Daniel 6 8

Daniel 6:8 kjv

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Daniel 6:8 nkjv

Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter."

Daniel 6:8 niv

Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered?in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."

Daniel 6:8 esv

Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked."

Daniel 6:8 nlt

And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked."

Daniel 6 verses

Daniel 6 8 Meaning

This verse describes an immediate reaction to Darius's decree: Daniel's actions are public, purposeful, and unswerving in his devotion to God. The text emphasizes that Daniel continued his established practice of prayer and praise to God despite the severe penalty.

Daniel 6 8 Context

Daniel chapter 6 narrates the story of Daniel in the lion's den. King Darius, having been impressed by Daniel's wisdom and faithfulness, promoted him to a high position. However, this caused jealousy among the other presidents and princes of the kingdom, who plotted to ensnare Daniel. They persuaded Darius to issue a decree forbidding prayer to any god or man for thirty days, except to the king himself, under penalty of being thrown into a lion's den. This verse occurs immediately after this decree is enacted, detailing Daniel's response.

Daniel 6 8 Word Analysis

• וְכִי־־יְדַ֥ע (vəḵî-yəḏaʿ): "and when Daniel knew"

  • וְ (və): Conjunction "and." Connects this verse to the previous one, highlighting the continuous nature of Daniel's actions.
  • כִי (ḵî): "when," "since," "because," "that." Here, it signifies "when" or "although," indicating the temporal circumstance under which Daniel acted. It establishes the awareness of the decree.
  • יְדַ֥ע (yəḏaʿ): "knew," "understood." From the root ידע (yada), meaning knowledge or acquaintance. Daniel was fully aware of the prohibition.

• דָּנִיֵּ֛אל (Dāniʼēl): "Daniel." The subject of the verse. A Hebrew name meaning "God is my judge." His identity is crucial to the narrative.

• כִּֽי־אִת־הוּא (ki-'it hu'): "that it was written."

  • כִּֽי (ki): "that." Introduces the subordinate clause, specifying what Daniel knew.
  • אִת־ (it): Accusative particle. Denotes the direct object, indicating that the decree was indeed confirmed and official.
  • הוּא (hu'): "it." Refers back to the royal decree.

• עִם־מַלְכוּתָא (ʿim-malkûṯā): "with the king's writing and seal."

  • עִם (ʿim): Preposition meaning "with" or "against." Here, it indicates concurrence with or ratification of the decree by the king.
  • מַלְכוּתָא (malkûṯā): Aramaic for "kingdom," "reign," or "decree/royal command." It signifies the authoritative nature of the document, issued with the king's power. The term is derived from מֶלֶךְ (meleḵ), meaning "king." The use of the Aramaic suffix "-ta" for "kingdom" points to the prevailing administrative language in the Medo-Persian empire.

• לָא (lā'): "not."

  • A strong negative particle in Aramaic.

• מִתְּפַּ֥ק (mittəp̄aq): "prevented," "hindered," "stopped."

  • From the root פק (paq), meaning "to visit," "to attend to," or "to look after." In Piel, it can mean to attend to, cause to visit, or appoint. In Niphal (passive form implied here), it often signifies being looked after or cared for, but in a specific idiomatic sense (e.g., from the root עָצַר – 'to stop'), it can imply being hindered or stopped from doing something. Some interpretations link this to a sense of oversight or provision; that is, nothing could prevent him in the sense of divine oversight or the force of habit/devotion. A more direct interpretation is simply "prevented" or "hindered."

• לְמִבְצָא (ləmiḇṣāʾ): "to make" or "to accomplish" (prayer).

  • לְ (lə): Infinitive prefix "to."
  • מִבְצָא (miḇṣāʾ): Aramaic root בצא (bṣa'), meaning "to accomplish," "to achieve," "to finish," or "to come out." Used here to describe the act of offering prayer or making a petition. The act of prayer itself.

• בֵּית֙ (bêṯ): "house."

  • Refers to his private dwelling.

• וְשִׁנּוֹי (wəšinnôy): "and window."

  • וְ (wə): "and." Connects "house" and "window."
  • שִׁנּוֹי (šinnôy): Aramaic for "window." Windows in ancient times were often simple openings, and positioning oneself near a window for prayer was common to facilitate visibility and potentially make oneself known, or simply to face a particular direction.

