Daniel 6:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God."

NIV: Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."

NASB: Then these men said, 'We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him regarding the law of his God.'

CSB: Then these men said, "We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God."

NLT: So they concluded, 'Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

During Daniel's life, he demonstrated invincible trust and loyalty towards the Lord God (Daniel 1:8, 17, 20). Apparently, he was also very public and open about his faith. When a new ruler took over Babylon, Daniel's reputation remained untarnished. Daniel distinguished himself by his skill as well as his moral integrity (Daniel 6:1–3). Jealous rivals searched for some flaw they could use to bring Daniel down but found nothing (Daniel 6:4). Their plan is as simple as it is evil: making it illegal to honor God.

The high officials and satraps realized the only way to create conflict between Daniel and Baylon was to make him choose between the laws of the land and his faith (Acts 5:29). Persian religion venerated Ormazd, Ahriman, and fire, earth, wind, and water. However, Daniel worshiped only the one true God. The question here does not seem to be whether Daniel would compromise his faith. Rather, these men are absolutely convinced Daniel will worship his God, no matter the cost.

The New Testament exhorts believers to resist the temptation to be squeezed into the mold of the worldly system (Romans 12:2). Instead, believers ought to "be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation," shining as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

Daniel 6:1–9 follows the demise of the Chaldean king Belshazzar (Daniel 5:30–31). Darius the Mede eventually became the ruler of Babylon and the king of the new empire, Medo-Persia. He placed three officials, including Daniel, in charge of 120 satraps. This passage forms a link between Daniel's appointment and his sentence to die in a den of lions. The rest of the chapter explains how Daniel came into—and through—this predicament.

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.