Daniel 6 13

Daniel 6:13 kjv

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Daniel 6:13 nkjv

So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

Daniel 6:13 niv

Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day."

Daniel 6:13 esv

Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."

Daniel 6:13 nlt

Then they told the king, "That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day."

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 13 Meaning

Daniel 6:13 highlights the accusation brought against Daniel by his political rivals. They presented Daniel to King Darius as one who disregarded royal decrees. The verse underscores their claim that Daniel specifically obeyed the Law of his God above the king's commandment. This establishes the core conflict of the chapter: fidelity to God versus obedience to the state.

Daniel 6 13 Context

In Daniel chapter 6, the narrative shifts to Darius the Mede, who, impressed by Daniel's abilities, appointed him as one of the three chief presidents over the kingdom. This elevation caused jealousy among the other presidents and satraps. Unable to find fault with Daniel's administrative work, they schemed to find a religious pretext to bring him down. They orchestrated a royal decree that forbade any prayer or petition to any god or man other than King Darius for thirty days. This decree was specifically designed to target Daniel, knowing his unwavering devotion to prayer and adherence to the Law of Moses, which commanded prayer to Yahweh.

Daniel 6 13 Word Analysis

• כי (ki): "And," "Now." This conjunction signals a continuation of the narrative and introduces the action of the accusers.

• דניאל (Daniel): "God is my judge." This is the name of the prophet, carrying significant theological weight.

• גַּם (gam): "also," "even." It emphasizes that Daniel, in addition to other attributes, was this particular person who defied the decree.

• גְּזֵרָה (gězērâ): "decree," "edict." This word refers to a formal command issued by the king.

• מִן (min): "from." Used here to indicate separation from the king's decree.

• קֳדָמַי (qɔdāmâv): "before him." Refers to being in the presence of or before the king.

• מִן־ (min): "from." Indicates the source or cause.

• קֳדָם (qɔdām): "before," "in the presence of."

• גְּזֵרַת (gězērâṯ): "decree of."

• מַלְכָּא (malkā'): Aramaic for "king." This highlights the royal authority Daniel is accused of disregarding.

• עַבְדָּךְ (ʿaḇdâḵ): "your servant." This is a respectful address, but in the context of the accusation, it frames Daniel's perceived defiance.

• כְּדִי (kəḏî): "as," "when." It links the subject of Daniel to his action (or inaction regarding the decree).

• אִיתּוּ (ʾîṯṯû): "is," "exists." The present state of Daniel.

• בָּא (bā): "to come," "to appear." The sense here is "found" or "present" in relation to the decree.

• בָהּ (bâ): "in it," "regarding it." Referring to the king's decree.

• בָהֵן (bāhēn): Aramaic plural "them." Referring to Daniel and his practice.

• אֱלָהּ (ʾɛlāh): "god," "God." In this context, referring to Daniel's specific God.

• לָ֫מָה (lāmmāh): "why," "wherefore." Introducing the reason or the action.

• קֳדָמָיו (qɔdāmâv): "before him."

• רְבּוּ (rəḇû): "greatly."

• בָכֶּר (bāḵɛr): "preeminent," "first."

• גֶּזֶר (gæzær): "cut off," "decree."

• שָׁמְרָה (šomrāh): "she guarded," "she kept." Referring to the king's law.

• אֹרַח (ʾɔraḥ): "way," "manner."

• The accusers' statement about Daniel: The phrase "Does not Daniel... when a royal decree has been issued" is a direct challenge. The accusers, jealous and seeking to trap Daniel, highlighted his established practice of prayer.

• "he is not ashamed" / "he does not observe it": This points to Daniel's consistent refusal to bow to human authority over divine allegiance. His lack of outward observance or modification of his prayer life, as known to them, is the basis of their charge.

• "even from when it was made" / "that he is not ashamed": The critics explicitly state that Daniel had persisted in his prayer habits since the decree was enacted. This underscores their effort to catch him in the act of defiance.

• "whether it was made by decree or by law" / "against the king's decree": The distinction between "decree" (גְּזֵרָה - gězērâ) and "law" (חֹק - ḥōq) might not be a sharp theological one here, but rather a way to cover all bases of royal authority. The core charge is transgression against the king's specific commandment.

• "or against Your majesty" / "against the king": The accusation is framed as an offense directly against King Darius himself.

• "has not kept it": This is a statement of fact from their perspective, accusing Daniel of outright violation.

• "the law of his God": This phrase is critical. It's not just a law, but the law belonging to his God. This implies a personalized, ongoing relationship and allegiance to a divine authority distinct from the earthly king's decrees.

• "which he has set in place" / "which he has set": This points to Daniel's consistent habit of praying to his God three times a day, a practice established before and continued after the decree.

Daniel 6 13 Bonus Section

The specific phrasing by the adversaries serves to present Daniel as someone inherently rebellious, not merely making a mistake. By mentioning his established pattern ("which he has set in place" or his established prayer habits), they imply that this is not an impulsive act but a deliberate, continuous defiance that they have observed closely. This suggests their close scrutiny and meticulous planning, emphasizing their malice and Daniel's resolute faith in contrast.

Daniel 6 13 Commentary

The accusation is built on Daniel's open defiance of King Darius's edict. His adversaries knew that Daniel would not abandon his regular communion with God. They skillfully used Daniel's fidelity to his divine Master as the basis for a charge of disloyalty to the king. Their aim was not necessarily to uphold the decree for its own sake, but to use it as a tool for Daniel's downfall. Daniel’s response, as depicted later in the chapter, confirms their charge of disobedience to the king's law, but frames it as a consequence of obedience to a higher law.