• מַסֵּי (mase): "opening," "facing."

  • From the root נסי (nsy), which can mean "to flee" or "to set one's face toward," "to travel." Here, it indicates the direction or orientation of prayer. Daniel purposefully positioned himself.

• מִן־(min): "from," "towards."

  • A preposition indicating direction.

• יְרוּשְׁלֵmités (Yərûšəlêmîṯ): "Jerusalem."

  • Aramaic for Jerusalem. The city was significant as the center of worship and God's presence. Praying facing Jerusalem was a practice demonstrating allegiance to God and His covenant, even from exile (cf. 1 Kings 8:48).

• יָמְמִין (yāmêmîn): "days."

  • Aramaic for "days." The duration of his adherence to his prayer habit.

• תְּלָת (ṯəlāṯ): "three."

  • Aramaic numeral for three. The number of times daily Daniel typically prayed, as inferred from later verses and established patterns of Jewish prayer.

• כָּךְ־(ḵāḵ): "thus," "so," "like."

  • Adverb indicating manner. Daniel continued in his accustomed way.

• אָרֵק (ʾāreq): "kneeled," "worshipped," "made petition."

  • From the root רעק (rʿq), meaning "to kneel," "to bend the knee." This is a posture of humility and supplication before God.

• וְצָלִי (wəṣālî): "and prayed."

  • וְ (wə): "and."
  • צָלִי (ṣālî): Aramaic verb, "he prayed." From the root צלא (ṣlā), meaning "to pray."

• עִם־(ʿim): "with."

  • Indicates conjunction with or presence of God.

• אֱלָהָהּ (ʾĕlāhāh): "his God."

  • Aramaic for "his God." Emphasizes personal relationship and possession. Daniel's God is distinct and he attributes worship to Him specifically.

• קֳדָמוֹהִי (qodāmôhî): "before him."

  • קֳדָם (qodām): Aramaic preposition meaning "before," "in front of."
  • –וֹהִי (-ôhî): Suffix pronoun "him." This indicates he faced God directly in his worship, perhaps signifying direct access.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "כִּֽי־אִת־הוּא עִם־מַלְכוּתָא לָא מִתְּפַּ֥ק לְמִבְצָא": "that it was written with the king's writing and seal [and could] not be prevented from being done." This phrasing implies that despite the decree, the command of God was to continue the practice, and nothing could truly stop Daniel's devotion. The passive implication might suggest an acceptance that no earthly authority could rightly halt his devotion to his God.
  • "מִן־יְרוּשְׁלֵmités יָמְמִין תְּלָת": "from Jerusalem, days three." This likely signifies Daniel's custom of praying three times a day, facing Jerusalem. This repetition and direction underscore the deep-rooted nature of his faith practices.
  • "אָרֵק וְצָלִי עִם־אֱלָהָהּ קֳדָמוֹהִי": "he kneeled and prayed with his God before him." This is a powerful image of profound reverence, active worship (kneeling), and direct communion with God.

Daniel 6 8 Bonus Section

The practice of praying three times a day facing Jerusalem was a significant aspect of Jewish piety. The three times could potentially correspond to the morning, afternoon, and evening sacrifices offered at the Temple in Jerusalem (e.g., Exodus 29:38-42), connecting Daniel's private devotion to the public sacrificial system even when distant. Daniel’s action anticipates the New Testament emphasis on spiritual worship and the ultimate priestly sacrifice of Christ, where the temple is no longer a physical building but God Himself and believers worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), even without a physical temple or a specific geographic orientation, because the living God dwells within believers. This verse serves as a testament to the enduring power of faith in challenging circumstances.

Daniel 6 8 Commentary

Daniel's response to the decree reveals the supremacy of his commitment to God over earthly authority. The fact that the text specifies he knew about the prohibition but continued his established pattern highlights deliberate defiance rooted in deep conviction. He did not hide his worship; it was a public act, performed with continuity and consistency ("three times a day"). This demonstrates that for Daniel, obedience to God was non-negotiable, even in the face of severe consequences. His posture of kneeling and facing Jerusalem signifies humility, submission to divine authority, and connection to the covenant promises of God. This act of faith underscores the principle that allegiance to God takes precedence over any human law that contradicts divine law.