Versions

The Old Greek version of Bel and the Dragon differs from Theodotion’s version in the following ways:

• The Old Greek introduces the stories, “From the prophecy of Habakkuk, son of Joshua, of the tribe of Levi” (which appears to be an identification with the prophet Habakkuk from the book of the same name).

• The Old Greek identifies the king as Babylonian, while Theodotion calls the king “Cyrus the Persian” and his predecessor as King Astyages (1). Yet Theodotion agrees with the Old Greek by calling Bel a Babylonian idol.

• The Old Greek specifically notes that the priests used false doors to enter the temple at verse 15, but this is not mentioned until verse 21 in Theodotion’s version.

• Theodotion states the priests were executed (22), whereas the Old Greek records that the king gave the priests “over to Daniel” (22).

• There are also additional, very minor variants.

(For further information about Theodotion and his recension of the Old Greek, see this article: Theodotion’s Version.)