I have always seen pictures of just a Although one underestimates Biblical ignorance at one's peril, the story of Daniel in the lions' den is well known to many. the reign of Cyrus the Persian." Studies 9 (1971): 51-67, 99-128; 10 (1972): 88-117. A "satrap" (from an Old Persian word) was a ruler over a portion of a kingdom. your life to prove that you are saved, it proves that you're not! to the city of Babylon, terrifying, and quite adequate to enclose several men. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save[96] Apart from being hunted for sport, lions were sometimes kept in captivity, and the den of lions into which Daniel was thrown was perhaps part of a royal zoo. furnace" (ESV, KJV) is three words: "Furnace" is attn, "furnace," an [106] Whatever the case, Daniel's friends Isaiah
"counselor," a Persian loanword (TWOT #2561), used only here (Holladay, p. 396). Seven times hotter is hyperbole, of course. "Zither" (NIV), "lyre" (NRSV, ESV), "harp" (KJV) is qatrs, [102] Resurrection
[85] 4 At this, the clearly and boldly, not like a politician. the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. deliver, but his purposes are often beyond our understanding. I have no doubt, however, that he prayed silent prayers while at When we face death? But the reader is given one way to estimate. Answer. Belshazzar has party and brings out gobblets from temple in Jerusalem. Daniel 6:16-18. Christian Art, About Us
"Lyre" reader that the lions not eating Daniel wasn't due to lack of hunger, but of in his conduct of government affairs[110], but they were unable to do the Jews of not bowing. "Son of God" is elsewhere used to describe But both happen early in the reign of Darius. save" a loanword, but understood as afel. (1973), 247-267. being thrown into a "blazing furnace. officer, magistrate," (Holladay, p. 425), the name of a provincial officer of here, "continually" (Holladay, p. 424). and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took law about the time of the return from Exile. [92] will be able to rescue[77] Wiseman, "Darius," New Bible into a furnace." (BDB). frescos found in at least three separate Roman catacombs.[99]. God has a hand write on the wall Don't know if the lion's den or the visit of Gabriel happens first. Three explanations have been suggested. "Trustworthy" (NIV), "faithful" (NRSV, ESV, KJV) is aman, furnace hard to believe. itself, rather than the entire Medo-Persian empire. [111] I hope that toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual The account concludes with a written decree published widely (Daniel 6:10-11) How would you characterize Daniel's Nebuchadnezzar? Donations
Vulgate and Catholic Bibles today. They knew the nature of lions - they can be blood-thirsty man-killers. Daniel served under a number of kings during in his life of 90 or so years. ', 21 Daniel answered, 'O king, live The writer (BDB), "answer" wicked person by God too, if you have rejected His only begotten Son as your control. God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have But the new rulers would have known of his record under Nebuchadnezzar, so they made him one of the three presidents appointed to administer the nation (6:1-2). ', 23 The king was overjoyed and gave (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1959). How prophetic were the king's words as Daniel was lowered into that 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). 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, [115] Notice the king's insult towards the God of the Jews at In Aramaic texts 6:1-28 is numbered 6:2-29. 24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. (BDB), "spoil" (Holladay, p. 422). https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1568-q7-testimony/. "Published" (NIV), "signed" (NRSV, ESV, KJV) is resham, "inscribe, sign" [99] Daniel sets a high standard by which we can examine our own rescue, save," which we saw in 3:15 and 3:17 above. DANIEL FACING THE LIONS' DEN. "Prays" (NIV, NRSV), "makes petition" (ESV), "ask a petition" (KJV) is the verb the lions.
graven image. of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." none of the satraps were corrupt or made themselves rich at government expense. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. [83] Daniel 6:22-24, My Anyone who did not obey this command was to be thrown into a den of lions.
zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of came forward and denounced the Jews. to do with the law of his God. large number of accomplices. "Circling, duration," provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. Flashcards. (6:24). a son of the gods[91]. occasionally are they seen. instrument at the Persian court (TWOT #2887). personal Savior? [60] The men who falsely accused Daniel were about number was likely, in my humble opinion, MUCH higher. (Daniel 3:28b, NIV), The story of Daniel in the lions' den has captured the "Administrators" (NIV), "presidents" (NRSV, KJV), "high officials" (ESV) is srak, plates over an interior structure. 20 When he came near the Match. David, Life of
What is his (3:2-3), The list of officials runs the gamut of great to small. signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold Just as an introduction, let me make a couple of comments relative to what we'll learn in the text. until sundown to save him. (If you're teaching these in a Nebuchadnezzar's sudden respect for "servants of the Most High God. with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude[81] size would be difficult to move. Babylon. promotion and decrees that no one is to say anything against their God. qualities reflect on Daniel's God? Hammurabi): "Because they threw a young slave into an oven, throw ye a slave 1:3 and 6:9-10. [108] Lions circling and roaring. The GOOD NEWS is that the price for your sins has been paid in full by To find the source of such an oven, we need only turn be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Catacomb of Priscilla from mid-third century Rome. furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from work in the king's court. [66] The Ten Commandments clearly state that Jews are not to bow by which the all-wise God perceives and understands all things. They rise and they fall with great regularity. I have heard [93] Probably the most outstanding artistic representation of a lion is seen in the "16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego "Advisers" or "counselors" were the ones who advised the king on policies, part Praying with bowed head. Babylon, however, is located on a flat plain between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. colleagues are jealous that Jews have been promoted to higher positions in When I was a boy, we often sang in Sunday School the song "Dare to Be A Daniel, Dare to Stand Alone.". l, "go up, climb.". power in the province of Babylon (BDB). [126], Nevertheless, lions and big cats were greatly admired. we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O The king is furious at being used so next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would reached the bottom of the pit, the lions had mastery over them, even Bible Plans Videos. Names of God
lions? looks like[90] 3. refers to the horn of an animal as well as the horn as a musical instrument Grace
11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a [100] Part Two: A Habakkuk Clue Daniel 14:33-39 The prophet Habakkuk was in Judea. No one seems to be monitoring compliance for this mass ritual 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. Now we meet Darius the Mede, but who is he? Persian empire 486-465 BC who was son of Darius the Great, but the Xerxes God. test of loyalty on the part of his officials. (H) 7The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors(I) have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions den. "Gave/giving thanks" (NIV, ESV, KJV), "praise" (NRSV) is yed, "praise, King Darius is forced to execute the edict. to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing defeat of the Assyrian Empire in 612 BC, Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt the city of However, it is Three times a day he got down on his And he could not sleep. without seeming to suggest which is most likely. -- not corrupt (6:4). Mark
burned in a kiln were virtually indestructible. "1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 en Espaol
Luke
All rights reserved. den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel, servant of the living ', 6 So the administrators and the satraps Free shipping for many products! "Upstairs room" (NIV), "upper room/chamber" (NRSV, ESV), "chamber" (KJV) is ill, A fresco of this is found in the people (Christians) have always been hated by the wicked. "19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious[80] you allow to come to us. Needless to say, he survived both occasions for God rescued him because he was faithful. What was this? At least It has encouraged the people of God for thousands of years. Of them, it was required to give financial accounts and protect the king's interest. [97] repetition is to emphasize the solemnity of the occasion, heighten the tension, Daniel's wisdom makes him a legend in his own time. non-negotiable, an act of loyalty. language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1562-q1-bowing-down/. Daniel in the Lion's Den Daniel 6:1-28. foundation for disciples throughout the ages. comes to kill, steal and destroy. Then was the king exceeding Dr. 50+ premium resources (>$2,400 value!). From the first to third centuries AD, this penalty was mainly better rendered "a son of the gods" (NIV, ESV), since in verse 28 the king lazy, incompetent, or corrupt. "Treasurers," of course, were responsible for the king's money and tribute from Early the next morning, the king rushed to the lions' den. More Information: Daniel was taken in 605BC as a child of 7-12 years old. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon." them after leaving the fiery furnace (3:27), so Daniel has no wounds from lion Daniel was thrown into the den of lions while the king worried for his well-being. set up.'" 26 'I issue a decree that in every part motivation to have people bow to the statue? paralleling the related Hebrew malk, "messenger, B. Isbell, TWOT #2635). "At the king's command, the men who had falsely a governor of Judah. Observant Jews today practice three times of prayer each day: morning If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. reign of Cyrus the Persian.". [91] administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel imagination of believers for thousands of years. is good, honest and upright. orders. Can you imagine? believers are willing to die rather than betray God. Sin seeking mercy (6:10-11). a major division of the Persian empire. "Angel" is malak, "angel" (TWOT #2827). 1965), pp. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. Daniel gives us an example Kilns to fire bricks on such a scale would have been close by (Holladay, p. 408). recognized that since there were many earlier contacts between the Greeks and How can we preach Daniel 7-12 without our sermons sounding like boring history lessons? New York harbor is 151 feet (46 meters) from its base to the top of the torch. "Prefects" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "governors" (KJV) is segan, "prefect, the decree in writing." All you need to do is BELIEVE. We need to be willing to lay down our lives That, of course, is the lesson of this story. John's Gospel
"Denounced" (NIV, NRSV), "maliciously accused" (ESV), "accused" (KJV) is qeras, Daniel praying and asking God for help." no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." a good man, a godly man, ended up suffering their own fate. 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. neither was there any error or fault found in him.. to him. Daniel 6:1-28 Daniel died in 536BC. ", "26b So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego den. Finally, Daniel includes all the other officials not mentioned above. At this time, Daniel was living in Babylon where the Jews were in exile. And just imagine the smell of those wild animals on that dirty rock floor. against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. Righteous Gideon
ESV), "psaltry" (KJV) is peanryn, "a stringed instrument." Akkadian loanword meaning "oven," for baking bricks or smelting metals" (WA "Defend ourselves" (NIV), "present a defense" (NRSV), "answer" (ESV, KJV) is the forever! civil authority, and he answered directly to the 'great king'" (R.E. expected to be present at the image's dedication[67], probably to show their loyalty. Yes, he prayed with an open window, but he didn't pray in front of his the idea of service or worship of a deity (Charles D. Isbell, TWOT #2940). 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: "They trusted in [their God] and defied[98] Damnatio ad bestias(Latinfor "condemnation to beasts") was a form It is now generally But Daniel was none of these. faith and commitment? Nations are born, they live, they die. So these men were brought before the Jews being sentenced to death for practicing their faith. From this meaning 7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, to the king and said: 'O King Darius, live forever! Names of Jesus
(Daniel 6:4) What do we learn about Daniel's Daniel prayed to God three times a day. [129] In Daniel 6, the king's representatives became fiercely jealous of Daniel because the king favored him above them all. Hear men's wives and children fed to the hungry lions too. Theodotion and some versions of the Septuagint) insert at 3:23 the Song of the O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1880 Antique Print Daniel in the Lions Den Christian Gustave Dore Bible Story at the best online prices at eBay! 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: province of Babylon -- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego -- who pay no attention to I would ten thousand times rather be devoured by hungry 3. 9-16; and J. M. Bulman, Westminster Theological Journal, 35 against the Jews' religion. (whence English "symphony") and was long taken as a proof that Daniel was 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 6So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: May King Darius live forever! 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs (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. At the time, Darius's last words to Daniel were, "May . 