The Angel in the Lions' Den

Daniel was thrown into the den of lions for praying to his God in defiance of the king's decree. At dawn King Darius hurried to the den and called out, and Daniel answered: 'My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me.' Scripture says no hurt was found on him 'because he believed in his God.' The unnamed angel is one of the clearest Old Testament pictures of God sending heavenly help to deliver a faithful servant from death, and Hebrews remembers those who through faith 'stopped the mouths of lions.'

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Strongest connections in Scripture

Daniel 6

Key Passages

He Hath Shut the Lions' Mouths

Daniel 6:19-23

God's angel keeps Daniel safe through the night, and the king finds him unharmed at dawn.

T¹⁹hen the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? ²¹ Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. ²² My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. ²³ Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.