Daniel in the lions' den (chapter 6 of the

Book of Daniel The Book of Daniel is a 2nd-century BC biblical apocalypse with a 6th century BC setting. Ostensibly "an account of the activities and visions of Daniel, a noble Jew exiled at Babylon", it combines a prophecy of history with an eschatology ...

) tells of how the biblical Daniel is saved from lions by the

God of Israel God of Israel may refer to: * God in Judaism, God as understood in Jewish theological discussion * Yahweh, the national god of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah * Tetragrammaton, the four Hebrew letters YHWH as the name of God, and various ...

"because I was found blameless before him" (Daniel 6:22). It parallels and complements chapter 3, the story of

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) are figures from the biblical Book of Daniel, primarily chapter 3. In the narrative, the three Hebrew men are thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar II, King o ...

: each begins with the jealousy of non-Jews towards successful Jews and an imperial edict requiring them to compromise their religion, and concludes with divine deliverance and a king who confesses the greatness of the God of the Jews and issues an edict of royal protection. The tales making up chapters 1–6 of Daniel date no earlier than the

Hellenistic period In Classical antiquity, the Hellenistic period covers the time in Mediterranean history after Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle of Actium in ...

(3rd to 2nd century BC) and were probably originally independent, but were collected in the mid-2nd century BC and expanded shortly afterwards with the visions of the later chapters to produce the modern book. The final part of Daniel 14, within the

deuterocanonical The deuterocanonical books (from the Greek meaning "belonging to the second canon") are books and passages considered by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and the Assyrian Church of the East to be ...

additions to Daniel The additions to Daniel comprise three chapters not found in the Hebrew/Aramaic text of Daniel. The text of these chapters is found in the Koine Greek Septuagint, the earliest Old Greek translation. The three additions are as follows. *The Pra ...

, also describes an incident when Daniel is thrown into a lions' den.

Summary of the biblical narrative

In Daniel 6, Daniel is raised to high office by his royal master

Darius the Mede Darius the Mede is mentioned in the Book of Daniel as king of Babylon between Belshazzar and Cyrus the Great, but he is not known to history, and no additional king can be placed between the known figures of Belshazzar and Cyrus. Most scholars v ...

. Daniel's jealous rivals trick Darius into issuing a decree that for thirty days no prayers should be addressed to any god or man but Darius himself; anyone who disobeys this edict is to be thrown to the lions. Pious Daniel continues to pray daily to the God of Israel; and the king, although deeply distressed, must condemn Daniel to death, for the edicts of the Medes and Persians cannot be altered. Hoping for Daniel's deliverance, Darius has him cast into the pit. At daybreak the king hurries to the place and cries out anxiously, asking if God had saved his friend. Daniel replies that his God had sent an angel to close the jaws of the lions, "because I was found blameless before him". The king commands that those who had conspired against Daniel be thrown to the lions in his place with their wives and children, and that the whole world should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

Composition and structure

It is generally accepted that the

originated as a collection of

folktale A folktale or folk tale is a folklore genre that typically consists of a story passed down from generation to generation orally. Folktale may also refer to: Categories of stories * Folkloric tale from oral tradition * Fable (written form of the a ...

s among the Babylonian captivity, the Jewish community living in Babylon and

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia ''Mesopotamíā''; ar, بِلَاد ٱلرَّافِدَيْن or ; syc, ܐܪܡ ܢܗܪ̈ܝܢ, or , ) is a historical region of Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the ...

, in the

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

and

Hellenistic In Classical antiquity, the Hellenistic period covers the time in Mediterranean history after Classical Greece, between the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire, as signified by the Battle of Actium in ...

periods (5th to 2nd centuries BC). Chapters 4–6, which includes the tale of Daniel in the lions' den, may belong to the earliest stage, as these differ quite markedly in the oldest texts. Although the entire book is traditionally ascribed to Daniel the seer, the tales of chapters 1–6, including the story of the lion's den, are the voice of an anonymous narrator (except for chapter 4 which is in the form of a letter from king Nebuchadnezzar). It is possible that the name of Daniel was chosen for the hero because of his reputation as a wise seer in Hebrew tradition. Chapters 2–7 are in

Aramaic The Aramaic languages, short Aramaic ( syc, ܐܪܡܝܐ, Arāmāyā; oar, 𐤀𐤓𐤌𐤉𐤀; arc, 𐡀𐡓𐡌𐡉𐡀; tmr, אֲרָמִית), are a language family containing many varieties (languages and dialects) that originated in ...

