The Additions to Daniel

The ancient Greek versions of Daniel contain three extended passages that are not included in the Hebrew-Aramaic (MT) version of the book. These “Additions” to Daniel consist of the tale of Susanna (= LXX Daniel 1), the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men (LXX Dan 3:24–90), and the tales of Bel and the Dragon (LXX Daniel 14). Daniel is one of several biblical books that contain additional material in their Greek versions (cf. Esther, Jeremiah, and Psalms). As with the court tales of the Book of Daniel, the three Additions to Daniel describe a model life-style that stresses covenantal fidelity and assures divine reciprocity. The message of the model is clear: just as Daniel, Susanna, and the three young men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego prosper in the face of hostility and the threat of death, so Jews who live in foreign lands could survive and even thrive by maintaining their traditional identity and trust in God. Whatever the circumstance, justice will prevail, the righteous will be rewarded, and the wicked will be punished.