Daniel 6 4

Daniel 6:4 kjv

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:4 nkjv

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.

Daniel 6:4 niv

At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

Daniel 6:4 esv

Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.

Daniel 6:4 nlt

Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 4 meaning

Daniel 6:4 reveals the intense scrutiny faced by Daniel from envious and malicious fellow officials. They diligently sought any cause for accusation, a moral failing, an administrative error, or corruption, regarding his governmental service within the kingdom. However, despite their relentless efforts, they could not find any fault or blemish because Daniel's character and conduct were marked by unwavering faithfulness and integrity, leaving no room for legitimate complaint.

Daniel 6 4 Context

Daniel 6:4 is nestled within a narrative demonstrating the perils and power dynamics of political life in the Persian Empire, while simultaneously exalting Daniel's unwavering devotion to God. King Darius the Mede, after conquering Babylon, established a new administrative structure, appointing 120 satraps and placing three high officials (one of whom was Daniel) over them. Daniel's exceptional spirit and administrative competence led the king to consider promoting him over the entire kingdom. This favoritism ignited intense jealousy and malice among the other officials and satraps. Recognizing they couldn't attack Daniel on professional grounds due to his impeccable record, their machinations began. This verse directly precedes their attempt to exploit his religious faithfulness as a weapon against him, showcasing their inability to find any legitimate administrative or moral flaw in him.

Daniel 6 4 Word analysis

• Then (אֲדַיִן - ʾaḏayin): An Aramaic temporal adverb, signaling a sequence of events, immediately following King Darius's intent to set Daniel over the whole kingdom (Dan 6:3), thus highlighting the officials' swift and reactive plot.
• the high officials (מָרָהֵא - marahē): Referring to the two other senior administrators alongside Daniel. The term marahē in Aramaic suggests overseers or lords. These were high-ranking, powerful individuals in the administration.
• and the satraps (וְאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנַיָּא - wĕʾăḥašdrapnāyāʾ): Persian loanword in Aramaic, referring to provincial governors. This highlights the extensive network of opposition Daniel faced, not just from his immediate peers, but from a wide swath of the government.
• sought to find (בָּעִין לְהַשְׁכַּחַהּ - bāʿīn lĕhaškhahaʾ): bāʿīn means "they were seeking/desiring," denoting a persistent, active search. lĕhaškhahaʾ means "to find" or "discover." This wasn't a casual look but a deliberate, focused investigation aimed at discrediting him.
• a ground for complaint (עִלָּה - ʿillāh): This crucial Aramaic term means "pretext," "occasion," or "accusation." It signifies a manufactured reason or a weak excuse rather than a substantive fault. Their goal was to concoct something, anything, to malign Daniel. This term emphasizes the malicious and baseless nature of their search.
• against Daniel (מִצַּד - miṣṣaḏ): Literally "from the side of," meaning in relation to, or concerning. It points to Daniel as the target of their efforts.
• with regard to the kingdom (מַלְכוּתָא - malkûtāʾ): This specifies the domain of their search: Daniel's official duties and responsibilities as a royal administrator. They targeted his professional conduct, not personal affairs, trying to undermine his government role.
• but they could find no ground for complaint (וְלָא יְכִלוּ לְהַשְׁכַּחָה כָּל עִלָּה - wĕlāʾ yĕkhilū lĕhaškhaha kōl ʿillāh): "And not they were able to find any pretext." This negates their efforts. "Kōl" (any) stresses the complete lack of a pretext, however small.
• or any fault (וּשְׁחִיתָה - ûšḥîthāh): Aramaic shḥithāh means "corruption," "misdeed," or "moral fault." This term expands beyond a mere pretext (ʿillāh) to encompass more serious moral or ethical breaches, confirming Daniel's blamelessness in all aspects of his administrative integrity.
• because he was faithful (מִן־קֳבֵל דִּי מְהֵימַן - min-qoḇēl dî mĕhêman): min-qoḇēl dî translates to "because of the fact that." mĕhêman means "trustworthy," "reliable," "faithful." This is the core reason for his blamelessness. His faithfulness stemmed from his loyalty to God, which translated into integrity in all his dealings with the king and the kingdom.
• and no error (וְכָל־שָׁלוּ - wĕkhōl-šālû): Aramaic šālû means "error," "negligence," "omission." This addresses professional competence, indicating no mistakes in judgment or dereliction of duty in his work.
• or fault (וּשְׁחִיתָה - ûšḥîthāh): The re-emphasis of shḥithāh further solidifies Daniel's complete lack of corruption or moral failings.
• was found in him (לָא הַשְׁכַּחַת בֵּהּ - lāʾ haškhaḥaṯ bēh): "Not found in him." This strong negation underlines Daniel's perfect record. It was not merely that no complaint was fabricated, but that no legitimate ground for one existed within him or his conduct.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint... against Daniel": This phrase highlights the political intrigue and deep-seated animosity. The combination of high-ranking officials and numerous satraps indicates a formidable, coordinated opposition driven by envy and a desire for power. Their active "seeking to find" implies an aggressive, investigative effort, not merely waiting for Daniel to slip.
• "with regard to the kingdom": This specifies the nature of their investigation. They weren't concerned with Daniel's personal life but with his administrative performance and integrity concerning state affairs. Their goal was to remove him from his influential governmental position.
• "but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault": This is the pivotal assertion of Daniel's character. Despite a thorough search by powerful, motivated adversaries, they found nothing. This speaks volumes about Daniel's unimpeachable professional and ethical conduct. The repetition of "no ground for complaint" (ʿillāh) and "no fault" (shḥithāh) reinforces the absolute absence of any legitimate charge.
• "because he was faithful": This provides the central explanation for Daniel's blamelessness. His mĕhêman (faithfulness/trustworthiness) derived from his fear of God, directly influencing his unwavering commitment to honesty, justice, and diligent service. His character wasn't merely the absence of wrongdoing, but the presence of active virtue.
• "and no error or fault was found in him": This final clause acts as a conclusive statement, covering all bases. šālû (error/negligence) addresses competence and diligence, while shḥithāh (corruption/misdeed) covers moral integrity. The entire phrase underscores his perfect record: no administrative slip-ups, no moral compromises, no legal infractions, directly attributable to his foundational faithfulness.

