Study notes

Daniel 6

Introducing DanielWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:1–6:28

This section contains stories and dreams from the experiences of Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Daniel used his special gift to understand dreams and showed great skill in the study of literature and science (Daniel 1:17). Chapter 2 provides a broad overview of history until God's kingdom appears (Daniel 2:44–49). Daniel 3–6 describes the fall of Babylon and the rise of Persia. History is moving toward a clear goal. That goal is the everlasting kingdom of God (Daniel 2:44; 4:2–3, 34; 6:26).

6:1–28

God saved and freed his loyal servant Daniel (Daniel 5:23; 6:20), but Belshazzar's lifeless gods could not help him.

6:1–28 Section

Jeremiah had given advice to Jews living in exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:4–7). Daniel followed that advice. He worked hard for the success of the city where he was living in exile. God gave him success in his work.

Daniel was a leader over many rulers in Babylonia. The other leaders and rulers were jealous of him. The law about only praying to Darius the Mede was a trap to harm Daniel. This wasn’t the same ruler called Darius mentioned in the book of Ezra. But Daniel continued to be faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. He continued to pray only to God. The room where he prayed faced the direction of Jerusalem.

Solomon had talked about praying in the direction of the temple (1 Kings 8:48–49). God’s people who lived far away from Jerusalem could do that. It would help them be sure that God heard their prayers and would help them. Praying to God meant that Daniel would be put to death for not obeying Darius. Darius didn’t want Daniel to be harmed. But he followed the law that he had made. He ordered that Daniel be put to death.

Darius was very happy that what he ordered didn’t happen. God sent an angel to protect Daniel. This showed Darius that the God of Daniel had more power than he did. Darius understood that Daniel’s God had complete power on earth and in heaven.

6:2

  • The king appointed three administrators to oversee the entire territory.

  • so that the king would not suffer loss: They needed to be completely trustworthy to prevent rebels from threatening the empire.

6:3–5

Daniel's integrity was beyond question, and his abilities were unmatched. The envious administrators targeted his strongest point, his faithful worship of God. Daniel was about 80 to 85 years old at this time. He had lived an exemplary life in Babylon.

6:7

  • the king should establish an ordinance: The request seemed to appeal to truth and justice, but it actually targeted the king’s pride with hidden motives (Daniel 6:4–5).

  • We already know that Daniel would not disobey God's law to follow a human command (compare Daniel 1:5–8; 3:4–12).

6:8

cannot be changed … cannot be repealed: Compare Esther 1:19. Human laws do not last forever, but God's law does (Psalms 93:5; 119:152). This devotion to established laws was a key feature of the Persian Empire. Over time, the large number of laws made the government so complex that it could no longer work well.

6:10–11

  • just as he had done before: Daniel's regular prayer time helped him worship God daily.

  • Jerusalem was God's chosen city (1 Kings 11:36). Even though the temple was gone, forgetting Jerusalem was unthinkable (Psalm 137:5–6). Someday, the temple would be rebuilt (Isaiah 2:2–4; 44:28).

6:14

  • The king had not considered all the consequences of signing the law.

  • deeply distressed: Or very angry because he felt tricked. He did not want to execute his best servant.

6:16

The king was trapped by the officials and had to enforce the law. However, he respected Daniel's honesty in worshiping his God (compare Daniel 3:15; 6:20).

6:17

his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles: Sealing the lions' den with multiple seals made a secret rescue impossible. The king and officials could not open the den without breaking the seals and alerting others.

6:18

The king fasted all night. He mourned his actions and hoped Daniel's God would save him. He could not sleep, knowing Daniel was innocent and noble.

6:19

At the first light of dawn: This means the earliest possible hour of the day.

6:20

  • has your God … been able: There was no doubt that Daniel had served God faithfully. So, if God did not rescue him, it would have shown the king that God could not do so.

  • living God: The king likely knew what Daniel’s God had done during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. The term living God is used in the Bible to compare the Lord with lifeless idols (see, for example, Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; Isaiah 37:17–18).

6:21–22

My God sent his angel: The law of the Medes and Persians was powerless. God can protect his loyal servant and his own reputation.

6:25–27

King Darius wrote: Like Nebuchadnezzar before him (compare Daniel 3:28–29; 4:34–37), the current ruler of the civilized world declared to all his subjects that Daniel's God is alive, powerful, and has an eternal kingdom.

6:27

He delivers and rescues … He has rescued Daniel: This proclamation moves from the general to the specific. Daniel was a specific example of God’s rescuing power. God continues to act on behalf of his people, just as he has always done.

6:28

the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian: Or the reign of Darius, which means the reign of Cyrus the Persian. This use of "and" is common in Aramaic. Many believe Cyrus and Darius were the same person (see study note on Daniel 5:31).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources