Daniel 6 6

Daniel 6:6 kjv

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Daniel 6:6 nkjv

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever!

Daniel 6:6 niv

So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: "May King Darius live forever!

Daniel 6:6 esv

Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, "O King Darius, live forever!

Daniel 6:6 nlt

So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, "Long live King Darius!

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 6 meaning

Daniel 6:6 describes the immediate action taken by the envious provincial governors and satraps. Having plotted against Daniel due to his exceptional performance and favor with King Darius, these officials "thronged" or "hurried" into the king's presence. Their opening words, "King Darius, live forever!", were a standard, deeply respectful, and formal greeting for a monarch. However, beneath this outward show of deference lay a treacherous plan to manipulate the king and secure Daniel's demise, ironically under the guise of exalting Darius himself. This verse thus sets the scene for the malicious deception about to unfold, highlighting the deceptive nature of the conspirators' approach.

Daniel 6 6 Context

Daniel 6:6 occurs within the narrative of Daniel in the Persian Empire under King Darius. The chapter opens with Darius establishing 120 satraps over his kingdom, overseen by three presidents, one of whom was Daniel. Daniel, possessing "an excellent spirit" (Dan 6:3), proved so capable that the king intended to set him over the whole kingdom. This exceptional favor aroused intense jealousy among the other presidents and satraps. Unable to find any fault in Daniel's character or work, they realized his integrity left no room for legal accusation, save for anything concerning his God. They then hatched a plot, as hinted in verse 5, to exploit Daniel's unwavering devotion to God. Verse 6 directly initiates this plot, showing the conspirators' calculated approach to manipulate King Darius into issuing a decree that would target Daniel's religious practices. Their address, seemingly deferential, was a sophisticated trap for both the king and Daniel, masking their insidious motives with a veneer of administrative concern and loyalty.

Daniel 6 6 Word analysis

• So: (Aramaic: 'ălayēn - 'therefore', 'so then') - Marks the consequence of their prior deliberation (Dan 6:5). It signals the transition from plotting to execution of the plan. It's not a mere connective but indicates purpose resulting from their malicious resolve.
• these: (Aramaic: dāk - 'these', 'that') - Points specifically to the conspiring officials identified in the preceding verses. It highlights the collective, organized nature of their malice.
• presidents: (Aramaic: dibrayyā' - high-ranking officials, ministers, governors) - These were among the three highest administrators, appointed directly by the king. Their authority made their concerted action formidable and lent an air of legitimacy to their deceitful petition.
• and satraps: (Aramaic: wĕ'aḥaśdarpĕnayyā' - regional governors) - Lower in rank than the presidents, but numerous, holding considerable provincial power. Their collective involvement demonstrates widespread opposition and a united front against Daniel. The combination of presidents and satraps implies comprehensive political weight behind their complaint.
• thronged before the king: (Aramaic: hănīn qorbīn qaṭām kaggĕrūš - literally "these drew near before the king with a rush" or "hurried before the king.") - The verb "thronged" (or "hurried") conveys a sense of urgency, possibly feigned, designed to imply critical importance to their request. It also suggests a unified, intimidating presence before the monarch.
• and said thus to him: (Aramaic: wĕkēn 'āmĕrîn lēh - 'and so they said to him') - Indicates the commencement of their formal address, the carefully crafted verbal aspect of their conspiracy. The "thus" anticipates the words that follow, highlighting a deliberate presentation.
• King Darius: (Aramaic: Dāryāweš malkā' - 'Darius the king') - A direct and respectful address to the sovereign, foundational to Persian court protocol. It establishes a tone of official communication and feigned loyalty.
• live forever!: (Aramaic: lĕʿālmîn ḥăyī - 'forever live', 'may you live forever') - A conventional, almost obligatory, deferential salutation to an Eastern monarch, expressing loyalty and wishing him longevity. This seemingly innocent blessing serves as a hypocritical prelude to their manipulative request, making their true intentions more sinister by cloaking them in honor. This specific phrase underlines the irony and duplicity inherent in their approach, using a customary phrase of devotion to lay a trap.

Words-group analysis

• "So these presidents and satraps": This phrase identifies the collective, high-level nature of the conspiracy. It is not just a few disgruntled individuals, but the established administrative apparatus of the kingdom (excluding Daniel) mobilizing against him, lending a sense of official weight to their malevolent actions. Their status makes their deception particularly potent.
• "thronged before the king and said thus to him": This emphasizes the concerted, purposeful, and possibly hurried approach. It highlights their united front and the direct, immediate execution of their plan after deliberating (as per previous verses). The phrase depicts an orchestrated appearance, designed to influence the king.
• "'King Darius, live forever!'": This standard royal salutation, while outwardly respectful and customary, functions as a deceptive rhetorical device. It’s a performative act of loyalty intended to butter up the king and put him at ease before they present their malicious, yet carefully framed, petition. It shows the conspirators' cunning in using social and court norms to their wicked advantage, a classic example of flattery preceding betrayal.

Daniel 6 6 Bonus section

The Aramaic term for "presidents," dibrayyā', suggests chief administrators, hinting at their considerable influence over regional policies and royal decrees. Their collective decision to act highlights a united front, where even personal disagreements might be set aside for the common goal of removing Daniel. The very formal greeting "King Darius, live forever!" reflects the deeply ingrained sycophancy common in ancient courts, where absolute monarchs expected such deference. However, it also serves as a potent reminder that evil often operates under the guise of respectability and conventional courtesy. The fact that the conspirators had to search for a loophole in Daniel's religious practice underscores his unimpeachable moral and administrative conduct; their inability to find actual wrongdoing drove them to target his faith, demonstrating the purity of Daniel's walk with God.

Daniel 6 6 Commentary

Daniel 6:6 illustrates the calculated first move of a meticulously planned conspiracy rooted in jealousy and pride. The convergence of "presidents and satraps" signifies a broad, unified front of the elite against one man, highlighting the significant threat Daniel faced. Their "thronging" and the deferential "King Darius, live forever!" were not acts of genuine loyalty but a veneer of respect concealing venomous intent. This opening act of flattery serves as a common tactic by those who seek to manipulate power, where outward praise masks the pursuit of selfish or destructive agendas. The profound irony lies in their use of an honorific that suggests well-wishing, when their very purpose was to orchestrate Daniel's death. This verse powerfully exposes the deceitful nature of those who use conventional forms of politeness and submission as a Trojan horse for their schemes against the righteous, revealing how even expressions of reverence can become instruments of evil.

• Example 1: A dishonest employee praises their manager excessively while secretly undermining a rival colleague to secure a promotion.
• Example 2: Politicians publicly endorse popular policies while privately working to further self-serving legislation.