Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Daniel Chapter 6 mean?

Rule over Babylon had passed from the Chaldean king Belshazzar to someone identified as “Darius the Mede” (Daniel 5:30–31). Scholars debate who this person was. Skeptics claim no such person existed. Various theories have been offered. Among these is a man called Gubaru, Gobryas, or Ugbaru, a general under Cyrus. It’s possible this man was given his position by a higher authority (Daniel 5:31; 9:1), and that the name Darius was used as a title. Ultimately, his identity is a biblical mystery not yet fully explained.

Darius organizes his rule using 123 officials. Most are “satraps;” they were to be supervised by three high governors. Darius intended to make Daniel the most powerful of those advisors, thanks to his outstanding skill and integrity (Daniel 6:1–3).

The other politicians are jealous of Daniel’s success. They scrabble for some criticism with which to destroy him, finding nothing. Daniel is just as moral and upright as his reputation suggests. However, he is also known for his devotion to his God (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). The schemers realize that Daniel will never compromise his faith, even if that means breaking the law (Daniel 6:4–5).

The conspirators are said to approach Darius “by agreement;” the original text is not implying that all 122 came at the same time. Nor does it mean that every one of the satraps and governors were part of the plot. Yet, they certainly appeared in a group. They falsely told Darius that their plan was unanimous—Daniel obviously did not agree. Seeing many of his governors urgently presenting the law likely helped convince Darius that this was a good idea. In Persian culture, the king was the embodiment of the law, and the law was never wrong. Therefore, certain official decrees could not be changed or overturned—otherwise, it would imply the law was contradicting itself. Knowing this is a malicious trap, those scheming against Daniel ensure that Darius makes his proclamation in exactly this way (Daniel 6:6–9).

Daniel becomes aware of the new law and changes nothing. The law forbids prayer to anyone but Darius, yet Daniel refuses to stop praying to God. In fact, he continues to openly pray, in front of his windows. Rather than fear, Daniel expresses gratitude and love for the Lord. As he prays, the same core group of conspirators catch him in the act of breaking Darius’s new law (Daniel 6:10–11).

Knowing that Darius never intended to harm Daniel, the scheming politicians ask the king to affirm that his new law is irrevocable. As soon as he agrees that it cannot be changed or overruled, they point out that Daniel was caught in violation of that very edict. The king is anguished, but apparently is bound to carry out a sentence that same day. He looks for a loophole but finds none (Daniel 6:12–15).

With great regret, Darius orders Daniel to be placed into the lions’ den. This was probably a modified natural pit or cave, or an artificial enclosure. The lions were likely captured for this very purpose. The king follows all the required procedures, and Daniel is sealed in with the beasts. Darius is so upset that he cannot sleep and has no interest in the pleasures of his throne. This suggests a faint glimmer of hope. In normal circumstances, the king would simply accept that Daniel was dead. Instead, he agonizes over the possibility that Daniel’s God will provide rescue (Daniel 6:16–18).

The following morning, the king anxiously hurries to the den and calls out. To his great relief, Daniel answers. Not only has he survived, but he hasn’t so much as been scratched. Though Daniel was clearly guilty of breaking the law, his actions were never of any risk to the king. Nor were they sins in the eyes of God. As a result, he was spared. Daniel credits this rescue to God through the presence of an angel. This figure is not identified, though some suggest it might have been Michael the archangel or even a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (Daniel 6:19–23).

Darius now turns his rage on those who conspired against Daniel. They suffer the fate which they’d plotted for others. Worse, following ancient custom, their families are also condemned to death. This was a step disallowed by Old Testament Law (Deuteronomy 24:16) but frequently applied in pagan nations. The lions’ reaction proves they were not sick, weak, or disinterested. The new victims don’t even have time to land at the bottom of the pit before being torn apart (Daniel 6:24).

The end of this chapter contains a decree from Darius celebrating the power of Daniel’s God. Darius does not proclaim that Daniel’s God is the only God. Nor does he forbid his subjects from worshipping the many other idols of Persia, Babylon, and the Medes. But he does command respect for Daniel’s God, proving what an impression this incident has made (Daniel 6:25–28).

This passage continues a long segment recorded in Aramaic, rather than in Hebrew (Daniel 2:4—7:28). The stories contained in that section are primarily messages for Gentile peoples. This overlaps with the book of Daniel’s shift into prophecy. Chapter 7 records, in Aramaic, a vision which Daniel had seen during the reign of Belshazzar but had kept to himself. The rest of the book contains prophecy written in Hebrew.

