VERSE 1 It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom (at'Wkl.m;-lk'B. !wOh/l, yDI !yrIf.[,w> ha'm. aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a]l; at'Wkl.m;-l[; ~yqih]w: vw<y"r>D' ~d'q\ rp;v. [peal perf.3m.s. shepar be fair, be appropriate; "seemed good" + part qadam before + proper noun abs. Darius + waw w/haphel perf.3m.s qum arise, stand; "appoint" + prep al over + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.w/art. achashadarpenin satraps + adj.m.s.abs. men-a one hundred + waw w/adj.m.s.abs. esrin twenty + peal impf.3m.p. hawa become" would be" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom]),

VERSE 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one) (!AhN>mi-dx; laYEnId' yDI at'l'T. !ykir>s' !AhN>mi aL'[ew> [waw w/adv ella above, over + prep w/3m.s.suff. min from; "them" + noun m.p.abs. sarak overseer + adj.m.s.abs. telat three + rel di + noun proper abs. Daniel + adj.m.s.abs. chad one + prep min w/3m.s.suff.]), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss [qzIn" awEh/l,-al' aK'l.m;W am'[.j; !Ahl. !ybih]y" !yLeai aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a] !wOh/l,-yDI [rel di + peal impf3m.p. hawa become; "might be" + noun m.p.w/art. achashadarpenin + adj.p.abs. illen these + peal part.m.p.abs. yehab give; "might be" + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + noun m.s.w/art. te-em taste; "accountable" + waw w/noun m.s.w/art. melek king + neg la + peal impf.3m.s. hawa "might" + peal part.m.s.abs. nezaq suffer injury]).

VERSE 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit (HBe ar'yTiy: x;Wr yDI lbeq\-lK' aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a]w: aY"k;r>s'-l[; xC;n:t.mi aw"h] hn"D> laYEnID' !yId;a/ [adv edayn then + proper noun Daniel + adj.m.s.abs. denah this + peal perf.3m.s. hawa become; "began" + hithpaal part.m.s.abs. nesach distinguish oneself + prep al "among" + noun m.p.w/art. sarak overseer + waw w/noun m.p.w/art. achashadarpenin satraps + noun m.s.constr. kol + prep dobel before + rel di = "because" + noun both s.abs. ruach spirit + adj.f.s.abs. yattir surpassing + prep beth w/3m.s.suff., and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom (at'Wkl.m;-lK'-l[; HteWmq'h]l; tyvi[] aK'l.m;W [waw w/noun m.s.w/art. melek king + peal qal pass part.m.s.abs. ashith think, plan + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.const.w/3m.s.suff. qum rise "appoint" + prep al over + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-3

1. Daniel reports on the organization of the territory of the Babylonian realms by Darius in the wake of the fall of Babylon to the Persians.
2. Darius appointed 120 administrators ("satraps") over the lands that fell to Persia.
3. Herodotus mentioned 20 "satraps" chosen by Darius (3:89-94) in his listing major districts composed of smaller regions (e.g., the fifth satrapy included Phoenicia, Palestine, Syria and Cyprus).
4. Here in Daniel the 120 "satraps" must have been in charge of all the smaller subdivisions.
5. But over all of these there were three "governors" (sarekin, v.2), of whom Daniel was chairman.
6. In view of Daniel’s accurate prediction at Belshazzar’s banquet, it was only natural that he would have been a candidate for a rulership position in the new Empire.
7. His long experience and wide acquaintance with the Babylonian realms made him an exceptional candidate.
8. After a short time it became evident that he had very exceptional knowledge and skill; and so he was promoted to the position of Prime Minister.
9. This position was even greater than his chairmanship over the 3 ministers of v.2.
10. His public service was such that he stood out above all the high officials ("governors and satraps" of v.3) and so Darius made plans to set "him over the whole realm."
11. This would put him in the third position of authority in the Medo-Persian Empire (behind Cyrus the Persian and Darius (Gubaru) the Mede and Daniel the Hebrew)!

VERSE 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs (at'Wkl.m; dC;mi laYEnId'l. hx'K'v.h;l. hL'[i !yI[;b' Awh] aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a]w: aY"k;r>s' !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + noun m.p.w/art sarak overseer (2 men) + waw w/noun m.p.w/art achashadarpenin satrap (120) + peal perf.3m.p. hawa come to pass; "began" + peal part.m.p.abs. bera ask, make petition; "ground" + noun f.s.abs. illah matter; "accusation" + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. shakach forget; "to find" + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + prep min from w/noun m.s.abs. tsad side; "in regard" + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom; "government affairs"]; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption [lbeq\-lK' hx'K'v.h;l. !ylik.y"-al' ht'yxiv.W hL'[i-lk'w> [waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + noun f.s.abs. illah matter, affair; "ground of accusation" waw w/peal pass.f.s.abs. shechat corrupt; "evidence of corruption" + neg la + peal part.m.p.abs. yekil be able; "could" + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. shakach forget; "find"], inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him [yhiAl[] tx;k;T.v.hi al' ht'yxiv.W Wlv'-lk'w> aWh !m;yhem.-yDI lbeq\-lK' [noun m.s.constr. kol + part qabel befoe + rel di + "inasmuch as" + haphel pass.part.m.s.abs. aman believe/trust in; "was faithful" + pro.3m.s. hu he + waw w/noun m.s.constr. all; "no" + noun f.s.abs. shalu failure; "negligence" + waw w/peal pass.part.m.s.abs. shechath corrupt + neg lo + hithpeel perf.3f.s. shckach forget; "was found" + prep al w/3m.s.suff. "in him"]).