Daniel 6 4 Bonus section

• The administrative hierarchy (120 satraps, 3 high officials) in Daniel 6 reveals a clear system of delegation designed to efficiently govern the vast Persian Empire. Daniel's position was immensely powerful, justifying the envy he faced.
• The terms ʿillāh (pretext/occasion) and shḥithāh (corruption/misdeed) are distinct. ʿillāh suggests a manufactured charge or a flimsy excuse, while shḥithāh indicates a more serious, tangible offense, whether moral or financial. The absence of both underscores Daniel's absolute purity from false claims and genuine wrongdoings.
• This narrative anticipates the accusations against Jesus, where His enemies "could find no fault" (Jn 18:38, Lk 23:4, etc.) even when bringing false witnesses, because of His perfect, sinless life. Daniel's integrity foreshadows Christ's ultimate blamelessness.
• Daniel’s faithfulness can be seen as an expression of his covenant loyalty to Yahweh, where his behavior in public life reflected his private devotion. This integrated approach to faith and life served as a potent testimony.

Daniel 6 4 Commentary

Daniel 6:4 vividly portrays Daniel's exemplary integrity in public service, which made him an unassailable target in terms of legitimate accusation. His adversaries, fueled by envy over his distinguished administrative gifts and the king's favor, embarked on a malicious and exhaustive investigation into his professional life. The repeated emphasis on "no ground for complaint," "no fault," and "no error" highlights the meticulousness of their search and, consequently, the utter blamelessness of Daniel's conduct.

The foundational reason for his impeccable record is clearly stated: "because he was faithful" (mĕhêman). This wasn't merely a passive avoidance of sin, but an active, God-centered trustworthiness that permeated every aspect of his life and work. His loyalty to God directly translated into a steadfast commitment to honesty, justice, and excellence in his governmental responsibilities. He did not engage in corruption, neglect duties, or compromise his moral standards for personal gain, even in a pagan court known for political intrigue and moral laxity.

This verse presents Daniel as a profound counter-example to the often-corrupt officials of ancient empires, implicitly delivering a polemic against the pervasive moral failures of systems not founded on divine principles. His unwavering integrity made him resilient to the schemes of men, forcing his enemies to abandon attempts at finding legitimate fault and resort instead to attacking his religious devotion—the very source of his exemplary character. It teaches that true faithfulness, when lived out diligently and honestly, provides an internal bulwark against external accusations, often exposing the true malicious intent of the accusers.