Bel and the Dragon (Theodotion version)

Septuaginta. The Old Testament in Greek According to the Septuagint. Volume 3: Hosea-4 Maccabees, Psalms of Solomon, Enoch, The Odes. Swete, Henry Barclay, editor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1905

Open Greek and Latin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is a narrative set in the Babylonian court, depicting how the prophet Daniel exposes the falsehood of pagan worship through his wisdom and faith. In the first half, Daniel makes a wager with the king regarding the massive food offerings presented to the Babylonian idol, Bel. By employing the clever tactic of scattering ashes on the temple floor, he uncovers the deception of the priests and their families who were secretly consuming the food at night, leading to the destruction of the temple. In the second half, Daniel slays a great dragon worshipped by the Babylonians by feeding it a fatal mixture. Consequently, an angry mob throws Daniel into a lions' den, but he is miraculously protected by God and sustained by food brought to him by the prophet Habakkuk. Ultimately, the story concludes with the demonstration of the supreme power and greatness of Daniel's God.