bel, bāl, drag ́un (Greek words: δράκων, drákōn, “dragon,” “serpent”; ἐκτός, ektós, “except”; ὅρασις, hórasis “vision,” “prophecy”; ὄφις, óphis, “serpent”; σφραγισάμενος, sphragisámenos, “having sealed”; χωρίς, chōrís, “except,” Hebrew or Aramaic words: חתם, ḥātham, “to seal”; זיפא, zēphā', “pitch”; זעפא, za‛ăphā', “storm,” “wind”; נחשׁ, nāḥāsh, “snake”; תּנּין, tannīn, “serpent,” “sea monster”).
Bel and the Dragon is the third of the three Apocryphal additions to Daniel, The SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN and SUSANNA (which see) being the other two. In the Greek and Latin versions (see below, “IV. Textual Authorities”) these “additions” form an integral part of the canonical Book of Daniel, and they are recognized as such and therefore as themselves canonical by the Council of Trent. But the Song of the three Children is the only piece having a necessary connection with the Hebrew canonical Book of Daniel; in the Greek and Latin texts it follows Daniel 3:24. The other two are appended and appear to have an origin independent of the book to which they are appended and also of each other, though in all three as also in the Hebrew Book of Daniel the name and fame of Daniel stand out prominently.
Since in the Greek and Latin recensions or versions Bel and the Dragon forms a portion of the Book of Dan it does not bear a special name. But in the only two known manuscripts of the Septuagint in Syro-Hexaplar (see below, “IV. Textual Authorities”) these words stand at the head of the “addition” now under consideration: “From (or “a part of”) the prophecy of Habakkuk son of Joshua of the tribe of Levi.” That the Biblical writing prophet of that name is meant is beyond question. In Theta (Theodotian) this fact is distinctly stated (see Bel and the Dragon verse 33); and it is equally beyond question that these tales could never have come from the prophet so called (see below “VIII. Canonicity and Authenticity”).
To continue reading this Bible article, click here.
Author: International Std. Bible Encyclopedia
Keywords: Bel and the Dragon, Bel, Dragon
Bible reference(s): Bel and the Dragon 1
Source: James Orr (editor), The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 5 volume set.
Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.