Carol A. Newsom is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University and was the 2011 President of the Society of Biblical Literature. She is the author and editor of many books, including The Women's Bible Commentary, Third Edition.
"This literate and learned book is the first major commentary on
Daniel of the twenty-first century. It is distinguished from
previous commentaries by the extensive treatment of the history of
reception, but it also provides an informed and engaging treatment
of the book in its ancient historical context."
--John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and
Interpretation, Yale Divinity School
"Carol Newsom has written a delightful new commentary on this
peculiar book in the Bible. She guides her reader expertly through
the historical context in ancient Israel and skillfully navigates
the relevant ancient Near Eastern parallels, while being mindful of
the considerable theological challenges Daniel poses. In her
consideration of the scholarly literature Newsom is cautious when
the evidence is insufficient or open to interpretation, yet
decisive when conventional views need to be replaced. All of this
will prove eminently helpful for Daniel's modern readers, the
newcomer and the expert alike. What sets this commentary apart,
however, is that Newsom does much more than merely provide useful
information. Using her intimate knowledge of Second Temple Judaism,
Newsom draws on multiple contexts to explain the biblical text: she
routinely refers to other early Jewish apocalypses and relates them
to Daniel, she cites from the Qumran library where Daniel was very
popular, and she gives sufficient room to the reception history of
Daniel in Judaism and Christianity, which is impressive. A fabulous
new commentary for any reader who is looking for a critical
engagement with the book of Daniel. This volume is deeply learned,
yet easily accessible. It will soon become a standard tool for all
interested in Daniel."
--Matthias Henze, Isla Carroll and Percy E. Turner Professor of
Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism, Founding Director, Program in
Jewish Studies, Rice University
"Carol Newsom's superb commentary on Daniel focuses on its central
narrative--the quest to uncover the mysteries of heaven and
understand the true nature of God's relationship with history and
humanity. Supplementary sections by Brennan Breed outline the
reception history of key themes of each chapter of Daniel from the
ancient world to the present. The result is a brilliant exposition
of the most enigmatic book in the Hebrew Bible that details its
profound influence on Western culture and sheds new light on its
meaning for readers both then and now."
--Lorenzo DiTommaso, Professor of Religion, Concordia University,
Montreal
"Carol Newsom's work is a worthy successor to Norman Porteous's
volume on Daniel, one of the great commentaries in the original Old
Testament Library. Whereas Porteous wrote against the background of
the biblical theology movement, Dr Newsom writes against the
background of post-colonial study and interest in reception
history, and her commentary is aware of those approaches to
interpretation (it was an excellent move to get Brennan Breed to
provide substantial studies of each chapter's reception history).
Traditional critical questions about history and language also get
thorough and judicious consideration. Serious students of Daniel in
our twenty-first century context will profit hugely from this
commentary."
--John Goldingay, David Allan Hubbard Professor of Old Testament,
Fuller Theological Seminary
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