Daniel 6:19 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Daniel 6:19 kjv
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
Daniel 6:19 nkjv
Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
Daniel 6:19 niv
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den.
Daniel 6:19 esv
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
Daniel 6:19 nlt
Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den.
Daniel 6 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High... my God, in whom I trust! | God's protection for those who trust in Him. |
| Psa 34:7 | The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. | Angelic deliverance for God's servants. |
| Psa 34:19 | Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him... | God's promise to deliver the righteous from trouble. |
| Isa 43:2 | When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... | God's presence and protection in extreme danger. |
| 2 Tim 4:17-18 | But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me... he will rescue me... | Paul's testimony of God's deliverance. |
| 2 Cor 1:10 | He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. | God's consistent past and future deliverance. |
| Heb 13:6 | So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear...” | Confidence in the Lord's help against human threats. |
| Psa 121:7-8 | The LORD will keep you from all evil... He will keep your going out... | God's unwavering protection over His people. |
| Prov 16:7 | When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies at peace... | Favor from God extending even to adversaries. |
| Heb 11:33 | who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions | Faith explicitly mentioned for shutting lions' mouths. |
| Psa 57:1 | Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for in you my soul takes refuge | Seeking refuge and safety in God. |
| Psa 18:2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer... | God as a strong deliverer in times of trouble. |
| Matt 17:20 | ...If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed... nothing will be impossible for you. | The power of faith, even in impossible situations. |
| Mk 9:23 | Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” | God's boundless possibilities through faith. |
| Dan 2:47 | The king answered Daniel and said, “Truly, your God is God of gods...” | Nebuchadnezzar acknowledging God's supremacy. |
| Dan 3:28-29 | Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach...” | Pagan king recognizing God's power to deliver. |
| Dan 4:34-37 | At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven... | King humbled to acknowledge the Most High. |
| Psa 2:10-12 | Now therefore, O kings, be wise... Serve the LORD with fear... | Kings warned to recognize and serve the Lord. |
| Psa 5:3 | O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice | Seeking God's presence and hearing Him in the morning. |
| Psa 63:1 | O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you... | Earnest seeking of God early in the day. |
| Mk 1:35 | And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he went out to a desolate place | Jesus' practice of rising early for prayer/seeking God. |
| Esth 6:1 | On that night the king could not sleep, and he gave orders to bring the book | A king's sleepless night leading to significant events. |
| 1 Sam 28:20 | Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear... | Example of intense distress and physical reaction from a king. |
| Dan 6:22 | My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths... | Direct statement of God's angelic intervention. |
| Job 5:22 | You shall laugh at destruction and famine... | Deliverance leading to relief and triumph over fear. |
| Psa 71:1-3 | In you, O LORD, do I take refuge... Be to me a rock of refuge... | Seeking God as a refuge from those who persecute. |
Daniel 6 verses
Daniel 6 19 meaning
King Darius, deeply distressed after a sleepless and comfortless night due to Daniel's unjust condemnation, rose at the very first sign of daybreak. Driven by profound anxiety and a glimmer of hope that Daniel's God might have saved him, he rushed urgently to the den where Daniel had been cast among the lions. This desperate haste reflects the king's personal anguish, guilt, and the intense anticipation of what he would find, setting the stage for the miraculous revelation of God's protection.
Daniel 6 19 Context
Daniel 6:19 is nestled immediately after the account of King Darius's distressed, sleepless night, spent without food or entertainment (v.18), following Daniel's condemnation to the lions. It directly precedes the dramatic discovery of Daniel's survival (v.20) and the king's subsequent joyful decree praising God. The preceding verses of chapter 6 detail how Daniel, favored by Darius, became the target of jealous administrators. These officials manipulated the king into signing an irrevocable decree forbidding prayer to any god or man other than Darius for 30 days. Daniel's unwavering piety, openly praying to his God, led to his arrest and the king's reluctant, yet legally bound, decision to cast him into the lion's den. Darius, expressing a glimmer of hope that Daniel's God would deliver him (v.16), sealed the den with his own signet. The historical context is the early period of Persian rule after the fall of Babylon, highlighting the Medo-Persian law's absolute and unchangeable nature, a theme emphasized to demonstrate the unique power of Daniel's God who could transcend such human laws.
