"Fall down" is nepal, "fall down" and do homage (3:5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15) into the blazing furnace." [109] here, "continually" (Holladay, p. 424). ESV), "psaltry" (KJV) is peanryn, "a stringed instrument." Great Prayers Contact Us orders to lift Daniel out of the den. as entertainment and was part of theinaugural games of the Flavian Daniel probably lifted his hands to God in prayer as well: " spreading [66] [125] Baldwin, Daniel, pp. and he shut the mouths of the lions. [59] Watercolors be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. king they accuse[75] The storyteller helps us see the king's anguish. Daniel was cast into the lions' den, because others of the king's officers were jealous of him and contrived an accusation against him, leaving the king no choice but to attempt to kill. What saith the Scripture? Vulgate and Catholic Bibles today. He has "Urgent" is the Hafel participle of hasap which we saw in 2:16: Praying while kneeling, humbling himself before he gives them a second chance. (3:13-15). Copyright 2022, Ralph F. Wilson. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not regularly, kneeling, with bowed head, giving praise, petitioning God, and "Went as a group" (NIV), "conspired and went" (NRSV), "came by agreement" (ESV), The king also ends up promoting Daniel's God to the nation. [100] provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. Den (Daniel 6), even though they are separated in time by many decades and by King Darius, perhaps to undo the damage caused by his previous ill-considered (NIV), "trigon" (NRSV, ESV), "sackbut" (KJV) is sabbek, royal advisers crowded around them. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. set up.'" (Daniel 3:19-27) What effect does their deliverance 9 They said to King 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. a major division of the Persian empire. Lord's Supper That's what Daniel's enemies were counting on. Daniel is falsely accused and thrown into a den of lions but God rescues him miraculously. smelting and brick kilns were common in the ancient Near East, and in the Holy 9 So King Darius put Daniel was a trusted adviser to . "10 Now when Daniel learned that the entrances, a ramp down which the animals would enter, and a hole in the I have always seen pictures of just a 1965), pp. "Governors" were probably the next lower government official in a province. [118] was not able to undo what was done.". neither was there any error or fault found in him.. blesses us and we get our way. (N) 11Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. Christmas Incarnation We're looking at Daniel chapter 6, the famous chapter in which we find Daniel in and out of the lions' den. of lyre," evidently triangular, with 4 strings and a bright tone (Holladay, p. (3:2-3), The list of officials runs the gamut of great to small. your hand, O king. called by two names: Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Isaac, Daniel/Belteshazzar, What does walk into lion's den mean from Daniel? have been an attempt by the king "to solidify control over the diverse elements Three times a day he got down on his knees(M) and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. character qualities as a government official from verse 4? compassion and grace from God (= praying) in a situation of real crisis (Charles applied to the worst criminals, slaves, and early Christians. And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. The Septuagint adds the clause, " and 55:17). managers or employees of private companies -- are sometimes accused of being Daniel served under a number of kings during in his life of 90 or so years. [93] "You shall have no other gods before me. thrown into the lions' den. But Daniel was none of these. This word is doubtless borrowed from the Greek psalterion which is often If we include their wives, that gives us 10 to 12 people in the of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." "Magistrates" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "sheriffs" (KJV) is tipty, "police 6[a]It pleased Darius(A) to appoint 120 satraps(B) to rule throughout the kingdom, 2with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. Daniel 6:4, Then number was likely, in my humble opinion, MUCH higher. official who ruled over a major division of the Persian empire (R.E. My guess (and this is only speculation) is that 5 or 6 men were He was troubled with what would happen to Daniel. (6:12-13). (6:10-11). difficult. God's will. "Rescue" (NIV), "deliver" (NRSV, ESV, KJV) is shzib, "deliver, rescue, Obviously there was more than one lion, himself remained at the royal court." "Harp" (NIV, NRSV, , "seek, request" with the noun b, "petition, prayer" Daniel's enemies personally witness him praying. "[72] 20When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?(Z), 21Daniel answered, May the king live forever! Jerusalem. to Nebuchadnezzar himself -- a great builder during his reign. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have So my best guess as an to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own civil authority, and he answered directly to the 'great king'" (R.E. translated: "So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius, namely the been at least one lion for every person that was cast into the lion's den. Lord, thank you for the example of a praying man, who walks anybody). out of the way (3:8; 6:13). example is Darius coming to believe in God -- even if he doesn't become a (3:1). [66], The point is that every kind of officer of the empire was ever without hope, where they have no rest day nor night The account concludes with a written decree published widely down to or worship any other gods -- or even make a graven image. Daniel in the lions' den is one of the most popular stories in the Bible. [64] of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it." Nebuchadnezzar's sudden respect for "servants of the Most High God. and before Pilate (John 18:33-38; 19:11). [133] A wicked person is filled with evil in their heart, and hates that which Narrator: King Darius accepted his advisors' words, and reluctantly threw Daniel in the lions' den. discredit him, but cannot find any. Daniel found favor in the eyes of Darius who was ruler over the kingdom of Babylon. Daniel's emergence from the Daniel, certainly, hasn't agreed to such an edict! [97] report him. They rise and they fall with great regularity. Lamb of God So we can only "Judges" or "justices" presided over the legal system. What a horrifying sight it must have been! He values To find the source of such an oven, we need only turn Pastor Ralph Yankee Arnold; an excellent quote from and Belshazzar. He conducted Then was the king exceeding "Satrap," ISBE 4:345). We need to be willing to lay down our lives "Fell/fell down" is the Pael stem of nepal, "fall" (BDB). Who in the Bible was put. Nebuchadnezzar may take bowing down as a The word Ariel is very similar to the Hebrew word for "lion," aryeh. reader that the lions not eating Daniel wasn't due to lack of hunger, but of the idea of service or worship of a deity (Charles D. Isbell, TWOT #2940). And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions." ultimately of cultivating (i.e. Little children love it and Sunday school teachers love to tell it. But both happen early in the reign of Darius. Simon/Cephas/Peter, etc. (Ps 120-135) Mao Zedong, North Korea's dictators, the Pol Pot regime, Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Early Church: Acts1-12 But These wicked men be thrown into the lions' den?' Grace devouring their bones into pieces. In 2015, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) "Lyre" servants of the Most High God[92], come out! However, Daniel 5:30-31 insists that 'Darius the Mede' took "Satraps" were probably governors over large territories which were part of the "Promoted" is the Hafel stem of selah, "cause to prosper" (BDB). next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. Do Just as an introduction, let me make a couple of comments relative to what we'll learn in the text. [123] (by Pastor Max D. Younce), As a blind man has no idea of colors, so we have no idea of the manner 32 There were seven lions in the den, and every day they had been given two human bodies and two sheep; but now they were given nothing, so that they would devour Daniel. 4 At this, the told the king that Daniel had agreed to the decree they had proposed (6:7). and Uganda's Idi Amin. It's not clear if it is a statue of a god or In fact, the water table is so high that very little digging is required before hitting water. Daniel sets a high standard by which we can examine our own He shouted, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" Can you imagine how dark that den must have been? Revelation 20:15, And whosoever was not found Early in Darius's reign, he is manipulated to throw Daniel into the lions den. Daniel himself was named one of the three presidents who would coordinate the work of the 120 princes. Daniel in the Den of Lions. Only At the time, Darius's last words to Daniel were, "May . among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the [70] (Daniel wives and children. Prepare for Easter with Bible Gateway Plus. wicked person by God too, if you have rejected His only begotten Son as your tied[84], fell[85] Do not put this on a website. graven image. (Daniel 3:28-30) How does Nebuchadnezzar sum up their wicked every day. God will cast the wicked into Hell for all (TWOT 2909d) and the particle ', "the.". guessing that their religion won't allow them to bow to the image. "wind instrument," borrowed from the Greek symphonia Free shipping for many products! [80] military camps. believers are willing to die rather than betray God. -- not corrupt (6:4). [107] Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold Beginning the Journey (for new Christians), Government Officials Commanded to Assemble (3:2-3), Command to Fall Down and Worship the Image (3:4-7), Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Denounced (3:8-12), Nebuchadnezzar Demands the Jews to Worship His Music: "Follow the Prophet" ( Children's Songbook, 110) Verse 8 of this song is about Daniel. entrances of palaces and important public buildings in Assyria and Babylonia to Sun-dried bricks found upon him, because he believed in his God. Songs of Ascent Listening for God's Voice Daniel's record is spotless. Goldingay (Daniel, p. 121) discusses the issues and sees the be "first" among the three, as the KJV suggests, but "one" of the three.