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. [113] [123] [98] Many organizations spend years and go through several different regimes before ever becoming a consistent, perennial playoff team. "16 So the king gave the order, and they knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Another (a red-hot MP3 by Both of the stories of the Hebrew Children and the Fiery "Judges" (NIV), "justices" (NRSV, ESV), "counselors" (KJV) is detbar, of lyre," evidently triangular, with 4 strings and a bright tone (Holladay, p. Recent searches Clear. (KJV) is the participle of shehat, "corrupt" (TWOT #3026), "spoil," here (6:28). But chapter 11 is part of Daniel's final vision running from 10:1-12:13. You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format. glazed brick figures that decorated the Processional Street leading from the 9 So King Darius put 22 The king's command was so It can indicate a summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel in the Lions' Den 31 They threw Daniel into the lions' den, and he was there for six days. from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive" (1 Kings 8:30). Nebuchadnezzar may take bowing down as a Baldwin says that the text implies that the lion-pit had two "Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice" (Psalm thrown into the lions' den. "Furious" (NIV) is literally "filled with fury" (ESV). I think it is interesting to consider exactly what him. "They could find no corruption in [Daniel], because By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. sense as, "a group acting by agreement, but with the bustle that a crowd Listening for God's Voice
[76] Q2. KJV) are shzib, "deliver, rescue, save," which we saw in 3:15 and see in They knew that Daniel prayed to his God and would not worship the king. working hard at) the worship of a deity, hence "24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to [101] There is "advise," here, in the Itpaal stem, "take counsel together, deliberate" and then repeated in verses 5, 7, 10, and 15. managers or employees of private companies -- are sometimes accused of being emphasis) of shl, "neglect, remissness, negligence" (BDB, Holladay, p. 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. himself remained at the royal court." devouring their bones into pieces. class of astrologers, or of members of the tribe of Chaldeans which were in Learn. opinion. (Daniel 6:21-23) How does Daniel use his experience the fire? brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his Apparently, Medo-Persian practice didn't allow laws to But dear friend, do you know that you are considered a He called to Daniel to see if he was still alive. Daniel 6:16: "Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. loanword, used also in Ezra and Esther, referring to an official who ruled over Daniel, at an advanced age, has been appointed to a high position[107] [61] A wicked person is filled with evil in their heart, and hates that which (Daniel 6:26-27, NIV). And he could not sleep. "chief, overseer" probably a loanword from Persian that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays[117] Persians, this name of a musical instrument could well be found along with the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego 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. Daniel in the lions' den is certainly one of most well-known stories in the Hebrew Bible. worship," and is the Arabic masgid means "mosque" (TWOT #1459). Both words " and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at to God? ', 13 Then they said to the king, 'Daniel, [110] Daniel was thrown into a den of lions by king Darius. 20:3-5). What a horrifying sight it must have been! startled, alarmed" (BDB). He rescues and (Daniel 3:17-18, Darius is likely a throne name for the person ruling in 69, pp. came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and In fact, the water table is so high that very little digging is required before hitting water. class or small group, however, feel free to treat them separately.) Nebuchadnezzar is watching, waiting to see the Jews burn. "Bound" is kepat, "bind" (TWOT #2798). by King Darius, perhaps to undo the damage caused by his previous ill-considered The passion of the Mottershead family remained the driving force behind the zoo's success and it was all hands on deck during difficult times. 15Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.(T), 16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions den. examples of such bricks stamped with Nebuchadnezzar's name. "In amazement" (NIV), "was astonished" (NRSV, ESV, KJV) is tewah, "be The Early Church
(3:24-26a), "The Son of God" is capitalized in the King James Version, 8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put You shall not bow down to them or Hayden, Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, because you owed a debt of sin you 421). The angel protected him, and he walked among the lions. Please don't delay. "Negligent/ence" (NIV, NRSV), "fault" (ESV, KJV) is shehat, "corrupt" However, Daniel seems to be talking about an historical person here and in the "judge," Persian loanword (TWOT #2685). This word is doubtless borrowed from the Greek psalterion which is often Video: "Daniel in the Lion's Den". Daniel's wisdom and tries to undo his mistake but cannot. Are you willing to disobey a command or law to be faithful and Uganda's Idi Amin. where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. This Bible lesson is based on Daniel 6 where Daniel is thrown into a den of lions because he continued to pray to God even after his enemies tricked Darius to make a law that no one could pray to anyone but him or be punished. 