VERSE 5 Then these men said, "We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God (Hhel'a/ td'B. yhiAl[] hn"x.K;v.h; !hel' aL'[i-lK' hn"D> laYEnId'l. xK;v.h;n> al' yDI !yrIm.a' %Leai aY"r;b.GU !yId;a/ [adv deayin then + noun m.p.w/art. gebar man + adj.p.abs. illek these + peal part.m.p.abs. amar say + rel di + neg. la + haphel impf.1c.p. shakach forget; "find" + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + adj.m.s.abs. denah this + noun m.s.constr. kol "any" + noun f.s.abs. illah matter; "ground" + conj lahen "unless" + haphel perf.1c.p. shakach forget; "find" + prep al w/3m.s.suff. against + prep beth w/noun f.s.abs. dat decree; "law" + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. elah God]) ."

Analysis: Verses 4-5

1. "The administrators" (sarekayya, from sarak, "high official") and "satraps" tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs [lit., "the kingdom"].
2. This involved 122 men if we conclude that all the satraps were in on the attempt to discredit Daniel.
3. Daniel became the object of envy and hatred just because he was a Jew and not a member of the master race [Persians and Medes].
4. They did not take kindly to the elevation of a Jew to the position of prime minister of the empire (cf. v.3).
5. To be sure King Cyrus had looked favorably on the request of the Jews for release and had already issued the decree cited in Ezra 1:2-4 (which is dated in Ezra 1:1 as the "first year of Cyrus king of Perisa," i.e., 539 BC).
6. But even this improvement in the status of the exiled Jews did not erase the shame of their deportation in the days of Nebuchadnezzar.
7. Though they were the objects of Cyrus’s charityperhaps in compliance with Isaiah’s remarkable predictions (cf. Isa.44:28-45:4)they were nevertheless considered an inferior race, especially by their conquerors.
8. The elevation of a Jew to the place of prime minister was so upsetting that they made an investigation of Daniel’s management of public affairs.
9. Surely there was some sort of chicanery they could accuse him of, some shady dealings that marred his performance.
10. But all they investigations proved fruitless.
11. Daniel’s integrity was beyond question.
12. What were his rivals going to do?
13. The only way to get at Daniel was to put him in a situation where he had to choose between obedience to his God and obedience to the state.
14. Daniel a strict monotheist would never make any concessions to idolatry (cf. chap. 3).
15. But Persian had no law against monotheism.
16. Somehow a new statute had to be devised that would seem politically useful to Darius but would bring Daniel into conflict with the law of the Medes and the Persians.
17. At this point Daniel becomes the object of a conspiracy fostered by the top administrators of the Persian Empire.
18. Sometimes when people cannot get what they want through legitimate means they resort to the "C" word.

VERSE 6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever (yyIx/ !ymil.['l. aK'l.m; vw<y"r>D' Hle !yrIm.a' !kew> aK'l.m;-l[; WvGIr>h; !Leai aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a]w: aY"k;r>s' !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + noun m.p.w/art. sarak overseer + waw w/noun m.p.w/art. ahashadarpenin satraps + adj.p.abs. illen these + haphel perf.3m.p. regash be in turmoil; "came by agreement" + prep al w/noun m.s.w/art. melek king + waw w/adv ken thus; "as follows" + peal part.m.p.abs. amar say + prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + proper noun Darius + noun m.s.w/art. melek king + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.abs. alam perpetuity; "forever" + peal imper.m.s. haya live])!

VERSE 7 "All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together (at'w"x]p;W aY"r;b.D'h; aY"n:P.r>D;v.x;a]w: aY"n:g>si at'Wkl.m; yker>s' lKo Wj[;y"t.ai [ithpaal perf.3m.p. ye-at advise; "have consulted together" + noun m.s.abs. kol all + noun m.p.constr. sarak commissioner [2] plus Daniel = [3] + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + noun m.p.w/art. segan prefect + waw w/noun m.p.w/art. ahashadarpenin satraps +noun m.p.w/art. haddabar counselor; "high officials" + waw w/noun m.p.w/art. pecha governor] that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den [at'w"y"r>a; bgOl. amer>t.yI aK'l.m; %N"mi !hel' !ytil'T. !ymiAy-d[; vn"a/w< Hl'a/-lK'-!mi W[b' h[eb.yI-yDI-lk' yDI rs'a/ hp'Q't;l.W aK'l.m; ~y"q. hm'Y"q;l. [prep lamedh w/pael infin.constr. qayyam enduring; "that…should establish" + noun m.s.abs. qeyam statute + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/prep lamedh w/pael infin.constr. teqep grow strong; "enforce" + noun m.s.abs. esar decree of restriction; "injunction" + rel di + noun m.s.constr. kol all + rel di + peal impf.3m.s. be-a make (petition) + noun f.s.abs. ba-u petition + prep min + kol any + noun m.s.abs. elah god + waw w/noun m.s.abs. anash man + prep ad until; "for" + noun m.p.abs. yom day + adj.s.abs. telatin thirty + part lahen therefore + prep min w/2m.s.suff. + noun m.s.w/art. melek king + hithpeel impf.3m.s. rema cast + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. geb pit; "den" + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion]).

VERSE 8 "Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked (aDe[.t, al'-yDI sr;p'W yd;m'-td'K. hy"n"v.h;l. al' yDI ab't'K. ~vur>tiw> ar's'a/ ~yqiT. aK'l.m; ![;K. [adv ke-an now + noun m.s.w/art. melek + aphel impf.2m.s. qum rise; "establish" + noun m.s.w/art. esar injunction + waw w/peal impf.2m.s. resham inscribe; "sign" + noun m.s.w/art. ketab writing; "document" + rel di + neg lo + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. shanah change + prep kaph w/noun f.s.abs. dath decree; "law" + proper noun Mede + waw w/proper noun Persia + rel di + neg la + peal impf.3f.s. adah pass over; "revoked"])."

