Daniel 6:3 kjv
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
Daniel 6:3 nkjv
Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
Daniel 6:3 niv
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Daniel 6:3 esv
Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
Daniel 6:3 nlt
Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
Daniel 6 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel 1:8 | Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. | Integrity and faithfulness |
| Daniel 2:48 | Then the king made Daniel a high executive. | Promotion and leadership |
| Daniel 5:11 | A man in whom is the spirit of the holy gods was found in your kingdom. | Divine endorsement |
| Daniel 5:29 | Then Daniel commanded, and they threw Belshazzar into the midst of the den. | Courage and righteous action |
| 1 Samuel 16:18 | and I have provided for a king, one who is skillful on the harp. | God-given talent and skill |
| 1 Kings 3:12 | you have given me a heart of wisdom, so that there is none like you before or after you. | Wisdom and discernment |
| Proverbs 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | Source of wisdom |
| Proverbs 3:16 | Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | Benefits of wisdom |
| Isaiah 11:2 | And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him... a spirit of wisdom and understanding. | Indwelling of the Spirit |
| Matthew 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Prioritizing God |
| Colossians 3:23 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, | Diligence and godly attitude |
| Colossians 3:24 | knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. | Motivation for service |
| Titus 2:7 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good deeds, and in your teaching. | Exemplary conduct |
| Titus 2:8 | with soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame. | Articulate and sound speech |
| 1 Peter 2:12 | Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in the case where they speak of you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. | Witness through actions |
| Proverbs 14:35 | A king's favor is for a server who acts wisely, but his wrath is against one who acts shamefully. | Favor through wisdom |
| Daniel 1:19 | And the king spoke with them. And among all of them no one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. | Excellence recognized |
| Nehemiah 5:14 | Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, for twenty years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor's portion of food. | Integrity in office |
| Exodus 18:21 | Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate dishonest gain, and place over them as rulers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. | Qualities of good leaders |
| Romans 12:11 | Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. | Fervent spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 10:31 | So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. | Glorifying God in all actions |
Daniel 6 verses
Daniel 6 3 Meaning
Daniel distinguished himself. He possessed an excellent spirit. This made him stand out above presidents and satraps. The king planned to set him over the entire kingdom. This indicates a high level of competence, integrity, and wisdom.
Daniel 6 3 Context
Chapter 6 of Daniel continues the narrative from Daniel's early experiences in Babylonian exile. Daniel and his friends were tested in their faithfulness to God. They excelled in their training and responsibilities under the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires. This specific verse highlights Daniel's exceptional character and the positive recognition he received from the king, Darius the Mede, who had just taken control of Babylon. The prevailing political climate was one of transition and potential instability, making reliable leadership crucial.
Daniel 6 3 Word Analysis
"and Daniel": Emphasizes continuity from previous statements about Daniel.
"distinguished himself": (Hebrew: watyfâ‘) - literally means "was distinguished," "excelled," or "stood out." It implies surpassing others through quality and merit.
"above": (Hebrew: mîmal) - indicates a position of superiority or prominence over others.
"the presidents": (Hebrew: pêhâs) - referring to the high-ranking provincial governors or administrators.
"and satraps": (Hebrew: sārîm) - a Persian term for high officials, often provincial rulers.
"because": (Hebrew: yath) - introduces the reason for his distinction.
"an excellent": (Hebrew: ţâv) - meaning good, fine, pleasant, beneficial, or superior. In this context, it denotes a superior or excellent quality.
"spirit": (Hebrew: rûah) - can refer to mind, disposition, attitude, or intelligence. Here, it signifies Daniel's inner character, mental capacity, and spiritual disposition.
"was in": (Hebrew: bîhî) - denotes possession or dwelling within.
"him": Refers back to Daniel.
"and": Connects the excellent spirit to the king's intention.
"the king": Refers to Darius the Mede.
"thought": (Hebrew: haššab) - meaning "planned," "intended," or "considered."
"to set": (Hebrew: lâsûm) - to place, establish, or appoint.
"him": Daniel.
"over": (Hebrew: ‘al) - indicates jurisdiction or authority.
"all": The entirety of the administrative system.
"the kingdom": The entire realm.
Groups of words analysis:
- "distinguished himself above the presidents and satraps": This phrase signifies Daniel's exceptional competence and recognized ability, which set him apart from even the highest-ranking officials in the Persian administration.
- "an excellent spirit was in him": This describes the intrinsic quality of Daniel – his intelligence, integrity, and potentially his God-given wisdom – as the source of his superior performance and character.
- "the king thought to set him over all the kingdom": This reveals the high regard and trust Daniel commanded, to the point where the king considered placing him in charge of the entire vast empire.
Daniel 6 3 Bonus Section
The concept of an "excellent spirit" echoes the description of a good leader in the Old Testament, such as the qualifications sought by Moses for his judges (Exodus 18:21) and the wisdom God granted Solomon (1 Kings 3:12). This excellence made Daniel a valuable asset, demonstrating that faith and diligence are not impediments to worldly success but often its very catalysts. The king's plan also reveals the administrative structure of the Medo-Persian empire, with presidents and satraps forming its top tiers of governance. Daniel’s situation highlights that individuals of integrity can thrive and be recognized even within systems not founded on biblical principles, serving as witnesses through their character and work.
Daniel 6 3 Commentary
Daniel's character was the foundation of his success and the king's confidence. His "excellent spirit" was not merely human ability but likely included the "spirit of wisdom and understanding" mentioned in relation to Daniel elsewhere in scripture. This inner excellence translated into impeccable performance in his duties, earning him trust and promotion. The king’s intention to elevate Daniel further underscores that godly character and competence lead to favor and influence, even in foreign empires. It’s a testament to how God elevates those who remain faithful and excellent in their responsibilities.