Chapter Context
At the end of chapter 5, Belshazzar has died and control over Babylon has come to someone identified as “Darius the Mede.” Darius organizes his territory under 120 satraps and three governor-level officials. Daniel is identified as one of the three high administrators. After jealous rivals fail to kill Daniel, he continues to prosper in his role. The following chapter begins an extensive record of prophetic visions. The first is a flashback to something Daniel saw during the rule of Belshazzar.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom;

In the prior chapter, Daniel predicted the demise of Belshazzar, which came almost immediately afterward (Daniel 5:30). Eventually, the rule over Babylon fell to a man identified as Darius. In his new role, Darius organized his kingdom of Medo-Persia by setting 120 leaders over various aspects of his kingdom. These were titled “satraps,” from a word referring to a governor, high officer, or prince.

Scholars debate the exact identity of the man here named “Darius the Mede” (Daniel 5:31). Some skeptics suggest that there was no such person. Others believe this text was written centuries later and the author mistakenly refers to the Persian king Darius I. However, several passages in Scripture have been met with skepticism, only to be proven correct later (2 Timothy 3:16).

One candidate, referred to in ancient texts, is a man appointed governor over Babylonian territory by Cyrus the Great. This man’s name is listed as Gubaru, Gobryas, or Ugbaru, a general under Cyrus. If this man led the armies who conquered Babylon and was then given control over them by his king, it would explain how he “received the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31) and was “made king” (Daniel 9:1). Further, the name “Darius,” or Darayavesh, literally means “possessing” or “kingly” or “lord;” it might have been used here as a title instead of a proper name. Other kingdoms in the Ancient Middle East used the same name for multiple rulers (Genesis 21:22; 26:1, 26; 50:4; Exodus 1:8, 11).

If Gubaru is the “Darius” referred to in Daniel, he only reigned for two years, dying in 536 BC. Yet he played a key role in the life of Daniel, as this chapter reveals.

Context Summary
Daniel 6:1–9 follows the demise of the Chaldean king Belshazzar (Daniel 5:30–31). Darius the Mede eventually became the ruler of Babylon and the king of the new empire, Medo-Persia. He placed three officials, including Daniel, in charge of 120 satraps. This passage forms a link between Daniel’s appointment and his sentence to die in a den of lions. The rest of the chapter explains how Daniel came into—and through—this predicament.

Verse 2. and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss.

The man who took over Babylon (Daniel 5:30–31) governed through a series of officials. He appointed 120 high officers (Daniel 6:1), and over those three supervisors. The word referring to this role is sometimes translated as “president” or “commissioner.” Daniel was one of these very high-level officials. His appointment to the highest office under Darius shows two things. First, that God was in control of Daniel’s life, placing him in an office of great influence. Second, it showed that Daniel, though a Jewish exile (Daniel 1:1–7), was highly respected and trusted by a powerful Gentile ruler. Obviously, Daniel’s character and work were unblemished during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (Daniel 1:17–21).

The appointment of the three commissioners was intended to make the 120 satraps accountable. Darius believed in delegating responsibility to others. The political structure was probably meant to relieve Darius of micro-management: control through supervision of details and scrutiny. Yet it was mostly a way to reduce political corruption which might weaken the kingdom and Darius’s reputation. Darius did not want his satraps to steal and embezzle his tax revenue. In the Gospels we learn about unscrupulous tax collectors for Rome, sometimes called “publicans,” who charged excessive taxes to line their own pockets.

Verse 3. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

During his government service, Daniel proved to be an outstanding official. His skill—and most importantly, his integrity (Daniel 6:4–5)—was far beyond others whom Darius put in positions of power (Danel 6:1–2). This verse credits Daniel’s success to an “excellent spirit.” In a literal sense, this seems to mean his outstanding ability (Daniel 1:17, 20). Yet it can also refer to the influence of the Holy Spirit in his life.

Because of these valuable attributes, Darius took notice of Daniel. He could trust Daniel to manage kingdom business with integrity and efficiency. As such, the king planned to make Daniel the most powerful of his advisors and governors. These plans set the stage for the hateful plans made by other politicians.

According to the timeline usually applied to his life, Daniel would have been nearing ninety years of age during this story. Daniel’s faithfulness to duty even in his old age sets an example for believers today. A believer should never retire at any age from serving the Lord. He should always “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Verse 4. Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

The new ruler over Babylon appointed an array of supervisors, called satraps, with three leading governors over them all (Daniel 6:1–2). Daniel, a captured Hebrew (Daniel 1:1–7), was the most impressive of the three main administrators. This is attributed to his “excellent spirit” (Daniel 6:3). Prior stories also mention his deep integrity and skill (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). The other appointed leaders were jealous of Daniel’s success.