VERSE 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction (ar's'a/w< ab't'K. ~v;r> vw<y"r>D' aK'l.m; hn"D> lbeq\-lK' [noun m.s.constr. kol w/part qabel front + adj.m.s. denah this = "therefore"+ noun m.s.w/art. melek + proper noun Darius + peal perf.3m.s. resham inscribe; "signed" + noun m.s.w/art. ketab a writing + waw w/noun m.s.w/art. esar injunction]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 6-9

1. The conspirators formulated a plan among themselves that was sure to destroy their rival.
2. The proposed a statute that for one month all petitions and prayers throughout the realm had to be delivered to Darius alone.
3. This not only flattered him personally but also served to impress upon the peoples that they were no longer under Chaldeans but the Persians.
4. The high commissioners (2) and satraps (120) "came" before Darius the king "by agreement" (hargisa) or "as a group."
5. The Hebrew cognate means "be in commotion," "throng," and Arabic, "to thunder."
6. As an official delegation, the presented their proposal, falsely implying that Daniel had concurred in their legislation.
7. "The royal administrators [of whom Daniel was chief], prefects, satraps advisers and governors have all agreed" (v.7)in drawing up the decree.
8. Darius should have noticed the conspicuous absence of Daniel.
9. They were so determined to remove Daniel that they took this extreme risk.
10. So daring was their plan that they figured that Darius would not imagine that Daniel was not in agreement with the proposal.
11. The reported unanimity of all echelons of government served as a foil to any doubts Darius might have had regarding the decree.
12. This plot was brought along without the knowledge of Daniel or the king.
13. The proposal seemed like a statesmen-like measure to foster solidarity within the empire.
14. Notice that everyone immediately below and immediately above this echelon of power was duped by the designs of the conspirators.
15. As verse 7 indicates there was a much wider political audience involved in the plot to fool Darius.
16. Only the high commissioners and the satraps knew the "real" reason for the decree!
17. The lesser officials were only told the supposed reason for the proposed edict.
18. No doubt all were told to not talk about it until it was signed into law.
19. In its formative stage it was treated as a state secret.
20. This was done to keep Daniel unawares.
21. Darius went ahead and signed the decree (v.9).
22. The limit of just one month seemed reasonable.
23. The proscribe punishment was to instill fear in the populace and necessary ingredient in autocratic rule.
24. This decree placed the entire believing Jewish population in the crosshairs of the kingdom.
25. This could have lead to genocide of the Jews.
26. Darius really did not think this through until it was too late.
27. According to the Persian legal system once a law was enacted it could not be revoked even by the monarch himself.
28. However, this edict was tainted as it was misrepresented as to its true intentions.

VERSE 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (Htey>b;l. l[; ab't'K. ~yvir>-yDI [d;y> ydIK. laYEnId'w> [waw w/proper noun Daniel + prep kaph w/rel di "Now when" + peal perf.3m.s. yeda know + rel di + peil perf.3m.s. resham inscribe; "was signed" + noun m.s.w/art. ketab writing + peal perf.3m.s alal go in; "entered" + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. bayit house] (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem) [~l,v.Wry> dg<n< HteyLi[iB. Hle !x'ytiP. !yWIk;w> [waw w/noun f.p.abs. kawah window + peal qal/pass part.f.p.abs. pathach open + prep w/3m.s.suff. "his" + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. aliyah roof chamber from root to climb + prep neged facing + proper noun Jerusalem]; and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously [hn"D> tm;d>q;-!mi dbe[' aw"h]-yDI lbeq\-lK' Hhel'a/ ~d'q\ adeAmW aLec;m.W yhiAkr>Bi-l[; %reB' aWh am'Ayb. ht'l'T. !ynIm.zIw> [waw w/noun m.p.abs. zeman time + adj.m.s.abs. telath three + prep beth w/noun m.s.w/art. yom day + pro.3m..s hi he + peal part.m.s. as. Berak kneel + prep al on w/noun f.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. berak knee + waw w/pael part.m.s.abs.tsela pray + waw w/aphel part.m.s.abs. yeda give thanks/praise + part. Qadam former time; "before" + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. elah God + noun m.s.constr. kol all + part qadam "previously" + rel di + peal perf.3m.s come to pass + peal part.m.s.abs. abad perform; "doing" + prep min w/noun f.s.constr. qademah former time + adj.m.s.abs. denah this]).

VERSE 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God (Hhel'a/ ~d'q\ !N:x;t.miW a[eB' laYEnId'l. WxK;v.h;w> WvGIr>h; %Leai aY"r;b.GU !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + noun m.p.w/art. gebar man + adj.p.abs. illek these + haphel perf.3m.s. regash be in tumult; "came by agreement" as in v.6; a conspiracy verb + waw w/haphel perf.3m.p. shakach forget; "found" + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + peal part.m.s.abs be-a ask; "making petition" + waw w/hithpael part.m.s.abs. chanan show favor; "making supplication" + part qadam before + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. elah God]).

VERSE 12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction (aK'l.m; rs'a/-l[; aK'l.m;-~d'q\ !yrIm.a'w> WbyrIq. !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + peal perf.3m.s. qereb approach + waw w/peal part.m.p.abs. amar say; "spoke" + part qadam before + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep al + noun m.s.abs. esar injunction + noun m.s.w/art. melek], "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den [at'wy"r>a; bAgl. amer>t.yI aK'l.m; %N"mi !hel' !ytil'T. !ymiAy-d[; vn"a/w< Hl'a/-lK'-!mi h[eb.yI-yDI vn"a/-lk' yDI T'm.v;r> [peal perf.2m.s. resham inscribe; "sign" + rel di + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.abs. anash man + rel di + peal impf.3.m.s. be-a make petition + prep min + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.abs. elah god + waw w/noun m.s.abs. anash man + prep ad until + noun m.p.abs. yom day + adj.s.abs. telatin thirty + part lahen therefore; "besides" + prep min w/2m.s.suff. + noun m.s.w/art. melek + hithpeel impf.3m.s. rema cast + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. geb pit, den + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion]?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked [aDe[.t, al'-yDI sr;p'W yd;m'-td'K. at'L.mi ab'yCiy: rm;a'w> aK'l.m; hnE[' [peal part.m.s.abs. anah answer + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. amar say + adj.f.s.abs. yassib certain, true + noun f.s.w/art. milla word; "statement" + prep kaph w/noun f.s.abs. dath decree; "law" + waw w/proper noun Mede + waw w/proper noun Persia + rel di + neg la + peal impf.3f.s. adah pass on/over; "revoked"])."

