King James Version

What Does Daniel 6:25 Mean?

Daniel 6:25 in the King James Version says “Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto yo... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Daniel 6:25 · KJV


Context

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.

25

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

26

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

27

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. power: Cald. hand


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Darius issues a decree acknowledging God's supremacy: 'I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.' The universal scope ('every dominion') shows empire-wide proclamation. The attributes—'living God,' 'stedfast for ever,' 'kingdom that shall not be destroyed,' 'dominion...unto the end'—comprise sophisticated theology remarkably similar to biblical monotheism. This decree provides testimony to God's character throughout the Persian Empire.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Persian royal decrees were disseminated throughout the vast empire in multiple languages (cf. Esther 8:9). This decree would have reached from India to Ethiopia, providing witness to Yahweh's power among Gentile nations. The theology rivals biblical proclamations—God's eternal kingdom, unchanging nature, and universal dominion. Whether Darius experienced genuine conversion or merely acknowledged Yahweh's power while maintaining polytheism remains unclear, but the decree's content advances God's purposes regardless of the king's personal faith state.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use dramatic deliverances to create testimony that reaches far beyond the immediate situation?
  2. What does Darius's decree teach about how God can use even pagan rulers to proclaim His character and advance His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
בֵּאדַ֜יִן1 of 14

Then

H116

then (of time)

דָּרְיָ֣וֶשׁ2 of 14

Darius

H1868

darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings

מַלְכָּ֗א3 of 14

king

H4430

a king

כְּ֠תַב4 of 14

wrote

H3790

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּכָל5 of 14

in all

H3606

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

עַֽמְמַיָּ֞א6 of 14

people

H5972

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֻמַיָּ֧א7 of 14

nations

H524

a collection, i.e., community of persons

וְלִשָּׁנַיָּ֛א8 of 14

and languages

H3961

speech, i.e., a nation

דִּֽי9 of 14
H1768

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

דָאְרִ֥ין10 of 14

that dwell

H1753

to reside

בְּכָל11 of 14

in all

H3606

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

אַרְעָ֖א12 of 14

the earth

H772

the earth; by implication (figuratively) low

שְׁלָמְכ֥וֹן13 of 14

Peace

H8001

prosperity

יִשְׂגֵּֽא׃14 of 14

be multiplied

H7680

to increase


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 6:25 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 6:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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