Daniel 6:24 At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions--they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

◄ Daniel 6:24 ►

New International Version
At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

New Living Translation
Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

King James Bible
And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

New King James Version
And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

New American Standard Bible
The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

NASB 1995
The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

NASB 1977
The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Legacy Standard Bible
The king then said the word, and they brought those men who had brought charges against Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Amplified Bible
The king then gave a command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown 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 crushed all their bones.

Christian Standard Bible
The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

American Standard Version
And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

Contemporary English Version
And the king ordered the men who had brought charges against Daniel to be thrown into the pit, together with their wives and children. But before they even reached the bottom, the lions ripped them to pieces.

English Revised Version
And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces, or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king ordered those men who had brought charges against Daniel to be brought to him. They, their wives, and their children were thrown into the lions' den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions attacked them and crushed all their bones.

Good News Translation
Then the king gave orders to arrest all those who had accused Daniel, and he had them thrown, together with their wives and children, into the pit filled with lions. Before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions pounced on them and broke all their bones.

International Standard Version
Then the king gave orders to bring those men who had tried to have Daniel devoured, and they threw them, their children, and their wives into the lions' pit. They had not reached the floor of the pit before the lions had overtaken them and crushed all their bones.

Majority Standard Bible
At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

NET Bible
The king gave another order, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions' den--they, their children, and their wives. They did not even reach the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

New Heart English Bible
The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den.

World English Bible
The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they came to the bottom of the den.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the king has spoken, and they have brought those men who had accused Daniel, and to the den of lions they have cast them, they, their sons, and their wives; and they have not come to the lower part of the den until the lions have power over them, and all their bones they have broken small.

Young's Literal Translation
And the king hath said, and they have brought those men who had accused Daniel, and to the den of lions they have cast them, they, their sons, and their wives; and they have not come to the lower part of the den till that the lions have power over them, and all their bones they have broken small.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king said, and they brought these men that ate up Daniel piece meal, and cast into the lion's den, them, their sons, and their wives; and they not down to the bottom of the den even till the lions had power over them, and they broke all their bones in pieces.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And by the king's commandment, those men were brought that bad accused Daniel: and they were cast into the lions' den, they and their children, and their wives: and they did not reach the bottom of the den, before the lions caught them, and broke all their bones in pieces.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, by order of the king, those men were brought who had accused Daniel, and they were cast into the lions’ den, they, and their sons, and their wives, and they did not reach the bottom of the den before the lions seized them and crushed all their bones.

New American Bible
The king then ordered the men who had accused Daniel, along with their children and their wives, to be cast into the lions’ den. Before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

New Revised Standard Version
The king gave a command, and those who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, they, their wives, and their children; and before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions pounced upon them and broke all their bones in pieces.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King said: “Bring those men who accused Daniel and cast them into the pit of lions, them and their wives and their children!” And they cast them into the pit and they did not reach the bottom of the pit and the lions prevailed over them and they broke all their bones to pieces

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king commanded, and they brought those men that had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and they had not come to the bottom of the den, when the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king commanded, and they brought the men that had accused Daniel, and they were cast into the den of lions, they, and their children, and their wives: and they reached not the bottom of the den before the lions had the mastery of them, and utterly broke to pieces all their bones.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Daniel in the Lions' Den
…23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, and when Daniel was lifted out of the den, no wounds whatsoever were found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24At the command of the king, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions— they and their children and wives. And before they had reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.

Proverbs 11:8
The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in.

Psalm 7:15-16
He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making. / His trouble recoils on himself, and his violence falls on his own head.

Psalm 9:15
The nations have fallen into a pit of their making; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

Psalm 37:15
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Psalm 57:6
They spread a net for my feet; my soul was despondent. They dug a pit before me, but they themselves have fallen into it! Selah

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.

Acts 12:23
Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

2 Thessalonians 1:6
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 19:19
you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.

1 Samuel 15:33
But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Treasury of Scripture

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

and they brought.