VERSE 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day (HteW[B' a[eB' am'AyB. ht'l'T. !ynIm.zIw> T'm.v;r> yDI ar's'a/-l[;w> ~[ej. aK'l.m; Î%l'[]Ð ¿%yIl;[]À ~f'-al' dWhy> yDI at'Wlg" ynEB.-!mi yDI laYEnId' yDI aK'l.m; ~d'q\ !yrIm.a'w> An[] !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + peal perf.3m.s. anah answer + waw w/peal part.m.p.abs. amar say + part qadam before + noun m.s.w/art. melek + rel di + proper noun Daniel + rel di + prep min + noun m.p.constr. bar son + noun f.s.w/art. gelu exile + rel di + proper noun Judah + neg la ) peal perf.3m.s. sum make; "pays" + prep al w/2m.s.suff. "to you" + noun m.s.w/art. melek + noun m.s.abs. te-em taste; "attention" + waw w/prep al + noun m.s.w/art. esar injunction + rel di + peal perf.2m.s. resham inscribe; "signed" + waw w/noun m.p.abs. zeman time + adj.m.s.abs. telat three + prep beth w/noun m.s.w/art. yom day + peal part.m.s.abs. be-a make petitoin + noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. ba-u petition]).

VERSE 14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel (HteWbz"yvel. lB' ~f' laYEnID' l[;w> yhiAl[] vaeB. ayGIf; [m;v. at'L.mi ydIK. aK'l.m; !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep kaph w/rel di "as soon as" + noun f.s.w/art. millah statement + peal perf.3m.s shema hear + adj.m.s.ab.s saggi great; "deeply" + peal perf.3m.s. be-esh be evil; "distressed" + prep al w/3m.s.suff. + proper noun Daniel + peal perf.3m.s. sum set + noun m.s.abs. bal mind + prep lamedh w/shaphel infin.constr.w/3m.s.suff. shezib deliver; Akkad]; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him [HteWlC'h;l. rD;T;v.mi aw"h] av'm.vi yle['m, d[;w> [waw w/part ad until + noun m.p.constr. me-al going in + noun m.s.w/art. shemash sun + peal perf.3m.m.s.s hawa come to pass + hithpaal part.m.s.abs. shedar struggle, strive + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr.w/3m.s.suff. nasal deliver]).

VERSE 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king (aK'l.m;l. !yrIm.a'w> aK'l.m;-l[; WvGIr>h; %Leai aY"r;b.GU !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + noun m.p.w/art. gebar man + adj.p.abs. illek these + haphel perf.3m.p. regash be in commotion; "came by agreement" + prep al + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/peal part.m.p.abs. amar say + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.w/art. melek], "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed (hy"n"v.h;l. al' ~yqeh'y> aK'l.m;-yDI ~y"q.W rs'a/-lk'-yDI sr;p'W yd;m'l. td'-yDI aK'l.m; [D; [peal imper.m.s. yeda know + noun m.s.w/art. melek + rel di + noun f.s.abs. dath decree; "law" + prep lamedh w/noun Medes + waw w/proper noun Persian + rel di + noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.s.abs. esar injunction + waw wmpim ,/s/abs/ qeyam statute + rel di + noun m.s.w/art. melek + haphel impf.3m.s. qum stand; "establishes" + neg la + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. shanah change])."

VERSE 16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den (at'w"y"r>a; yDI aB'gUl. Amr>W laYEnId'l. wytiy>h;w> rm;a] aK'l.m; !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + noun m.s.w/art. melek + peal perf.3m.s. amar say + waw w/haphel perf.3m.p. atah come + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + waw w/peal perf.3m.p. rama cast + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.w/art. geb den + rel di + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion]).

The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you (%N"biz>yvey> aWh ar'ydIt.Bi Hle-xl;P' ÎT.n>a;Ð ¿hT'n>a;À yDI %h'l'a/ laYEnId'l. rm;a'w> aK'l.m; hnE[' [peal part.m.s.abs. anah answer + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. amar say + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. elah god, God + rel di + pro.3m.s. anta you + peal part.m.s.abs. pelach serve + prep lamedh w/2m.s.suff. + prep beth w/noun f.s.abs. tedira continuance; "constantly" + pro.3m.s. hi he + shaphel impf.3m.s.w/2m.s.juss. shezib deliver])."

VERSE 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den (aB'GU ~Pu-l[; tm;fuw> hd'x] !b,a, tyIt'yhew> [waw w/hephal perf.3f.s. ata come; "was brought" + noun m.s.abs. eben stone + adj.f.s.abs. chadah one + waw w/peil perf.3f.s.s sum set + prep al + noun m.s.abs. pum mouth + noun m.s.w/art. geb den]; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel [laYEnId'B. Wbc. anEv.ti-al' yDI yhiAnb'r>b.r;tq'z>[ib.W Hteq.z>[iB. aK'l.m; Hm;t.x;w> [waw w/peal perf.3m.s.w/3f.s.suff. chatam to seal + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. izqa signet ring + waw w/prep beth w/noun f.s.constr. izqa signet ring + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. rabreban lord, noble + rel di + neg la + peal impf.3f.s. shana change + noun f.s.abs. tsebu thing (something desired) + prep beth w/proper noun Daniel]).

