Introducing the Apocrypha by David A. deSilva

Author:David A. deSilva
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Bible (Old Testament)—Criticism | interpretation | etc.;REL006080
ISBN: 9781493413072
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-12-20T05:00:00+00:00

Susanna

Contents and Structure

The story of Susanna is set in the time of the Babylonian exile, in and around the house of Joakim, a wealthy and honored Jew whose home served as a sort of community center for the exiles in that area. Two elders who had been appointed judges begin to lust after Joakim’s wife, Susanna. They offer her an ultimatum: she must indulge their desire or else be charged by them with being caught in the act of adultery with an anonymous young man who escaped them. She chooses to remain faithful to God’s law and her husband even though that would mean losing the reputation of being chaste and even her life. In court the elders, being judges, are believed, and Susanna is sentenced to death. The Lord hears her cry for vindication and moves Daniel to intervene. Daniel halts the proceedings and catches the two perjurers in an inconsistency in their testimony, with the result that Susanna is spared, the elders executed, and Daniel’s reputation increased.

The two Greek versions differ markedly here, with Theodotion providing a significantly richer and fuller story line (in 64 verses, as opposed to OG’s 47). The differences may be summarized as follows:

Verses 14–19: Θ provides an extra scene, as Susanna bathes in the garden, dismisses her servants, and is accosted by the elders. This is absent from the OG, which instead includes a bare report of the elders’ decision to trap Susanna in verse 19.

Verses 20–21, 24–27: In Θ the elders profess their desire and pose their threat, after which Susanna screams, her servants reemerge, and the elders denounce her. The elders’ direct speech is absent from OG.

Verse 35: OG shows Susanna praying for deliverance before the elders’ testimony in court. Θ delays this prayer until after the sentence of death is passed (vv. 42–43).

Verse 39: OG has the elders offer the excuse that the “young man” was wearing a mask and hence could not be identified.

Verses 44–45: In OG an angel bestows a spirit of discernment on Daniel, who also renders no immediate pronouncement upon the elders. Θ (vv. 44–46) has God stir up Daniel’s spirit directly, who opens with a declaration of Susanna’s innocence.

Verse 52: OG adds an admonition: “Do not think about their status as elders, nor say, ‘They can never lie.’”

Verse 56: OG reads “Sidon” where Θ reads “Canaan.”

Verse 60: Θ adds “and they blessed God, who saves those who hope in God.”

Verse 62: OG adds the method of execution and the pouring out of fire upon the elders’ corpses by angels.

OG concludes the story with a general praise of sincere young men and exhorts the audience to help train young men to show knowledge and discernment. Θ concludes by narrating the family’s relief at Susanna’s deliverance and reporting Daniel’s increased reputation.

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