This verse from Bel and the Dragon 1:11 is part of a cunning plan by the priests of Bel to trick the king and maintain their influence. Let's break it down:
"So Bel’s priests said, Behold, we will get us out:" This means the priests are telling the king they will leave the temple. They want to create the illusion that they are not inside during the night when the food is supposed to be eaten by the god Bel.
"but you, O king, set on the meat, and mingle the wine and set it forth:" The priests instruct the king to prepare a lavish offering of meat and wine and place it before the idol of Bel as usual.
"and shut the door fast, and seal it with your own signet:" This is the critical part of the trick. The king is ordered to lock the temple door and then seal it with his own official signet ring. The signet ring is a unique royal seal, and its impression would prove that the door hadn't been opened. This would supposedly ensure that no one entered the temple that night and that if the food and wine disappeared, it would have to be the god Bel.
In essence, the priests are setting up a situation where it appears that Bel is consuming the offerings, thus proving the power of their god. Their exit plan involves a secret tunnel or passage that the king doesn't know about, allowing them to return during the night, eat the food, and escape before morning. The sealed door is a key component of their deception.
This verse from Bel and the Dragon 1:11 is part of a cunning plan by the priests of Bel to trick the king and maintain their influence. Let's break it down:
"So Bel’s priests said, Behold, we will get us out:" This means the priests are telling the king they will leave the temple. They want to create the illusion that they are not inside during the night when the food is supposed to be eaten by the god Bel.
"but you, O king, set on the meat, and mingle the wine and set it forth:" The priests instruct the king to prepare a lavish offering of meat and wine and place it before the idol of Bel as usual.
"and shut the door fast, and seal it with your own signet:" This is the critical part of the trick. The king is ordered to lock the temple door and then seal it with his own official signet ring. The signet ring is a unique royal seal, and its impression would prove that the door hadn't been opened. This would supposedly ensure that no one entered the temple that night and that if the food and wine disappeared, it would have to be the god Bel.
In essence, the priests are setting up a situation where it appears that Bel is consuming the offerings, thus proving the power of their god. Their exit plan involves a secret tunnel or passage that the king doesn't know about, allowing them to return during the night, eat the food, and escape before morning. The sealed door is a key component of their deception.