In twentieth-century Europe, corrupt government officials would say something like “give me the man, I’ll find a crime.” The point was that they could find something—no matter how petty—to use as an accusation. If need be, they’d simply fabricate it. With Daniel, this task becomes impossible. Not only is he blameless in his job, but he also gives no room for accusations about anything. He was beyond reproach. Their only hope is to scheme some way to use Daniel’s absolute loyalty to God as an attack (Daniel 6:5).

In this respect, Daniel’s experience foreshadows some of what would happen later to Jesus Christ. Religious leaders looked in vain for a valid reason to have Jesus arrested. Yet Jesus never did anything immoral, nor did He say anything incorrect or blatantly illegal. He was the sinless Son of God. The Roman governor, Pilate, confessed that he had no valid reason to have Jesus punished (John 18:38; 19:6; Luke 23:4). In the end, however, the Roman governor caved to the wishes of a mob and had Jesus executed (John 19:12–16).

Verse 5. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

During Daniel’s life, he demonstrated invincible trust and loyalty towards the Lord God (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). Apparently, he was also very public and open about his faith. When a new ruler took over Babylon, Daniel’s reputation remained untarnished. Daniel distinguished himself by his skill as well as his moral integrity (Daniel 6:1–3). Jealous rivals searched for some flaw they could use to bring Daniel down but found nothing (Daniel 6:4). Their plan is as simple as it is evil: making it illegal to honor God.

The high officials and satraps realized the only way to create conflict between Daniel and Baylon was to make him choose between the laws of the land and his faith (Acts 5:29). Persian religion venerated Ormazd, Ahriman, and fire, earth, wind, and water. However, Daniel worshiped only the one true God. The question here does not seem to be whether Daniel would compromise his faith. Rather, these men are absolutely convinced Daniel will worship his God, no matter the cost.

The New Testament exhorts believers to resist the temptation to be squeezed into the mold of the worldly system (Romans 12:2). Instead, believers ought to “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,” shining as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

Verse 6. Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever!

Satisfied that their diabolic scheme would work, envious high officials and satraps approached the Babylonian king (Daniel 6:1–5). They greeted him with the expected level of flattery. Ordinarily, one would assume that a large group of governors would send messengers to the king. Here, however, the terminology suggests they were assembling—gathering in large numbers—to make their appeal. This probably was not an assembly of all 122 men involved—the same terminology describes how they met to catch Daniel in prayer at his house (Daniel 6:11). Yet it was clearly a noteworthy number of men. This may have helped to sway Darius; he may have thought this issue was a major emergency. They may have brought the law already written and ready for the king’s signature.

An evil crowd seems to be more capable of doing what is wrong than when individuals act alone. It was a large, angry crowd clamoring for Jesus’ crucifixion that caused the Roman governor, Pilate, to have Jesus crucified (Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:18–25; John 19:12–16). Exodus 23:2 offers wise counsel: “You shall not fall in with the many to do evil.”

These men want to attack Daniel in the only way they can: by making his faith illegal and using his obedience to God against him (Daniel 6:4–5).

Verse 7. All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.

Daniel’s jealous enemies hated how he was deeply respected by the ruling king. Worse, they found that this respect was well deserved: Daniel left no room for any accusations of any kind (Daniel 6:1–4). The one area where these scheming politicians saw an opening was in Daniel’s faith (Daniel 6:5). If they could force Daniel to choose between obedience to God and obedience to human law, it was clear he would choose his faith. The men have gathered, in a large group, to press the king to make a new law (Daniel 6:6).

The advisors present what they claim is a unanimous proposal—Scripture does not indicate whether literally every one of the 120 satraps and the two other governors were on board. However, that is the way the idea is presented to the king. Certainly, Daniel would not have approved of such a law. The proposal is to outlaw prayers unless they are directed at the king, himself. The law seems flattering to Darius (Daniel 5:31), but it is really intended to target Daniel.

Violators would be punished by being placed into a pit or cave, or possibly an artificial enclosure, containing lions. These were probably captured animals used for just such purposes.

Verse 8. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.”

Ancient Persian attitudes towards their rulers implied that the king was the law, and the law could not contradict itself. This meant that edicts specifically authorized by the king were irrevocable: they could not be undone or repealed (Esther 8:8). The men seeking to trap Daniel (Daniel 6:4–5) want to ensure that he dies. If the law could be reversed, then the king would be able to save Daniel. By convincing Darius (Daniel 5:31) to make the law permanent, the scheming advisors are trapping him in the unintended consequences of his own pride (Daniel 6:6–7).

Darius’s reaction shows that he did not intend for Daniel to be caught up in the law (Daniel 6:14–15). The idea of a law forbidding anyone to pray, other than to the king, seemed like a good idea. For as much as Darius respected Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3), he did not seem to realize what his decree would mean for the captive Hebrew (Daniel 1:1–7).