Daniel 6 19 Word analysis
- Then (וְדָרְיוָ֗שׁ - wə·ḏā·rə·yā·wōš - lit. 'And Darius'): This conjunction and the naming of the king serve to connect the action directly to Darius's night of deep distress described in the previous verse. It signifies the immediate consequence of his anguish, emphasizing his personal involvement.
- the king (מַלְכָא֙ - mal·kāʾ): Refers specifically to Darius. It highlights his royal authority, yet also his human limitations and deep personal investment in Daniel's fate despite being the one who allowed the sentence.
- arose (קָם - qām): Simple action, meaning "to stand up" or "get up." In context, after a sleepless night, this highlights determination and urgent intent.
- very early in the morning (בְּפַלָּחָה - bə·fal·lā·ḥāh - lit. 'at daybreak'): This phrase indicates the earliest possible moment of dawn, as soon as light permitted. It stresses Darius's overwhelming eagerness and inability to delay, amplifying the depth of his concern and anxious hope for Daniel's safety.
- and went (וְאָזַ֖ל - wə·’ā·zal): Means "and proceeded" or "departed." It signifies active movement toward a specific destination.
- in haste (בְּהִתְחַפְטָ֑ה - bə·hiṯ·ḥap̄·ṭāh - lit. 'with eagerness/anxiety'): More than mere speed, this Aramaic term conveys a profound, almost agitated urgency, driven by strong emotion, either hope or deep anxiety. Darius was compelled by an inward disquiet.
- to the den (לְגֻבָּ֣א - lə·ḡub·bāʾ): This points to the specific, fearsome location—the pit or cavity designed to contain dangerous wild animals. It signifies the place of seemingly inevitable death.
- of lions (דִּֽי־אַרְיָוָתָא - dī-ʾar·yā·wā·ṯāʾ): Clearly identifies the overwhelming and deadly threat. The plural "lions" reinforces the extremity of Daniel's peril and the miracle about to unfold.
Words-group analysis
- "Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste": This sequence of actions powerfully portrays Darius's profound personal investment and internal turmoil. His immediate rise at the first glimmer of dawn, coupled with the "haste" driven by eagerness and anxiety, illustrates his overwhelming emotional state. This hurried journey reflects a flicker of desperate hope (stemming from v.16) conflicting with the grim reality of Daniel's supposed fate, and showcases the intensity of human anticipation before a divine revelation.
- "to the den of lions": This phrase focuses on the destination of dread. It graphically reminds the reader of the immense and lethal danger Daniel faced, creating a dramatic backdrop for the subsequent miracle and magnifying God's power in an "impossible" situation.
Daniel 6 19 Bonus section
- The irrevocability of the Medo-Persian law is a critical sub-theme in this chapter. Darius's power, absolute in many respects, was constrained by a system of law that he himself could not overturn. His rushed action in verse 19 therefore shows his last, desperate reliance, not on his own authority to undo a wrong, but on a greater power he barely understood—Daniel's God. This emphasizes the distinction between human limitations and divine omnipotence.
- Darius's night of fasting and mourning (v.18) culminating in this early morning rush to the den starkly contrasts with Daniel's probable peace within the den, protected by God's angel (v.22). It highlights how reliance on God can bring peace even in extreme peril, while human guilt and helplessness bring distress even in a palace.
Daniel 6 19 Commentary
Daniel 6:19 presents a poignant scene that underscores the king's profound remorse and the flicker of hope he held for Daniel. Having spent a night of distress and sleeplessness, Darius could not wait for a formal inquiry; his anxiety compelled him to rush to the den at the earliest light of dawn. This wasn't merely out of duty, but a personal, desperate urgency to ascertain Daniel's fate, driven by his declaration in verse 16 about Daniel's God. The Aramaic phrasing emphasizes an "eagerness" or "anxiety" more than just speed, illustrating the turmoil in his soul. This immediate, frantic action sets a compelling human foil against the impending divine intervention, highlighting the limits of earthly power versus the ultimate sovereignty of God who preserves His faithful servants. It serves as a dramatic prelude to the astonishing revelation that follows, marking a pivotal moment of transition from human despair to divine triumph.