King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:17 Mean?

Daniel 6:17 in the King James Version says “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 si...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 6:17 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. instruments: or, table

19

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sealing of the den ensures no human intervention: '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.' The double seal (king's and lords') prevents anyone from secretly rescuing Daniel. Ironically, measures meant to ensure Daniel's death become evidence of God's supernatural deliverance. The phrase 'that the purpose might not be changed' shows human determination to enforce the unjust law. Yet God's purposes cannot be thwarted by sealed stones or human decrees.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern sealing practices used signet rings pressed into wax or clay to authenticate documents and secure closures. Breaking a royal seal constituted serious crime. The double seal (king and lords) meant witnesses who would verify any tampering. This parallels Jesus's tomb being sealed and guarded (Matthew 27:66)—human precautions meant to prevent deliverance actually validate the miracle when deliverance occurs. Archaeological discoveries include numerous ancient seals showing this practice was common.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do human attempts to prevent God's purposes often become the very means by which those purposes are validated?
  2. What does the double seal teach about how thoroughness of opposition magnifies the glory of divine deliverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהֵיתָ֙יִת֙1 of 17

“was brought”

H858

to come, to bring

אֶ֣בֶן2 of 17

“stone”

H69

a stone

חֲדָ֔ה3 of 17

“And a”

H2298

as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once

וְשֻׂמַ֖ת4 of 17

“and laid”

H7761

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

עַל5 of 17

“upon”

H5922

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

פֻּ֣ם6 of 17

“the mouth”

H6433

the mouth (literally or figuratively)

גֻּבָּ֑א7 of 17

“of the den”

H1358

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

וְחַתְמַ֨הּ8 of 17

“sealed”

H2857

to seal

מַלְכָּ֜א9 of 17

“and the king”

H4430

a king

וּבְעִזְקָת֙10 of 17

“and with the signet”

H5824

a signet-ring (as engraved)

וּבְעִזְקָת֙11 of 17

“and with the signet”

H5824

a signet-ring (as engraved)

רַבְרְבָנ֔וֹהִי12 of 17

“of his lords”

H7261

a magnate

דִּ֛י13 of 17
H1768

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

לָא14 of 17

“might not”

H3809

no, not

תִשְׁנֵ֥א15 of 17

“be changed”

H8133

to alter

צְב֖וּ16 of 17

“that the purpose”

H6640

properly, will; concretely, an affair (as a matter of determination)

בְּדָנִיֵּֽאל׃17 of 17

“concerning Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

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 6:17 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 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:53Acts 12:4Acts 16:23-24Matthew 27:60-66

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