Verse 9. Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

Darius fell for his officials’ devious trick (Daniel 6:4–8). They approached him with an irrevocable law prohibiting all prayer unless directed to the king himself. Though the king had a high regard for Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3), he might not have understood what impact Daniel’s faith would have on the situation. Perhaps his officials coming in a large group, claiming to have unanimous agreement on the plan, engendered Darius’s trust in their advice and he failed to fully consider it. He must have been greatly flattered that his nobles honored him with such respect and loyalty. Perhaps pride made him neglect to think through all the consequences of the law, for Daniel or anyone else. Or maybe he wanted to please his officials and saw no immediate need to deny such a law. Clearly Darius did not intend to harm Daniel when he signed the law (Daniel 6:14–15).

Darius cast himself in the role of a god by demanding that he alone was to be the object of people’s petitions. In this role he foreshadows another ruler—seen in the end times—who exalts himself above every god, including the only true God (Daniel 11:36–37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Persian culture saw the king as an embodiment of the law, so certain kingly decrees could not be overturned. This becomes a problem for Darius once he realizes that his approval will condemn Daniel (Daniel 6:14–16).

Verse 10. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Darius’s irrevocable law carried the death sentence for anyone who violated it (Daniel 6:6–9). Those who prayed to anyone other than Darius, himself, would be subject to death at the teeth and claws of lions. While Darius trusted and honored Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3), he didn’t realize that this law was a malicious plot (Daniel 6:4–5). Whether or not Daniel recognized the law as a personal attack, his response was exactly what his enemies anticipated. He knew what the law said, and what it meant, but he chose to love God more than his own life (Acts 5:29).

Daniel was determined to honor the God of Israel, just as he had always done (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). He continued his habit of praying and giving thanks to his God. He repeated his practice praying openly, at the window, facing Jerusalem, three times a day. Scripture doesn’t indicate what Daniel thought would happen. Most likely, he had the same mindset as did his three friends. They were threatened with death, but resolved to obey God, whether He rescued them or not (Daniel 3:16–18).

Such devotion and consistency were evident in the lives of the apostles Peter and John. Annoyed that these apostles were preaching about Jesus, local religious leaders had them arrested (Acts 4:1–3). The next day, the Jewish council interrogated the two apostles. Peter boldly proclaimed Christ crucified and risen. Then the council charged them not to speak or teach again in Jesus’ name (Acts 4:18). Peter and John answered: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Context Summary
Daniel 6:10–18 relates what Daniel did when he learned about Darius’s law outlawing prayer to the Lord. This passage also shows Darius’s reaction when he learned Daniel had violated the law, and that he had been trapped by legalism and his own ego. Daniel demonstrates his loyal, faithful character (Acts 5:29) and fearless devotion to God (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). He maintains this even as he is convicted—correctly—of violating the law and is sealed into a pen with lions.

Verse 11. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.

When Darius planned to make Daniel an even more powerful official over Babylon (Daniel 6:1–3), jealous rivals schemed to use Daniel’s faith against him (Daniel 6:4–5). They conspired to trick Darius into signing an irrevocable law banning prayer, knowing Daniel would disobey out of loyalty to his God (Daniel 6:6–9). As expected, Daniel chose faithful obedience to God over fear of other men (Daniel 6:10; Acts 5:29). The conspirators converged on Daniel’s house and found him praying. Since he did this publicly, and just as he’d always done, it was not difficult to catch him in the act of breaking Darius’s new law.

The men here are said to have “come by agreement,” using the same phrasing as the way they approached Darius with a proposal for the law (Daniel 6:6). They can see Daniel praying, possibly by barging into his home or waiting in the street outside his window. This suggests a smaller group of conspirators, rather than the entire group of 122 satraps and overseers.

Scripture mentions that Daniel read the book of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2). That prophecy was written as men like Daniel were being captured and deported into Babylon (Daniel 1:1–7). Daniel’s faithfulness here suggests trust in God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:12–14: “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” Jeremiah had included this promise in a letter he had written to those who would survive the exile (Jeremiah 29:1). Praying “toward” the temple in Jerusalem became a means of exiled Jews claiming the promise of forgiveness and became a common practice afterwards (2 Chronicles 6:36–39).

Verse 12. Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”

Here, the scheming nature of Daniel’s enemies becomes clear. It’s certain these men knew the king never intended Daniel to be harmed (Daniel 6:1–3), yet the law his advisors tricked him into signing demanded just that (Daniel 6:6–9). Daniel acted as expected by praying to God in defiance of the law (Daniel 6:4–5, 10–11). These men want to be sure the king acts as expected: by cooperating with a law which he is not allowed to revoke.

