Messianic Prophecies in the Book of Daniel: Background, Nature, and Fulfillment

Abstract

Although the book of Daniel is placed under the writings in the HB, Christ considered it prophetic (cf. Matt 24:15). From the perspective of textual exegetical analysis and otherwise, an appreciation of the (1) background, (2) nature, and (3) fulfillment of messianic prophecies in Daniel has received, arguably, the least attention from scholars. However, messianism in Daniel rests on the three aforementioned elements. Approaches to studying the book of Daniel impact on conclusions arrived at regarding its messianism. Daniel 9:24–27 explicitly features the Messiah. Daniel’s Messiah appears in the progression of the historical continuum of Israel as the covenant people of YHWH. Furthermore, Daniel is the locus classicus of HB history and theology. Thus, Daniel provides a chronological and eschatological terminative fulfillment of the messianic prophecies of the HB.

Keywords

• messiah
• messianism
• apocalyptic prophecy
• classical prophecy
• approaches
• fulfillment