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Naama Golan

Harvard University, Center for Jewish Studies, Post-Doc

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Papers by Naama Golan

The Felled Tree – metaphor and theology

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft

The article demonstrates the connection between metaphor and theology and shows how, by tracing t... more The article demonstrates the connection between metaphor and theology and shows how, by tracing the development of the metaphor of the felled tree and its regrowth, it is possible to point to the development of certain theological trends. It argues that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree in Daniel (3:31–4:34) serves as an »inner-biblical interpretation« for the prophecy regarding the »shoot from the stump of Jesse« (Isaiah 10:33–11:9), identifying three stages in the development of the metaphor of the felled tree.

Metal and Stone: An Analogy between the Story of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17) and the Story of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Dan 2)

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 2019

The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from differe... more The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from different metals is struck to the ground by a stone (Dan 2), creates an affinity between this story and that of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17). These two stories convey an identical message through the same symbols. While the stone signifies the divine, the man-made metal symbolizes human might. Though this is a broad analogy, which includes both thematic and linguistic parallels, it has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention. This paper unravels the analogy, shedding new light on Daniel 2, its meaning and its purpose.

Can God Deliver His Servants? Two Theological Problems in the Daniel Narratives (Dan 1:9; 3:17–18)

Vetus Testamentum, 2021

This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological que... more This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological question arises concerning the uncertainty of God’s ability to deliver his servants: (1) The chief officer’s denial of Daniels’ request (Dan 1:10) despite the fact that God granted Daniel grace and compassion from the chief officer, and (2) the speech of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3:17–18), in which they entertain the possibility that God will not, or perhaps cannot, save them. Commentators and translators throughout the generations have struggled with these theological problems, and we can identify a clear trend seeking to read the relevant verses in a way that removes the uncertainty, replacing it with certain faith in God’s deliverance. In this article, we demonstrate how this interpretive trend surprisingly continues even with modern biblical scholars. Based on a literary analysis, we suggest that reading the MT version without altering it to conform with certain theological p...

Naama Golan 22022 (1)

N. Golan, "The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) - Structure and Meaning", E. Assis, M. Gruber, S. Offenberg. D. Sivan, L. Stuckenbruck and Y. Yogev (eds.), A book in honor Shamir Yona , (forthcoming)

E. Assis, M. Gruber, S. Offenberg. D. Sivan, L. Stuckenbruck and Y. Yogev (eds.), A book in honor Shamir Yona , 2022

The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)-Structure and Meaning Dr. Naama Golan This article prop... more The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)-Structure and Meaning Dr. Naama Golan This article proposes a new structure for the story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:30-31). The story has a concentric structure at the center of which is the dialogue between Nebuchadnezzar and the three youths (18-14). This structure sheds new light on the story's meaning and main purpose. According to this structure, the question the story centers on is not whether God will succeed in delivering his servants, but rather one related to a human resolution: will the youths choose to be loyal to God or to the king? The climax of the story occurs when the youths face Nebuchadnezzar and contend that they do not consider themselves his subjects, proudly declaring that, even at the cost of their lives, they will not bow down to the golden statue he had set up. According to this reading, it appears that the purpose of the story is not solely to praise God for the miraculous redemption, but mostly to encourage his believers to surrender their lives for their faith in him.

N. Golan, The Daniel Narratives: A Literary Analysis of Daniel 1-6 (Ph.D. Thesis, Bar Ilan University), Ramat Gan 2017

Bar Ilan University, 2017

Abstract

Can God Deliver His Servants? Two Theological Problems in the Daniel Narratives (Dan 1:9; 3:17-18

Naama Golan

This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological que... more This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological question arises concerning the uncertainty of God's ability to deliver his servants: (1) The chief officer's denial of Daniels' request (Dan 1:10) despite the fact that God granted Daniel grace and compassion from the chief officer, and (2) the speech of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3:17-18), in which they entertain the possibility that God will not, or perhaps cannot, save them. Commentators and translators throughout the generations have struggled with these theological problems, and we can identify a clear trend seeking to read the relevant verses in a way that removes the uncertainty, replacing it with certain faith in God's deliverance. In this article, we demonstrate how this interpretive trend surprisingly continues even with modern biblical scholars. Based on a literary analysis, we suggest that reading the MT version without altering it to conform with certain theological preconceptions may shed new light on the Daniel narratives, thereby exposing their deep and complex message.