The initial reminder is meant to set up what modern English calls a “gotcha [I got you, or I have you]” moment. The king, in his own words, says exactly what the conspirators want to hear. The law is irrevocable, prayer is illegal, and the punishment is being fed to lions. With those words, Daniel’s legal fate was sealed. What comes next is a statement the king was not expecting to hear—or at least had not realized would be a consequence of his edict.

Verse 13. Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

Daniel’s enemies were jealous of his reputation and advancement (Daniel 6:1–3). They knew his only “weakness” was absolute loyalty to his God (Daniel 6:4–5). They tricked Darius, the king, into signing an irrevocable decree outlawing prayer (Daniel 6:6–9). As expected, Daniel ignored this and continued to pray, and was caught in the act by the conspiring enemies (Daniel 6:10–11). Before making their accusation, the clever conspirators ask the king to affirm what he has commanded (Daniel 6:12).

Now that the king has spoken, Daniel’s scheming enemies spring their trap. They speak of Daniel almost as if the king would not know who he was, specifying that he is a Hebrew exile. They would have explained how they saw Daniel blatantly defy the law with their own eyes. The Bible offers no explanation of what Darius thought would happen. Clearly, however, this outcome is neither what he expected nor what he wanted (Daniel 6:14).

Believers today should follow Daniel’s example and be open about their relationship with the Lord (Matthew 5:14–16).

Verse 14. Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

Darius, the king (Daniel 5:31) had a high regard for Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3). Yet he agreed to sign an unchangeable law prohibiting prayers other than those directed towards himself. He did not realize it was a jealous trap (Daniel 6:4–9). Daniel, as expected, refused to compromise his faith, and willingly violated the new law (Daniel 6:10–13). In that culture, the king was considered the same as the law, and the law could not be wrong. Therefore, certain royal decrees could not be overturned, even by the king who made them (Esther 8:8; Daniel 6:15).

The pagan king is just as trapped as Daniel, though he desperately seeks a way to prevent tragedy. He knew Daniel was trustworthy and honorable. This verse implies that Daniel’s sentence cannot be delayed—it must be carried out that same day. Tossing the ugly situation around his mind until evening showed how the king tried to delay the inevitable. In this way, Darius foreshadows the New Testament figure of Pilate. Both men held an innocent person’s fate in their hands (John 19:6), and both tried to avoid carrying out the death sentence (John 19:12). And both men failed to avoid sentencing an innocent man (John 19:16; Daniel 6:16).

Verse 15. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”

Jealous rivals tricked Darius, king over Babylon, into passing an unchangeable law secretly meant to target Daniel (Daniel 6:1–9). The king was distraught when he realized what had happened, but his culture did not allow such decrees to be changed. Nor could they be overruled or defied (Daniel 6:10–13; Esther 8:8). Now, the conspirators have returned to press the king to make good on his own law. He cannot delay any longer. Rather than disrupt established law, he will sentence Daniel to be locked into an enclosure with lions (Daniel 6:16).

By referring again to the irrevocable law of the Medes and the Persians, Daniel’s accusers are appealing to Darius’s reputation. How would it look to his subjects if he blatantly countered the principles of his own kingdom? Even worse to do so for a disobedient Jewish exile (Daniel 1:1–7). This reaction, including Darius’s delay (Daniel 6:14), shows a major contrast to the personality of Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar reacted quickly and violently to disobedience (Daniel 3:19–22). Darius was reluctant to punish Daniel where his predecessor needed no prodding to carry out the death sentence. Daniel appears more like Pilate, the governor who reluctantly condemned Jesus rather than stand up to a mob (John 19:6, 1216).

Verse 16. Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

Darius could procrastinate no longer (Daniel 6:14–15). The trap sprung by jealous rivals (Daniel 6:4–5) was impossible to overturn by legal means (Daniel 6:6–9, 12–13). Since Daniel had deliberately violated the law (Daniel 6:10–11), the king was obligated to order his advisor be locked into a cell with lions. Since he would not counter his own culture’s laws, Darius was powerless to save Daniel. Yet he acknowledges that Daniel is faithful to God. The pagan king appeals to that Lord for Daniel’s rescue.

Daniel’s loyalty to the God of Israel impressed Darius. He had seen consistency in Daniel’s commitment. Perhaps Darius heard the story of Daniel’s three friends who survived a fiery death when Nebuchadnezzar was king (Daniel 3:24–26). No one should doubt the impact a believer’s consistent testimony can have on an unbeliever, even one hardened against faith (James 5:10; 1 Peter 3:16).

This form of execution probably used a closed cave or manmade enclosure holding lions captured for this very purpose. The structure might have had multiple doors, including one on the top so that victims could be literally “thrown” in without the lions escaping or attacking the executioners (Daniel 6:17, 24).

Verse 17. And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

The den mentioned here was probably a modified cave or a brick structure designed to hold captured lions. Based on this passage, there was probably an opening at the top to allow condemned people to be literally “thrown” inside. Either this top door, or a ground-level entrance where armed men could come in for cleaning, is what the king seals. Using the royal seal left no doubt that Darius (Daniel 5:31) was making good on his own decree (Daniel 6:6–9), though it turned out to be a trap for his trusted advisor, Daniel (Daniel 6:10–15).

It’s possible the conspirators who hated Daniel insisted on this security so that Darius could not rescue Daniel. The conspirators knew Darius planned to promote Daniel to a position above theirs (Daniel 6:1–3). Whatever the case, the conspirators failed to account for the power of Daniel’s God.

This scene vaguely foreshadows what would happen centuries later at Jesus’ tomb. When His body was placed in the grave, a huge stone blocked the entrance (Matthew 27:60).

Verse 18. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

Darius respected Daniel enough to promote him to an extremely high position (Daniel 6:1–3). Jealous rivals tricked the king into signing an irrevocable law banning Daniel’s prayers (Daniel 6:4–10). The king was devastated when he realized what his unwise law would do, and that he could not change it (Daniel 6:11–14). His sincerity is shown, in part, by his desperate attempt to find a loophole to save Daniel. It’s further shown here as Darius spends a sleepless night in worry. Scripture is not clear what Darius thought would happen, but he seems anxious: a sign that he hopes, faintly, that Daniel’s God will provide rescue.

For now, Darius was so disturbed that he could neither sleep nor take advantage of the normal pleasures of royalty. Food did not appeal to him, because he was so upset. The word “diversions” may refer to musical entertainment. Some commentators think this means dancing ladies or concubines were not to be brought in. His foolish law had—so he thought—led someone whom he respected into a gruesome death. The unjust and terrible loss of an honorable advisor has locked his mind beyond comfort. Darius’s state of mind affirmed the truth of Isaiah 57:20¬–21: “‘But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked.’” The king later discovers Daniel had spent the night in peace and calm (Daniel 6:21–22).

Verse 19. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.

Had Darius rejected the idea of Daniel’s God, he would not have been anxious (Daniel 6:18). There would have been no urge to hurry if he was assured that he’d find Daniel’s remains at the lions’ den (Daniel 6:10–15). Instead, his respect for Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3) and faint hope in what he knows of the Lord of Israel (Daniel 6:16) makes this moment tense. Darius might have been thinking about the miraculous deliverance of Daniel’s three friends from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace (Daniel 3:24–26).

Many aspects of Daniel’s story foreshadow the experience of Jesus Christ. Centuries later, a group of women went to Jesus’ tomb at early dawn, expecting to embalm Jesus’ body. They had no hope of finding anything except a corpse. Of course, King Darius, like the women at Jesus’ tomb, was about to be delightfully surprised (Daniel 6:21–22; Matthew 28:1–6).

Context Summary
Daniel 6:19–28 concludes Daniel’s encounter in the lions’ den. This passage includes Daniel’s fate and Darius’s reaction. The story comes to a joyful conclusion, rather than the messy end intended for Daniel by his conspiring enemies. They, instead, suffer the fate they planned for an innocent man. The last verses include an endorsement of Daniel’s faith, coming directly from Darius.

Verse 20. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

As Darius neared the lions’ den, he called out in an anxious voice to Daniel. Darius was tricked into passing an irrevocable law that jealous advisors created as a trap for Daniel (Daniel 6:4–16). Normally, one might expect the king to be angry or distraught, but not especially nervous. Sealing Daniel into a pit filled with captured lions should have meant his gruesome death. But Darius respected Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3). Darius knew of Daniel’s faithfulness (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20) and likely knew how others who worshipped Daniel’s God had been rescued from execution (Daniel 3:24–26). When Daniel was cast into the lions’ den, Darius told him, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (Daniel 6:16). His nervousness here is driven by hope: that Daniel’s faith could result in a miraculous rescue. This hope was likely tempered with sorrow. Darius hoped Daniel was alive but expected to be greeted by silence.

It was Daniel’s consistent service to his Lord that let scheming enemies spring their trap (Daniel 6:4–5, 10). Darius fully realized that Daniel’s faithfulness was what led him into this situation. Daniel’s testimony had influenced the pagan king deeply. The originally pagan Thessalonian Christians had turned from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Although Darius had not turned from his idols, at least by this time, he had seen enough to speak of Daniel’s God with anticipation.

Verse 21. Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!

Darius was intensely nervous as he approached the lions’ den (Daniel 6:18–19). Though Daniel was condemned to be locked into a pen with lions (Daniel 6:15–17), Darius held out hope that perhaps Daniel’s God would provide rescue. As he approached, he called out with that very question (Daniel 6:20). To the king’s great relief, Daniel confirmed that he had been spared. The conspiracy against Daniel had failed (Daniel 6:4–7). Those who plotted would face the gruesome death they’d tried to bring Daniel (Daniel 6:24).

