Daniel 6 21

Daniel 6:21 kjv

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Daniel 6:21 nkjv

Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!

Daniel 6:21 niv

Daniel answered, "May the king live forever!

Daniel 6:21 esv

Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever!

Daniel 6:21 nlt

Daniel answered, "Long live the king!

Daniel 6 21 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Daniel 6:21"Then Daniel answered the king, “Your Majesty, live forever!"Daniel 2:4, 1 Kings 1:31
Psalm 72:15"Long may he live... to him shall be given the gold of Sheba"Psalm 18:50
1 Timothy 6:16"...the only immortal, who dwells in unapproachable light"1 Tim 6:15-16, Psalm 90:2
Philippians 2:10"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow"Phil 2:9-11, Isa 45:23
Isaiah 37:16"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim"Isa 37:14-16, 1 Sam 4:4
Psalm 99:1"The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned between the cherubim..."Ps 99:1, Ezek 1:5-28
Psalm 50:23"The one who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me..."Ps 50:14-23, Heb 13:15
Job 1:21"...The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."Job 1:20-21
Revelation 19:5"Praise from his lips God's holy servants"Rev 19:5, Ps 148:1
Romans 11:36"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever!"Rom 11:33-36
Psalm 34:3"Magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together."Ps 34:1-3, Ps 145:1-3
Isaiah 6:3"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"Isa 6:3, Rev 4:8
Psalm 22:3"Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel."Ps 22:3, 2 Sam 6:17-18
Exodus 15:11"Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness"Ex 15:11, Ps 89:6-8
1 Chronicles 16:29"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name"1 Chron 16:29, Ps 96:7-9
John 1:14"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us"John 1:14, John 1:1, Col 1:19
Hebrews 1:3"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact image of his substance"Heb 1:3, Heb 1:8
Psalm 104:1"Bless the LORD, O my soul!"Ps 104:1, Ps 103:1
Proverbs 18:10"The name of the LORD is a strong tower"Prov 18:10, Ps 20:1
Psalm 40:3"He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."Ps 40:3, Ps 149:1, Rev 14:3

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 21 Meaning

This verse expresses Daniel's unwavering loyalty and devotion to God, even in the face of imminent death. His praise for God is a public affirmation of God's righteousness and power, demonstrating his faith and trust.

Daniel 6 21 Context

Daniel chapter 6 describes Daniel's steadfast faithfulness to God despite a royal decree that prohibited prayer to anyone other than King Darius. Daniel, an Israelite in exile, continued his customary practice of praying three times a day facing Jerusalem. This defiance led to his being thrown into the lions' den. This verse, spoken by Daniel to King Darius after his miraculous deliverance, serves as Daniel's personal testimony and praise to God. It reflects Daniel's integrity, courage, and ultimate reliance on divine intervention over human decree. The historical context is the Neo-Babylonian/Persian Empire, where loyalty to the king was paramount, making Daniel's actions particularly daring.

Daniel 6 21 Word Analysis

  • Daniel (וְדָנִיֵּ֛ל) (ve-danîyyêl): Meaning "God is my judge." This personal name underscores his identity and his belief that God's justice would prevail.
  • answered (עָנֵ֧ת) (ʿāḇeṯ): A verb indicating a direct response. It implies a verbal reply to the king's acknowledgment.
  • the king (מַלְכָּ֣א) (malkāʾ): Refers to King Darius, the Persian ruler who had unjustly sentenced Daniel.
  • live (חֵ֥י) (ḥê): A command in the singular, an Aramaic imperative form of "to live."
  • forever (לְעָלְמִֽין) (lʿālmî·n): An adverb meaning "forever" or "for all time." It is a standard acclamation of respect and honor for royalty. This is not a personal prayer for immortality but an expression of deep reverence and well-wishes, echoing royal courtesies of the era, albeit with Daniel's divine-infused perspective.

Daniel 6 21 Bonus Section

Daniel's acclimation "Live forever!" to Darius echoes the acclamations given to God in the Psalms and later in Revelation. This usage subtly reorients the ultimate worship and authority. While Darius expects an earthly acknowledgment, Daniel directs praise to the Heavenly King. This act aligns with Daniel's consistent behavior of prioritizing his covenant relationship with God over human dictates, as seen throughout the book. His miraculous survival further validates his conviction and serves as divine vindication for his faithfulness.

Daniel 6 21 Commentary

Daniel's response to Darius is remarkable not just for its courage but for its content. Instead of being resentful or defiant in a political sense, Daniel offers a royal acclamation. This highlights his superior wisdom and faith; he acknowledges the earthly king's authority but anchors his ultimate hope and praise in the eternal King. His words are a testament to his understanding that even human kingdoms operate under God's ultimate sovereignty. This encounter shows that true faith is not about escaping worldly troubles but about maintaining integrity and attributing glory to God in all circumstances, reflecting an inward victory that transcends the outward trial.