Daniel 6:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions."

NIV: He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

NASB: He rescues, saves, and performs signs and miracles In heaven and on earth, He who has also rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.'

CSB: He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."

NLT: He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.'

KJV: He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

NKJV: He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from 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).

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.