Daniel 6 10

Daniel 6:10 kjv

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel 6:10 nkjv

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Daniel 6:10 niv

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Daniel 6:10 esv

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel 6:10 nlt

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 10 meaning

Daniel 6:10 portrays Daniel's unwavering faithfulness and courage in the face of a life-threatening decree. Knowing that King Darius had signed an edict prohibiting prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days, Daniel deliberately continued his regular devotional practices. He entered his private chamber, with his windows open towards Jerusalem, and knelt to pray and give thanks to God three times a day, exactly as he had always done. This act demonstrates his profound commitment to his relationship with God, prioritizing divine commands over human laws and choosing public obedience to God even at great personal risk. It reveals a steadfast faith that remained consistent in both prosperity and persecution, serving as a powerful example of integrity and defiance against unjust authority.

Daniel 6 10 Context

Daniel chapter 6 finds Daniel, now an old man, serving in the highest administrative position under King Darius the Mede, following the fall of Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire. His exceptional spirit and trustworthiness made him superior to all the other satraps and administrators, leading Darius to consider appointing him over the entire kingdom. This favoritism stirred intense jealousy, prompting the other officials to conspire against Daniel. Recognizing Daniel's blameless conduct, they devised a law targeting his consistent religious devotion: a royal decree that for thirty days, no one should pray to any god or man except King Darius. The purpose of this edict was explicitly to trap Daniel, knowing that his deeply ingrained faith would compel him to defy it. The context thus sets up a direct conflict between human authority seeking absolute loyalty and Daniel's unshakeable allegiance to God. This verse immediately follows the signing of this irreversible royal decree.

Daniel 6 10 Word analysis

• Now when Daniel knew (וְדָנִיֵּאל יְדַע, wəḏānīyēʾl yəḏaʿ): The Aramaic yəḏaʿ ("knew") here implies a certain, conscious, and even intimate awareness. Daniel was fully informed of the decree's signing, understanding its personal implications. This was not an ignorant action but a deliberate choice. It highlights his intentional commitment and refusal to be deterred.
• that the writing was signed (דִּי אִתְרְשִׁם כְּתָבָא, dî ʾitəršim kəṯāḇāʾ): The term kəṯāḇāʾ (writing, decree) was official, and ʾitəršim (signed/sealed) meant it was legally binding and unalterable according to Medo-Persian law (Dan 6:8, 12, 15). Daniel knew the severe, irreversible consequence.
• he went into his house (וְעַל לְבַיְתֵהּ, wəʿal ləḇayṯēh): "House" (בַּיְתֵהּ, baytēh) here refers to his dwelling. This was his private space. The act was personal, but the deliberate visibility of his actions made it a public testimony.
• and his windows being open (וְכַוָּתֵהּ פְּתִיחָן, wəḵawwāṯēh pəṯîḥān): Kawwāṯēh (windows) and pəṯîḥān (open) are crucial details. Daniel chose not to hide his practice, demonstrating transparency and conviction. He neither defiantly shouted nor furtively concealed his worship; rather, he maintained his customary, open posture, making no adjustment to avoid confrontation.
• in his chamber (בְּעִלִּיתֵהּ, bəʿillîṯēh): The ʿillîṯēh (upper room/chamber) was often a quiet place of prayer or contemplation, removed from the daily bustle. It emphasizes the sacredness and intentionality of his devotion. This practice resonates with early Christian assemblies often meeting in upper rooms.
• toward Jerusalem (קֳבֵל יְרוּשְׁלֶם, qobēl Yərûšəlem): This direction of prayer aligns with the dedication prayer of Solomon at the Temple (1 Ki 8:44-49) and was a standard Jewish practice. Jerusalem symbolized the presence of God and the hope of restoration and deliverance, particularly potent for exiles.
• he kneeled upon his knees (וְזִגְרִין עַל בִּרְכּוֹהִי, wəzgrîn ʿal birkōhî): The Aramaic verb kəraʿ or phrase here literally means "bowed upon his knees." Kneeling signifies humility, reverence, submission to God, and intense supplication. It's a physical act reflecting spiritual posture.
• three times a day (תְּלָת זִמְנִין בְּיוֹמָא, təlaṯ zimnîn bəyōmāʾ): This refers to established Jewish prayer times: morning, noon, and evening (e.g., Ps 55:17). It indicates structured, disciplined, and consistent devotion, highlighting the ritual aspect that was an unshakeable part of his life.
• and prayed (וּמְצַלֵּא, ûməṣallēʾ): Məṣallēʾ means "to pray" or "to entreat." It implies petition and communion with God. This was a direct violation of the king's decree, establishing God's sovereignty over earthly rulers.
• and gave thanks (וּמְהוֹדֵא, ûməhōḏēʾ): Məhōḏēʾ means "to give thanks" or "to confess." It is significant that Daniel's prayer included gratitude, not just petition or lament. This reflects profound faith and trust, acknowledging God's goodness and sovereignty even in perilous circumstances (cf. Job 2:10).
• before his God (קֳדָם אֱלָהֵהּ, qodām ʾĕlāhēh): "His God" emphasizes the personal, intimate relationship Daniel had. He prayed in God's presence, not just intellectually but relationally, underscoring God as his personal Lord and object of worship.
• as he did aforetime (כָּל קֳבֵל דִּי עֲבַד מִן קַדְמַת דְּנָה, kōl qōḇēl dî ʿăḇaḏ min qaḏmaṯ dənāh): This phrase, meaning "just as he had previously done," highlights Daniel's consistency and uncompromised integrity. He refused to alter his spiritual disciplines out of fear, demonstrating that his faith was not circumstantial but foundational to his being. It underscores his unwavering character.

Daniel 6 10 Bonus section

The concept of the "upper room" (עִלִּיתֵהּ, ʿillîṯēh) carries historical and theological significance beyond just being an upstairs chamber. In ancient Near Eastern architecture, upper rooms often provided privacy and quiet, sometimes even functioning as places of prayer or hospitality. Spiritually, they became associated with seeking God. In the New Testament, the "upper room" serves as a setting for pivotal events such as the Last Supper (Mk 14:15, Lk 22:12), and the gathering of the disciples for prayer before Pentecost (Acts 1:13-14), where the Holy Spirit later descended (Acts 2:1-4). This continuity of the "upper room" as a place of devout assembly and spiritual encounter reinforces Daniel's choice of such a place for his steadfast communion with God.

Daniel's choice to pray towards Jerusalem was not merely a sentimental gesture. It embodied the profound hope and spiritual connection of the Jewish people in exile to their covenantal God and the promised future. For those dispersed from the land, the destroyed temple, and the sacred city, facing Jerusalem was an act of both remembrance of past glory and hopeful expectation of God's redemptive work. It was an outward sign of an inner conviction, signifying an active anticipation of God's intervention and restoration.

Daniel 6 10 Commentary

Daniel 6:10 encapsulates radical faithfulness demonstrated through simple, consistent obedience. Daniel's immediate response to the life-threatening decree was not panic, flight, or compromise, but to continue his long-established habit of prayer and thanksgiving. His act was not defiant in a provocative sense, but a matter of principled consistency. By praying with open windows towards Jerusalem, he made his allegiance clear, not only to God but also implicitly to anyone who observed. This private worship, carried out publicly, served as a profound declaration that his ultimate loyalty belonged to God alone, above any earthly sovereign or law. His inclusion of thanksgiving alongside prayer, even when facing death, reveals a deep-seated trust and appreciation for God's goodness and sovereignty, reflecting a heart unburdened by fear but full of faith.