BRIEF NOTE: Yesterday I read some comments by @DrPJWilliams on the prodigal son and, later, read Daniel 4.
I couldn’t help but be struck by certain similarities between Nebuchadnezzar and the prodigal son.
Both men end up in far countries.
I couldn’t help but be struck by certain similarities between Nebuchadnezzar and the prodigal son.
Both men end up in far countries.
Both men hence lose their riches/inheritance.
Both men share a diet with animals (or at least try).
Both men later/eventually ‘come to their senses’ (cp. Dan. 4.34).
Both men share a diet with animals (or at least try).
Both men later/eventually ‘come to their senses’ (cp. Dan. 4.34).
In both stories, ‘heaven’ functions as shorthand for ‘God’ (cp. 4.26)--a phenomenon perhaps unique to these two stories (?).
And, in both cases, conversion is not well received by those ‘already at home’:
And, in both cases, conversion is not well received by those ‘already at home’:
for instance, contra the actual text of Dan. 4.19, one midrash has Daniel declare, ‘My Lord (God), let the dream be fulfilled *against* Nebuchadnezzar, your enemy!’.
Not sure quite what if anything follows from these observations.
Suggestions welcome.
Not sure quite what if anything follows from these observations.
Suggestions welcome.
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