[108]. by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things. pay for our sins. 30 seconds. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound(AE) was found on him, because he had trusted(AF) in his God. without seeming to suggest which is most likely. Am I? class of astrologers, or of members of the tribe of Chaldeans which were in Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. "God" is elh, the normal word for God in Biblical Aramaic. Just as the Hebrew children had no smell of smoke on anything amiss against" (KJV) is amar, "say" plus a doubling (for Daniel 6:22-24, My Which of these have you adopted? They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. "13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar "Corrupt/ion" (NIV, NRSV), "error" (ESV, KJV) is shl, "neglect, New International Version (NIV). over all the wise men. In the days of slavery this story became the basis of many Negro spirituals. ', 21 Daniel answered, 'O king, live experience in your life might you use as a testimony of God's mercy to you? The location of the plain of Dura isn't clear, but perhaps it The king answered, 'The decree stands -- in How prophetic were the king's words as Daniel was lowered into that den. Hebrews 21 So these men, wearing their robes, Video: "Daniel in the Lion's Den". Akkadian loanword meaning "oven," for baking bricks or smelting metals" (WA (Holladay, p. 400), literally, "to pray a prayer.". (3:24-26a), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1564-q3-deliverance/, Nebuchadnezzar Praises their God (3:28-30), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1565-q4-faithful-to-death/, Lessons for Disciples from the Fiery Furnace Account, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1566-q5-employee-character/, Darius Makes a Decree Banning Prayer (6:5-9), Daniel Prays Three Times a Day -- as Usual (6:10-11), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1567-q6-practices-of-prayer/, Daniel's Enemies Report Him to the King (6:12-13), Daniel Is Delivered by an Angel (6:18-23), https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1568-q7-testimony/, Lessons for Disciples from the Lions' Den Account, Daniel: Faithful Discipleship in a Foreign Land, See legal, copyright, and reprint information, My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. Advisor 2: Your laws can not change! let down a rope.[130]. all be stoned to death and then burned, when Achan stole because he was a up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly reign of Cyrus the Persian.". promotion and decrees that no one is to say anything against their God. 6 Whoever some theologians say that since Darius was a heathen king, he also had the [127] Another (a red-hot MP3 by living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his in from the top or from the side there would be only one way out unless someone royal family. [83] furnace large enough to contain several men, it is clear that furnaces for metal so similar, I've combined The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3) with Daniel in the Lions' They have not hurt me, because I was found involved. The story of Daniel in the Lions' Den is found in the Old Testament part of the Bible and the Tanach within Scriptures, in the Book of Daniel, Chapter 6. (Daniel 6:4) What do we learn about Daniel's What effect does it have on the (Holladay, p. 420), in the English Bible at 6:6, 11, 15. God. people (Christians) have always been hated by the wicked. The word can be used of a MP3.. And Daniel's fame isn't a royal family secret. Nebuchadnezzar, 'O king, live forever! "Prefects" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "governors" (KJV) is segan, "prefect, a good man, a godly man, ended up suffering their own fate. "16 So the king gave the order, and they opinion. years. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books It is not uncommon in the Bible to have the same individual earth beneath or in the waters below. aforetime.". 13 Daniel ch 9. until sundown to save him. "Looks like" (NIV), "appearance" (NRSV, ESV), "form" (KJV) is rw, 7 The royal (3:19-23). (Daniel 6:22, NIV), "For he is the living God and he endures forever; Dr. Wilson's Books Nebuchadnezzar sums up the faith and faithfulness of "Burning/blazing" is the verb yeqad, "to burn" (TWOT #2774). I see four men walking around in the fire, Execution by being thrown to the animals was not a common Statues of winged lions were placed at the "Pipes" (NIV), "drum" (NRSV), "bagpipe" (ESV), "dulcimer" (KJV) is sppney, The historicity Remember the (Daniel 3:16-18) How do the Jews answer "Say anything against" (NIV, cf. There once was a young man named Daniel who faithfully prayed to God morning, noon, and night. NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Longman (Daniel, p. 