Daniel 6:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

NIV: So King Darius put the decree in writing.

NASB: Thereupon, King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

CSB: So King Darius signed the written edict.

NLT: So King Darius signed the law.

KJV: Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

NKJV: Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Darius fell for his officials' devious trick (Daniel 6:4–8). They approached him with an irrevocable law prohibiting all prayer unless directed to the king himself. Though the king had a high regard for Daniel (Daniel 6:1–3), he might not have understood what impact Daniel's faith would have on the situation. Perhaps his officials coming in a large group, claiming to have unanimous agreement on the plan, engendered Darius's trust in their advice and he failed to fully consider it. He must have been greatly flattered that his nobles honored him with such respect and loyalty. Perhaps pride made him neglect to think through all the consequences of the law, for Daniel or anyone else. Or maybe he wanted to please his officials and saw no immediate need to deny such a law. Clearly Darius did not intend to harm Daniel when he signed the law (Daniel 6:14–15).

Darius cast himself in the role of a god by demanding that he alone was to be the object of people's petitions. In this role he foreshadows another ruler—seen in the end times—who exalts himself above every god, including the only true God (Daniel 11:36–37; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Persian culture saw the king as an embodiment of the law, so certain kingly decrees could not be overturned. This becomes a problem for Darius once he realizes that his approval will condemn Daniel (Daniel 6:14–16).

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.