Telltale Signs of a Semitic Prototext for the Peshitta of Daniel

Abstract

Abstract Earlier scholars concluded correctly that the Peshitta of Daniel was translated from a Semitic prototext, but their arguments were less than compelling. Basing the argument on vocabulary, to wit the consistent rendering of Hebrew as and Aramaic as, the use of Persian loanwords, and the preservation of a rare Semitic adverb, provides a more convincing case than offered in the past. Though not necessary to prove the point, the author suggests that what could be interpreted as a peal passive participle may in fact be an internal peal passive suffix conjugation form. This suggestion is presented for scholarly consideration and should not be considered fundamental to the major thesis.