Daniel 6:11

KJV

¶ Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} these {H479} men {H1400} assembled {H7284}, and found {H7912} Daniel {H1841} praying {H1156} and making supplication {H2604} before {H6925} his God {H426}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then these men descended on Dani'el and found him making requests and pleading before his God.

Berean Standard Bible

Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God.

American Standard Version

Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:11 captures a pivotal moment demonstrating Daniel's unwavering devotion to God amidst extreme personal peril. This verse vividly portrays the conspirators' success in their treacherous plot, as they discover Daniel engaged in his habitual practice of prayer and supplication, directly defying the recent royal decree. This act of faithful disobedience sets the stage for Daniel's miraculous deliverance and underscores the profound integrity of a man whose loyalty to God superseded any earthly command or threat.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Daniel's full awareness of King Darius's unchangeable decree, which forbade any petition to god or man for thirty days, except to the king himself, under penalty of being cast into the lions' den ([Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The Royal Decree")). Daniel 6:10 explicitly states that Daniel, knowing the decree was signed, still went to his house, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and knelt down three times a day, praying and giving thanks to his God, as was his custom. Daniel 6:11 then describes the direct consequence of Daniel's steadfastness: the very men who instigated the decree, eager to find fault with Daniel, "assembled" and caught him in the act of prayer, confirming their trap had worked. This moment is the climax of the conspirators' scheme, leading directly to Daniel's accusation before the king.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the early years of the Persian Empire's rule over Babylon, under King Darius the Mede. Persian law, once enacted and signed by the king, was considered immutable ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unchangeable Law")). This rigid legal system meant that even the king could not rescind his own decree, placing Daniel in an inescapable dilemma between divine and human authority. The conspirators, likely jealous satraps and presidents, exploited this legal inflexibility and the king's vanity to target Daniel, who had been elevated to a position of great authority ([Daniel 6:1-3](/daniel/6-1 "Daniel 6:1 - Daniel's High Position")). For Daniel, a devout Jew exiled in a foreign land, prayer toward Jerusalem was a deeply ingrained practice, symbolizing hope for restoration and allegiance to the God of Israel, even when far from the Temple.

* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:11 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **unwavering faithfulness** to God, even in the face of mortal danger, demonstrating Daniel's deep trust in divine providence over human power. Secondly, it underscores the **consistency of prayer** as a vital spiritual discipline, showing that Daniel's devotion was not opportunistic but a daily, ingrained habit that sustained him. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies **integrity under pressure**, as Daniel refused to compromise his spiritual convictions despite the severe consequences, serving as a powerful testimony against his adversaries. Finally, Daniel's act of prayer functions as a profound act of **spiritual resistance**, asserting God's ultimate sovereignty above any earthly authority that attempts to usurp His place, echoing the principle of obeying God rather than men found in later biblical narratives like [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Rather Than Men").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **assembled (Aramaic, _rᵉgash'_):** This Aramaic term (H7284) means "to gather tumultuously" or "to assemble together." It conveys the sense of a concerted, perhaps eager or even agitated, gathering of the conspirators. They were not merely meeting by chance but actively congregating with a specific, malicious intent: to catch Daniel in the act of disobedience. The word implies a sense of urgency and perhaps a mob-like mentality in their pursuit of Daniel.
* **praying (Aramaic, _bᵉʻâʼ_):** The Aramaic word (H1156) corresponding to the Hebrew _ba'ah_ means "to seek or ask." In this context, it refers to Daniel's general act of communicating with God, seeking His presence, will, and perhaps even His intervention. It encompasses the broader act of devotion and communion, a regular practice for Daniel as described in [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Consistent Prayer").
* **making supplication (Aramaic, _chănan'_):** This Aramaic term (H2604), related to the concept of grace or favor, means "to favor or (causatively) to entreat." When used reflexively, as here, it signifies "to make supplication," implying a humble, earnest, and specific request for divine favor, mercy, or help. This word adds a layer of intensity and need to Daniel's prayer, suggesting he was not just generally praying but specifically pleading with God, perhaps for strength, wisdom, or protection in his perilous situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then these men assembled,"**: This clause immediately follows Daniel's consistent prayer life described in [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer Habit"). The "men" are the jealous satraps and presidents who had conspired against Daniel, devising the decree to trap him. Their "assembling" indicates their deliberate and collective action, demonstrating their eagerness to witness Daniel's transgression and secure his downfall. It highlights the calculated nature of their plot and their active surveillance of Daniel.
* **"and found Daniel"**: This phrase marks the successful culmination of the conspirators' scheme. They actively sought to catch Daniel, and their efforts paid off. The word "found" (H7912, _shᵉkach_) implies a discovery of something previously hidden or sought after, emphasizing that Daniel's act was not accidental but a deliberate and visible continuation of his spiritual discipline, despite the decree.
* **"praying and making supplication"**: This is the core of Daniel's "offense." He was engaged in direct communication with his God. The dual expression, "praying" (general communion) and "making supplication" (earnest entreaty for favor/mercy), underscores the depth and earnestness of Daniel's devotion. It was not a casual act but a profound, heartfelt engagement with the divine, the very act the decree sought to prohibit.
* **"before his God."**: This final phrase is crucial. It clarifies the object of Daniel's devotion and the nature of his "crime." He was not praying to the king, nor to any other deity, but specifically "before his God"—the one true God of Israel. This emphasizes Daniel's singular allegiance and the direct conflict between the king's decree and Daniel's unyielding loyalty to the Almighty. It highlights the personal and intimate nature of his relationship with God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the very act intended to condemn Daniel—his unwavering prayer—ultimately becomes the catalyst for God's miraculous intervention and Daniel's vindication. The conspirators' "finding" of Daniel in prayer, meant to expose his disobedience, instead exposes their malice and Daniel's profound faithfulness. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the earthly power and immutable law of King Darius and the spiritual power and unyielding devotion of Daniel to his God. Daniel's quiet, consistent act of prayer stands in stark opposition to the tumultuous assembly of his adversaries and the oppressive nature of the decree. Furthermore, Daniel's prayer itself serves as **Symbolism**, representing not just personal piety but also an act of courageous spiritual resistance against a totalitarian regime attempting to usurp God's rightful place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:11 profoundly speaks to the nature of authentic faith and the sovereignty of God in the face of human opposition. Daniel's unyielding commitment to prayer, despite the threat of death, illustrates that true worship is not contingent upon favorable circumstances but flows from a deep, abiding relationship with the Divine. His actions underscore the theological truth that there are times when obedience to God necessitates civil disobedience to human authority, especially when human laws directly contradict divine commands. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God honors faithfulness and that His power is often most clearly displayed when His servants are most vulnerable.

* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Peter and the Apostles Obey God Rather Than Men")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")
* [1 Thessalonians 5:17](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:11 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. It compels us to examine the depth and consistency of our own spiritual disciplines, particularly prayer, in a world that often pressures us to conform or compromise. Daniel's example teaches us that genuine faith is not merely a private belief but a public commitment, expressed through consistent acts of devotion, even when inconvenient or dangerous. Are we willing to prioritize our communion with God above all earthly fears or societal pressures? Daniel's integrity under pressure reminds us that our true allegiance is to God, and that standing firm in our convictions, even when it costs us, can become a powerful testimony to His sustaining grace. His story inspires us to cultivate a prayer life so deeply ingrained that it becomes an unbreakable habit, a source of strength and defiance against any force that seeks to separate us from our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's consistent prayer life, despite the decree, challenge my own commitment to spiritual disciplines when facing inconvenience or opposition?**
* **What "decrees" or societal pressures in my life might tempt me to compromise my faith or neglect my devotion to God?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a deeper, more consistent practice of prayer and supplication, even in the "private" spaces of my life?**

### FAQ
**Question?**

Answer: Daniel's decision to pray openly, as described in [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer Habit"), was not an act of recklessness but a profound demonstration of his unwavering integrity and faith. He refused to compromise his devotion to God, even under threat of death. For Daniel, ceasing his regular prayer practice would have been a concession to human authority over divine command, a betrayal of his lifelong commitment to the one true God. His open prayer was a conscious act of obedience to God, an affirmation that his ultimate allegiance lay with the Almighty, not with an earthly king or an unjust law. It also reflected his deep trust that God was sovereign and would sustain him, regardless of the outcome.

**Question?**

Answer: The use of two distinct Aramaic terms, "praying" (_bᵉʻâʼ_) and "making supplication" (_chănan_), emphasizes the comprehensive and earnest nature of Daniel's communication with God. "Praying" (H1156) refers to the general act of seeking or asking, encompassing broad communion and worship. "Making supplication" (H2604) implies a more specific, humble, and earnest plea for divine favor, mercy, or help. This combination suggests that Daniel was not merely going through the motions; he was deeply engaged in a heartfelt pouring out of his needs, desires, and perhaps even his fears before God, seeking His grace and intervention in a time of extreme crisis. It highlights the depth and intimacy of his relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 6:11, while a powerful testament to human faithfulness, ultimately points beyond Daniel to the ultimate faithful one, Jesus Christ. Daniel's consistent prayer life, even under the threat of death, foreshadows the perfect and unwavering devotion of Jesus, who frequently withdrew to pray ([Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Withdraws to Pray")) and consistently sought His Father's will, even to the point of agony in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus in Gethsemane")). Daniel's refusal to compromise his allegiance to God in the face of an unjust decree prefigures Christ's perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")), an obedience that ultimately triumphed over all earthly and spiritual powers. Just as Daniel's prayer was a defiant act against a worldly kingdom, Christ's life and death were the ultimate act of spiritual resistance, establishing a kingdom not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Furthermore, Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den, a direct result of his faithfulness, serves as a powerful type of Christ's victory over death and the grave, offering ultimate deliverance to all who trust in Him. Christ is the true intercessor, who ever lives to make supplication for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Eternal Intercessor")), fulfilling the earnest "supplication" seen in Daniel's prayer with perfect efficacy.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:32

The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

Psalms 37:33

The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Psalms 10:9

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

Daniel 6:6

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