ANALYSIS: Verses 10-17

1. The time limit of one month seemed reasonable.
2. After it the people could resume their accustomed worship.
3. So, without personally consulting Daniel, Darius went ahead and affixed his seal to the decree. (v.9).
4. The new ordinance mandated a very severe sanction: death by starving caged lions (v.12).
5. When the aged Daniel received notice of the new law, which had been enacted without his knowledge, he faced a test.
6. It was his prayer and fellowship with Yahweh that had safeguarded him all these many years from the corrupting influences of Babylon.
7. To be sure, he might has suspended his prayers for the duration of the decree.
8. But this would have comprised his integrity.
9. If he has prayed in such a way as not to be found out this too would have been unacceptable.
10. To rationalize such compromises to preserve his role in government would have been easy.
11. For him the issue was whether he was going to please God of men.
12. Daniel had to choose between loyalty to his God or obedience to a unrighteous decree compelling him to commit idolatry (the king was to be the sole source of prayers and petitions).
13. So it was his turn to risk it all as his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had done many years before.
14. Daniel was in the habit of praying toward Jerusalem, for it was there in Solomon’s temple that the glorious presence of Yahweh had come to abide (1Kgs.8:10-11).
15. Even though the shekinah cloud had forsaken the temple prior to the fall of Jerusalem in 587 (Ezek.11:23), Daniel knew that the Lord had promised to return there (cf. Ezek.443:2) and to restore Jerusalem (Jer.29:10,14), even as He was in the process of bringing to pass, for Cyrus’s decree of restoration had probably been already promulgated.
16. To what other direction could Daniel turn than to the Holy City, the place of his heart’s desire, the focal point of his hopes and prayers of the kingdom of God?
17. He prayed in the direction of a place that lay in ruins.
18. But the eye of faith sees beyond the present to the glorious future.
19. Chapter 9 tells us how earnestly Daniel was concerned about the return of the Jewish captives and their land; 9:2 refers to his diligent study of the prophesies of Jeremiah concerning the seventy-year limit to the Exilea study he undertook "in the first year of Darius son of Xerxes [Heb., ‘Ahasuerus]" (9:1).
20. Concern for the captives and praise for their release was certainly on his pray list.
21. In other words, the incident of Daniel in the lion’s den occurred after the things recorded in chapters 7-9 (chaps. 10-12 after the decree; see 10:1).
22. Daniel’s immediate response to knowledge of the decree resulted in his going to his place of prayer knowing.
23. He did not go to Darius and tell him that all this happened without his knowledge.
24. Daniel immediately surmised that this was a plot to destroy him.
25. Daniel was confident that his God would deliver him.
26. So he prayed in this regard as he had done years before when the lives of many were threatened (chap.2).
27. The plotters sent certain individuals of a mission to spy on Daniel to gain proof of his crime.
28. These individuals returned to their superiors with proof of Daniel’s violation of the injunction.
29. Then they appeared before the king Darius and presented the eyewitness evidence.
30. First, they reminded the king that he had forbidden all petitions (religious and secular) for a thirty day period to anyone but the monarch.
31. Darius acknowledged the decree was still in force and the "laws of the Medes and Persians" could not be revoked or altered (v.12).
32. The conspirators reported Daniel’s disobedience to the king as willful disrespect for the authority of the throne.
33. Darius’s response was not what the conspirators had expected.
34. Indeed, he "was deeply distressed," not because he resented Daniel’s devotion to his God over the king, but because for the first time the real reason for the decree was made apparent to him.
35. He realized that he had been manipulated by these men, and he regretted his failure to consult Daniel before he signed the decree.
36. Throughout the day he tried his best to save Daniel’s life.
37. Any scheme to keep Daniel from facing the wrath of the lions was a subterfuge undermining the very system he had agreed to uphold at all costs.
38. Even though the decree was ill-conceived and a ruse to destroy one man the king was still bound to stand by that which he had lent his signature to.
39. Darius had a certain fear or respect for Daniel’s God as he was aware of the episode in chapter 5 and the handwriting on the wall.
40. Could it be that this God might save him (v.16)?
41. By sunset he had failed to find a way to deliver Daniel and still uphold the code that most characterized Persian governance.
42. Again they reminded him of the irrevocable decree (v.15), and so reluctantly he proceeded to carry out the death sentence.
43. Daniel was placed in the pit and all the officials including the kings sealed the opening with their signet rings.
44. It was sealed with soft clay tablets on which was pressed the mark of each of the ministers on hand.
45. Many example of such cylinder seals are on display in museums specializing in Near East artifacts.
46. This was late in the evening of that fateful day.

VERSE 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him (yhiAl[] tD;n: HTen>viw> yhiAmd'q' l[en>h;-al' !w"x]d;w> tw"j. tb'W Hlek.yhel. aK'l.m; lz:a] !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + peal perf.3m.s. azal go off + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr.w/2m.s.suff. hekal palace + waw w/peal perf.3m.s. bayit house + adv tewat fasting + waw w/noun f.p.abs. dachawah music + neg la + haphel perf.3m.s. alal go or come in + part qadam before + waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. shenah sleep + peal perf.3f.s. nedad flee + prep al w/3m.s.suff.]).

VERSE 19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den (lz:a] at'w"y"r>a;-ydI aB'gUl. hl'h'B.t.hib.W ah'g>n"B. ~Wqy> ar'P'r>P;v.Bi aK'l.m; !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep beth w/noun m.s.w/art. sheparpar dawn + peal impf.3m.s. qum rise; "arose" + prep beth w/noun m.s.w/art. nogah daylight; "at the break of day" + waw w/prep beth w/hithpeel infin.constr. behal alarm; "in haste" + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.w/art. geb pit; "den" + rel di + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion + peal perf.3m.s. go off; "went"]).