, and are in the clear form of a chiasm (a poetic structure in which the main point or message of a passage is placed in the centre and framed by further repetitions on either side): * A. (2:4b-49) – A dream of four kingdoms replaced by a fifth ** B. (3:1–30) – Daniel's three friends in the fiery furnace *** C. (4:1–37) – Daniel interprets a dream for Nebuchadnezzar *** C'. (5:1–31) – Daniel interprets the handwriting on the wall for

Belshazzar Belshazzar (Babylonian cuneiform: ''Bēl-šar-uṣur'', meaning "Bel, protect the king"; ''Bēlšaʾṣṣar'') was the son and crown prince of Nabonidus (556–539 BC), the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Through his mother he might h ...

** B'. (6:1–28) – Daniel in the lions' den * A'. (7:1–28) – A vision of four world kingdoms replaced by a fifth The story of Daniel in the lions' den in chapter 6 is paired with the story of

and the "fiery furnace" in Daniel 3. The parallels include the jealousy of non-Jews, an imperial edict requiring Jews to compromise their religion on pain of death, and divine deliverance. Each story climaxes with the king confessing the greatness of the God of the Jews and issuing an edict of royal protection. In each case life is preserved through divine presence in the fire or the pit. The structure of Daniel 6 itself is also in the form of a chiasm: :A. Introduction: Daniel’s success (vv.1–3) ::B. Darius’s edict and Daniel’s response (vv.4–10) :::C. Daniel’s opponents plot his death (vv.11–15) ::::D. Darius hopes for Daniel’s deliverance (vv.16–18) ::::D'. Darius witnesses Daniel’s deliverance (vv.19–23) :::C'. Daniel’s opponents sentenced to death (v.24) ::B'. Darius’s edict and doxology (v.25–27) :A'. Conclusion: Daniel’s success (v.28)

Rabbinic literature

According to

Josippon ''Josippon'' ( ''Sefer Yosipon'') is a chronicle of Jewish history from Adam to the age of Titus. It is named after its supposed author, Josephus Flavius, though it was actually composed in the 10th century in Southern Italy. The Ethiopic vers ...

, "the beasts in the den received Daniel as faithful dogs might receive their returning master, wagging their tails and licking him". The

Midrash Tehillim Midrash Tehillim (Hebrew: מדרש תהלים), also known as Midrash Shocher Tov or the Midrash to Psalms, is an aggadic midrash to the Psalms. It has been known since the 11th century, when it was quoted by Nathan of Rome, by R. Isaac ben Juda ...

says that "the mouth of the den was closed with a huge stone, which had rolled of itself from Palestine to Babylon for that purpose" and that "upon this stone sat an angel in the shape of a lion, so that Daniel's enemies might not harass him."Daniel
Jewish Encyclopedia (1906).

Artistic representations

In visual arts

Although Daniel is sometimes depicted as a young man in illustrations of the incident,

James Montgomery Boice James Montgomery Boice (July 7, 1938 – June 15, 2000) was an American Reformed Christian theologian, Bible teacher, author, and speaker known for his writing on the authority of Scripture and the defence of Biblical inerrancy. He was also th ...

points out that he would have been over eighty years old at the time. Painters who have depicted this incident include: *

Jan Brueghel the Younger Jan Brueghel (also Bruegel or Breughel) the Younger (, ; ; 13 September 1601 – 1 September 1678) was a Flemish Baroque painter. He was the son of Jan Brueghel the Elder, and grandson of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, both prominent painters who ...

, ''Daniel in the Lions' Den'' *

Briton Rivière Briton Rivière (14 August 1840 in London20 April 1920 in London) was a British artist of Huguenot descent. He exhibited a variety of paintings at the Royal Academy, but devoted much of his life to animal paintings. Biography Briton's fat ...

, ''Daniel's Answer to the King'' *

Peter Paul Rubens Sir Peter Paul Rubens (; ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat from the Duchy of Brabant in the Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium). He is considered the most influential artist of the Flemish Baroque tradi ...

, ''

Daniel in the Lions' Den Daniel in the lions' den (chapter 6 of the Book of Daniel) tells of how the biblical Daniel is saved from lions by the God of Israel "because I was found blameless before him" (Daniel 6:22). It parallels and complements chapter 3, the story of S ...

'' *

Henry Ossawa Tanner Henry Ossawa Tanner (June 21, 1859 – May 25, 1937) was an American artist and the first African-American painter to gain international acclaim. Tanner moved to Paris, France, in 1891 to study at the Académie Julian and gained acclaim in Fren ...