Deuteronomy 19:18-20
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; …

Esther 7:10
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

Esther 9:25
But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.

them.

their children.

Deuteronomy 24:16
The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

Joshua 7:24,25
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor…

2 Kings 14:6
But the children of the murderers he slew not: according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers; but every man shall be put to death for his own sin.

the lions.

Daniel 3:22
Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Psalm 54:5
He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.

Isaiah 38:13
I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

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Daniel 6

1. Daniel is made chief of the presidents.
4. They, conspiring against him, obtain an idolatrous decree.
10. Daniel, accused of the breach thereof, is cast into the lion's den.
18. Daniel is saved;
24. his adversaries devoured;
25. and God magnified by a decree.

Berean Study Bible

At the command of the king
This phrase highlights the absolute authority of the king in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The king's word was law, reflecting the divine right often attributed to monarchs. In this context, King Darius acts decisively to rectify the injustice done to Daniel, demonstrating the king's role as both a judge and a protector of the innocent. The Hebrew root for "command" (פִּקּוּדָה, piqqudah) implies a directive that must be followed, underscoring the king's power and responsibility.

the men who had falsely accused Daniel
The phrase "falsely accused" is significant in understanding the moral and ethical standards of the time. The Hebrew word for "accused" (רָגַל, ragal) can also mean to slander or to spy, indicating malicious intent. This highlights the theme of divine justice, as those who sought to harm Daniel through deceit are now facing the consequences of their actions. It serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that God vindicates the righteous and punishes the wicked.

were brought and thrown into the den of lions
The "den of lions" is a literal pit or cave where lions were kept, often used for executions. Archaeological evidence from the ancient Near East supports the existence of such practices. This phrase emphasizes the severity of the punishment and the reversal of fortune for Daniel's accusers. The lions, which were meant to destroy Daniel, become instruments of divine justice against his enemies, illustrating the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over creation.

they and their children and wives
This phrase reflects the ancient practice of collective punishment, where the family of the guilty shared in the consequences of their actions. While this may seem harsh by modern standards, it underscores the communal nature of ancient societies and the far-reaching impact of sin. It serves as a sobering reminder of the biblical teaching that sin affects not only the individual but also the community.

And they had not reached the bottom of the den
This phrase vividly describes the immediacy and inevitability of the punishment. The speed with which the lions act underscores the divine intervention in protecting Daniel and executing justice. It serves as a powerful testament to God's ability to deliver and to judge swiftly and decisively.

