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Bel and the Dragon

Two satirical detective stories set at the Persian court, in which Daniel exposes the fraud of idol worship — first by scattering ashes to reveal the priests' secret feasting, then by destroying a living dragon worshipped by the Babylonians.|||The original Septuagint text in Greek survives in a single manuscript, Codex Chisianus. The standard text is due to Theodotion, the 2nd-century CE revisor.|||Perhaps composed as early as the Persian period (539–333 BCE). Some suggest the Hebrew text originated in Palestine about 146 BCE or later, with the Septuagint version produced in Egypt about 100 BCE.|||Deuterocanonical in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Not canonical in Protestant or Jewish traditions. Included as Daniel 14 in Catholic Bibles.|||A classic Jewish critique of idol worship, using humor and logic. Shows how the Daniel tradition developed in Greek-speaking Judaism.|||Moore, C. A. Daniel, Esther, and Jeremiah: The Additions. Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 1977.|||Collins, J. J. Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. Hermeneia. Fortress Press, 1993.|||Wills, L. M. The Jew in the Court of the Foreign King. Fortress Press, 1990.|||Bel and the Dragon — Early Jewish Writings|https://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/belanddragon.html|Full translation and scholarly resources.;; Bel and the Dragon — Wikipedia|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_and_the_Dragon|Background and scholarly discussion.|||" Do not be deceived, O king; for this is only clay inside and bronze outside, and it has never eaten or drunk anything." — Bel and the Dragon 7

Collection: Old Testament Apocrypha Canon: varies

Canon Status

Deuterocanonical in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Not canonical in Protestant or Jewish traditions. Included as Daniel 14 in Catholic Bibles.

Date & Provenance

Perhaps composed as early as the Persian period (539–333 BCE). Some suggest the Hebrew text originated in Palestine about 146 BCE or later, with the Septuagint version produced in Egypt about 100 BCE.

Language & Manuscripts

The original Septuagint text in Greek survives in a single manuscript, Codex Chisianus. The standard text is due to Theodotion, the 2nd-century CE revisor.

Why It Matters for Study

A classic Jewish critique of idol worship, using humor and logic. Shows how the Daniel tradition developed in Greek-speaking Judaism.

" Do not be deceived, O king; for this is only clay inside and bronze outside, and it has never eaten or drunk anything." — Bel and the Dragon 7

Read the Text & External Resources

Public-domain translations and scholarly databases where the text can be read online or downloaded.

External links open in a new tab. Sources are chosen for public-domain or open-access availability; always verify edition and translation when citing in academic work.

Further Reading

Moore, C. A. Daniel, Esther, and Jeremiah: The Additions. Anchor Bible. Doubleday, 1977.
Collins, J. J. Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel. Hermeneia. Fortress Press, 1993.
Wills, L. M. The Jew in the Court of the Foreign King. Fortress Press, 1990.