Daniel 6:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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."

NIV: Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, "Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."

NASB: Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, 'Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.'

CSB: Then these men went together to the king and said to him, "You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed."

NLT: In the evening the men went together to the king and said, 'Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.'

KJV: Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

NKJV: Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may 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, 12 16).

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.

Babylon's new ruler organizes his territory under 120 satraps and three governors. He intends to make Daniel the most powerful of these, but jealous rivals develop a plot. Knowing Daniel's only "weakness" is loyalty to God, they trick the king into passing an irrevocable law banning prayer. Daniel knows about the law but chooses obedience to God rather than to men. Darius is anguished yet he dutifully follows the law. When Daniel miraculously survives a night in a den full of lions, Darius is elated. He condemns the conspirators to death, and the same lions tear them apart. Darius then proclaims honor on behalf of Daniel's God.

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.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.