The Book of Daniel’s Ten Commandments’ Moments

“Being in Lion’s Den” and “Seeing the Writing on the Wall, ” are common phrases coming from the Book of Daniel. This imagery likely cemented the book’s inclusion in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Daniel, however, is controversial. As a result of the controversies, some have opined that it is the least worthy of cannon admission. One of the controversies is the authorship date. It has been opined that Daniel may have been penned as late as the Second Century B.C.E. Daniel, for the purposes of exploring the Ten Commandments, however, has redeeming value. It offers reports on Decalogue awareness and it describes religious practice.

As far as religious practice, Daniel describes prayers to God. They are being performed three times a day. These prayers, while performed in exile, are done facing Jerusalem. Daniel 6:10.

With respect to the Ten Commandments, the Book of Daniel includes a prayer for redemption. Daniel confesses “I beg of You, O Lord, the Great and Awesome God, Who keeps the covenant and the kindness for those who love Him and for those who keep His commandments.” Daniel 9:4.

In his confession, he refers to the deviation from the Lord’s commandments and ordinances. He goes on to state that “All Israel transgressed Your Torah and has deviated, not hearing Your voice.” Daniel 9:11. This sin is connected to the curses as listed within the Torah in the Book of Deuteronomy.

While there is no specific Ten Commandments’ reference, the Book of Daniel describes awareness of “Moses’ Torah.” Daniel 9:13.

Daniel’s prayer appears to assume that there had been a collective failure of Israel. This failure is in in keeping the commandments (including the Ten Commandments.) It appears to suggest that this was a contributing factor leading to the Temple’s destruction and the exile.

Questions Raised

The Book of Daniel offers up theological questions. “What is collectiveness?” “What constitutes collectiveness?” “What is a collective transgression?” “What is the nature and extent required to assign a collective transgression? Expanding out these questions, one could ask “What would constitute a collective violation of the Ten Commandments?”

While these matters tackled the issue on a religious based context, is there a secular argument to be made? “Does a secular society have a collective?” “How would a societal collective be defined?” “Can a society collective failure to abide by laws cause a collapse?” Finally, are there any societal laws that are existential to a society?”

Conclusion

While controversial, the Book of Daniel offers up valuable content and discussion points. Clearly, it shows a keen awareness of the Ten Commandments and Moses. Further, it gives some perspective on exilic religious practice. Daniel’s historical insights and theology take the read back to at minimum the Second Century BCE. This is approximately the time of the Maccabees. As such, it takes the reader, at least, to the time upon which there was pervasive practice of Judaism. This is reported in Yonatan Adler’s The Origins of Judaism: An Archaeological-Historical Reappraisal.

Be well!!

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