Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Den
Subjects in this Topic:
the rendering in the Auth. Vers. of the followving Heb. and Greek words: îְòָøָä , mearah' (Isaoah 32:14; Jer_7:11), a cave (as elsewhere rendered); îְàåּøָä , meirah', a hole (as of a venomous reptile, Isa_11:8); ñֹêְ , sok, a booth or thicket (“pavilion,” Psa_27:5; “tabernacle,” Psa_76:2), hence a “covert” (Jer_25:38) or lair of a wild animal (Psa_10:9); so îָòåֹï , maon' (Jer_9:11; Jer_10:22), or îְòåֹðָä , meoinah' (Job_38:40; Psa_104:22; Son_4:8; Amo_3:4; Nah_2:12), properly a dwelling-place or habitation (as elsewhere rendered); îַðְäָøָä , a fissure in the rocks, used for hiding (Jdg_6:2); àֶøֶá , e'reb, an ambush (“lie in wait,” Job_38:40), hence lair of a beast of prey (Job_37:8); óðήëáéïí , a cave (as rendered Joh_11:38), hence a recess for secrecy (Heb_11:38; Rev_6:15), or a resort of thieves (Mat_21:13; Mar_11:17; Luk_11:38). SEE CAVE.
In Daniel 6, the “den (Chald. âֹּá , gob, a pit; Sept. ëÜêêïò ; Vulg. lacus) of lions” is repeatedly named as a peculiar means of punishment for state offenders at Babylon. This usage, although not mentioned by any other ancient authority, has received remarkable confirmation (see “Truths of Revelation demonstrated by an Appeal to Monuments,” etc., “by a Fellow of seven learned Societies,” Lond. 1831) from certain remains discovered in that region by modern travelers (Kitto, Pict. Bible, note on Dan_6:16), especially one on a block of white marble found near the tomb of Daniel at Susa, and thus described by Sir R. K. Porter in his Travels in Persia (ii. 416): “It does not exceed ten inches in width and depth, measures twenty in length, and is hollow within, as if to receive some deposit. Three of its sides are cut in bas-relief, two of them with similar representations of a man apparently naked, except a sash round his waist and a sort of cap on his head. His hands are bound behind him. The corner of the stone forms the neck of the figure, so that its head forms one of its ends. Two lions in sitting posture appear on either side at the top, each having a paw on the head of the man.” SEE LION.