The element of surprise and role reversal in the story of the Lions Den

Beit Mikra 64, 2019

Ostensibly, The Lions’ Den story (Daniel 6) appears as one written in a similar vein as the Fiery... more Ostensibly, The Lions’ Den story (Daniel 6) appears as one written in a similar vein as the Fiery Furnace Story (Daniel 3), intending to portray Daniel as a man who is not of lesser devotion than his three friends are, but is willing to jeopardize his life to worship his god, just as they had been willing to do. Alongside this notion, however, the Lions’ Den story conceals a unique and surprising element.
In this paper I will point to a significant difference between the two stories, which is underscored by King Darius’s surprised reaction to Daniel’s insubordination (Daniel 6:15). The king’s anger is not directed at Daniel, who had disobeyed him, but at the satraps, who had set him up and left him with his hands tied. This surprise exposes us to a wide array of role reversals, which is further broadened when we note the analogy between the satraps in Daniel 6 and the figures of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3. When considered, this role reversal presents King Darius as a ridiculous figure and sheds a new light on the purpose of the Lions’ Den story. The latter intends to portray the earthly king, the greatest of rulers, as he who is, in fact, controlled by his servants who pull the strings manipulating their king to conform to their wishes. This stands in contrast to the heavenly king whose servant Daniel worships him with unfailing devotion and dedication, and is even willing to risk his life for this faith.

Metal and Stone: An Analogy between the Story of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17) and the Story of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream (Dan 2

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 131.4, 2019

The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from differe... more The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from different metals is struck to the ground by a stone (Dan 2), creates an affinity between this story and that of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17). These two stories convey an identical message through the same symbols. While the stone signifies the divine, the man-made metal symbolizes human might. Though this is a broad analogy, which includes both thematic and linguistic parallels, it has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention. This paper unravels the analogy, shedding new light on Daniel 2, its meaning and its purpose.

The Daniel Narratives (Dan 1-6): Structure and Meaning

The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures 19, 2019

This article presents a new structural analysis of the Daniel narratives in Chapters 1–6. This st... more This article presents a new structural analysis of the Daniel narratives in Chapters 1–6. This structure is based on a new reading of the Daniel narratives from a perspective that emphasizes the tension between earthly and divine rule. Shifting the limelight from the conflict between the Jew and his environment to the internal identity conflict burdening the Jewish courtier, caught between his loyalty to God and that to the king, sheds new light on the Daniel narratives in general and specifically on the status of Daniel 1.

N. Golan by Naama Golan

The Felled Tree – metaphor and theology

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft

The article demonstrates the connection between metaphor and theology and shows how, by tracing t... more The article demonstrates the connection between metaphor and theology and shows how, by tracing the development of the metaphor of the felled tree and its regrowth, it is possible to point to the development of certain theological trends. It argues that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree in Daniel (3:31–4:34) serves as an »inner-biblical interpretation« for the prophecy regarding the »shoot from the stump of Jesse« (Isaiah 10:33–11:9), identifying three stages in the development of the metaphor of the felled tree.

Metal and Stone: An Analogy between the Story of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17) and the Story of Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Dan 2)

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 2019

The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from differe... more The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from different metals is struck to the ground by a stone (Dan 2), creates an affinity between this story and that of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17). These two stories convey an identical message through the same symbols. While the stone signifies the divine, the man-made metal symbolizes human might. Though this is a broad analogy, which includes both thematic and linguistic parallels, it has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention. This paper unravels the analogy, shedding new light on Daniel 2, its meaning and its purpose.

Can God Deliver His Servants? Two Theological Problems in the Daniel Narratives (Dan 1:9; 3:17–18)

Vetus Testamentum, 2021

This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological que... more This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological question arises concerning the uncertainty of God’s ability to deliver his servants: (1) The chief officer’s denial of Daniels’ request (Dan 1:10) despite the fact that God granted Daniel grace and compassion from the chief officer, and (2) the speech of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3:17–18), in which they entertain the possibility that God will not, or perhaps cannot, save them. Commentators and translators throughout the generations have struggled with these theological problems, and we can identify a clear trend seeking to read the relevant verses in a way that removes the uncertainty, replacing it with certain faith in God’s deliverance. In this article, we demonstrate how this interpretive trend surprisingly continues even with modern biblical scholars. Based on a literary analysis, we suggest that reading the MT version without altering it to conform with certain theological p...

