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Den of Lions (A Form of Execution, A Metaphor)
Meaning
The “Lion’s Den” really did exist. And because of its usage in real life, it later became a metaphor. It referred to an extremely dangerous situation where survival was not expected. We have to remember in ancient times society did not function as it does today. Therefore nature and animals were considered tools for man’s use and not necessarily something to be preserved. And the creation of the lions den was a tool, it was a means to an end. It was created to execute criminals in such a violent and terrible way that the punishment itself was a deterrent to crime.
They really did exist and the animals were not well treated in an effort to keep them hungry and very violent. Kings and rulers would then use them as a very public form of execution. This was much like public crucifixion used by the Romans as a deterrent to rebellion. They did this in order to deter further crime and rebellion. And in Daniel’s case he was innocent. However out of envy the other governors developed a plot to trap and kill Daniel. Because of their jealousy they wanted to kill Daniel because he did not give into the sin they themselves enjoyed.
“Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.’ So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: ‘King Darius, live forever ‘All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. ‘Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.’ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.” (Book of Daniel 6:5-9)
“Where is the dwelling of the lions, And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion’s cub, And no one made them afraid? The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs, Killed for his lionesses, Filled his caves with prey, And his dens with flesh.” (Book of Nahum 2:11-12)