Why the Story of Susanna Is Not in All Canons
The Story of Susanna (Daniel 13) appears in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures used widely before the time of Christ. However, it does not appear in the traditional Hebrew manuscripts of Daniel preserved by Jewish scribes. When the Hebrew canon was finalized, this story was not included because it was not found in the Hebrew text known to the rabbis.
Early Christians, who often read the Septuagint, accepted Susanna as part of Daniel. Church Fathers such as Origen, Jerome, and Augustine referenced it frequently. The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches retained it in their Bibles, while Protestant reformers—following the Hebrew canon—classified it as apocryphal.
The difference, then, is not primarily about theology but about textual history: the story was written in Greek and attached to the Greek version of Daniel, but no Hebrew version has been discovered. This linguistic and manuscript difference explains why it is included in some traditions and excluded in others.
Meta Description
The Story of Susanna in the Bible reveals how Daniel’s wisdom exposed corruption and saved an innocent woman from death. Discover this powerful account of truth, virtue, and divine justice in this Daniel Chapter 13 Summary
Intro: The Story of Susanna in the Bible
The Story of Susanna in the Bible (Daniel 13 in the Septuagint) tells of a righteous woman falsely accused by two corrupt elders and rescued by Daniel’s God-given wisdom. Though not found in the Hebrew or Protestant versions of Daniel, this story has long been cherished for its message of purity, integrity, and divine justice. It stands as an example of how God defends the innocent and exposes wickedness through the discernment of His faithful servants. (See the full Book of Daniel Chapter-by-Chapter Summary for more insights.)
Susanna’s Faithfulness and the Elders’ Wickedness
Susanna was a beautiful and God-fearing woman, married to a respected man named Joakim. Two elders, appointed as judges in Babylon, became consumed by lust for her. Each secretly desired to commit sin with her, but when they discovered their mutual corruption, they conspired together to trap her.
One day, while Susanna bathed in her private garden, the elders hid and confronted her, threatening to accuse her of adultery if she refused them. Remaining faithful to God, Susanna chose righteousness over life itself, crying out for divine help rather than yield to sin.
The False Accusation and Public Trial
The next day, the elders carried out their threat. They falsely testified before the assembly that they had caught Susanna with a young man, who escaped. The people believed them because they were respected judges, and Susanna was condemned to death.
In that moment, she lifted her voice to heaven and cried out, “O everlasting God, that knowest the secrets, and knowest all things before they be: Thou knowest that they have borne false witness against me” (Daniel 13:42–43, KJV). Her prayer was heard immediately.
Daniel’s Intervention and Divine Wisdom
God stirred up the spirit of a young man named Daniel, who shouted, “I am clear from the blood of this woman.” He demanded that the elders be questioned separately. The assembly granted him authority to cross-examine them.
When Daniel asked the first elder, “Under what tree did you see them together?” he answered, “Under a mastic tree.” Daniel then asked the second, who replied, “Under a holm tree.” Their contradictory answers exposed their lie. The crowd recognized that God had revealed the truth through Daniel.
The same law they tried to use against Susanna was applied to them: the false witnesses were put to death, and innocent blood was spared.
The Meaning Behind the Story of Susanna in the Bible
The Story of Susanna in the Bible is a timeless lesson about integrity and divine justice. It reminds us that appearances can deceive, but God sees every hidden thought. Susanna’s courage to stand for purity even under threat of death foreshadows the faith of later martyrs and the ultimate vindication of the righteous through Christ.
Daniel’s role shows how wisdom from God can confound the proud and deliver the innocent. His discernment here mirrors the spirit of judgment he would later exercise before kings and empires.
Spiritual Lessons and Modern Relevance
- God defends the righteous. Even when human courts fail, God’s justice prevails.
- False accusations will be exposed. Truth is not subject to human rank or authority.
- Purity requires courage. Susanna’s refusal to sin, though it meant facing death, exemplifies faithfulness.
- Youth can be instruments of divine wisdom. Daniel was still young when he corrected the elders, proving that spiritual maturity does not depend on age.
- Justice and mercy reflect God’s character. The people rejoiced that day because God had restored justice through His servant.
Christ Parallels and Spiritual Connections
The Story of Susanna in the Bible parallels both Solomon’s judgment and the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman. Like Solomon, Daniel displays divine wisdom to expose deceit and preserve life. Both men act as righteous judges guided by the Spirit of God.
Even more profoundly, Susanna’s story mirrors Jesus’ trial and crucifixion. In both cases, the innocent face false accusation, and divine justice reverses the verdict. The elders who conspired against Susanna suffer the very judgment they intended for her—just as Satan, the great accuser, bears the penalty that belonged to humanity when Jesus, the sinless One, took on the sins of the world. Through the Cross, judgment turns back upon evil itself, freeing the innocent who trust in Him.
Thus, Daniel’s wisdom foreshadows Christ’s perfect judgment: justice for the blameless, mercy for the repentant, and condemnation of the accuser. In both stories, God transforms injustice into redemption, revealing His eternal power to vindicate the righteous and overturn the works of darkness.
Conclusion: A Foreshadowing of Christ’s Justice
The Story of Susanna in the Bible ends with peace restored and Daniel’s reputation rising among the people. It foreshadows Christ’s perfect judgment—where truth is revealed and every false witness is silenced. Just as Susanna was vindicated, believers can rest assured that God will one day reveal all things hidden in darkness and bring justice to light.
For more insights, see the following related sources for deeper study:
For more insights and a complete Book of Daniel Chapter-by-Chapter Summary, visit the link.