Naama Golan 22022 (1)

N. Golan, "The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3) - Structure and Meaning", E. Assis, M. Gruber, S. Offenberg. D. Sivan, L. Stuckenbruck and Y. Yogev (eds.), A book in honor Shamir Yona , (forthcoming)

E. Assis, M. Gruber, S. Offenberg. D. Sivan, L. Stuckenbruck and Y. Yogev (eds.), A book in honor Shamir Yona , 2022

The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)-Structure and Meaning Dr. Naama Golan This article prop... more The story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3)-Structure and Meaning Dr. Naama Golan This article proposes a new structure for the story of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:30-31). The story has a concentric structure at the center of which is the dialogue between Nebuchadnezzar and the three youths (18-14). This structure sheds new light on the story's meaning and main purpose. According to this structure, the question the story centers on is not whether God will succeed in delivering his servants, but rather one related to a human resolution: will the youths choose to be loyal to God or to the king? The climax of the story occurs when the youths face Nebuchadnezzar and contend that they do not consider themselves his subjects, proudly declaring that, even at the cost of their lives, they will not bow down to the golden statue he had set up. According to this reading, it appears that the purpose of the story is not solely to praise God for the miraculous redemption, but mostly to encourage his believers to surrender their lives for their faith in him.

N. Golan, The Daniel Narratives: A Literary Analysis of Daniel 1-6 (Ph.D. Thesis, Bar Ilan University), Ramat Gan 2017

Bar Ilan University, 2017

Abstract

Can God Deliver His Servants? Two Theological Problems in the Daniel Narratives (Dan 1:9; 3:17-18

Naama Golan

This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological que... more This article addresses two cases from the narratives in Daniel in which a similar theological question arises concerning the uncertainty of God's ability to deliver his servants: (1) The chief officer's denial of Daniels' request (Dan 1:10) despite the fact that God granted Daniel grace and compassion from the chief officer, and (2) the speech of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan 3:17-18), in which they entertain the possibility that God will not, or perhaps cannot, save them. Commentators and translators throughout the generations have struggled with these theological problems, and we can identify a clear trend seeking to read the relevant verses in a way that removes the uncertainty, replacing it with certain faith in God's deliverance. In this article, we demonstrate how this interpretive trend surprisingly continues even with modern biblical scholars. Based on a literary analysis, we suggest that reading the MT version without altering it to conform with certain theological preconceptions may shed new light on the Daniel narratives, thereby exposing their deep and complex message.

The element of surprise and role reversal in the story of the Lions Den

Beit Mikra 64, 2019

Ostensibly, The Lions’ Den story (Daniel 6) appears as one written in a similar vein as the Fiery... more Ostensibly, The Lions’ Den story (Daniel 6) appears as one written in a similar vein as the Fiery Furnace Story (Daniel 3), intending to portray Daniel as a man who is not of lesser devotion than his three friends are, but is willing to jeopardize his life to worship his god, just as they had been willing to do. Alongside this notion, however, the Lions’ Den story conceals a unique and surprising element.
In this paper I will point to a significant difference between the two stories, which is underscored by King Darius’s surprised reaction to Daniel’s insubordination (Daniel 6:15). The king’s anger is not directed at Daniel, who had disobeyed him, but at the satraps, who had set him up and left him with his hands tied. This surprise exposes us to a wide array of role reversals, which is further broadened when we note the analogy between the satraps in Daniel 6 and the figures of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3. When considered, this role reversal presents King Darius as a ridiculous figure and sheds a new light on the purpose of the Lions’ Den story. The latter intends to portray the earthly king, the greatest of rulers, as he who is, in fact, controlled by his servants who pull the strings manipulating their king to conform to their wishes. This stands in contrast to the heavenly king whose servant Daniel worships him with unfailing devotion and dedication, and is even willing to risk his life for this faith.

Metal and Stone: An Analogy between the Story of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17) and the Story of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream (Dan 2

Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 131.4, 2019

The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from differe... more The image that appears to Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, in which a colossal statue made from different metals is struck to the ground by a stone (Dan 2), creates an affinity between this story and that of David and Goliath (1 Sam 17). These two stories convey an identical message through the same symbols. While the stone signifies the divine, the man-made metal symbolizes human might. Though this is a broad analogy, which includes both thematic and linguistic parallels, it has not yet received sufficient scholarly attention. This paper unravels the analogy, shedding new light on Daniel 2, its meaning and its purpose.

The Daniel Narratives (Dan 1-6): Structure and Meaning

The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures 19, 2019

This article presents a new structural analysis of the Daniel narratives in Chapters 1–6. This st... more This article presents a new structural analysis of the Daniel narratives in Chapters 1–6. This structure is based on a new reading of the Daniel narratives from a perspective that emphasizes the tension between earthly and divine rule. Shifting the limelight from the conflict between the Jew and his environment to the internal identity conflict burdening the Jewish courtier, caught between his loyalty to God and that to the king, sheds new light on the Daniel narratives in general and specifically on the status of Daniel 1.