the rendering in the Auth. Vers. of the followving Heb. and Greek words: מְעָרָה, mearah' (Isaoah 32:14; Jeremiah 7:11), a cave (as elsewhere rendered); מְאוּרָה, meirah', a hole (as of a venomous reptile, Isaiah 11:8); סֹךְ, sok, a booth or thicket ("pavilion," Psalms 27:5; "tabernacle," Psalms 76:2), hence a "covert" (Jeremiah 25:38) or lair of a wild animal (Psalms 10:9); so מָעוֹן, maon' (Jeremiah 9:11; Jeremiah 10:22), or מְעוֹנָה, meoinah' (Job 38:40; Psalms 104:22; Song of Solomon 4:8; Amos 3:4; Nahum 2:12), properly a dwelling-place or habitation (as elsewhere rendered); מַנְהָרָה, a fissure in the rocks, used for hiding (Judges 6:2); אֶרֶב, e'reb, an ambush ("lie in wait," Job 38:40), hence lair of a beast of prey (Job 37:8); σπήλαιον, a cave (as rendered John 11:38), hence a recess for secrecy (Hebrews 11:38; Revelation 6:15), or a resort of thieves (Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 11:38). (See CAVE).

In Daniel 6, the "den (Chald. גֹּב, gob, a pit; Sept. λάκκος; Vulg. lacus) of lions" is repeatedly named as a peculiar means of punishment for state offenders at Babylon. This usage, although not mentioned by any other ancient authority, has received remarkable confirmation (see "Truths of Revelation demonstrated by an Appeal to Monuments," etc., "by a Fellow of seven learned Societies," Lond. 1831) from certain remains discovered in that region by modern travelers (Kitto, Pict. Bible, note on Daniel 6:16), especially one on a block of white marble found near the tomb of Daniel at Susa, and thus described by Sir R. K. Porter in his Travels in Persia (ii. 416): "It does not exceed ten inches in width and depth, measures twenty in length, and is hollow within, as if to receive some deposit. Three of its sides are cut in bas-relief, two of them with similar representations of a man apparently naked, except a sash round his waist and a sort of cap on his head. His hands are bound behind him. The corner of the stone forms the neck of the figure, so that its head forms one of its ends. Two lions in sitting posture appear on either side at the top, each having a paw on the head of the man." (See LION).

Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Den'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/den.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

Bible Encyclopedias Den

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bible Encyclopedias
Den