Daniel in the Lion's Den
This story is one of the few stories in the Bible written in the ancient language of Aramaic. Aramaic is a sister language to Hebrew. Most of the Bible stories are written in Hebrew. Learn some new Aramaic words and see how they may change our thoughts about the Bible story.
God is my judge
Clean, innocent, free
Context in the story (Daniel 6:22): "My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found zaku before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Question: How does each definition of zaku apply to Daniel?
A messenger (or angel)
Context in the story (Daniel 6:22): "My God sent his malak and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Explanation: The word malak means messenger. It can be used as a messenger from God or a messenger from a king. When it’s a messenger from God, it’s usually translated angel. This is true in Hebrew and Aramaic.
Question: Why is the Hebrew word for messenger and angel the same? What did God’s messenger or angel do in this story?
To annihilate or destroy
Context in the story (Daniel 6:22): " 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not habal me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Context in the story (Daniel 6:26): "I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be habal,
and his dominion shall be to the end."
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”