dssdead-sea-scrolls
G — Biblically Based Apocryphal Works
Part 30
Fragmentary Aramaic texts from Cave 4 — designated 4Q243–245 — preserve remains of a Daniel-related composition in which Daniel narrates and the name Balakros, possibly the Seleucid Alexander Balas, appears alongside a priestly-and-royal list running from Levi and Qahat through Zadok, the Maccabean brothers Jonathan and Simon, and the Davidic line. The theological core recoverable from 4Q243 is plain: Israel chose self-will over covenant, sacrificed to the demons of idolatry, and Jehovah consequently delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar — the same covenant-violation-and-captivity pattern the canonical Daniel opens with.
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In addition to the Prayer of Nabonidus, Cave has revealed further Aramaic remains of a composition akin to the biblical Book of Daniel, with three explicit mentions of the name Daniel, who appears to be the narrator of the story. Another personality, Balakros, figures in 4Q243. J. T. Milik tentatively identified him with the Seleucid ruler Alexander Balas, the patron of Jonathan Maccabaeus. One of the fragments of 4Q245 represents a list of priests, including possibly the Maccabee brothers, Jonathan and Simon, and kings. The remaining pieces are too small for translation. For the editio princeps, see J. Collins and P. Flint, DJD, XXII, 95- 164. 4Q243, fr. combined with 4Q244.. The children of Israel chose themselves rather than God and they sacrificed their sons to the demons of idolatry. God was enraged against them and determined to surrender them to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babel and to devastate their land.. 4Q245, fr. 1, i-ii.. Daniel.. the book given... Levi, Qahat.. Bukki, Uzzi.. Zadok, Abiathar.. Hilkiah.. Onias, Jonathan, Simon.. and David, Solomon.. Ahaziah, Joash