VERSE 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice (q[iz> byci[] lq'B. laYEnId'l. aB'gUl. Hber>q.mik.W [waw w/prep kaph w/peal infin.constr.w/3m.s.suff. qereb approach + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.w/art. geb den + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. qal voice + adj.m.s.abs. atsab grieve, pain; "troubled"]).

The king spoke and said to Daniel (laYEnId'l. rm;a'w> aK'l.m; hnE[' [peal part.m.s.abs. anah answer + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. amar say + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel], "Daniel, servant of the living God [aY"x; ah'l'a/ dbe[] laYEnID' [proper noun Daniel + noun m.s.abs. abedh servant + noun m.s.w/art. elah God + adj.m.s.w/art. chay living], has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions [at'w"y"r>a;-!mi %t'Wbz"yvel. lkiy>h; ar'ydIt.Bi Hle-xl;P' ÎT.n>a;Ð ¿hT'n>a;À yDI %h'l'a/ [noun m.s.w/2m.s.suff. elah God + rel di + pro.2m.s. anta you + peal part.m.s. pelach serve; original meaning "to cleave" + prep lamech w/2m.s.suff + prep beth w/noun f.s.abs. tedira continuance; "constantly" + interrog.part. w/peal perf.3m.s. yekil be able + prep lamech w/shaphel infin.constr.w/2m.s.suff. shezib deliver + prep min from + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion])?"

VERSE 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever (adv edayin then + proper noun Daniel + prep im with + noun m.s.w/art. melek + pael perf.3m.s. melal speak + noun m.s.w/art. melek + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.abs. alam perpetuity + peal imper.m.s. chaya to live])!

VERSE 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me (ynIWlB.x; al'w> at'w"y"r>a; ~Pu rg:s]W Hkea]l.m; xl;v. yhil'a/ [noun m.s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. elah God + peal perf.3m.s. shelach send + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. mal-ak angel + waw w/peal perf.3m.s. segar shut + noun m.s.abs. pum mouth + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion + waw w/neg la + pael perf.3m.p.w/1c.s.suff. chabal hurt], inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime (tdeb.[; al' hl'Wbx] aK'l.m; Î%m'd'q'Ð ¿%yIm;d'q'À @a;w> yli tx;k;T.v.hi Wkz" yhiAmd'q' yDI lbeq\-lK' [noun m.s.constr. kol+ part qabel before + rel di = "inasmuch as" + prep qadam w/3m.s.suff. "before Him"+ noun f.s.abs. zaku innocence + hithpeel perf.3f.s. shakach forget; "found innocent" + prep lamedh w/1c.s.suff. "before Him"+ waw w/conj aph also + prep w/2m.s.suff. qadam before + noun m.s.w/art. melek king + noun f.s.abs. chabula a wrong; "no crime" + neg la + peal perf.1c.s. abad do; "committed"])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 18-23

1. Darius returned to his palace a troubled man.
2. He knew all about Daniel’s past achievements, his total devotion to his God, and his singular contributions to the Persian regime.
3. Daniel proved himself to be a irreplaceable asset to the king.
4. His integrity and special powers (cf. "extraordinary spirit" of v.3) was about to be lost forever to the king.
5. That evening no food and special entertainment was brought before Darius.
6. He was miserable having been tricked into a piece of legislation that appealed to his vanity.
7. But there was absolutely nothing he could do to deliver Daniel and remain in favor with Cyrus and the Medo-Persian legal system.
8. "Sleep fled" from him as he contemplated his foolishness and the man whose trust in his God set him a part from anything he had ever witnessed.
9. Here was a man who was did not hesitate to throw away everything to insure his blameless reputation as servant of the Most High God.
10. Darius recognized that Daniel was an innocent victima man who had been conspired against by jealous men.
11. The next morning at the gray light of dawn the king arose and went immediately to the place where the lions were kept.
12. He arose gave orders that the den be unsealed and made his way to its entrance.
13. There at its opening his call to Daniel revealed his agitation and concern.
14. The fact he even considered the possibility that Daniel may still be alive is remarkable.
15. He was a near witness of the supernatural in Daniel’s life based on chapter 5 and the handwriting on the wall.
16. Through his interviews and conversations with Daniel Darius knew of the claim that his God was the "living God."
17. This designation in Scripture (28x) sets Him apart from all the supposed gods of the nations (cf. Jer.10:10; Matt.16:16; Acts.14:15; 1Tim.4:10; Heb.3:12; 9:14; 10:31; 12:22; Rev.7:2; also at Dan.6:26).
18. He fully acknowledged that Daniel was "servant of the living God."
19. Here was a man who would not even interrupt his devotion to prayer to save his life from a violent death!
20. Darius unlike most was about to receive an incontrovertible proof of the reality behind Daniel’s faith.
21. Daniel’s most welcome response from the lion pit uplifted the king’s spirits.
22. Daniel used the standard greeting which meant "Long live the king!"
23. Daniel reports that it was God’s "angel" that was "sent" to "shut the lions’ mouths."
24. He probably knew this by divine inspiration rather than anything he could have seen in the darkness of the den.
25. The angel of Yahweh is no other than Yahweh Himself.
26. This is the angel who struck down 185,000 Assyrian troops that were encamped against Jerusalem (Isa.37:36).
27. He is featured in the book of Zechariah (Zech.1:11,12; 3:5,6; 12:8).
28. He is the One who appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Ex.3:2).
29. He is the One who walked with the Hebrew youths in the furnace of fire (Dan.3:28).
30. He is the One who led Israel in the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex.14:19).
31. He is the One who intercepted Hagar at the well and delivered her back to her niche (Gen.16:7,9).
32. He spoke to Abraham at the moment of sacrifice of Isaac (Gen.22:11,15).
33. It was he who appeared visibly to Balaam’s donkey on the road (Num.22:22-35).
34. He provided special protection to those who fear Him (Ps.34:7).
35. It was this personage who wrestled with Jacob (Hos.12:4).
36. He appeared unbeknown to Samson’s father Manoah (Judg.13:3-21).
37. He is the sustainer and guarantor of the Abrahamic Covenant (Judg.2:1).
38. He is none other than the 2^nd Person of the Godhead revealed in the OT.
39. There was no problem for Him to keep hundreds of hungry lions from opening their mouths since He is omnipotent.
40. Next from the pit of the den Daniel affirms his innocence with God and man.
41. He asserts that he had done nothing worthy of the sin unto death.
42. And, that he had done nothing to wrong the king.
43. It was clear as crystal to the king that the law he had just passed was misguided to the extreme.
44. Now he knew who his true friend was.

