Chiastic literary structure of the Book of Daniel

The chiastic literary structure of the Book of Daniel is that of a double chiasm encompassed by an overarch (1 ⟷ 12:5–13):

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A (2) — vision shown by God to Nebuchadnezzar of four earthly kingdoms replaced by God's eternal dominion:

1. Nebuchadnezzar receives a dream (2:1–3)
2. four kingdoms introduced (2:31)
3. four kingdoms explained: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (2:32–33)
4. vision of the Son of God destroying the fourth kingdom (2:34–35)
5. declaration that the interpretation would be made known to Nebuchadnezzar (2:36–39)
6. attributes of the fourth empire (2:40–43)
7. eternal dominion of God (2:44–45)

B (3:1–4:3) — trial and deliverance of Daniel's three friends in Babylon:

1. proclamation that anyone not obeying the Babylonian empire's decree would face death (3:4–6)
2. Nebuchadnezzar approached by his aristocratic confidants (3:8–11)
3. accusation against Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (3:12)
4. disobedient three exiled Jews thrown into the fiery furnace (3:20–21)
5. Nebuchadnezzar arises in haste (3:24–25)
6. no hurt found in Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (3:26–27)
7. Nebuchadnezzar writes unto the multitudes (4:1–3)

C (4:4–33) — ("partially" consequential) judgment upon the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar:

1. the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, flourishes in his palace (4:4)
2. Nebuchadnezzar's thoughts trouble him (4:5)
3. Nebuchadnezzar summons wise men who cannot interpret the dream (4:6–7)
4. Daniel the Prophet brought in before Nebuchadnezzar to interpret the dream (4:8–18)
5. Daniel answers King Nebuchadnezzar (4:19b–23)
6. the interpretation is made known to King Nebuchadnezzar (4:24–27)
7. fulfillment of the prophecy upon King Nebuchadnezzar (4:28–33)

D (4:34–37) — King Nebuchadnezzar blesses, honors, and extols the LORD of Hosts

C' (5) — (fully consequential) judgment upon the king of Babylon, Belshazzar:

1. the king of Babylon, Belshazzar, flourishes in his palace (5:1–4)
2. Belshazzar's thoughts trouble him (5:5–6)
3. Belshazzar summons wise men who cannot interpret the writing on the wall (5:7–8)
4. Daniel the Prophet brought in before Belshazzar to interpret the writing (5:13–16)
5. Daniel answers King Belshazzar (5:17–25)
6. the interpretation is made known to King Belshazzar (5:26–28)
7. fulfillment of the prophecy upon King Belshazzar (5:29–31)

B' (6) — trial and deliverance of Daniel in Medo-Persia:

1. proclamation that anyone not obeying the Medo-Persian empire's decree would face death (6:6–7)
2. Darius approached by his aristocratic confidants (6:12a)
3. accusation against Daniel (6:13)
4. disobedient exiled Daniel thrown into the lions' den (6:16a)
5. Darius arises in haste (6:19-22)
6. no hurt found in Daniel (6:23)
7. Darius writes unto the multitudes (6:25–27)

A' (7) — vision shown by God to Daniel of four earthly kingdoms replaced by God's eternal dominion:

1. Daniel receives a dream (7:1)
2. four kingdoms introduced (7:2-3)
3. four kingdoms explained: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (7:4–8)
4. vision of the Son of God destroying the fourth kingdom (7:9–14)
5. declaration that the interpretation would be made known to Daniel (7:16–18)
6. attributes of the fourth empire (7:19–25)
7. eternal dominion of God (7:26–27)

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A (8:1–14) — vision of Medo-Persia and Greece, introductory glimpse into the latter's fourfold-divided empire(s):

1. Medo-Persia’s agitation against the kingdom of Greece (8:3–4)
2. Alexander the Great destroys the Medo-Persian empire (8:5–7)
3. Alexander's kingdom is divided towards the four winds of heaven (8:8)
4. the little horn (Antiochus IV) invades the south and Holy Land (8:9)
5. Antiochus represses God's people (8:10)
6. pollution of the sanctuary, taking away of the daily [sacrifice], abomination of desolation (8:11)
7. Antiochus continues to persecute the saints and prospers (8:12)

B (8:15–27) — the angel Gabriel explains the vision to Daniel the Prophet:

1. Daniel the Prophet saw the vision (8:15)
2. Daniel hears the voice of the Son of God (8:16–17)
3. Daniel's face is towards the ground while in a deep sleep (8:18a)
4. Gabriel touches Daniel and sets up upright (8:18b)
5. the vision is for many days (8:19–26)

C (9:1–19) — Daniel fasts and mourns

D (9:20–27) — Gabriel explains the final 70 symbolic weeks of probation for the Jewish nation and anointing of the Messiah

C' (10:1–3) — Daniel fasts and mourns

B' (10:4–21) — the angel Gabriel explains the vision to Daniel the Prophet:

1. Daniel the Prophet saw the vision (10:7–8)
2. Daniel hears the voice of the Son of God (10:9a)
3. Daniel's face is towards the ground while in a deep sleep (10:9b)
4. Gabriel touches Daniel and sets up upright (10:10)
5. the vision is for [many] days (10:11–14)

A' (11:1–12:4) — vision of Medo-Persia and Greece, expansive focus on the latter's fourfold-divided empire(s):

1. Medo-Persia’s agitation against the kingdom of Greece (11:2)
2. Alexander the Great destroys the Medo-Persian empire (11:3)
3. Alexander's kingdom is divided towards the four winds of heaven (11:4)
4. the little horn (Antiochus IV) invades the south and Holy Land (11:21–28)
5. Antiochus represses God's people (11:29–30)
6. pollution of the sanctuary, taking away of the daily [sacrifice], abomination of desolation (11:31)
7. Antiochus continues to persecute the saints and prospers (11:32–39)