Daniel 2:24

2:24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). He came and said to him, “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Escort me to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him!”

Daniel 3:12

3:12 But there are Jewish men whom you appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – and these men have not shown proper respect to you, O king. They don’t serve your gods and they don’t pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.”


tc The MT has עַל עַל (’alal, “he entered upon”). Several medieval Hebrew MSS lack the verb, although this may be due to haplography.

tc The LXX and Vulgate, along with one medieval Hebrew MS, lack this verb.

tn Aram “cause me to enter.” So also in v. 25.

tn Aram “the king.”

sn Daniel’s absence from this scene has sparked the imagination of commentators, some of whom have suggested that perhaps he was unable to attend the dedication due to sickness or due to being away on business. Hippolytus supposed that Daniel may have been watching from a distance.