, ''Daniel in the Lions' Den'' * David Teniers the Younger, ''Daniel in the Lions' Den''

In music

* In February 1927, the Norfolk Jubilee Quartette recorded "Daniel in the Lions' Den" on the Paramount label. The song bears close melodic and lyrical resemblance to "Now is the Needed Time," recorded (without reference to Daniel and the lions) in the 1950s by Sam Lightnin' Hopkins * The 1929

gospel blues Gospel blues (or holy blues) is a form of blues-based gospel music that has been around since the inception of blues music. It combines evangelistic lyrics with blues instrumentation, often blues guitar accompaniment. According to musician and ...

song " I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" by

Washington Phillips George Washington "Wash" Phillips (January 11, 1880 – September 20, 1954) was an American gospel and gospel blues singer and instrumentalist. The exact nature of the instrument or instruments he played is uncertain, being identified only as ...

retells the story * On February 10, 1959, in Cincinnati, the Stanley Brothers recorded "Daniel Prayed", a bluegrass retelling of the story. Originally issued on King LP 645, the song has also been recorded by many bluegrass country and gospel artists and groups such as Doc Watson, Boone Creek, The Isaacs, Ricky Skaggs. The Cathedrals and The Gospel Plow Boys. * The 1964 Broadway Musical '' Fiddler on the Roof'' by

Jerry Bock Jerrold Lewis Bock (November 23, 1928November 3, 2010) was an American musical theater composer. He received the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Sheldon Harnick for their 1959 musical ''Fiorello!'' and the Tony ...

and

Sheldon Harnick Sheldon Mayer Harnick (born April 30, 1924) is an American lyricist and songwriter best known for his collaborations with composer Jerry Bock on musicals such as ''Fiorello!'' and '' Fiddler on the Roof''. Early life Sheldon Mayer Harnick was ...

includes a song called "Miracle of Miracles", in which Motel, the tailor, sings "Wonder of wonders; miracle of miracles; God took a Daniel once again, turned him around and, miracle of miracles, walked him through the lion's den." * In 1966, the trio of Frederick McQueen, George McKenzie, and Shelton Swain released their own original song about the story, called "God Locked the Lion's Jaw," on the album ''The Real Bahamas (In Music And Song)'' * Lyrics on the title track of Bob Marley & the Wailers' 1979 album

Survival Survival, or the act of surviving, is the propensity of something to continue existing, particularly when this is done despite conditions that might kill or destroy it. The concept can be applied to humans and other living things (or, hypotheti ...

reference Daniel leaving the lion's den. * The front sleeve of the 1981 album by

The Sound (band) The Sound were an English post-punk band, formed in South London in 1979 and dissolved in 1988. They were fronted by Adrian Borland, and evolved from his previous band, the Outsiders. While never commercially successful, the Sound have long b ...

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is the painting “Daniel in the Lion’s Den” by

Briton Riviere British people or Britons, also known colloquially as Brits, are the citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the British Overseas Territories, and the Crown dependencies.: British nationality law governs mo ...

* The 1982 song "Daniel" by

Raffi Raffi Cavoukian, ( hy, Րաֆֆի, born July 8, 1948), known professionally by the mononym Raffi, is a Canadian singer-lyricist and author of Armenian descent born in Egypt, best known for his children's music. He developed his career as a " ...

on his ''Rise and Shine'' album * The 1982 song "Lion's Den" by Bruce Springsteen, first released on the 1998 album '' Tracks'', alludes to the story *

Patty Loveless Patty Loveless (born Patricia Lee Ramey, January 4, 1957) is an American country music singer. She began performing in her teenaged years before signing her first recording contract with MCA Records' Nashville division in 1985. While her first ...

recorded the song "Daniel Prayed" featuring

Ricky Skaggs Rickie Lee Skaggs (born July 18, 1954), known professionally as Ricky Skaggs, is an American neotraditional country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, ...

for her 2001 album ''Mountain Soul'' album. * The 2011 song " Us Against The World" by

Coldplay Coldplay are a British rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey. They met at University ...

includes the line 'My drunken hazard Daniel in a lion's den', as a reference to being in a bad place. * The 2013 album '' Bad Blood'' by

Bastille The Bastille (, ) was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in the internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France. It was stor ...

includes a track called "Daniel in the Den" * The 2016 album ''Arts & Leisure'' by Walter Martin (formerly of

The Walkmen The Walkmen is an American indie rock band. Active from 2000 to 2013, they are known as part of the 2000s-era post-punk revival in New York City, particularly for their critically acclaimed single " The Rat." The band is made up of drummer Matt ...

) includes a track called "Daniel in the Lion's Den" * Prog Metal band Dream Theater recorded the track ''Paralysed'' on their 2019 album ''Distance Over Time'' which includes the line 'The victim, the martyr... like Daniel in the Lion's Den, time and time again'. * The 2017 album ''Fear Not Fantasy'' by Joe Ransom (an unknown songwriter of Australia, residing in Honduras) will include a track called "Science Teacher" which begins with a reference to Daniel in the Lions' Den *Paul White's 'Accelerator' EP features a track called Lion's Den. In the chorus featuring rapper Danny Brown references "Daniel in the lion's den".

References

Citations

Bibliography

* * * * * * * {{Book of Daniel Angelic apparitions in the Bible Daniel 06 Daniel (biblical figure) Lions in art Darius the Mede