King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:14 Mean?

Daniel 6:14 in the King James Version says “Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: ...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 6:14 · KJV

Context

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.

15

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

16

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Read Daniel 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The king's response reveals his character: '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.' Darius recognizes he's been manipulated. The phrase 'displeased with himself' shows appropriate self-blame—he signed the foolish decree. His efforts 'till the going down of the sun' demonstrate genuine care for Daniel and desperate search for legal loopholes. Yet even royal power cannot overcome the irrevocable law's constraints. This illustrates human authority's limitations—even well-meaning rulers can be trapped by unjust systems.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The irrevocable nature of Medo-Persian law meant even kings were bound by decrees once issued (cf. Esther 8:8). This differed from Babylonian practice giving kings more arbitrary power. Darius's day-long effort to find legal escape demonstrates both his regard for Daniel and frustration with rigid legal constraints. Ancient Near Eastern kings typically consulted legal advisors, religious specialists, and historical precedents seeking ways around legal difficulties. That sunset marked deadline suggests execution was scheduled for nightfall—increasing pressure on the king's desperate efforts.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Darius's frustrated efforts teach about human authority's limitations when constrained by unjust laws or circumstances?
  2. What does the king's displacement with himself teach about responsibility—we bear consequences for unwise commitments even when manipulated into them?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אֱדַ֨יִן1 of 19

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

מַלְכָּ֜א2 of 19

“the king”

H4430

a king

כְּדִ֧י3 of 19
H1768

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

מִלְּתָ֣א4 of 19

“these words”

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

שְׁמַ֗ע5 of 19

“when he heard”

H8086

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שַׂגִּיא֙6 of 19

“was sore”

H7690

large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)

בְּאֵ֣שׁ7 of 19

“displeased”

H888

to smell bad; figuratively, to be offensive morally

וְעַ֧ל8 of 19

“on”

H5922

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

וְעַ֧ל9 of 19

“on”

H5922

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

דָּנִיֵּ֛אל10 of 19

“Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

שָׂ֥ם11 of 19

“with himself and set”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בָּ֖ל12 of 19

“his heart”

H1079

properly, anxiety, i.e., (by implication) the heart (as its seat)

לְשֵׁיזָבוּתֵ֑הּ13 of 19

“to deliver”

H7804

to leave, i.e., (causatively) free

וְעַד֙14 of 19

“till”

H5705

until

מֶֽעָלֵ֣י15 of 19

“the going down”

H4606

(only in plural as singular) the setting (of the sun)

שִׁמְשָׁ֔א16 of 19

“of the sun”

H8122

the sun

הֲוָ֥א17 of 19

“him and he laboured”

H1934

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

מִשְׁתַּדַּ֖ר18 of 19
H7712

to endeavor

לְהַצָּלוּתֵֽהּ׃19 of 19

“to deliver”

H5338

to extricate

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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 6:26Matthew 27:17-24Daniel 3:132 Samuel 3:28-29John 19:7-12Luke 23:13-21

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