From Homily to Origin Story: The Textual and Literary Development of Susanna

This study traces the origins and development of the story of Susanna by comparing the Old Greek (OG) and Theodotion (θ′) versions of Daniel, by employing a methodology that prioritizes shared textual elements to reconstruct the original literary core. OG offers a closer approximation of this core, with θ′ reflecting numerous secondary expansions. OG is characterized as a homily opening with a paraphrase of Isa 2:3, interpreted as a critique of Babylonian Jewish leadership. The homiletic conclusion includes a previously unrecognized allusion to Gen 25:27–28, reinforcing the youth–elder dichotomy as a central theme. θ′ transforms the homily into a narrative focused on Susanna’s exemplary character. This revision establishes Susanna as central protagonist while muting the youth–elder dichotomy. θ′ introduces new intertextual frameworks through allusions to biblical paradigms of sexual virtue. The study argues that OG was conceived as independent homiletical composition, while θ′ was rewritten as Daniel’s “origin story".