Daniel 6:15

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians [is], That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Then {H116} these {H479} men {H1400} assembled {H7284} unto {H5922} the king {H4430}, and said {H560} unto the king {H4430}, Know {H3046}, O king {H4430}, that the law {H1882} of the Medes {H4076} and Persians {H6540} is, That no {H3606} decree {H633} nor statute {H7010} which the king {H4430} establisheth {H6966} may be changed {H8133}.

But these men descended on the king and said to him, "Remember, your majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or edict, once issued by the king, can be revoked."

Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”

Then these men assembled together unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Daniel 6:15 is a crucial verse in the dramatic account of Daniel, highlighting the unyielding nature of the Medo-Persian legal system that trapped King Darius and set the stage for Daniel's confrontation with the lions' den.

Context

Following Daniel's rise to prominence in the Persian government under King Darius, envious satraps and presidents sought to undermine him. Unable to find any fault in his administrative duties or personal conduct (Daniel 6:4), they devised a cunning plan to exploit his devout faith. They persuaded King Darius to sign an irreversible edict forbidding anyone from making a petition to any god or man other than the king for thirty days (Daniel 6:7). Daniel, known for his consistent prayer life (Daniel 6:10), continued his practice, leading to his capture by his adversaries. This verse captures the moment when the conspirators confront the king, reminding him of the unchangeable nature of the law he had just established, thereby forcing his hand against Daniel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Immutability of Medo-Persian Law: The central theme is the absolute and unchangeable character of the "law of the Medes and Persians." Once a decree was signed and sealed by the king, it became an unalterable statute. This legal rigidity is a defining feature of the Persian Empire's judicial system, often contrasted with the more flexible (or sometimes arbitrary) laws of other ancient kingdoms.
  • The Peril of Human Systems and Conspiracies: The verse powerfully illustrates how human laws, even those intended to maintain order, can be maliciously exploited. The conspirators used the law's irreversible nature as a trap, not only for Daniel but also for King Darius, who found himself bound by his own decree.
  • Limits of Royal Authority: Despite being the supreme ruler of a vast empire, King Darius was rendered powerless to revoke or modify a law he had himself enacted. This highlights that even absolute monarchs could be constrained by their own legal precedents and the established traditions of their kingdom. His deep distress and efforts to save Daniel are evident in Daniel 6:14.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the law of the Medes and Persians" (Aramaic: dath madai u'pharas) points to a well-known legal tradition in the ancient Near East characterized by its unwavering permanence. The Aramaic word for "changed" (shenah) signifies alteration or reversal. This concept of an unalterable royal decree is corroborated by other biblical texts, such as in the book of Esther, where the unchangeable nature of the king's writing is also noted (Esther 8:8), reinforcing the historical accuracy of this legal principle within the Persian administration.

Practical Application

Daniel 6:15 offers a timeless lesson on the inherent flaws of human legal systems, even when designed for good. It reminds us that laws, though necessary for society, can be rigid, prone to exploitation, and at times, lead to injustice. It underscores the importance of wisdom and foresight in crafting legislation, as their consequences can be far-reaching and, in some cases, irreversible. For believers, this account contrasts the inflexibility of human law with the unchanging, yet perfectly righteous and merciful, character of God and His divine principles, which are always true and just (Malachi 3:6).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 6:12

    Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask [a petition] of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing [is] true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  • Esther 8:8

    Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

  • Psalms 94:20

    Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

  • Psalms 94:21

    They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

  • Daniel 6:8

    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.

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