Daniel in the lions' den

Cultural  

1. During the captivity of the Jews (see also Jews) in Babylon (see also Babylon), in the sixth century b.c., the prophet Daniel continued to pray to his God against the express command of the king. As a result, Daniel was thrown into a lions' den to be devoured. But God sent an angel to protect him, and he emerged miraculously unharmed the next day.

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Daniel's situation is an image for an impossibly hostile environment.

Example Sentences

But Kavanaugh, 53, is no Daniel in the lions’ den.

From The Guardian • Sep. 3, 2018

Far from being Daniel in the lions’ den on Monday night, she used the platform to echo her boss’s complaints of victimhood as she reflected on White House briefings.

From The Guardian • Oct. 30, 2017

Whatever the excuse, this boldly theatrical treatment of the story of Daniel in the lions’ den, based on a 12th-century music drama first presented in Beauvais, France, can’t come around often enough.

From New York Times • Dec. 27, 2012

I have been cast in the role of a Daniel in the lions' den.

From Time Magazine Archive

I especially admired his description of Daniel in the lions’ den.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam