Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Daniel » Chapter 6 » Verse 1-28

Daniel 6:1-28 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 It pleased H6925 H8232 Darius H1868 to set H6966 over H5922 the kingdom H4437 an hundred H3969 and twenty H6243 princes, H324 which should be H1934 over the whole H3606 kingdom; H4437

2 And over H5924 these H4481 three H8532 presidents; H5632 of whom H4481 Daniel H1841 was first: H2298 that H459 the princes H324 might H1934 give H3052 accounts H2941 unto them, and the king H4430 should have H1934 no H3809 damage. H5142

3 Then H116 this H1836 Daniel H1841 was H1934 preferred H5330 above H5922 the presidents H5632 and princes, H324 because H3606 H6903 an excellent H3493 spirit H7308 was in him; and the king H4430 thought H6246 to set H6966 him over H5922 the whole H3606 realm. H4437

4 Then H116 the presidents H5632 and princes H324 sought H1934 H1156 to find H7912 occasion H5931 against Daniel H1841 concerning H6655 the kingdom; H4437 but H3606 they could H3202 find H7912 none H3809 occasion H5931 nor H3809 fault; H7844 forasmuch H6903 as he was faithful, H540 neither H3809 was there any H3606 error H7960 or fault H7844 found H7912 in him. H5922

5 Then H116 said H560 these H479 men, H1400 We shall not H3809 find H7912 any H3606 occasion H5931 against H5922 this H1836 Daniel, H1841 except H3861 we find H7912 it against him concerning the law H1882 of his God. H426

6 Then H116 these H459 presidents H5632 and princes H324 assembled together H7284 to the king, H4430 and said H560 thus H3652 unto him, H5922 King H4430 Darius, H1868 live H2418 for ever. H5957

7 All H3606 the presidents H5632 of the kingdom, H4437 the governors, H5460 and the princes, H324 the counsellors, H1907 and the captains, H6347 have consulted together H3272 to establish H6966 a royal H4430 statute, H7010 and to make a firm H8631 decree, H633 that whosoever shall ask H1156 a petition H1159 of H4481 any H3606 God H426 or man H606 for H5705 thirty H8533 days, H3118 save H3861 of thee, H4481 O king, H4430 he shall be cast H7412 into the den H1358 of lions. H744

8 Now, H3705 O king, H4430 establish H6966 the decree, H633 and sign H7560 the writing, H3792 that it be not H3809 changed, H8133 according to the law H1882 of the Medes H4076 and Persians, H6540 which altereth H5709 not. H3809

9 Wherefore H3606 H1836 H6903 king H4430 Darius H1868 signed H7560 the writing H3792 and the decree. H633

10 Now when Daniel H1841 knew H3046 that the writing H3792 was signed, H7560 he went H5954 into his house; H1005 and his windows H3551 being open H6606 in his chamber H5952 toward H5049 Jerusalem, H3390 he kneeled H1289 upon H5922 his knees H1291 three H8532 times H2166 a day, H3118 and prayed, H6739 and gave thanks H3029 before H6925 his God, H426 as H6903 H3606 he did H1934 H5648 aforetime. H4481 H1836 H6928

11 Then H116 these H479 men H1400 assembled, H7284 and found H7912 Daniel H1841 praying H1156 and making supplication H2604 before H6925 his God. H426

12 Then H116 they came near, H7127 and spake H560 before H6925 the king H4430 concerning H5922 the king's H4430 decree; H633 Hast thou not H3809 signed H7560 a decree, H633 that every H3606 man H606 that shall ask H1156 a petition of H4481 any H3606 God H426 or man H606 within H5705 thirty H8533 days, H3118 save H3861 of thee, H4481 O king, H4430 shall be cast H7412 into the den H1358 of lions? H744 The king H4430 answered H6032 and said, H560 The thing H4406 is true, H3330 according to the law H1882 of the Medes H4076 and Persians, H6540 which altereth H5709 not. H3809

13 Then H116 answered H6032 they and said H560 before H6925 the king, H4430 That Daniel, H1841 which is of H4481 the children H1123 of the captivity H1547 of Judah, H3061 regardeth H7761 H2942 not H3809 thee, H5922 O king, H4430 nor the decree H633 that thou hast signed, H7560 but maketh H1156 his petition H1159 three H8532 times H2166 a day. H3118

14 Then H116 the king, H4430 when he heard H8086 these words, H4406 was sore H7690 displeased H888 with himself, and set H7761 his heart H1079 on H5922 Daniel H1841 to deliver H7804 him: and he laboured H1934 H7712 till H5705 the going down H4606 of the sun H8122 to deliver H5338 him.

15 Then H116 these H479 men H1400 assembled H7284 unto H5922 the king, H4430 and said H560 unto the king, H4430 Know, H3046 O king, H4430 that the law H1882 of the Medes H4076 and Persians H6540 is, That no H3606 decree H633 nor statute H7010 which the king H4430 establisheth H6966 may be changed. H8133

16 Then H116 the king H4430 commanded, H560 and they brought H858 Daniel, H1841 and cast H7412 him into the den H1358 of lions. H744 Now the king H4430 spake H6032 and said H560 unto Daniel, H1841 Thy God H426 whom thou H607 servest H6399 continually, H8411 he will deliver H7804 thee.

17 And a H2298 stone H69 was brought, H858 and laid H7761 upon H5922 the mouth H6433 of the den; H1358 and the king H4430 sealed H2857 it with his own signet, H5824 and with the signet H5824 of his lords; H7261 that the purpose H6640 might not H3809 be changed H8133 concerning Daniel. H1841

18 Then H116 the king H4430 went H236 to his palace, H1965 and passed the night H956 fasting: H2908 neither H3809 were instruments H1761 of musick brought H5954 before H6925 him: and his sleep H8139 went H5075 from him. H5922

19 Then H116 the king H4430 arose H6966 very early H8238 in the morning, H5053 and went H236 in haste H927 unto the den H1358 of lions. H744

20 And when he came H7127 to the den, H1358 he cried H2200 with a lamentable H6088 voice H7032 unto Daniel: H1841 and the king H4430 spake H6032 and said H560 to Daniel, H1841 O Daniel, H1841 servant H5649 of the living H2417 God, H426 is thy God, H426 whom thou servest H6399 continually, H8411 able H3202 to deliver H7804 thee from H4481 the lions? H744

21 Then H116 said H4449 Daniel H1841 unto H5974 the king, H4430 O king, H4430 live H2418 for ever. H5957

22 My God H426 hath sent H7972 his angel, H4398 and hath shut H5463 the lions' H744 mouths, H6433 that they have not H3809 hurt H2255 me: forasmuch as H3606 H6903 before H6925 him innocency H2136 was found H7912 in me; and also H638 before H6925 thee, O king, H4430 have I done H5648 no H3809 hurt. H2248

23 Then H116 was the king H4430 exceeding H7690 glad H2868 for him, H5922 and commanded H560 that they should take H5267 Daniel H1841 up H5267 out of H4481 the den. H1358 So Daniel H1841 was taken up H5267 out of H4481 the den, H1358 and no H3809 manner H3606 of hurt H2257 was found H7912 upon him, because he believed H540 in his God. H426

24 And the king H4430 commanded, H560 and they brought H858 those H479 men H1400 which had accused H399 H7170 Daniel, H1841 and they cast H7412 them into the den H1358 of lions, H744 them, H581 their children, H1123 and their wives; H5389 and the lions H744 had the mastery H5705 H7981 of them, and brake H1855 all H3606 their bones H1635 in pieces H1855 or ever H3809 they came H4291 at the bottom H773 of the den. H1358

25 Then H116 king H4430 Darius H1868 wrote H3790 unto all H3606 people, H5972 nations, H524 and languages, H3961 that dwell H1753 in all H3606 the earth; H772 Peace H8001 be multiplied H7680 unto you.

26 I H4481 H6925 make H7761 a decree, H2942 That in every H3606 dominion H7985 of my kingdom H4437 men tremble H1934 H2112 and fear H1763 before H4481 H6925 the God H426 of Daniel: H1841 for he is the living H2417 God, H426 and stedfast H7011 for ever, H5957 and his kingdom H4437 that which shall not H3809 be destroyed, H2255 and his dominion H7985 shall be even unto H5705 the end. H5491

27 He delivereth H7804 and rescueth, H5338 and he worketh H5648 signs H852 and wonders H8540 in heaven H8065 and in earth, H772 who hath delivered H7804 Daniel H1841 from H4481 the power H3028 of the lions. H744

28 So this H1836 Daniel H1841 prospered H6744 in the reign H4437 of Darius, H1868 and in the reign H4437 of Cyrus H3567 the Persian. H6543

Commentary on Daniel 6 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 6

Da 6:1-28. Darius' Decree: Daniel's Disobedience, and Consequent Exposure to the Lions: His Deliverance by God, and Darius' Decree.

1. Darius—Grotefend has read it in the cuneiform inscriptions at Persepolis, as Darheush, that is, "Lord-King," a name applied to many of the Medo-Persian kings in common. Three of that name occur: Darius Hystaspes, 521 B.C., in whose reign the decree was carried into effect for rebuilding the temple (Ezr 4:5; Hag 1:1); Darius Codomanus, 336 B.C., whom Alexander overcame, called "the Persian" (Ne 12:22), an expression used after the rule of Macedon was set up; and Darius Cyaxares II, between Astyages and Cyrus [ÆSCHYLUS, The Persians, 762, 763].

hundred and twenty—satraps; set over the conquered provinces (including Babylon) by Cyrus [Xenophon, Cyropædia, 8.6.1]. No doubt Cyrus acted under Darius, as in the capture of Babylon; so that Daniel rightly attributes the appointment to Darius.

3. Daniel was preferred—probably because of his having so wonderfully foretold the fall of Babylon. Hence the very expression used by the queen mother on that occasion (Da 5:12) is here used, "because an excellent spirit was in him."

king thought to set him over the whole realm—Agreeing with Darius' character, weak and averse to business, which he preferred to delegate to favorites. God overruled this to the good both of Daniel, and, through him, of His people.

4. occasion … concerning the kingdom—pretext for accusation in his administration (Ec 4:4).

5. It is the highest testimony to a godly man's walk, when his most watchful enemies can find no ground of censure save in that he walks according to the law of God even where it opposes the ways of the world.

6. assembled together—literally, "assembled hastily and tumultuously." Had they come more deliberately, the king might have refused their grant; but they gave him no time for reflection, representing that their test-decree was necessary for the safety of the king.

live for ever—Arrian [Alexander, 4] records that Cyrus was the first before whom prostration was practised. It is an undesigned mark of genuineness that Daniel should mention no prostration before Nebuchadnezzar or Darius (see on Da 3:9).

7. The Persian king was regarded as representative of the chief god, Ormuzd; the seven princes near him represented the seven Amshaspands before the throne of Ormuzd; hence Mordecai (Es 3:4) refused such homage to Haman, the king's prime minister, as inconsistent with what is due to God alone. A weak despot, like Darius, much under the control of his princes, might easily be persuaded that such a decree would test the obedience of the Chaldeans just conquered, and tame their proud spirits. So absolute is the king in the East, that he is regarded not merely as the ruler, but the owner, of the people.

All … governors … counsellors, &c.—Several functionaries are here specified, not mentioned in Da 6:4, 6. They evidently exaggerated the case of the weak king, as if their request was that of all the officers in the empire.

den of lions—an underground cave or pit, covered with a stone. It is an undesigned proof of genuineness, that the "fiery furnace" is not made the means of punishment here, as in Da 3:20; for the Persians were fire-worshippers, which the Babylonians were not.

8. decree—or, "interdict."

that it be not changed—(Es 1:19; 8:8). This immutability of the king's commands was peculiar to the Medes and Persians: it was due to their regarding him infallible as the representative of Ormuzd; it was not so among the Babylonians.

Medes and Persians—The order of the names is an undesigned mark of genuineness. Cyrus the Persian reigned subordinate to Darius the Mede as to dignity, though exercising more real power. After Darius' death, the order is "the Persians and Medes" (Es 1:14, 19, &c.).

9. Such a despotic decree is quite explicable by remembering that the king, as the incarnation of Ormuzd, might demand such an act of religious obedience as a test of loyalty. Persecuting laws are always made on false pretenses. Instead of bitter complaints against men, Daniel prays to God. Though having vast business as a ruler of the empire, he finds time to pray thrice a day. Daniel's three companions (Da 3:12), are not alluded to here, nor any other Jew who conscientiously may have disregarded the edict, as the conspirators aimed at Daniel alone (Da 6:5).

10. when Daniel knew … writing … signed—and that, therefore, the power of advising the king against it was taken from him.

went into his house—withdrawing from the God-dishonoring court.

windows … open—not in vainglory, but that there might be no obstruction to his view of the direction in which Jerusalem, the earthly seat of Jehovah under the Old Testament, lay; and that the sight of heaven might draw his mind off from earthly thoughts. To Christ in the heavenly temple let us turn our eyes in prayer, from this land of our captivity (1Ki 8:44, 48; 2Ch 6:29, 34, 38; Ps 5:7).

chamber—the upper room, where prayer was generally offered by the Jews (Ac 1:13). Not on the housetop (Ac 10:9), where he would be conspicuous.

upon his knees—Humble attitudes in prayer become humble suppliants.

three times a day—(Ps 55:17). The third, sixth, and ninth hour; our nine, twelve, and three o'clock (Ac 2:15; 10:9; 3:1; 10:30; compare Da 9:21).

as … aforetime—not from contempt of the king's command.

11. assembled—as in Da 6:6, "assembled" or "ran hastily," so as to come upon Daniel suddenly and detect him in the act.