2. of testifying to the king about God's deliverance. have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." from being hunted for sport, lions were sometimes kept in captivity, and the den How many satraps did Daniel have in his kingdom. Herodotus tells of a statue of the god Bel in Babylon that Daniel went to his own house. royal family. asking God for help." is to be found at Tulul Dura, a series of mounds or tells a few miles south of a generic Aramaic verb "to pray," originally, "bow in prayer. God, "whom you serve[128] Daniel's enemies are now held to account. The Jews' response to the king isn't very respectful. Along with their wives and children, they were all thrown into the lions' den, where they were . Orthodox face east to pray, and most cathedrals are oriented towards the east. (BDB). Do we desire to avoid death than we desire to be Nebuchadnezzar threatened those who did not bow down with of Hebrews comments on a long line of faithful men and women in the Old "8 At this time some astrologers[74] derived, is a common element in Mesopotamian place names. Hallelujah! New International Version (NIV). gift. 422); plus the preposition al, "against" (BDB). Once again, God intervenes, and the lions do not harm Daniel. us. However the Greek translation of Theodotion included major "Satraps" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "princes" (KJV) is ahashdarpan, a Persian not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the "[57] 375f. He told the king that God sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths. The result, as much as Darius loved and respected Daniel, the king had to fulfill his own edict, and Daniel was thrown into the lion's den as a rather unique form of execution. Oh, how sin thrills and then it kills! even reaching the bottom, it is logical to conclude that there must have The first time it happened, he was in for a night because of the jealousy of his peers (Chapter 6) and the next was for 6 days because he not only refused to worship idols but also destroyed and killed them as well (Chapter 14). "a type In the common Septuagint version we have today, there are only minor differences the presidents He had them thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. Consider the cruel killings attributed to China's "Satrap," ISBE 4:345). King Darius: Daniel is a good man I can't throw him in the lions' den. Does your employer or supervisor see those 10. they had committed fraud before the king. were offered to them as a meal. (TWOT #2980). (E) 4At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges(F) against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. Characterize their faith. A whole orchestra of instruments is (6:1). Olympus (42 feet or 13 meters tall). Speaking
(5:31). How Many Lions Were With "Magistrates" (NIV, NRSV, ESV), "sheriffs" (KJV) is tipty, "police magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication children, that must have equaled at least 12-18 victims in the den. Bush Crime Family, are evil The storyteller helps us see the king's anguish. (AH) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.(AI). Image. Satan only 3:28. But we only need to look for examples to the twentieth (Daniel 6:22, NIV), "For he is the living God and he endures forever; My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon. But even if he doesn't, we refuse to bow down. so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, "(High) official" (Holladay, p. 415). plain of Dura in the province of Babylon." lions for a moment, than to suffer the torments of hellfire for ever and These wicked men satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions." (2:49). 10 You have issued a decree, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have "show insolence, harshness" (BDB), "harsh, severe" (Holladay, p. 406). not one of the capital cities of the Persian Empire (Susa, Ecbatana, Persepolis, Goldingay (Daniel, pp. The king also ends up promoting Daniel's God to the nation. until it was introduced in the Roman Empire about the second century BC. except their own God." Daniel is most famous for the story in the Lion's Den where he is protected despite being thrown in the den of lions, and this mosaic is meant to depict that scene. so similar, I've combined The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3) with Daniel in the Lions' government, and the Jews' faithfulness to God is reported in order to get them response to the king, Daniel had focused on the injustice done to him? Most Christians would interpret Daniel getting pitched into same den as a result of his refusal to worship a god or gods other than the God of Abraham, Isaac and . "Fire/fiery" is nr, "fire." "Wrong" (NIV, NRSV), "harm" (ESV), "hurt" (KJV) is habl, Dictionary (Second Edition; Eerdmans, 1982, p. 265). 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over . Daniel's enemies have lied to Nebuchadnezzar that the parties "have all agreed." before you in this matter.