural idea is heavily influenced by Greek ideas (Example – cities of Alexandria created by Alexander.) Alliance – agreement to work together – as in the Persian Wars Vocabulary Phalanx – A square fighting formation – commonly used by Alexander & Sparta Satraps – governors in the Persian empire Helots – Slaves in Sparta – made up majority of population & heavily relied upon Parthenon – Great temple in Athens dedicated to the goddess Athena. Commissioned by Pericles after the Persian Wars. People to Know Cyrus the Great – Rebelled against the Medes to create the Persian Empire. Known for letting others keep their customs to help prevent rebellions Darius I – Leader of the Persians when Greek mainland city-states sent help to the Ionian city- states. Leader during the Battle of Marathon People to Know Xerxes I – the son of Darius. Was the leader of the Persian Wars during the battles of Thermopylae, Salamis & Plataea. Set up his golden throne to watch the Battle of Salamis – which he lost, forcing him to retreat to Persia Philip of Macedonia – Father of Alexander the Great. Conquered the Greek city-states. Alexander the Great – Macedonian King – came to power after his father was murdered. Helped to create the largest empire in the world at that point. Never lost a battle. Died at age 32 from malaria. People to Know Plato – a student of Socrates.
    [Show full text]
  • A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY of the POWERS of MESOPOTAMIA (Using Dates Based Primarily on John Bright’S a History of Israel, P
    A BRIEF HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE POWERS OF MESOPOTAMIA (using dates based primarily on John Bright’s A History of Israel, p. 462ff.) I. Assyrian Empire (Gen.10:11) A. Religion and culture were greatly influenced by the Sumerian/Babylonian Empire. B. Tentative list of rulers and approximate dates: 1. 1354-1318 - Asshur-Uballit I: (a) conquered the Hittite city of Carchemish (b) began to remove Hittite influence and allowed Assyria to develop 2. 1297-1266 - Adad-Nirari I (powerful king) 3. 1265-1235 - Shalmaneser I (powerful king) 4. 1234-1197 - Tukulti-Ninurta I - first conquest of Babylonian empire to the south 5. 1118-1078 - Tiglath-Pileser I - Assyria becomes a major power in Mesopotamia 6. 1012- 972 Ashur-Rabi II 7. 972- 967 - Ashur-Resh-Isui II 8. 966- 934 - Tiglath-Pileser II 9. 934- 912 - Ashur-Dan II 10. 912- 890 - Adad-Nirari II 11. 890- 884 - Tukulti-Ninurta II 12. 883- 859 - Asshur-Nasir-Apal II 13. 859- 824 - Shalmaneser III - Battle of Qarqar in 853 14. 824-811 - Shamashi-Adad V 15. 811-783 - Adad-Nirari III 16. 781-772 - Shalmaneser IV 17. 772-754 - Ashur-Dan III 18. 754-745 - Ashur-Nirari V 19. 745-727 - Tiglath-Pileser III: a. called by his Babylonian throne name, Pul, in II Kings 15:19 b. very powerful king c. started the policy of deporting conquered peoples d. In 735 B.C.. there was the formation of the “Syro-Ephramatic League” which was an attempt to unify all the available military resources of the transjordan nations from the head waters of the Euphrates to Egypt for the purpose of neutralizing the rising military power of Assyria.
    [Show full text]
  • THE KING of the BOOK of ESTHER Personal Bodyguard to Cyrus’ Son, Cambyses II
    the Persian army, as well as spear-bearer2 and THE KING OF THE BOOK OF ESTHER personal bodyguard to Cyrus’ son, Cambyses II. The Book of Esther begins with a great feast “in Cambyses had contracted the murder of his the 3rd year of the reign of Ahasuerus” (Esther brother, Smerdis, to secure the throne. Leaving 1:3). Although at one time or another nearly Patizithes in control of the government, he every monarch from Cyaxares (624–586 BC) to embarked on a campaign into Egypt and Artaxerxes III Ochus (358–338 BC) has been succeeded in conquering that empire in the fifth declared as the Medo-Persian ruler in question, year of his reign (525 BC). He then invaded in nearly all theological circles today it is Ethiopia, but the swamps, deserts, etc. frus- conceded almost beyond question that the man trated his attempts for its complete annexation. is Xerxes I of Thermopylae (486-465 BC). This identification was initially offered by Scaliger, (1) Achaemenes the first modern chronologer. (2) Teispes The proofs offered are: (1) a supposed congruity of the character of Ahasuerus with that of Xerxes as portrayed by Herodotus and other (7) Ariaramnes (3) Cyrus I classic writers and (2) a philological conjecture. These will be examined in that which follows, comparing secular data with Scripture. The (8) Arsames (4) Cambyses I secular will not be taken as judge but merely as a witness. If the secular fits, it will be incorpo- rated, but the framework will be based upon the Hystaspis (5) Cyrus II the Great Scriptures which, in context, are the only and final authority on the matter, not the reverse.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Egypt Mini Quiz Pack
    Ancient Egypt Mini Quiz Pack Table of Contents Famous Pharaohs .................................................................................................................................... 4 Historic Dynasties ................................................................................................................................. 5 The Rosetta Stone .............................................................................................................................. 6 Geography of Egypt ............................................................................................................................ 7 Daily Life in Ancient Egypt .............................................................................................................. 8 Family Life in Ancient Egypt ............................................................................................................ 9 Pyramid Word Search ....................................................................................................................... 11 Answer Key ........................................................................................................................................... 12 ©2015 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com 1 Historic Dynasties Match the ruler with the dynasty. _____1. Akhenaten a. First Dynasty _____2. Amenemhet III b. Third dynasty _____3. Djoser c. Fourth dynasty _____4. Khufu d. Fifth Dynasty _____5. Mentuhotep e. Sixth Dynasty _____6. Narmer (or Menes) f. Eleventh Dynasty _____7. Nectanebo II
    [Show full text]
  • An Updated Chronology of the Reigns of Phoenician Kings During the Persian Period (539-333 BCE)
    An Updated Chronology of the Reigns of Phoenician Kings during the Persian Period (539-333 BCE) J. ELAYI* Résumé: L’objectif de cet article est de proposer une chronologie des règnes des rois phéniciens à l’époque perse (539-333 av. notre ère), à partir de toutes les données disponibles dans l’état actuel de la documentation. Cette chronologie à jour et prudente pourra être utilisée comme base fiable par tous les spécialistes du Proche-Orient à l’époque perse. The chronology of the reigns of Phoenician kings during the Persian Period (539-333 BCE)1 is very difficult to establish for several reasons. First, the Persian period remained virtually unexplored until the last 20 years2; moreover, Phoenician studies were for a long time dependent on biblical chronology3. On the other hand, the deficiency of the sources has to be underlined. Monumental inscriptions mentioning kings and dated by the years of reign are rare in Phoenician cities, partly because many of them have disappeared in lime kilns, and perishable official *. CNRS, Paris. 1. 539 is the traditional date for the Persian conquest of Phoenician cities: see J. Elayi, Sidon cité autonome de l’Empire perse, Paris 1990², pp. 137-8. 333 is the date of the conquest of Phoenician cities by Alexander (332 for Tyre). 2. See J. Elayi and J. Sapin, Quinze ans de recherche (1985-2000) sur la Transeuphratène à l’époque perse, Trans Suppl. 8, Paris 2000; id., Beyond the River. New Perspectives on Transeuphratene, Sheffield 1998; and the series Trans, 1-32, 1989-2006. 3. Cf.
    [Show full text]