Daniel’s respectful response emphasizes his unblemished character. Instead of wishing Darius ill-will, he wished him long life. His response prefigures Jesus’ response to those who nailed Him to the cross. Luke 23:34 reports that Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The apostle Peter observes that Jesus left us an example so that we might follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). He writes that “when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Romans 12:17 commands, “Repay no one evil for evil.”

Verse 22. My God sent his angel and shut the lions ‘ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

Daniel was unquestionably guilty of breaking the law. When Darius issued an edict prohibiting prayer to anyone but himself (Daniel 6:6–9), Daniel deliberately ignored it (Daniel 6:10). Yet he rightly says here that he was innocent before God and had done nothing to harm the king. The law which Daniel violated was a malicious conspiracy (Daniel 6:4–5) with no purpose other than to entrap him. Darius realized this too late and spent a night of anguished worry hoping that Daniel’s God would provide rescue (Daniel 6:14–18). Hearing his trusted advisor’s words is cause for celebration (Daniel 6:23).

Daniel affirmed that his safety was a miracle. The “angel” mentioned here is not identified. Some suggest it was a common angel, or perhaps Michael the archangel (Daniel 12:1). Others think this might have been a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. Similar discussion surrounds the angelic figure who appeared to rescue Daniel’s three friends from a fiery death (Daniel 3:24–26).

Clearly, Daniel exhibited strong trust in the Lord during a perilous situation. Hebrews 11:33 mentions faith as having “stopped the mouths of lions.” When Jesus rules the earth, He will subdue the wild nature of lions and all savage beasts. Isaiah 11:7 predicts “the lion shall eat straw like the ox.”

Verse 23. Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Darius was extremely happy that Daniel was unharmed by the lions. Though he had foolishly signed an unchangeable law requiring Daniel to be placed in this den (Daniel 6:6–9), it was never his intent to harm his trusted and competent advisor (Daniel 6:1–3, 14). His anguish overnight (Daniel 6:18) transformed into celebration when he saw that Daniel’s God had provided a miracle (Daniel 6:19–22). Not only was Daniel alive, but he was even uninjured; the animals had not even scratched him (Daniel 6:24). Just as Daniel’s three friends had escaped the fire without even smelling like smoke (Daniel 3:24–26), so too was Daniel kept perfectly safe.

Many facets of Daniel’s experience foreshadow those of Jesus Christ. A stone with official seals had to be rolled away to let Daniel out of what was supposed to be his tomb (Daniel 6:17). The stone which blocked Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. But that stone was not removed by human hands; it was divinely moved. Matthew 28:2 states: “And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” The most important difference between Daniel’s exit and that of Jesus is that Daniel had not died. He went in alive and stayed alive, while Jesus died, was buried, and then rose from the dead (John 20:1, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8).

Verse 24. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions — they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Scripture notes that malicious plots have a habit of turning on their inventors (Psalm 7:14–16; Proverbs 14:32; 28:10; Jeremiah 6:19; Esther 9:25). Daniel was honored for his integrity and skill (Daniel 6:3). Jealous rivals knew he could be accused of nothing other than perfect loyalty to God (Daniel 6:4–5). They tricked the king into passing an irrevocable law condemning prayers such as those which Daniel practiced (Daniel 6:6–9). Daniel obeyed God rather than the law (Daniel 6:10; Acts 5:29) and the king was forced to place Daniel in a pit filled with lions (Daniel 6:14–18).

Darius, the king (Daniel 5:31), was clearly enraged by the scheming of those who had tried to have Daniel killed. It’s not likely that his vengeance included all 122 officials (Daniel 6:1–2). Rather, the punished men were probably those who personally concocted the perverse law, presented it to the king, and then accused Daniel. Not only did their conspiracy fail, but they dragged their families into gruesome death as well.

Given new victims, the lions proved they had not been sick, weak, or disinterested. This further proves that Daniel’s rescue was miraculous (Daniel 6:19–22). He was entirely unharmed (Daniel 6:23). Not so fortunate were his accusers and their families (Proverbs 13:20). Many ancient cultures required entire families be put to death for crimes against the nation. The Old Testament law of Israel did not allow this option for typical cases (Deuteronomy 24:16).

In the tribulation, Satan—literally sātān’ or “the accuser”— will be defeated (Revelation 12:9–10). At the end of the tribulation, he will be incarcerated in a bottomless pit for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1–3). Finally, he and all his followers will be cast into the lake of fire, where they will exist forever in torment (Revelation 20:7–10).

Verse 25. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.

Following Daniel’s deliverance (Daniel 6:19–23) and his accusers’ execution (Daniel 6:24), Darius (Daniel 5:31) wrote to all his subjects. While Daniel was in the lions’ den, Darius had suffered from an extreme lack of peace (Daniel 6:14–18). Here, he wishes the opposite for his people. What follows is a glowing endorsement of Daniel’s faith and an appeal to the entire world to honor Daniel’s God (Daniel 6:26–27).

The book of Daniel includes overt and indirect references to the events of the end times. When righteous Jews emerge triumphant over the persecution they experience in the end times tribulation, the King of kings and Lord of lords will cause peace to sweep over planet earth. Isaiah describes Jesus as “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and promises that His power will never end (Isaiah 9:7). Isaiah 54:10 promises God’s redeemed people that that the mountains and hills may fall flat but his steadfast love will not depart from them, nor will his covenant of peace be removed. While Darius could only wish for peace, Jesus will establish and sustain peace in His kingdom.

Verse 26. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God,enduring forever;his kingdom shall never be destroyed,and his dominion shall be to the end.

Darius ruled over a people who worshipped many different gods in many different ways. Many of them likely knew little or nothing about the God of Israel: the Lord honored by Daniel. Darius’s description here is more than poetry. It’s also a necessary definition of the One being honored. Notably, Darius (Daniel 6:25) does not indicate that Daniel’s God is the only god. He does not command people to set aside other idols; he only says that the Lord worshipped by Daniel should be honored by all.

Apparently, at this point in his life, Darius believed that Daniel’s God was “only” the most powerful or one of the most powerful of many gods available to the Medes and Persians. His decree resembles that of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1–2). Before Darius became king, Nebuchadnezzar had come to view the God of Israel as possessing an everlasting kingdom (Daniel 4:34–35). In the future, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and every person will agree that Jesus Christ is the One and only Lord (Philippians 2:10–11).

Verse 27. He delivers and rescues;he works signs and wondersin heaven and on earth,he who has saved Danielfrom the power of the lions.”

The king, Darius (Daniel 5:31), had witnessed God’s miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions (Daniel 6:19–23). In his celebrating decree (Daniel 6:25–26), he writes about the Lord’s miraculous examples of power. In the original language, verses 26 and 27 seem to be structured as a hymn. Some scholars look at the accurate theology of Darius’s announcement and suggest that Daniel had written them at the king’s request. This declaration resembles that of an earlier ruler, Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:34).

Darius’s focus here is on the Lord as a rescuer. That Daniel could survive an entire night—without a scratch—among lions ready to tear other people limb from limb left quite an impression on the pagan king.

When Jesus lived and ministered on earth, He provided many examples of supernatural power. These were meant to serve as evidence that He is the Son of God. They inspired those with open hearts to search for further reasons to believe in Him (John 20:30–31; Acts 2:22; Matthew 7:7–11). Signs and wonders were an important part of establishing the ministry of the apostles but faded in importance with the completion of the written New Testament (Hebrews 2:3–4; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Verse 28. So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Chapter 6 concludes by noting how Daniel experienced continued success during the reigns of Darius and Cyrus. Scholars debate the exact identity of the “Darius the Mede” mentioned in this story (Daniel 5:31). According to the traditional timeline, Daniel would have been nearing ninety years old when he survived a night among lions (Daniel 6:19–23). He would live until shortly into the reign of Cyrus, delivering important prophecy in those final years.

The day Daniel was cast into the lions’ den was dark and foreboding, but God turned the darkness into bright light by rescuing Daniel and turning the tables on his jealous enemies. God continued to bless Daniel to the end of Darius’s reign. According to some identifications of this Darius, that reign lasted two years. Daniel also prospered in the reign of Cyrus. It cannot be determined how long into the reign of Cyrus Daniel lived. By that time, he was very old, but he was still alive in the third year of Cyrus’s reign (Daniel 10:1). God sometimes grants longevity to his servants. The apostle John is said to have been in his nineties when he wrote the book of Revelation. One thing is certain, the believer’s years, whether brief or long, should be lived to God’s glory.

It has been observed that God’s servant is immortal until his life’s work is done. This is not an excuse for carelessness, but a reminder that God, not man, is in ultimate control of our fate.

End of Daniel Chapter 6

Please Note:

The material use in this post, video is from BibleRef.com which is from Got Questions Ministries and is posted here to be read by Immersive reader in the Edge Browser. If you copy this material please follow these rules:

•Content from BibleRef.com may not be used for any commercial purposes, or as part of any commercial work, without explicit prior written consent from Got Questions ministries.

•Any use of our material should be properly credited; please make it clear the content is from BibleRef.com.

•BibleRef.com content may not be altered, modified, or otherwise changed unless such changes are specifically noted.