King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:12 Mean?

Daniel 6:12 in the King James Version says “Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every m... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Daniel 6:12 · KJV


Context

10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime .

11

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

12

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

13

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

14

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The accusers remind the king of his decree before mentioning Daniel: 'Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.' They secure the king's reaffirmation of the law before revealing Daniel's violation. This tactical sequence traps the king—having confirmed the law's irrevocability, he cannot now make exception. The phrase 'altereth not' will haunt Darius throughout the chapter.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Persian legal tradition's emphasis on unchangeable law served governmental stability—citizens could trust laws wouldn't be arbitrarily modified. Yet this rigidity created problems when laws were unjust or circumstances changed. The lion's den as punishment method was documented in ancient Near East. Lions were sometimes kept for royal hunts or as symbols of power. Archaeological evidence from Persian sites shows lion motifs prominently featured in royal iconography. The conspiracy's sophistication shows court officials' understanding of legal and psychological manipulation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the conspirators' tactical sequence warn about manipulation techniques that secure commitment before revealing full implications?
  2. What does the unchangeable law's trap teach about how rigid legal systems can create injustice when good laws are manipulated for evil purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 40 words
בֵּ֠אדַיִן1 of 40

Then

H116

then (of time)

קְרִ֨בוּ2 of 40

they came near

H7127

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

וְאָמַ֗ר3 of 40

and said

H560

to speak, to command

קֳדָם4 of 40

before

H6925

before

מַלְכָּ֜א5 of 40

The king

H4430

a king

עַל6 of 40

concerning

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֱסָ֣ר7 of 40

a decree

H633

an interdict

מַלְכָּ֜א8 of 40

The king

H4430

a king

לָ֥א9 of 40

Hast thou not

H3809

no, not

אֱסָ֣ר10 of 40

a decree

H633

an interdict

רְשַׁ֗מְתָּ11 of 40

signed

H7560

to record

דִּ֣י12 of 40
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

כָּל13 of 40

any

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וֶֽאֱנָ֜שׁ14 of 40

man

H606

a man

דִּֽי15 of 40
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

יִבְעֵא֩16 of 40

that shall ask

H1156

to seek or ask

מִנָּ֣ךְ17 of 40

a petition of

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

כָּל18 of 40

any

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֱלָ֨הּ19 of 40

God

H426

god

וֶֽאֱנָ֜שׁ20 of 40

man

H606

a man

עַד21 of 40

within

H5705

until

יוֹמִ֣ין22 of 40

days

H3118

a day

תְּלָתִ֗ין23 of 40

thirty

H8533

ten times three

לָהֵן֙24 of 40

save

H3861

therefore; also except

מִנָּ֣ךְ25 of 40

a petition of

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

מַלְכָּ֜א26 of 40

The king

H4430

a king

יִתְרְמֵ֕א27 of 40

shall be cast

H7412

to throw, set, (figuratively) assess

לְג֖וֹב28 of 40

into the den

H1358

a pit (for wild animals) (as cut out)

אַרְיָותָ֑א29 of 40

of lions

H744

a lion

עָנֵ֨ה30 of 40

answered

H6032

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מַלְכָּ֜א31 of 40

The king

H4430

a king

וְאָמַ֗ר32 of 40

and said

H560

to speak, to command

יַצִּיבָ֧א33 of 40

is true

H3330

fixed, sure; concretely, certainty

מִלְּתָ֛א34 of 40

The thing

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

כְּדָת35 of 40

according to the law

H1882

a royal edict or statute

מָדַ֥י36 of 40

of the Medes

H4076

madai, a country of central asia

וּפָרַ֖ס37 of 40

and Persians

H6540

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

דִּי38 of 40
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

לָ֥א39 of 40

Hast thou not

H3809

no, not

תֶעְדֵּֽא׃40 of 40

which altereth

H5709

to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 6:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 6:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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