VERSE 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den (aB'GU-!mi hq's'n>h;l. rm;a] laYEnId'l.W yhiAl[] baej. ayGIf; aK'l.m; !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + noun m.s.constr.w/art. melek + adj.m.s.abs. saggi great; "very" + peal perf.3m.s.s te-eb be good; "pleased" + prep al w/3m.s.suff. + waw w/prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + peal perf.3m.s. amar command + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. salaq come up + prep min from + noun m.s.w/art. geb den]).

So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God (Hhel'aBe !miyhe yDI HBe xk;T.v.hi-al' lb'x]-lk'w> aB'GU-!mi laYEnID' qS;huw> [waw w/hophal perf.3m.s. salaq come up + proper noun Daniel + prep min + noun m.s.w/art. geb den + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol all; "no" + noun m.s.abs. chabal injury + neg la "no" + hithpeel perf.3m.s.s shckach forget; "found" + prep beth w/3m.s.suff. + rel di + haphel perf.3m.s. aman trust, believe in + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. elah God]).

VERSE 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel (laYEnId' yDI yhiAcr>q; Wlk;a]-yDI %Leai aY"r;b.GU wytiy>h;w> aK'l.m; rm;a]w: [waw w/peal perf.3m.s. amar command + noun m.s.w/art. melek + waw w/haphel perf.3m.p. ata bring + noun m.p.w/art. gebar man + adj.p.abs. illek these + rel di + peal perf.3m.s. akal eat, devour; "accused" + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. qeras narrow; root refers to a pinching together; used in Akkad as a stinging insect; "maliciously" + proper noun Daniel], and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den [!Ahyven>W !AhynEB. !WNai Amr> at'w"y"r>a; bgOl.W [waw w/prep lamedh w/noun m.s.ab.s geb den + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion + peal perf.3m.p. rema cast + pro.3m.p. innun those, them + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. bar son; "children" + waw noun f.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. neshin wife]; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones [WqDIh; !Ahymer>G:-lk'w> at'w"y"r>a; !Ahb. Wjliv.-yDI d[; aB'GU ty[ir>a;l. Ajm.-al'w> [waw w/neg lo + peal perf.3m.p. mata reach + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.constr. ar-i bottom + noun m.s.w/art. geb den, pit + part ad even to, until + rel di + peal perf.3m.p. shelet have power; "overpowered" + prep beth w/3m.p.suff. + noun m.p.w/art aryeh lion + waw w/noun m.s.constr. kol + noun m.p.constr.w/3m.p.suff. geram bone + haphel perf.3m.p. deqaq be shattered]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 23-24

1. The lion’s den was clearly an underground cavern that was quite large and contained hundreds of lions used for sporting purposes.
2. From its depths Daniel was hauled up into the sunlight.
3. Darius was never happier at the turn of events.
4. He had spent the night miserable with a guilty conscience.
5. He had been used and he knew it but there was nothing legally he could do.
6. So when Daniel was safe he was ecstatic.
7. He had hoped for such an outcome.
8. He had some confidence that it would turn out this way based on what he knew about Daniel’s history and character.
9. Daniel like the Hebrew youths before him was carefully examined to see if there was any harm done to him.
10. Not a scratch was to be found upon him as proof positive that His God was the true and living God with whom there were no credible rivals.
11. Like the Chaldeans many years before the citizens of Babylon had a witness to the truth.
12. Volition was tested in that generation.
13. The reason for complete deliverance is stated as "because he trusted in his God."
14. All had turned against and abandoned him in his hour of need but God stood by him in the Person of the Angel of Yahweh.
15. The fate of the righteous is in stark contrast to the fate of the wicked as verse 24 graphically indicates.
16. The lesson is: never compromise even the least of God’s commandments even if the threat is loss of life and fortune as God will exalt the righteous in the presence of their enemies.
17. Darius considered the conspirators guilty of devising a law that would have deprived the king of his most able advisors and administrator.
18. Furthermore they had lied to the king when they advised that "all agreed" (v.7) to this edict.
19. With a masterly touch of poetic justice, Daniel records the fate of the conspirators and their families.
20. They sought to wipe out all that was Daniel’s now it was their turn to experience the wrath of the king and his lions.
21. The pit they dug so to speak they fell into (cf. Ps.7:15; 57:6; 94:13; Prov.26:27; 28:10).
22. This happens to individuals and whole nations.
23. Darius had his reasons and God had his for this extreme judgment upon the wicked.
24. This event was most sobering to the citizens of the empire.
25. Daniel was once again in the limelight totally a part from anything he pursued.

VERSE 25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: "May your peace abound (aGEf.yI !Akm.l'v. a['r>a;-lk'B. Î!yrIy>d'Ð ¿!yrIa]d'À-yDI aY"n:V'liw> aY"m;au aY"m;m.[;-lk'l. bt;K. aK'l.m; vw<y"r>D' !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + proper noun Darius + noun m.s.w/art. melek + peal perf.3m.s. ketab write + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.p.w/art. am people + noun f.p.w/art. ummah nation + waw w/noun f.p.w.art. lishshan tongue, language + rel di + peal part.m.p.abs. dur dwell + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun f.s.w/art. ara earth + noun m.s.constr.w/2m.p.suff. shelam prosperity; "peace" + peal impf.3m.s.juss. sega grow great])!