before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones
The imagery of the lions overpowering and crushing bones is both graphic and symbolic. It signifies the totality of the judgment against Daniel's accusers. The Hebrew word for "crushed" (דָּקַק, daqaq) implies complete destruction, leaving no doubt about the fate of the wicked. This serves as a stark contrast to Daniel's miraculous preservation and highlights the biblical theme of God's ultimate justice and protection for those who are faithful to Him.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. - And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them. and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. Here the Septuagint text is superior to the Massoretic, as briefer, "Then those two men who had berne witness against Daniel, they, their wives, and their children, were east to the lions, and the lions slew them, and brake their bones." In this account of the punishment meted out to the accusers of Daniel, the victims are only two, with their wives and children. Hitzig contemptuously remarks that the lions' den must have been large to contain a hundred and twenty-two men along with their families - that number he gets by adding to the governors of the provinces the two presidents,colleagues of Daniel. If, however, we assume the Septuagint text to be correct, then this objection falls to the ground. The phrase "or ever they came at the bottom of the den," is an intensification of the narrative. In the Massoretic text it is "all their bones;" in the LXX. it is simply "their bones." Theodotion and the Peshitta agree with the Massoretic text. The slaughter of the wives and children of offenders, with the guilty persons themselves, was the common practice. There are two other accounts of this event - one preserved in the apocryphal story of Bel and the Dragon, and the other in the pages of Josephus. According to the story of Bel and the Dragon, the king, who thus condemns Daniel, is no less a person than Cyrus the great conqueror. The reason of the condemnation is not a decree forbidding all worship, but because Daniel had laid bare the deceit of the priests of Bel, and killed the sacred dragon, the people of Babylon were incensed, and threatened Cyrus that they would burn his house if he did not deliver Daniel into their hands to be cast into the lions' den. The seven lions were starved in order that they might be sure to devour Daniel. For six days he was there in the den. In order that Daniel might not starve, whatever befell the lions, Habacuc was brought from Judaea, carried by the hair of his head, to feed the prophet. The destruction of Daniel's accusers is stated in a mere compendious fashion. The fact that this version is referred to by Irenaeus ('Adv. Haeres.,' 4.), Tertullian ('De Jejuniis,' 7.), and Clement of Alexandria ('Strom.,' 1. p. 329, Morel), shows that early in the second century this narrative was incorporated with the canonical Daniel. This makes it almost necessarily before Christ in the date of its origin. If so, it is difficult to imagine the canonical version to be only a century and a half older. Josephus shows no signs that he knew of this apocryphal addition, but adds a feature for himself, "The enemies of Daniel, when they saw that nothing evil had befallen him, unwilling to attribute his deliverance to Deity and his providence, declared that the lions had been filled with food, and therefore neither attacked Daniel nor approached him, and maintained this to the king. But he, hating their malice, ordered that much flesh be thrown to the lions, and when they had gorged themselves, that the enemies of Daniel be cast into the den, in order that he might learn whether the lions would spare them on account of their being satisfied. It was then manifest to Darius, when the satraps had been thrown in, that Daniel had been preserved by miracle, for the lions spared none of them, but tore them all to pieces as if they had been famishing."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

At the command
וַאֲמַ֣ר (wa·’ă·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 560: To say, tell, command

of the king,
מַלְכָּ֗א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

the
אִלֵּךְ֙ (’il·lêḵ)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 479: These

men
גֻּבְרַיָּ֤א (guḇ·ray·yā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 1400: A person

who
דִּֽי־ (dî-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

had falsely accused
אֲכַ֤לוּ (’ă·ḵa·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 399: To eat, devour

Daniel
דָֽנִיֵּ֔אל (ḏā·nî·yêl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1841: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon

were brought
וְהַיְתִ֞יו (wə·hay·ṯîw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 858: To arrive

and thrown
רְמ֔וֹ (rə·mōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7412: To throw, set, assess

into the den
וּלְגֹ֤ב (ū·lə·ḡōḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1358: A pit, den

of lions—
אַרְיָוָתָא֙ (’ar·yā·wā·ṯā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 744: A lion

they
אִנּ֖וּן (’in·nūn)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 581: They, those

and their children
בְּנֵיה֣וֹן (bə·nê·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1123: A son

and wives.
וּנְשֵׁיה֑וֹן (ū·nə·šê·hō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5389: A man

And before
וְלָֽא־ (wə·lā-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3809: Not, no

they had reached
מְט֞וֹ (mə·ṭōw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4291: To arrive, extend, happen

the bottom
לְאַרְעִ֣ית (lə·’ar·‘îṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 773: The bottom

of the den,
גֻּבָּ֗א (gub·bā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 1358: A pit, den

the lions
אַרְיָ֣וָתָ֔א (’ar·yā·wā·ṯā)
Noun - masculine plural determinate
Strong's 744: A lion

overpowered
שְׁלִ֤טֽוּ (šə·li·ṭū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7981: To dominate, govern, to permit

them
בְהוֹן֙ (ḇə·hō·wn)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 0: 0

and crushed
הַדִּֽקוּ׃ (had·di·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1855: To be shattered, fall to pieces

all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

their bones.
גַּרְמֵיה֖וֹן (gar·mê·hō·wn)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1635: A bone

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OT Prophets: Daniel 6:24 The king commanded and they brought those (Dan. Da Dn)