What is the narrative of Bel and the Dragon?
Q: What is the narrative of Bel and the Dragon?
A: The narrative of Bel and the Dragon is from chapter 14 of the Book of Daniel. It is typically not included in Protestant Bibles, as it is believed by some scholars to have been written in the late 2nd century BC and accounted apocryphal by Protestants. It tells a folk tale ridiculing worship, where Daniel proves through a ruse that a sacred meal of Bel is actually consumed at night by priests and their families. He then destroys the idol of Bel and its temple, followed by slaying a dragon with cakes made out of pitch, fat, and hair.
Q: Is this version related to any other stories or genres?
A: Yes, this version has been cited as an ancestor of the "locked room mystery".
Q: What happens after Daniel slays the dragon?
A: After Daniel slays the dragon with cakes made out of pitch, fat, and hair, he becomes indignant among Babylonians who demand for him to be handed over to them.
Q: How does King Cyrus respond when he finds out about what happened?
A: When King Cyrus comes to mourn for Daniel in his den filled with seven lions, he shouts with a loud voice saying “You are great O Lord” before pulling him out from within it.
Q: Who throws those attempting to destroy Daniel into the den filled with lions?
A: King Cyrus throws those attempting to destroy Daniel into the den filled with lions after pulling him out from within it.
Q: What does Habakkuk have to do with this story?
A: The Septuagint precedes this story with notice “From prophecy Habakkuk son Jesus tribe Levi” indicating that Habakkuk was responsible for miraculously transporting food for Daniel while he was inside his den filled with seven lions.
Q: Is there any evidence suggesting that this version may feature another character than that featured in chapters 1-13?
A: Some have suggested that there may be evidence suggesting that this version features another character than that featured in chapters 1-13.
