Daniel 6 22

Daniel 6:22 kjv

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Daniel 6:22 nkjv

My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."

Daniel 6:22 niv

My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."

Daniel 6:22 esv

My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm."

Daniel 6:22 nlt

My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty."

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 22 Meaning

Daniel 6:22 declares Daniel's firm belief and direct experience of God's miraculous intervention, stating that his God dispatched an angel to shut the lions' mouths, preventing them from harming him. This divine protection was affirmed by Daniel as a direct consequence of his found blamelessness before God and his innocent conduct before King Darius, thus establishing his righteous vindication.

Daniel 6 22 Context

Daniel 6:22 occurs in the narrative section of the Book of Daniel, detailing the prophet's steadfast obedience to God despite an imperial decree. Following Daniel's elevation by King Darius, jealous administrators and satraps plotted against him. Knowing Daniel's unyielding devotion, they manipulated the king into issuing a decree forbidding prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Daniel, in full awareness of the edict, continued his regular practice of praying towards Jerusalem three times a day. As a result, he was accused and, according to the unchangeable Medo-Persian law, was cast into the lions' den. King Darius, though fond of Daniel, was compelled by law. The night of the ordeal, the king was in distress. The verse represents Daniel's calm and faithful declaration to the king the next morning, confirming God's miraculous intervention and validating his righteous conduct that led to divine protection. The chapter sets a powerful stage for the display of God's supreme authority over earthly powers and natural laws.

Daniel 6 22 Word analysis

• My God: In Aramaic, אֱלָהִי ('elāhî), this signifies Daniel's deep personal relationship with the God of Israel, YHWH. It is not just a god, but his God, underscoring exclusive covenant loyalty and trust. This directly contrasts with the polytheistic worship prevalent in Babylon and Persia, highlighting the unique relationship God has with His faithful servants.
• has sent his angel: The Aramaic term for "sent" is שְׁלַח (šelah), meaning to dispatch or let go. "Angel" is מַלְאֲכֵהּ (mal'aḵēh), a messenger or divine agent. This indicates direct, active divine intervention. God Himself did not physically descend, but used His celestial ministering spirit, showcasing His dominion over both spiritual and physical realms (Psa 103:20-21). It points to God's careful and specific providence over His children.
• and has shut: The Aramaic סְגַר (səgar) means to shut, close, or imprison. This verb emphasizes a complete and active containment. It was not a passive change in the lions' nature, but a deliberate act of divine power to render them harmless, controlling their natural predatory instincts. This underscores God's sovereignty even over creation's inherent ferocity.
• the mouths of the lions: The plural form for "mouths" (פֻּמָּיָּא - pummāyyā') and "lions" (אַרְיָוָתָא - 'aryāwātā') indicates a significant number of predators, amplifying the magnitude of the miracle. Lions represented ultimate danger and unavoidable death in ancient times, making their inertness a profound sign of divine authority (Heb 11:33).
• and they have not harmed me: "Harmed" is from the Aramaic חַבְּלוּנִי (ḥabbəlûnî), meaning to injure, destroy, or spoil. Daniel was not merely protected from death, but completely untouched and uninjured, confirming the perfection of God's deliverance. This physical integrity served as undeniable proof of the miracle.
• because I was found blameless before him: This is a crucial justification for the divine intervention. The Aramaic for "blameless" (זָכוּ - zaḵû) carries the sense of innocence or purity. "Before him" (קָדָמוֹהִי - qāḏāmôhî) specifically refers to God. This phrase highlights that God's actions are righteous and just. Daniel's uprightness, adherence to divine law above human decree, and unblemished record in God's eyes were the basis for God's favor and protection. It suggests a life lived in accordance with divine will, encompassing both action and heart.
• and also before you, O king, I have done no harm: This phrase provides a dual vindication, both spiritually (before God) and civically (before the king). Daniel asserts his lack of wrongdoing against the king's legitimate authority. The "harm" (חַבָּל - ḥabbāl) refers to a corrupt or injurious act. Daniel's perceived disobedience to the decree was not a malicious act against Darius or his kingdom, but an act of supreme allegiance to God, which incidentally conflicted with an unjust, temporary human law. This statement clarifies that Daniel was loyal to earthly rulers as far as it did not violate his higher allegiance to God (Acts 5:29).

• "My God has sent his angel and has shut the mouths of the lions, and they have not harmed me": This passage clearly presents the miracle as a direct act of the One True God. It highlights God's sovereignty over creation (lions) and His utilization of heavenly messengers (angels) to intervene on behalf of His servant. The completeness of the protection ("not harmed me") emphasizes the perfection and efficacy of divine deliverance, a testament to God's mighty power displayed for all to see.
• "because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm": This phrase group links Daniel's personal integrity to God's miraculous intervention. Daniel understands and communicates that his deliverance was not arbitrary, but a consequence of his righteous living and unwavering faithfulness. This righteousness encompassed both his spiritual devotion to God ("before him") and his ethical conduct in society and toward the ruling authority ("before you, O king"). It signifies a double vindication of Daniel's character, proving his uprightness against false accusations. This reinforces a key biblical principle that God defends and honors those who honor Him (1 Sam 2:30).

Daniel 6 22 Bonus section

The Aramaic word for "angel," mal'akh, is the same word used for "messenger," emphasizing the angel's role as a direct agent of God's command. This aligns with the biblical understanding that angels serve as instruments of divine will, carrying out God's purposes (Psa 103:20). The precise language of "shutting the mouths" highlights a specific, targeted control, not merely calming the animals. It implies God's power to actively restrain the destructive potential of forces that would otherwise act according to their nature. This event stands as a potent polemic against the impotence of idols and false gods worshipped by the Medo-Persians. While the king's idols could do nothing, Daniel's God demonstrated active, life-saving power. This public miracle in a king's court served not only to vindicate Daniel but also to establish YHWH's preeminence for all in the vast empire to recognize, directly influencing Darius's subsequent proclamation about Daniel's God (Dan 6:26-27).

Daniel 6 22 Commentary

Daniel 6:22 encapsulates the heart of the Daniel narrative: God's unfailing faithfulness to those who remain steadfastly loyal to Him, even in the face of death. Daniel's declaration is not one of boasting, but of thanksgiving and clear attribution of the miraculous deed to the living God. The intervention of the angel is a powerful demonstration of God's active involvement in human affairs, protecting His own and showcasing His supremacy over natural laws and pagan deities.

The verse is pivotal because it explicitly connects Daniel's deliverance to his "blamelessness" (Aramaic, zaḵû, indicating purity and innocence). This isn't self-righteousness but a factual statement of his integrity before God, meaning he hadn't sinned to incur divine judgment. Furthermore, Daniel clarifies his loyalty to King Darius in civil matters, affirming that his obedience to God was not a rebellious act against legitimate authority but adherence to a higher law when human laws were unjust or conflicting with divine command. God did not prevent Daniel from entering the fiery furnace of trials (the lions' den), but rather preserved him within it, proving His tangible presence and power amidst suffering for righteousness' sake. This powerful testimony by Daniel to the pagan king became a significant catalyst for King Darius's subsequent decree acknowledging the uniqueness and power of Daniel's God, serving as a missionary statement in the heart of an idolatrous empire.