Daniel 6:6-9 · Bible study
Daniel 6:6-9 Commentary: Flattery and the Plot Against Daniel
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
The conspirators use flattery and a decree to trap Daniel. Uncover the strategic manipulation behind their tumultuous approach.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The conspirators use flattery and false unanimity to pressure King Darius into signing an irreversible decree designed to trap Daniel.
- Key words: “Assembled together” (Aramaic ragash, meaning to rush tumultuously); “decree”/”interdict” (a binding, unchangeable order).
- Main debate: How absolute was the “law of the Medes and Persians”? Clarke argues it only prevented the king from changing a signed decree, not from enacting contradictory laws; others see it as a near-absolute rule.
- Theological theme: The conflict between human schemes and divine sovereignty; the abuse of power through flattery and legalism.
- Best use: A cautionary example of how political/religious pressure can disguise itself as loyalty, and an invitation to trust God when those in authority fail.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
6So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever!
7All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.
8Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
9Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
WEB World English Bible 2000
6Then these presidents and local governors assembled together to the king, and said this to him, “King Darius, live forever!
7All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the local governors, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a strong decree, that whoever asks a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.”
9Therefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree.
KJV King James Version 1769
6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8Now, 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.
9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
6Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
7All the presidents of the kingdom, the deputies and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a strong interdict, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
9Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the interdict.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
6Then these presidents and satraps have assembled near the king, and thus they are saying to him: `O king Darius, to the ages live!
7Taken counsel have all the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, the counsellors, and the governors, to establish a royal statute, and to strengthen an interdict, that any who seeketh a petition from any god and man until thirty days, save of thee, O king, is cast into a den of lions.
8Now, O king, thou dost establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it is not to be changed, as a law of Media and Persia, that doth not pass away.'
9Therefore king Darius hath signed the writing and interdict.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
6Then these presidents and satraps came in a body to the king, and said thus unto him: King Darius, live for ever!
7All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, the counsellors, and the governors have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of anygod or man for thirty days, except of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
8Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.
9Therefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
6Then the princes, and the governors, craftily suggested to the king, and spoke thus unto him: King Darius, live for ever:
7All the princes of the kingdom, the magistrates, and governors, the senators, and judges, have consulted together, that an imperial decree, and an edict be published: That whosoever shall ask any petition of any god, or man, for thirty days, but of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of the lions.
8Now, therefore, O king, confirm the sentence, and sign the decree: that what is decreed by the Medes and Persians may not be altered, nor any man be allowed to transgress it.
9So king Darius set forth the decree, and established it.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that verses 6-9 form the trap: the officials come to Darius as a noisy, urgent mob. Barnes and Cambridge note that the Aramaic verb ragash means “to rush together in a tumult,” suggesting they hurried to pressurize the king before he could reflect. Clarke and Gill point out that the flattering greeting “King Darius, live forever” was standard court language, but here it masks a scheme to make the king a temporary god. The decree demanded that only Darius could be petitioned for thirty days, an act of sacrilege the officials knew Daniel would never commit (Gill, Henry). The claim that “all the presidents… have consulted together” was false; Daniel was excluded (Barnes). The officials cited the unchangeable law of the Medes and Persians to ensure the decree could not be reversed once signed. Darius signed, either from pride or political calculation, and sealed Daniel’s fate, at least in human terms.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The conspirators deliberately used flattery, false unanimity, and an irreversible decree to set a trap for Daniel, exploiting the king's pride or political insecurity.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The nature of Persian law's unchangeability | The law of the Medes and Persians made a signed royal decree effectively permanent, the king could not revoke it himself (see Esther 1:19, 8:8). | Adam Clarke holds that this did not mean laws were never changed, only that once a decree was formally signed and registered, the king could not alter it at will. Other commentators (e.g., Jamieson-Fausset-Brown) emphasize the religious basis: the king was seen as the incarnation of Ormuzd, so his decrees were considered infallible and therefore unchangeable. |
| Darius's motivation for signing | Darius signed the decree, which the conspirators had already drafted. His quick agreement shows either gullibility or a desire for the honors the decree gave him. | Matthew Henry and others suggest affectation of deity: the king wanted to be treated as a god. Clarke and Barnes point to political pressure: Darius was a new ruler seeking to consolidate power by seeming to agree with his officials. |
| The claim that 'all' officials agreed | Daniel was excluded from the conspiracy. The conspirators' claim of unanimity was false or at least exaggerated. | Some interpreters (e.g., Gill) argue that the phrase 'all the presidents' was a deliberate lie to pressure the king. Others (e.g., the Cambridge Bible) suggest it may refer to the officials present at the consultation, Daniel was simply not invited, making the statement technically true from their perspective but deceptively partial. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting is the early Persian administration of Babylon after the Medo-Persian conquest. Darius the Mede had appointed 120 satraps over the kingdom, with three presidents, one of them Daniel (Daniel 6:1-3). The officials’ scheme exploits two features of Persian court culture.
