Apocryphal Daniel

The Septuagint (LXX) version of Daniel contains three sections not found in the Hebrew version of the text. These are known as “The Prayer of Azariah and Song of the Three Holy Children” (often placed as vv. 3:24–90), “Susanna and the Elders” (Ch. 13), and “Bel and the Dragon” (Ch. 14). “The Prayer of Azariah” can be read between verses 3:23 and 3:24 of the standard text of Daniel. This particular book is an account of the prayer of Azariah (Abednego) while in the midst of the fire and the song that he and his two other companions sung in praise to God while in the furnace. “Susanna and the Elders” portrays the lovely and virtuous wife Susanna as sexually accosted by two conniving elders. They falsely accuse her of adultery, but the prophet Daniel cross-examines them, exposing them as liars, and then they are put to death. “Bel and the Dragon” recounts Daniel’s confrontation with the followers of the false god Bel during the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, which results in their execution. Later in the narrative Daniel slays a much-revered dragon and is thrust into a lion’s den as a result. God intervenes to deliver him.