King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:15 Mean?

Daniel 6:15 in the King James Version says “Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is,...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 6:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Read Daniel 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After discovering Daniel's condemnation and spending the day seeking his deliverance (v. 14), Darius faces renewed pressure from conspirators: "assembled unto the king" uses language suggesting coordinated, forceful approach. Their reminder "the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed" weaponizes legal tradition against the king's desires, binding him to enforce his own regretted decree.

The emphatic repetition—the third mention of law's irrevocability (vv. 8, 12, 15)—drives home the trap's effectiveness. The conspirators recognize Darius's reluctance and pressure him to fulfill legal obligations despite personal wishes. Their insistence demonstrates both their malice toward Daniel and determination to prevent royal clemency. Evil often displays relentless persistence in pursuing the righteous's destruction, while Providence works through circumstances to accomplish ultimate deliverance.

This confrontation reveals the tension between earthly authority and divine sovereignty. Darius, the most powerful ruler on earth, is powerless to save one righteous man due to his own foolish decree. Yet God, working through these very constraints, will deliver Daniel miraculously, demonstrating power over both human law and natural order. This points to Christ, condemned by legal procedure yet vindicated by resurrection—human systems cannot thwart divine purposes (Acts 2:23-24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The conspirators' renewed assembly suggests they watched Darius throughout the day, ready to prevent any attempt to circumvent the decree. Ancient Near Eastern court politics involved constant surveillance, factional maneuvering, and exploitation of legal mechanisms. Once having entrapped the king, they pressed their advantage relentlessly, ensuring he couldn't find legal escape.

The emphasis on unchangeable law reflects Persian legal philosophy where royal stability depended on decree permanence. This cultural value, generally protecting subjects from arbitrary authority, becomes here an instrument of injustice. The incident demonstrates how cultural strengths can be weaponized—every human system contains vulnerabilities that evil can exploit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the conspirators' relentless pressure illustrate evil's persistence in pursuing the righteous, and how should this shape expectations about facing opposition?
  2. What does Darius's powerlessness despite absolute authority teach about human systems' ultimate inability to thwart God's purposes?
  3. How does Christ's condemnation through legal procedure yet vindication through resurrection provide hope when facing persecution through corrupted systems?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בֵּאדַ֙יִן֙1 of 23

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

גֻּבְרַיָּ֣א2 of 23

“men”

H1400

a person

אִלֵּ֔ךְ3 of 23

“these”

H479

these

הַרְגִּ֖שׁוּ4 of 23

“assembled”

H7284

to gather tumultuously

עַל5 of 23

“unto”

H5922

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

מַלְכָּ֥א6 of 23

“O king”

H4430

a king

וְאָמְרִ֣ין7 of 23

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

מַלְכָּ֥א8 of 23

“O king”

H4430

a king

דַּ֤ע9 of 23

“Know”

H3046

to inform

מַלְכָּ֥א10 of 23

“O king”

H4430

a king

דִּֽי11 of 23
H1768

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

דָת֙12 of 23

“that the law”

H1882

a royal edict or statute

לְמָדַ֣י13 of 23

“of the Medes”

H4076

madai, a country of central asia

וּפָרַ֔ס14 of 23

“and Persians”

H6540

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

דִּֽי15 of 23
H1768

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

כָל16 of 23

“is That no”

H3606

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

אֱסָ֥ר17 of 23

“decree”

H633

an interdict

וּקְיָ֛ם18 of 23

“nor statute”

H7010

an edict (as arising in law)

דִּֽי19 of 23
H1768

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

מַלְכָּ֥א20 of 23

“O king”

H4430

a king

יְהָקֵ֖ים21 of 23

“establisheth”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לָ֥א22 of 23
H3809

no, not

לְהַשְׁנָיָֽה׃23 of 23

“may be changed”

H8133

to alter

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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 6:12Psalms 94:20-21Esther 8:8Daniel 6:8

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