VERSE 26 "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel (laYEnId'-yDI Hhel'a/ ~d'q\-!mi !ylix]d'w> Î!y[iy>z"Ð ¿!y[ia]z"À !wOh/l, ytiWkl.m; !j'l.v'-lk'B. yDI ~[ej. ~yfi ym;d'q\-!mi [prep min from + part qadam before + peil perf.3m.s. sum make + noun m.s.abs. te-em taste, judgment; "decree" + rel di + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m.s.abs. sholtan dominion + noun f.s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. malku kingdom + peal impf.3m.p. hawa come to pass "are" + peal part.m.p.abs. zua tremble + waw w/peal part.m.p.abs dechal to fear + prep min from + prep qadam before + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. elah God + proper noun Daniel]);

For He is the living God and enduring forever (!ymil.['l. ~Y"q;w> aY"x; ah'l'a/ aWh-yDI [rel di for + pro.3m.s hu he + noun m.s.w/art. elah God + adj.m.s.w/art. chay living + waw w/noun f.s.abs. qayyam enduring; root is qum to arise + prep lamedh w/noun m.p.abs. alam forever]),

And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed (lB;x;t.ti al'-yDI HteWkl.m;W [waw w/noun f.s.const.w/3m.s.suff. malku kingdom + rel di + neg la + hithpaal impf.3f.s. chabal destroy]),

And His dominion will be forever (ap'As-d[; HnEj'l.v'w> [waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. sholtan dominion + part ad until + noun m.s.w/art. sop end]).

VERSE 27 "He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders (!yhim.tiw> !ytia' dbe['w> lCim;W bzIyvem. (shaphel part.m.s.abs. shezib deliver + waw w/aphel part.m.s.abs. netsal rescue + waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. abad do; "performs" + noun m.p.abs. ar miraculous sign + waw w/noun m.p.abs. temah wonder])

In heaven and on earth (a['r>a;b.W aY"m;v.Bi [prep beth w/noun m. dual w/art. shemayin heaven + waw w/prep beth w/noun f.s.w/art. ara earth]),

Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions (at'w"y"r>a; dy:-!mi laYEnId'l. byzIyve yDI [rel di "Who" + shaphel perf.3m.s. sezib deliver + prep lamedh w/proper noun Daniel + prep min from + noun f.s.abs. yad hand; "power" + noun m.p.w/art. aryeh lion])."

ANALYSIS: VERSES 25-27

1. Shortly thereafter Darius like Nebuchadnezzar before him issued a "decree" to all within his realm.
2. This decree parallels the one in chapter 4 as to audience and purpose.
3. It is much shorter and lacks the background detail and the confession.
4. Darius give glory to the God of the Hebrews, commanding all citizens to fear Him and tremble before Him.
5. Unlike the silly decree of chapter 6 that wiped out his top administrators this one carries with it no penalty for non-compliance.
6. The implication is that if you don’t fear and tremble before such a God you will have to answer to Him!
7. The sense of vv. 26-27 is like the last clause in 3:29 ("no other god can save in this way"i.e., the way the three were saved from the fiery furnace) and like 4:34 ("His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His kingdom endure from generation to generation"words Nebuchadnezzar spoke on recovering from his madness).
8. Three things stand out in this edict: (a) Daniel’s God is alive and shows he lives by the way He acts in history, responding like a real person, to the needs of His people; (b) God’s rule is eternal and will never pass away (as do human empires), even though the Hebrew monarchy suffered due to apostasy; (c) God miraculously delivers his true followers, performing wonders both in heaven and on earth.
9. God has furnished objective proof of these claims to eternal power and dominion, in contrast with all other deities, in delivering Daniel from certain death.
10. On the eve of Israel’s return to their land they should have taken great comfort in what God had done in the life of Daniel.
11. Whatever obstacles and tests surely would lie ahead to test their faith they should like Daniel put their total trust in the One who delivers and protects His obedience servants.
12. Darius, like Nebuchadnezzar before him, demonstrates a level of positive volition which is reflected in the doctrinal perspicacity in the wording of this edict.
13. He does not fail to mention the incident which demonstrates the doctrinal affirmations of verse 26 (v.27).
14. Daniel was retained as his prime minister and so his name was familiar to the subjects of the empire.
15. The destruction and replacement of the ruling elite was an event that hardly went unnoticed throughout the region.
16. Again, everyone in the civilized world got a witness that tested volition.
17. In eternity we shall see what fruit this event garnered.

VERSE 28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian (Îha's'r>P'Ð ¿ay"s'r>P'À vr,AK tWkl.m;b.W vw<y"r>D' tWkl.m;B. xl;c.h; hn"D> laYEnId'w> [waw w/proper noun Daniel + adj.m.s.abs. denah this + haphel perf.3m.s. selach prosper + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr. malku kingdom + proper noun Darius + waw w/prep beth w/noun f.s.constr. malku reign + proper noun Cyrus + gentilic abs. Parsa; Persian]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 28

1. As one of the righteous Daniel enjoyed long life and prosperity with testing.
2. His final years after this test were ones of blessing.
3. This test occurred between chapters 9 and 10.
4. He received the revelations of chapters 10-12 in the 3^rd year of Cyrus the Great (cf. 10:1).
5. A likely date for the publication of the Book of Daniel would seem to be 532 BC.
6. The Jews began their exodus out of Babylon in 539 BC.
7. Daniel is included in the super grace hall of fame of Heb.11:35 "shut the mouths of lions."