First, the king was often regarded as the representative or even incarnation of the chief god, Ormuzd. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explain that this allowed the officials to flatter Darius by proposing a decree that effectively made him the sole object of worship for a month. The greeting “live forever” was a standard formula (see Daniel 2:4; 3:9; 5:10), but here it is a tool to stroke the king’s ego. Matthew Henry notes that the officials “pretend to make him a god for thirty days” as bait.
Second, the law of the Medes and Persians, that royal decrees could not be altered once signed, is attested in Esther 1:19 and 8:8. Clarke argues this did not mean laws could never be changed, only that once a decree was formally signed and sealed the king himself could not revoke it. The conspirators use this legal reality to lock Darius into their plan. They present the decree as already written, asking only for his signature (Gill).
Politically, Darius was a new ruler over conquered Babylon. The officials frame the decree as a test of loyalty for the Chaldeans, a way to “tame their proud spirits” (JFB). But their real target was Daniel, who they knew would pray only to God (v.5). Their cunning lies in making the king believe the proposal served his own interests.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources report no significant textual variants for Daniel 6:6-9. The Aramaic text is well preserved across the major manuscripts. The Greek versions (Septuagint, Theodotion) show minor differences in the list of officials but do not affect the meaning of the passage.
Reception History
The story of Daniel in the lions’ den, including the plotting in 6:6-9, has been widely read in Christian tradition as a model of steadfast faith under persecution. Early church writers such as Tertullian and Cyprian saw Daniel as a type of Christ, innocent and delivered from death. The conspirators’ use of flattery and an unchangeable law has been cited in moral and political writings as a warning against trusting human schemes. In Jewish tradition, the passage is part of the larger narrative of Daniel’s integrity, emphasizing that faithfulness to God overrides even royal decrees.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Conspirators’ Scheme: They came tumultuously, using flattery and false unanimity to pressure Darius into signing the decree (vv.6-7). Their appeal to a permanent law left no room for second thoughts (v.8).
- The King’s Pride and Gullibility: Darius, flattered by the offer of divine honor and perhaps eager to assert control, signed the decree without examining it (v.9). He failed to notice Daniel was missing from the list of conspirators.
- The Trap Set: The decree was carefully designed to catch Daniel in his devotion to God. The officials knew his character, that he would not obey any law that contradicted his worship (see v.5,10).
Five-point outline
- Tumultuous assembly: the conspirators rush to the king to prevent reflection (v.6; Barnes, Cambridge).
- Flattering greeting: “King Darius, live forever”, a manipulative opening to mask their plot (v.6; Clarke).
- False unanimity: “All the presidents… have consulted together”, yet Daniel was absent, so this is a lie (v.7; Gill).
- Irreversible decree: the law of the Medes and Persians meant that once signed, the king could not change it (v.8; Clarke, JFB).
- King’s signature: Darius signs, sealing the fate of his most trusted servant (v.9; Henry).
Illustration hooks
- Workplace politics: A team presents a proposal to the boss as unanimous, but one key member’s voice was never heard. The boss, flattered by the idea that the plan serves his agenda, signs quickly without checking.
