Daniel and the Priests of Bel

The story behind the image

This story belongs to Bel and the Dragon, an addition to Daniel preserved in different biblical traditions. The king believes that the idol Bel consumes the food left in its temple. Daniel challenges that claim and scatters ashes across the floor before the doors are sealed. Overnight, the priests and their families enter secretly and eat the offerings. Their footprints expose the deception in the morning. The historical reference account ends with punishment of the priests and destruction of the idol. The crowded temple scene sets impressive religious ceremony against a simple test of evidence.

Take a closer look

Two details to notice

• A dark-robed figure raises an arm at the center of the crowded gathering.
• Tall decorated columns and layered temple walls dominate the upper half of the image.

About this original

Source

Original 1880 Bible

Collection

Bible illustrations

Photograph

Framed front view

Visible condition

The photograph shows the framed front. The mat covers the leaf edges; reflections on the glazing limit the view of the paper. Ask for dimensions, back photographs and condition details.

Piece reference

ART0015

These original pages were salvaged from a damaged book. The age and individual marks of each physical leaf are part of what makes it unique.

Read the source

• Bel and the Dragon 1:1–22 · New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition ↗
• Reference illustration and account · Bel and the Dragon ↗

The illustration is an artistic interpretation. The linked source gives context for this short introduction.