Daniel 6:1 kjv
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
Daniel 6:1 nkjv
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;
Daniel 6:1 niv
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,
Daniel 6:1 esv
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom;
Daniel 6:1 nlt
Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province.
Daniel 6 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 6:1 | Darius the Mede took the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old. | Introduction of Median rule after Babylon falls |
| Isaiah 13:17 | "See, I will stir up against them the Medes..." | Prophecy of Medes' role in judgment |
| Isaiah 44:28 | "...who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he shall accomplish all my purpose'..." | Cyrus's appointed role, implying Medo-Persian collaboration |
| Jeremiah 51:11 | "Sharpen the arrows, prepare the shields; the LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes..." | Medes' active role in conquering Babylon |
| Jeremiah 51:28 | "...the kings of the Medes, their governors, and all their commanders, and all the land under his dominion." | Medes in conjunction with Persian leadership |
| Jeremiah 25:25 | "To all the kings of various nations..." | Empires and their kings |
| Ezekiel 32:17 | "Those who go down to Sheol..." | Imagery of defeated rulers in the underworld |
| Acts 11:28 | "...Agabus, also prophesied that a great famine would come over the whole inhabited world..." | Prophecy of future events and rulers |
| Revelation 17:12 | "And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received their kingdom, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour with the beast." | Symbolic representation of kings and kingdoms |
| Ezra 1:1 | "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia..." | Transition from Babylonian to Persian rule |
| Daniel 5:31 | "Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being sixty-two years old." | Direct confirmation of Daniel 6:1 |
| Daniel 7:6 | "After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back..." | Vision of Medo-Persian Empire as a leopard |
| Daniel 7:17 | "These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who shall arise on the earth." | Beasts representing successive kingdoms |
| Daniel 8:3-4, 7, 11, 20 | Description of ram and goat, the Medo-Persian empire | Symbolism of Medo-Persian power |
| Daniel 9:1 | "In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by lineage from the Medes, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans—" | More detailed identification of Darius |
| Daniel 10:1 | "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel..." | Cyrus's reign follows Babylonian exile |
| Daniel 11:1 | "And I, in the first year of Darius the Mede, stood up to support and strengthen him.)" | Daniel's interaction with Darius's reign |
| Luke 3:1 | "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar..." | Establishing historical timelines of rulers |
| 1 Peter 2:13, 17 | "Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme..." | Christian submission to governing authorities |
| Romans 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities..." | Theological basis for obeying earthly rulers |
Daniel 6 verses
Daniel 6 1 Meaning
This verse introduces Darius the Mede, a significant figure in the Babylonian and Medo-Persian transition of power. It highlights his ascension to kingship and the vastness of his dominion.
Daniel 6 1 Context
This verse initiates chapter 6, shifting the narrative from Belshazzar's fall in chapter 5 to the establishment of Median rule. Historically, this marks the transition from Neo-Babylonian rule to the dominance of the Medo-Persian Empire. Daniel, having faithfully served under Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, now finds himself under a new king. This transition period was crucial, laying the groundwork for future political and religious developments impacting the Jewish exiles. The political landscape was changing, and the prophecy in Daniel provided context and assurance during this upheaval.
Daniel 6 1 Word Analysis
“Now” - This temporal connector signals a shift in the narrative, moving from the events of Belshazzar’s feast to the immediate aftermath of Babylon’s fall. It links directly to the preceding chapter.
“Darius” - A title, likely associated with the king who captured Babylon, identified by some scholars as Cyrus the Great. The text identifies him as "the Mede," emphasizing his ethnic and political affiliation. The name itself is linked to a dynasty rather than a single individual.
“the Mede” - Specifically identifies the ethnic origin and political power base of Darius. The Medes were a significant military power that partnered with the Persians to overthrow Babylon. This affiliation is crucial to understanding the power dynamics of the time.
“took the kingdom” - This phrase signifies his assumption of sovereign authority. It implies a direct succession or conquest of the Babylonian realm. The Babylonian Chronicles confirm the Medes, along with the Persians, entered Babylon.
“being about” - Indicates an approximation of his age, acknowledging that precise records of royal ages might not have been perfectly kept or preserved. It highlights his mature age, suggesting experience in leadership.
“sixty-two years old” - Provides a specific, albeit approximate, age for Darius. This detail lends historical credibility to the narrative. Understanding his age can offer insight into his potential experience and the stability he might bring to the newly conquered territory.
“Darius the Mede took the kingdom” - This composite phrase establishes the new political reality after Babylon's collapse. It underscores the collaborative effort of the Medes and Persians, with the Medes taking a prominent early role in governing. This set the stage for Daniel's subsequent experiences.
“being about sixty-two years old” - This specifies Darius's age upon his accession, indicating he was a mature leader. This might suggest a seasoned ruler rather than a young, untested one, possibly influencing his administrative decisions.
Daniel 6 1 Bonus Section
The identity of "Darius the Mede" has been a subject of scholarly debate. While traditionally linked to Cyrus the Great, some argue he was a distinct Median ruler who governed Babylon before Cyrus assumed full control. Regardless of his precise identity, the biblical text clearly places him in a position of authority over the conquered Babylonian empire. This chapter illustrates the divine sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms, demonstrating that even as empires rise and fall, God’s purposes and His people endure. The transition of power did not interrupt God’s plan for Daniel, highlighting the believer's need for steadfast faithfulness regardless of ruling authorities.
Daniel 6 1 Commentary
Darius's ascension to power immediately following Babylon's fall sets the stage for one of the most famous episodes in Daniel's life: the den of lions. This verse not only marks a political transition but also prepares the reader for how God's faithful servant will navigate this new, powerful empire. The identification of Darius as "the Mede" is significant, pointing to the Medo-Persian confederacy which would become the dominant global power for a period, fulfilling prophetic timelines outlined elsewhere in Scripture. Darius's mature age suggests a period of consolidation and established rule, potentially offering a different kind of governance than the capriciousness of Belshazzar.