THE SONG OF THE THREE CHILDREN, SUSANNA, AND BEL AND THE DRAGON

These three additions to the Canonical Daniel were probably composed in the Maccabean age. Their original language is a matter of much dispute.

The Song of the Three Children contains, for the most part, a prayer put into the mouth of Azarias (Abed-Nego), and the song which purports to have been sung by the three Jewish youths in the midst of the burning fiery furnace. This stirring psalm of thanksgiving (the “Benedicite”) is well known, owing to its being included among the canticles of the Church.

The History of Susanna, and Bel and the Dragon, contain several anecdotes related of Daniel, which, although of a simple character, are not without interest as historical-parables.