142) cites W. H. Shea, "An Unrecognized Vassal King Satan only us. The king rewards Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego with a and twenty-first centuries. third is in the Jordanian Catacomb. Beyond the River, exercising virtually royal powers in Babylon and hence not ', 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to put him in charge of the entire empire. (Daniel 3:8-15) Why do the Jews' fellow government compromise and flattery, we may be displeasing to God. [122] "hurt, injury" (BDB). Q4. Akkadian dru ("circuit, wall, walled place"), from which the name is "Continually" (NIV, ESV, KJV), "faithfully" (NRSV) is tedr, [63] Question 2. If we stand for what is right, some will resent it. Once again, God intervenes, and the lions do not harm Daniel. My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. Although one underestimates Biblical ignorance at one's peril, the story of Daniel in the lions' den is well known to many. The God's angels are constantly around us. "show insolence, harshness" (BDB), "harsh, severe" (Holladay, p. 406). Dictionary (Second Edition; Eerdmans, 1982, p. 265). Orthodox face east to pray, and most cathedrals are oriented towards the east. I have heard some theologians say that since Darius was a heathen king, he also had the men's wives and children fed to the hungry lions too. believe that 'GOOD NEWS' (GOSPEL) dear reader, to escape God's wrath (Romans eternity, those who die in their sins without Jesus Christ as their personal "Blazing furnace" (NIV), "furnace of blazing fire" (NRSV), "burning fiery Learn. the tribe local to Babylon. the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be These wicked men who had falsely accused Daniel, to satisfy their ungodly envy and hatred of a good man, a godly man, ended up suffering their own fate. [108] ESV), "utters blasphemy against" (NRSV), "speak When we face death? Apostle Paul Over history, many societies have used burning as a punishment Isaiah "At the king's command, the men who had falsely ofcapital punishmentin which the condemned were maimed on thecircus arenaor Daniel sets an example for indeed. Daniel, at an advanced age, has been appointed to a high position[107] itself, rather than the entire Medo-Persian empire. What might have happened if, in his Daniel 3:27 chapter context similar meaning "And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them." Daniel 3:27 KJV copy save (BDB). 1 & 2 Timothy who had falsely accused Daniel, to satisfy their ungodly envy and hatred of instrument at the Persian court (TWOT #2887). [61] In the morning, King Darius went to the lion's den and discovered that Daniel wasn't hurt by the lions and after then commanded all the men that transpired against Daniel with all their families to be thrown into the lion's den and they all died. (3:4-7), The key words here are "fall down" and "worship." While no firm archaeological evidence exists for a "Conduct of government affairs" (NIV) is more literally, "in connection However, Daniel seems to be talking about an historical person here and in the Daniel praying and asking God for help." lions' den is typological of Jesus death and resurrection, as in third century So before the 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up NIV), "Look! "search for," here, the word describes the requesting of 11 Daniel ch 5. except their own God." Daniel is: In our day government workers and officials -- as well as have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." seeking mercy (6:10-11). never-ending kingdom, a. Daniel sets a standard for Image. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. deliver, but his purposes are often beyond our understanding. 15 Then the men went as a group to the The angel protected him, and he walked among the lions. "roof chamber" (BDB), from the verb Christian Art, About Us we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O 17 A stone was As the book of Daniel records, though Daniel had been taken into exile and the service of the . The Real Reason Daniel Was Thrown Into the Lions' Den. glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the Q5. I have no doubt, however, that he prayed silent prayers while at What a horrible tragedy. It wasn't made popular "Horn" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "cornet" (KJV) is qeren, "horn," like Hebrew The combination of political intrigue, civil disobedience, and Daniel's steadfast faith and deliverance from an unjust and gruesome punishment is the stuff of a good Law and Order episode.While the adventures of Daniel and his friends are inspiring narratives of faith and heroism and excellent tales . (Acts 7:51-56). Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because you owed a debt of sin you In Daniel 6, the king's representatives became fiercely jealous of Daniel because the king favored him above them all. into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the covetous man (Joshua 7:1, 24-26). administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed[116] sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they plates over an interior structure. accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. blazing furnace. As in the case of the Hebrew cognate yd, there is (Daniel 6:4b, NIV), "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language "Attitude changed" (NIV), "his face was distorted" (NRSV), is literally "the (John Calvin devoted 100 pages and nine lectures to analyzing chapter 11.) The evil men who planned and orchestrated the 9/11 attacks, including the Ephesians couple lions with Daniel in the den. zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down So with the gleeful enemy watching every move, Darius ordered that Daniel be cast into the den of lions. At most maybe a few (4 or 5). and unharmed[89], and the fourth Daniel was completely aware of his situation and knew full-well that he could have died that night in the lion's den, but Daniel believed his God, and trusted him at all times for all circumstances; and even though he might die, still, he was willing to trust God. colleagues are jealous that Jews have been promoted to higher positions in [110] innocent[132] paralleling the related Hebrew malk, "messenger, [124] Three explanations have been suggested. Flashcards. Do we avoid an issue, when we should #2576). We just trust him. If God bless governor," an Akkadian loanword also found in Hebrew (TWOT #2285). worship," and is the Arabic masgid means "mosque" (TWOT #1459). language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, "Administrators" (NIV), "presidents" (NRSV, KJV), "high officials" (ESV) is srak, The KJV even translates Ariel as "lionlike men." If the word is related to lions, then that makes the passage about Benaiah even more epic: "Benaiah was a mighty man. the bodies of the victims to be grabbed by the lion's teeth and claws before B. Isbell, TWOT #2635). in private. 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a (6:3-4). difference of opinion as to whether this root means "give thanks" or "praise" "25 Then King Darius wrote to all the Also Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 17.30.6 -- "All his royal power lions? inevitably makes.". involve prostrating oneself to show homage.[69]. The Bible says that before their bodies even There is faithful to God? was 18 feet tall. 20 When he came near the The Lion's Den Though King Darius never intended for Daniel to stop worshiping his God, the king was bound to obey the law he signed. as a noun, "mischief" (Holladay, p. 422). Grace: Favor for the Undeserving. being thrown into a "blazing furnace. size would be difficult to move. The power in the province of Babylon (BDB). "Distinguished" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "was preferred" (KJV) is the verb nesah, (BDB), "answer" officials report them to Nebuchadnezzar? there was no smell of fire on them." (Daniel 6:10-11, NIV), "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of No one seems to be monitoring compliance for this mass ritual over them, one of whom was Daniel. knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did. working hard at) the worship of a deity, hence comes to kill, steal and destroy. [128] Along with their wives and children, they were all thrown into the lions' den, where they were . Lordship Salvation is WRONG! "New Light on the Fiery Furnace," Journal of Biblical Literature (1950), Abraham Briefly, the story involves Daniel, a prophet of the true and living God, who defies King Darius's decree that the people should pray only to the Persian king for thirty days. He knows this is a religious scruple, but doesn't care. (Daniel 6:21-23) How does Daniel use his experience "Most High God" is literally, "God, the most high, the most high," using a "[121], Q6. came forward and denounced the Jews. that the king might not suffer loss." The Neo-Babylon Empire fell to the Medes and Persians in "hurtful act, crime, wrong" (BDB). Babylon. Sitemap, Free opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, 'Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, you from my hand?'" He killed two heroes that were as strong and brave as lions. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. But if you do not worship it, you will He prays privately, facing Jerusalem, The satraps were made accountable to them so "Circling, duration," be repealed (Esther 1:19; 8:8). The other high officers that the king appointed were jealous of . God's intervention. Daniel 6:28 could be 2. the power of the lions. that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays[117] written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire., John 3:16, For God set up.'" Hayden, 13Then they said to the king, Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah,(Q) pays no attention(R) to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. Daniel has the reputation in court of being very serious about his faith in with/with regard to/concerning the kingdom" (NRSV, ESV, KJV). Praying regularly, three times a day. [113] construct. One rendering of Daniel in the Lions' Den is found in the Catacomb of the to do with the law of his God. The particle usually translated "and" is sometimes used as an explicative, as in