Description: The books of Ezekiel and Daniel provide some of the most memorable stories and images of the Old Testament: the blazing wheeled throne of God leaving Jerusalem, the valley of dry bones, and miraculous survivals in a fiery furnace and a lions den. This commentary explores the extraordinary messages of hope and divine power delivered by these prophets.
Brief description: Paul V. Niskanen teaches Old Testament at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. His interests include an exploration of Hebrew poetry, along with prophetic and apocalyptic imagery. He has written a monograph and a commentary on the book of Daniel as well as articles on Daniel, Isaiah, and Genesis for the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and the Journal of Biblical Literature.
Review Quotes: This volume in the NCBC series is a real gem. These two books, which both attract and puzzle many readers, appear in a single volume. Both Ezekiel and Daniel address times of crisis in Israel's life, and these commentaries skillfully portray the historical situation of the writers and tease out of the rich symbolism a theological message for those in distress. Each commentator brings a wealth of study and knowledge to the text and presents it so clearly and subtly that we readers can engage in an interpretation for our own time. Dark times can generate hope: promise of rebirth for the people experiencing the Babylonian Exile ("dry bones" in Ezekiel 37), and the first notion of resurrection of the dead for those suffering steadfastly around the time of the Maccabees (Daniel 12).
John Endres, SJ, Professor of Sacred Scripture, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University