Chapter Overview
Summary
Daniel in the lions' den. The OG has a substantially different framing from the MT/Theodotion. The OG specifies that there were seven lions and that they were fed two carcasses and two sheep daily — details absent from the MT. Theodotion follows the MT closely.
Notable Variants
The OG names 'Darius' as a generic royal title rather than a personal name in some readings. It provides more detail about the lions (seven in number, daily feeding). The OG also includes Habakkuk being transported to feed Daniel — a tradition found in Bel and the Dragon (ch 14) but not in the MT's ch 6. Theodotion's version is essentially the MT in Greek.
Structural Notes
MT has 28 verses (or 29 in some numbering). The OG has a different verse structure due to additions and omissions.
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the entire realm,
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
and over them three chief administrators, of whom Daniel was one. The satraps were to report to these three so that the king would suffer no loss.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then Daniel distinguished himself above the other administrators and the satraps because an extraordinary spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in the conduct of government affairs, but they could find no grounds for accusation or evidence of corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then these men said, "We will never find any grounds for charges against this Daniel unless we find something against him in connection with the law of his God."
Masoretic (WLC)
לָא נַשְׁכַּח לְדָנִיֵּאל כָּל־עִלָּה
they could find no ground for complaint
Septuagint (LXX)
οὐχ εὕρισκον πρόφασιν
they found no pretext
Both Greek versions agree that Daniel's enemies could find no fault. The OG adds that they specifically investigated his fiscal administration.
Then these administrators and satraps came in a group to the king and said to him, "King Darius, live forever!
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
All the administrators of the kingdom, the prefects and satraps, the counselors and governors, have agreed that the king should issue a statute and enforce a decree that anyone who makes a petition to any god or person for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Now, O king, issue the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed — in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked."
Masoretic (WLC)
קְיָם... אֱסָר
a statute and an interdict
Septuagint (LXX)
OG: δόγμα... ὁρισμόν
a decree and a prohibition
The OG uses Roman legal terminology (dogma, horismon), reflecting a Hellenistic updating of the Persian court setting.
So King Darius signed the written decree.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper room open toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt on his knees and prayed, giving thanks before his God, just as he had always done.
Masoretic (WLC)
כְּדִי יְדַע דָּנִיֵּאל דִּי־רְשִׁים כְּתָבָא
when Daniel learned that the document had been signed
Septuagint (LXX)
ὡς δὲ ἔγνω Δανιηλ ὅτι ἐνετάγη τὸ δόγμα
when Daniel knew that the decree was inscribed
Both Greek versions preserve the crucial detail: Daniel prayed knowing the consequences. The OG adds that his windows were open 'toward Jerusalem' — same as MT.
Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and pleading before his God.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then they approached and spoke to the king about the royal decree: "Did you not sign a decree that any person who makes a petition to any god or person for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The matter stands firm, in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then they answered and said to the king, "Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has shown no regard for you, O king, or for the decree you signed. He prays three times a day."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
When the king heard this, he was deeply distressed. He set his mind on rescuing Daniel and labored until sunset to find a way to save him.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then these men came as a group to the king and said to him, "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute the king establishes may be changed."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually — may he rescue you!"
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing regarding Daniel could be altered.
Masoretic (WLC)
גֹּב אַרְיָוָתָא
the den of lions
Septuagint (LXX)
OG: λάκκον τῶν λεόντων ἑπτά
OG: 'the pit of the seven lions'
The OG specifies seven lions — a detail absent from the MT/Theodotion. The number seven likely carries symbolic significance (completeness of danger).
Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
Masoretic (WLC)
וְהֵיתָיִת אֶבֶן חֲדָה
and a stone was brought
Septuagint (LXX)
καὶ ἠνέχθη λίθος
and a stone was brought
Both traditions agree on the sealing of the den.
Then at the first light of dawn the king rose and rushed in haste to the lions' den.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
As he approached the den, he called out to Daniel in an anguished voice. The king said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God — has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then Daniel spoke to the king: "O king, live forever!
Masoretic (WLC)
מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִי
O king, live forever
Septuagint (LXX)
βασιλεῦ, εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ζῆθι
O king, live forever
Standard court greeting, identical across all versions.
My God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions, and they have not harmed me, because I was found innocent before him. And also before you, O king, I have done no wrong."
Masoretic (WLC)
אֱלָהִי שְׁלַח מַלְאֲכֵהּ
my God sent his angel
Septuagint (LXX)
ὁ θεός μου ἀπέστειλεν τὸν ἄγγελον αὐτοῦ
my God sent his angel
All versions agree. The OG adds that the angel 'shut the mouths of the lions' — the MT states this less explicitly.
Then the king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, no wound of any kind was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
Then the king gave orders, and those men who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions' den — they, their children, and their wives. Before they even reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Masoretic (WLC)
וּלְאַנְתְּתֵהוֹן וְלִבְנֵיהוֹן
and their wives and their children
Septuagint (LXX)
καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν
and their wives and their children
The punishment of entire families is consistent across all versions. The OG adds gruesome detail about the lions crushing their bones 'before they reached the floor of the den.'
Then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages dwelling throughout the earth: "May your peace be multiplied!
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
I hereby issue a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom, people must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion will last to the end.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth — he who rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and during the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
No significant variant between the LXX/Theodotion and the MT for this verse.