Dragon, Bel And The
TextsWhat is the meaning of Dragon, Bel And The in the Bible?
The narrative of Bel and the Dragon is a literary addition to the Book of Daniel, chapter 14, depicting Daniel's exposure of the Babylonian priesthood's deception regarding the idol Bel and his subsequent survival in a pit of dragons.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
This text provides insight into Second Temple Jewish polemics against idolatry and demonstrates the diverse canonical traditions that developed within early Christianity and Judaism.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Dragon, Bel And The functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Dragon, Bel And The in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Dragon, Bel And The clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Dragon, Bel And The." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/dragon-bel-and-the/