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

"We're firm believers in God, so you know, it immediately went to a prayer to the Lord," he explained, recalling the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions' den.

From Fox News

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

Nor do the television networks have teams on the ground in Khartoum covering the unfolding drama of this very brave woman who refuses to renounce her faith, who puts her trust in God and is depending on Him to deliver her from her captivity much as He did Daniel in the lions’ den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace.

From US News

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

It is like the chapels in the catacombs, and is decorated with the conventional frescoes of the Good Shepherd, Daniel in the lions' den, &c.

From Project Gutenberg