The Animalistic Nebuchadnezzar and the Heroic Encounter: Daniel 4:30 Iconographically Revisited

This article reassesses the significance of the description of Nebuchadnezzar in animalistic terms in Dan 4:30 by turning to the common Achaemenid-era visual image of the Heroic Encounter. This visual motif was widespread throughout the empire and depicts a heroic figure controlling or engaging in c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Biblical literature
Main Author: DiPalma, Brian Charles (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Scholar's Press 2020
In: Journal of Biblical literature
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Azariah / Bible. Daniel 4,30 / Nebuchadnezzar II Babylonia, King -562 BC / Animals / Iconography
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
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Description
Summary:This article reassesses the significance of the description of Nebuchadnezzar in animalistic terms in Dan 4:30 by turning to the common Achaemenid-era visual image of the Heroic Encounter. This visual motif was widespread throughout the empire and depicts a heroic figure controlling or engaging in combat with a variety of animals, including hybrid creatures. In light of this visual motif from the immediate sociohistorical context, Daniel’s image of an animalistic Nebuchadnezzar appears at once rooted in and resistant to aspects of Achaemenid imperial ideology as it suggests that the true hero who controls all is YHWH rather than any Persian king or deity.
ISSN:1934-3876
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of Biblical literature
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1353/jbl.2020.0026
DOI: 10.15699/jbl.1393.2020.4