King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:22 Mean?

Daniel 6:22 in the King James Version says “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocen...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

Daniel 6:22 · KJV

Context

20

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

21

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

22

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

23

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

24

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase "My God hath sent his angel" reveals Daniel's recognition that supernatural intervention, not natural circumstances, preserved his life. Many Reformed scholars see this as another Christophany—the pre-incarnate Christ (the Angel of the Lord) acting as covenant protector. "Hath shut the lions' mouths" uses language suggesting complete, miraculous restraint—the lions' natural predatory instincts were divinely suppressed.

Daniel attributes this to dual innocence: "forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me" refers to his innocence before God—he maintained covenant faithfulness and righteous living. "And also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt" asserts his innocence of any genuine crime against Darius—his only "offense" was worshiping God.

Theologically, this passage teaches: (1) God sovereignly protects His servants according to His purposes; (2) genuine innocence and righteousness matter in God's economy; (3) God's miraculous interventions testify to His reality before unbelievers. Daniel's deliverance prefigures Christ's resurrection—just as God shut the lions' mouths, He closed death's jaws, delivering Christ and all believers from eternal judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After Daniel's arrest, King Darius reluctantly cast him into the lions' den, a common Persian execution method. Archaeological evidence confirms Persian use of large pits containing multiple lions. The sealing of the den's stone entrance with the king's signet (Daniel 6:17) prevented tampering, making Daniel's survival indisputably miraculous.

The subsequent execution of Daniel's accusers by the same lions—who "brake all their bones in pieces" before reaching the den's floor (Daniel 6:24)—proved the lions were naturally dangerous, not tame. This detail answers skeptics while demonstrating divine judgment on those who manipulated justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Daniel's testimony that his innocence before both God and human authority led to deliverance challenge your understanding of suffering and vindication?
  2. What does God's miraculous intervention for Daniel teach about His sovereignty over nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
אֱלָהִ֞י1 of 21

“My God”

H426

god

שְׁלַ֣ח2 of 21

“hath sent”

H7972

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מַלְאֲכֵ֗הּ3 of 21

“his angel”

H4398

an angel

וּֽסֲגַ֛ר4 of 21

“and hath shut”

H5463

to close

פֻּ֥ם5 of 21

“mouths”

H6433

the mouth (literally or figuratively)

אַרְיָוָתָ֖א6 of 21

“the lions”

H744

a lion

לָ֥א7 of 21

“no”

H3809

no, not

חַבְּל֑וּנִי8 of 21

“hurt”

H2255

to ruin

כָּל9 of 21

“me forasmuch as”

H3606

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

קֳבֵ֗ל10 of 21
H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דִּ֤י11 of 21
H1768

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

קָֽדָמָיךְ֙12 of 21

“before”

H6925

before

זָכוּ֙13 of 21

“him innocency”

H2136

purity

הִשְׁתְּכַ֣חַת14 of 21

“was found”

H7912

to discover (literally or figuratively)

לִ֔י15 of 21
H0
וְאַ֤ף16 of 21

“in me and also”

H638

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

קָֽדָמָיךְ֙17 of 21

“before”

H6925

before

מַלְכָּ֔א18 of 21

“thee O king”

H4430

a king

חֲבוּלָ֖ה19 of 21

“hurt”

H2248

properly, overthrown, i.e., (morally) crime

לָ֥א20 of 21

“no”

H3809

no, not

עַבְדֵֽת׃21 of 21

“have I done”

H5648

to do, make, prepare, keep, etc

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 6:22 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 6:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 4:17Hebrews 11:33Acts 12:11Psalms 91:11-13Acts 24:16Psalms 84:11

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