So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, "O King Darius, may you live forever! So the administrators and satraps went togetherThis phrase highlights the unity and collaboration among the officials against Daniel. The Hebrew root for "administrators" (אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא, 'achashdarpanayya) and "satraps" (סָֽגְדִין, sagdin) indicates high-ranking officials in the Persian Empire. Historically, these roles were crucial in maintaining the king's authority across vast territories. Their coming "together" suggests a premeditated conspiracy, reflecting the political intrigue and jealousy that Daniel faced due to his exceptional qualities and favor with the king. to the king
The reference to "the king" underscores the central authority of King Darius in the narrative. In the historical context, Darius the Mede is depicted as a ruler who inherited a complex administrative system. The officials' approach to the king signifies their recognition of his ultimate power to enact laws and decrees, which they intended to manipulate for their purposes. and said, 'O King Darius, may you live forever!'
This phrase is a customary greeting in ancient Near Eastern royal courts, expressing loyalty and reverence. The Aramaic expression (לְמַלְכָּא דָּרְיָוֶשׁ חֱיִי לְעָלְמִין, lemalka dareyawesh chayi le'almin) is both a formal salutation and a strategic move to flatter the king, setting the stage for their request. It reflects the cultural norms of addressing royalty with honor, while also hinting at the officials' ulterior motives. This greeting serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power compared to God's eternal sovereignty, a recurring theme in the Book of Daniel. Persons / Places / Events 1. Administrators and SatrapsThese were high-ranking officials in the Medo-Persian Empire. They were responsible for governance and administration, and in this context, they conspired against Daniel due to jealousy and political maneuvering. 2. King DariusThe ruler of the Medo-Persian Empire at the time. He is portrayed as a king who is manipulated by his officials, leading to the decree that endangers Daniel. 3. DanielA faithful servant of God and a high-ranking official in the kingdom. Known for his integrity and devotion to God, Daniel becomes the target of a plot by the other officials. 4. Medo-Persian EmpireThe setting of this event, a powerful empire that succeeded Babylon. The political structure included a king, administrators, and satraps. 5. The DecreeThe event revolves around a decree that the administrators and satraps persuade King Darius to sign, which forbids prayer to anyone except the king for thirty days, directly targeting Daniel's faithfulness to God. Teaching Points Integrity in AdversityDaniel's unwavering commitment to God, even when faced with a life-threatening decree, teaches us the importance of maintaining our integrity and faithfulness in challenging circumstances. The Power of PrayerDespite the decree, Daniel continues his practice of prayer, demonstrating the vital role of prayer in sustaining our relationship with God and providing strength in trials. God's SovereigntyThe account illustrates God's control over human affairs. Despite the schemes of the officials, God's plan for Daniel prevails, reminding us of His ultimate authority. Courage to Stand AloneDaniel's willingness to stand alone in his faith encourages us to be bold in our convictions, even when we face opposition or are in the minority. The Influence of Godly CharacterDaniel's character and faithfulness eventually lead to a testimony of God's power and faithfulness, influencing even King Darius. Bible Study Questions 1. How do the actions of the administrators and satraps reflect the challenges Christians might face in today's world when standing for their faith? 2. In what ways can Daniel's response to the decree inspire us to prioritize our relationship with God over societal pressures? 3. How does the account of Daniel in the lion's den encourage us to trust in God's protection and deliverance? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate integrity and faithfulness in our daily lives, as Daniel did? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Daniel 6 to situations where we might be tempted to compromise our beliefs for the sake of conformity or acceptance? Connections to Other Scriptures Daniel 3The account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who also faced persecution for their faith, parallels Daniel's situation. Both accounts highlight the theme of faithfulness to God in the face of governmental pressure. Acts 5:29The apostles' declaration to obey God rather than men connects to Daniel's decision to continue praying despite the king's decree. Psalm 37:12-13This passage speaks of the wicked plotting against the righteous, which mirrors the actions of the administrators and satraps against Daniel. People Cyrus, Daniel, Darius, PersiansPlaces Babylon, JerusalemTopics Ages, Agreement, Assembled, Body, Captains, Chief, Commissioners, Darius, Follows, Forever, Group, O, Presidents, Princes, Rulers, Satraps, Saying, Spoke, Thus, TumultuouslyDictionary of Bible Themes Daniel 6:1-16 6126 condemnation, human Daniel 6:2-7 4065 orderliness Daniel 6:3-9 8800 prejudice Daniel 6:3-14 7515 anti-semitism Daniel 6:4-7 5589 trap Daniel 6:6-7 5327 governors Daniel 6:6-10 5931 resistance Library A Tribute from Enemies
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.'--DANIEL vi. 5. Daniel was somewhere about ninety years old when he was cast to the lions. He had been for many years the real governor of the whole empire; and, of course, in such a position had incurred much hatred and jealousy. He was a foreigner and a worshipper of another God, and therefore was all the more unpopular, as a Brahmin would be in England if he were …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureFaith Stopping the Mouths of Lions
'Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, He will deliver thee. 17. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Story of the Fiery Furnace
There was in the land of Judah a wicked king-named Jehoiakim, son of the good Josiah. While Jehoiakim was ruling over the land of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, a great conqueror of the nations, came from Babylon with his army of Chaldean soldiers. He took the city of Jerusalem, and made Jehoiakim promise to submit to him as his master. And when he went back to his own land he took with him all the gold and silver that he could find in the Temple; and he carried away as captives very many of the princes …
Logan Marshall—The Wonder Book of Bible Stories The Jordan: the Decisive Start. Matthew 3:13-17. Mark 1:9-1Luke
3:21-22. The Anvil of Experience: knowledge only through experience--the Fourth, Daniel 3:25.--three Hebrews, Daniel 3.--Babylonian premier, Daniel 6:16-23.--George Mueller--Jesus made perfect through experience, Hebrews 2:10. 5:8, 9. 7:28, l.c.--all our experiences, Hebrews 2:14-18. Philippians 2:7. Hebrews 4:15, except through sin, Hebrews 4:15, l.c. 7:26. 2 Corinthians 5:21, f.c. 1 Peter 2:22. 1 John 3:5, l.c.--Jesus' suffering, Philippians 2:6-8. Hebrews 2:9, 17, 18. 4:15. His obedience, Luke …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Early Ministry in Judea
113. We owe to the fourth gospel our knowledge of the fact that Jesus began his general ministry in Jerusalem. The silence of the other records concerning this beginning cannot discredit the testimony of John. For these other records themselves indicate in various ways that Jesus had repeatedly sought to win Jerusalem before his final visit at the end of his life (compare Luke xiii. 34; Matt. xxiii. 37). Moreover, the fourth gospel is confirmed by the probability, rising almost to necessity, that …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Daniel 6:6 NIVDaniel 6:6 NLTDaniel 6:6 ESVDaniel 6:6 NASBDaniel 6:6 KJV
Daniel 6:6 Commentaries
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