- Flattery in decision-making: Someone praises a leader’s wisdom and authority, then slips in a request that benefits the flatterer. The leader wants to believe the praise is true, so he agrees without caution.
- The unchangeable contract: A person signs a document with “no cancellation” clauses because they are told it’s standard. Later they realize they were trapped by their own signature.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why would a king as powerful as Darius be so easily manipulated by his own officials?
- What made the conspirators so certain Daniel would disobey the decree, and why did they think that would work?
- Does God ever allow his faithful people to be trapped by evil schemes, and if so, how does that fit with his protection?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows a carefully laid plot against a man of integrity. The conspirators use flattery, false unanimity, and an irreversible law to trap Daniel. As you discuss, watch how human pride and cunning come together, and how God’s purposes remain hidden for the moment.
Discussion questions
- Read verses 6-7. What stands out about how the conspirators approach the king? Why does the way they come matter (especially the Hebrew/Aramaic word for “assembled”)?
- The greeting “King Darius, live forever” was a common courtesy. Why do you think the commentators call it manipulative here? What made it more than a simple greeting?
- Why does the conspirators’ claim that “all the presidents… have consulted together” matter? Was it a lie? What does it tell us about how they wanted the king to view the decree?
- Verse 8 mentions the “law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.” Why would a permanent decree be attractive to Darius? What weakness in the king does this reveal?
- In verse 9, Darius signs the decree. What might he have been thinking? Was he aware that Daniel would be caught? What pressures might have been on him?
- How does this passage help us recognize when flattery or false unanimity is being used to push us into a decision? What safeguards could we put in place?
- This plot is the darkest moment of the chapter before God intervenes. Where do you see a glimmer of hope or God’s hidden hand here?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Nehemiah 2:3 | I said to the king, “Let the king live forever! Why shouldn’t my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?” |
| Psalms 56:6 | They conspire and lurk, watching my steps. They are eager to take my life. |
| Psalms 62:3 | How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? |
| Psalms 64:2 | Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil; |
| Psalms 64:6 | They plot injustice, saying, “We have made a perfect plan!” Surely man’s mind and heart are cunning. |
| Daniel 2:4 | Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” |
| Daniel 3:9 | They answered Nebuchadnezzar the king, “O king, live for ever! |
| Daniel 5:10 | The queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house. The queen spoke and said, “O king, live forever; don’t let your thoughts trouble you, nor let your face be changed. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that the "law of the Medes and Persians" did not mean their decrees were absolutely unchangeable, only that once legally enacted, the king could not alter them on a whim. He also sees the petitioners' worship decree as a pretense to flatter the king while their true aim was to trap Daniel.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights the political cunning of Daniel's accusers. They approached the king with visible urgency, using the Hebrew word for a tumultuous rush, to pressure him into immediate action. The thirty-day limit was a calculated compromise: long enough to trap
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that "assembled together" translates an Aramaic word meaning to throng or come tumultuously, painting a vivid picture of the courtiers storming the king with hostile intent. It also suggests they may have deliberately omitted Daniel from "all the presidents" to imply his approval.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill observes that the conspirators came to Darius in a noisy, tumultuous group to pressure him, having already drafted the decree. He stresses that the law forbade petitions to any god or man except the king, which deified Darius and even banned ordinary civil requests. Gill also notes that the conspirators falsely claimed "all" presidents supported them when only two were
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch defend the historicity of the 120 satraps and Darius’s age at accession, arguing that critics have misread Xenophon and Herodotus. The arrangement was not unprecedented; Xenophon only names six satraps for specific regions, not the entire empire, and Herodotus describes a later tribute reform, not the first creation of satrapies.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange's distinctive point is the stark contrast between the lions' restraint toward Daniel and their immediate, savage destruction of his accusers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that Daniel's enemies could find no fault with him under existing laws, so they invented a new one specifically designed to trap him. The decree is called Darius's law, but Darius did not devise it; he was skillfully manipulated into signing it.