Daniel 6:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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."

NIV: My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."

NASB: My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, since I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.'

CSB: My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm."

NLT: My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.'

KJV: My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

NKJV: My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

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."

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.

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.