12. They preface their attack by alleging the king's edict, so as to get him again to confirm it unalterably, before they mention Daniel's name. Not to break a wicked promise, is not firmness, but guilty obstinacy (Mt 14:9; Mr 6:26).

13. That Daniel—contemptuously.

of … captivity of Judah—recently a captive among thy servants, the Babylonians—one whom humble obedience most becomes. Thus they aggravate his guilt, omitting mention of his being prime minister, which might only remind Darius of Daniel's state services.

regardeth not thee—because he regarded God (Ac 4:19; 5:29).

14. displeased with himself—for having suffered himself to be entrapped into such a hasty decree (Pr 29:20). On the one hand he was pressed by the immutability of the law, fear that the princes might conspire against him, and desire to consult for his own reputation, not to seem fickle; on the other, by regard for Daniel, and a desire to save him from the effects of his own rash decree.

till … going down of … sun—The king took this time to deliberate, thinking that after sunset Daniel would be spared till morning, and that meanwhile some way of escape would turn up. But (Da 6:15) the conspirators "assembled tumultuously" (literally) to prevent this delay in the execution, lest the king should meantime change his decree.

16. Thy God … will deliver thee—The heathen believed in the interposition of the gods at times in favor of their worshippers. Darius recognized Daniel's God as a god, but not the only true God. He had heard of the deliverance of the three youths in Da 3:26, 27 and hence augurs Daniel's deliverance. I am not my own master, and cannot deliver thee, however much I wish it. "Thy God will." Kings are the slaves of their flatterers. Men admire piety to God in others, however disregarding Him themselves.

17. stone … sealed—typical of Christ's entombment under a seal (Mt 27:66). Divinely ordered, that the deliverance might be the more striking.

his own signet, and … of his lords—The concurrence of the lords was required for making laws. In this kingly power had fallen since it was in Nebuchadnezzar's hands. The Median king is a puppet in his lords' hands; they take the security of their own seal as well as his, that he should not release Daniel. The king's seal guaranteed Daniel from being killed by them, should he escape the lions.

18. neither were instruments of music, &c.—Gesenius translates, "concubines." Daniel's mentioning to us as an extraordinary thing of Darius, that he neither approached his table nor his harem, agrees with Xenophon's picture of him as devoted to wine and women, vain, and without self-control. He is sorry for the evil which he himself had caused, yet takes no steps to remedy it. There are many such halters between good and bad, who are ill at ease in their sins, yet go forward in them, and are drawn on by others.

19. His grief overcame his fear of the nobles.

20. living God—having life Himself, and able to preserve thy life; contrasted with the lifeless idols. Darius borrowed the phrase from Daniel; God extorting from an idolater a confession of the truth.

thou servest continually—in times of persecution, as well as in times of peace.

is thy God … able—the language of doubt, yet hope.

21. Daniel might have indulged in anger at the king, but does not; his sole thought is, God's glory has been set forth in his deliverance.

22. his angel—the instrument, not the author, of his deliverance (Ps 91:11; 34:7).

shut … lions' mouths—(Heb 11:33). So spiritually, God will shut the roaring lion's mouth (1Pe 5:8) for His servants.

forasmuch as before him innocency—not absolutely (in Da 9:7, 18 he disclaims such a plea), but relatively to this case. God has attested the justice of my cause in standing up for His worship, by delivering me. Therefore, the "forasmuch" does not justify Rome's doctrine of works meriting salvation.

before thee—Obedience to God is in strictest compatibility with loyalty to the king (Mt 22:21; 1Pe 2:17). Daniel's disobedience to the king was seeming, not real, because it was not from contempt of the king, but from regard to the King of kings (compare Ac 24:16).

23. because he believed—"Faith" is stated in Heb 11:33 to have been his actuating principle: a prelude to the Gospel. His belief was not with a view to a miraculous deliverance. He shut his eyes to the event, committing the keeping of his soul to God, in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator (1Pe 4:19), sure of deliverance in a better life, if not in this.

24. (De 19:19; Pr 19:5).

accused—literally, "devoured the bones and flesh." It was just that they who had torn Daniel's character, and sought the tearing of his person, should be themselves given to be torn in pieces (Pr 11:8).

their children—Among the Persians, all the kindred were involved in the guilt of one culprit. The Mosaic law expressly forbade this (De 24:16; 2Ki 14:6).

or ever—that is, "before ever." The lions' sparing Daniel could not have been because they were full, as they showed the keenness of their hunger on the accusers.

26. Stronger than the decree (Da 3:29). That was negative; this, positive; not merely men must say "nothing amiss of," but must "fear before God."

28. It was in the third year of Cyrus that Daniel's visions (Da 10:1-12:13) were given. Daniel "prospered" because of his prophecies (Ezr 1:1, 2).