Daniel in the Lion's Den

Illustration of Daniel in the Lion's Den
Era
Exile & Return
Date
c. 539 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Daniel 6:16-23

In the book of Daniel, the prophet, serving as an advisor to King Darius of Persia, faced a conspiracy from jealous officials who tricked the king into issuing a decree forbidding prayer to anyone but the king for thirty days. Despite the law, Daniel continued his practice of praying to God three times daily, leading to his punishment of being cast into a den of lions. God miraculously intervened by sending an angel to close the lions' mouths, preserving Daniel unharmed overnight. This event demonstrated God's faithfulness to those who trust Him and prompted King Darius to issue a decree honoring the God of Daniel, underscoring themes of divine protection and sovereignty in Scripture.

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Did You Know?

1

Despite the law, Daniel continued his practice of praying to God three times daily, leading to his punishment of being cast into a den of lions.

2

God miraculously intervened by sending an angel to close the lions' mouths, preserving Daniel unharmed overnight.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 539 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Babylon.

Key Passage

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel 6:16-23

T16hen the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19 Then 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 lionsโ€™ 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.

Read full chapter: Daniel 6 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar conquers the known world, then falls to Persia under Cyrus the Great (539 BC). Greece enters its Classical period - Socrates, Plato, the Parthenon. Rome becomes a republic. The Persian Empire creates the Royal Road and standardized coinage.

When: 586 - 400 BC

Key Civilizations: Neo-Babylonian Empire, Achaemenid Persia, Classical Greece

Biblical Parallels: Ezekiel 1-48 , Daniel 1-12 , Ezra 1-10 , Nehemiah 1-13

Explore Related

Characters 2

Daniel Daniel was a young Israelite taken captive to Babylon in the sixth century BC, where he rose to prominenceโ€ฆ Cyrus Cyrus, the king of Persia, is recognized in the Bible as God's anointed servant who played a crucial roleโ€ฆ

Places 1

Babylon Babylon served as the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and rose to prominence under rulers such asโ€ฆ