Daniel 6:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:15 marks a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Daniel in the lions' den, revealing the unyielding and irreversible nature of Medo-Persian law. This verse captures the conspirators' cunning appeal to King Darius, reminding him of the absolute immutability of the decree he had just signed, thereby sealing Daniel's fate according to human statute and setting the stage for divine intervention. It underscores the rigid legal framework of the empire, which even the king himself could not alter, highlighting the inherent limitations and potential for injustice within human systems.

### CONTEXT

* **Literary Context:** Daniel 6:15 is situated at the climax of the plot against Daniel. Following Daniel's exceptional administrative success under King Darius, envious satraps and presidents sought to undermine him, but found no fault in his character or work ethic ([Daniel 6:4](/daniel/6-4 "Daniel 6:4 - Daniel's Blameless Character")). Recognizing Daniel's unwavering devotion to God, they devised a malicious decree: anyone who prayed to any god or man other than the king for thirty days would be cast into the lions' den ([Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The King's Decree Against Prayer")). King Darius, unaware of the true motive, signed this decree, which was then sealed. Daniel, true to his faith, continued his daily prayers ([Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Continued Prayer Life")), leading to his immediate accusation. Verse 15 is the conspirators' final, triumphant move, confronting the now-distraught king with the unchangeable nature of his own law, compelling him to enforce the punishment despite his desire to save Daniel ([Daniel 6:14](/daniel/6-14 "Daniel 6:14 - King Darius's Distress")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Medo-Persian Empire, which succeeded the Babylonian Empire, was renowned for its stable and purportedly immutable legal system. This characteristic is a recurring theme in biblical texts concerning this period, notably in the book of Esther where the king's decrees are also described as unchangeable ([Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Unchangeable Law of Persia") and [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Royal Decrees Are Irreversible")). This legal rigidity was a source of pride and stability for the empire, ensuring consistency and preventing arbitrary reversals by subsequent rulers or even the current monarch. Geographically, the events unfold in Babylon, the administrative center of the Persian Empire's western satrapies, where Darius (likely Darius the Mede, possibly a viceroy or a historical figure associated with Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon) held sway. The cultural norm of absolute monarchical authority was paradoxically constrained by the very laws the king enacted, once they were formally established.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **immutability of Medo-Persian law**, contrasting human legal systems, however rigid, with the unchanging and perfect character of God's divine decrees. Secondly, it exposes the **peril of human conspiracies and legalism**, demonstrating how laws, even those seemingly designed for order, can be maliciously exploited to ensnare the innocent. The conspirators' manipulation of the law reveals the corrupting influence of envy and power. Thirdly, it underscores the **limits of royal authority**, showing that even an absolute monarch like Darius was bound by the established legal precedents of his own kingdom, rendering him powerless to reverse a decree he himself had authorized. This limitation on human power ultimately serves to magnify the absolute sovereignty of God, who alone can transcend and overrule human limitations and injustices, as seen in the subsequent deliverance of Daniel ([Daniel 6:21-23](/daniel/6-21 "Daniel 6:21-23 - Daniel's Deliverance from the Lions")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis

* **assembled (Aramaic, _rᵉgash'_):** This term (H7284) means "to gather tumultuously." It implies a forceful, perhaps even boisterous, gathering, suggesting the conspirators approached the king with a sense of urgency, collective purpose, and possibly a degree of self-righteous triumph, eager to enforce their malicious plot.
* **law (Aramaic, _dâth'_):** This word (H1882) refers to a "royal edict or statute." It emphasizes the formal, binding, and authoritative nature of the king's decree. The use of this specific term highlights that the conspirators are not appealing to a general custom but to a formally enacted, written, and therefore unalterable, legal instrument.
* **changed (Aramaic, _shᵉnâʼ'_):** This verb (H8133) means "to alter" or "to be diverse." Its negative application ("may not be changed") underscores the absolute and final nature of the Medo-Persian legal system. Once a law was established, it was considered permanent and beyond modification or revocation, even by the monarch who issued it.

#### Verse Breakdown

* **"Then these men assembled unto the king,"**: This clause immediately follows the discovery of Daniel praying and his subsequent accusation. "These men" refers to the jealous satraps and presidents who had orchestrated the decree. Their "assembling" indicates a deliberate, unified, and formal confrontation with King Darius, likely to ensure he could not evade the consequences of his own law.
* **"and said unto the king, Know, O king,"**: The conspirators address the king directly, using a formal and seemingly respectful tone ("Know, O king"). This imperative serves as a stern reminder or an emphatic declaration, ensuring the king fully comprehends the legal predicament he is in. It's a rhetorical device to box him into a corner.
* **"that the law of the Medes and Persians [is],"**: This phrase introduces the core legal principle that forms the basis of their argument. It refers to a well-established and recognized legal tradition within the Medo-Persian Empire, known for its unyielding nature. The parenthetical "[is]" in the KJV clarifies the implied verb of existence.
* **"That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed."**: This is the crux of the conspirators' argument and the legal trap. They explicitly state the principle of immutability: once a "decree" (Aramaic, `ʼĕçâr`, an interdict) or "statute" (Aramaic, `qᵉyâm`, an edict arising in law) is "established" (Aramaic, `qûwm`, to set up or appoint) by the king, it cannot be "changed" (Aramaic, `shᵉnâʼ`, altered or reversed). This legal rigidity leaves Darius with no recourse but to enforce the death sentence on Daniel.

#### Literary Devices

The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as King Darius, the supreme ruler, finds himself utterly powerless and trapped by the very law he enacted. His absolute authority is paradoxically limited by his own legal system, creating a stark and tragic situation for him. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the unchangeable nature of human law sets the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that will demonstrate God's superior power and unchangeable character. The **Contrast** between the rigid, unbending human law and the flexible, merciful, yet ultimately just, will of God is implicitly highlighted. Furthermore, the conspirators' precise and legalistic language ("no decree nor statute... may be changed") exemplifies **Legalism**, where the letter of the law is strictly enforced, even when it leads to clear injustice and contradicts the spirit of mercy or fairness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Daniel 6:15 profoundly illustrates the limitations and potential for corruption within human governance and legal systems. While laws are essential for societal order, this verse reveals how even well-intended legal frameworks can be exploited for malicious purposes, leading to grave injustice. It underscores the contrast between the fallibility and mutability of human decrees, which can be rigid and unmerciful, and the unchanging, righteous, and ultimately merciful character of God. God's decrees are eternal and perfect, not subject to human manipulation or reversal, and His justice is always tempered with grace. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that ultimate trust should not be placed in human institutions or rulers, but in the sovereign God who can intervene even when human systems fail or conspire against the righteous.

Cross-references that illuminate these connections include:

* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature")
* [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same")
* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - God, the Father of Lights, Does Not Change")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Daniel 6:15 offers profound lessons for believers today, highlighting the tension between human law and divine justice. It calls us to recognize that while we are called to obey the laws of the land ([Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")), our ultimate allegiance belongs to God, especially when human decrees conflict with divine commands. The rigidity of the Medo-Persian law, though intended for stability, became a tool for injustice, reminding us that even the most robust human systems are flawed and can be manipulated by those with evil intent. This should prompt us to pray for our leaders and for justice in our legal systems, advocating for laws that reflect righteousness and mercy. Furthermore, Daniel's unwavering faith in the face of an unchangeable human decree serves as an inspiring example of integrity and trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire and human solutions are exhausted. It encourages us to stand firm in our convictions, knowing that God is able to work beyond the confines of human limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection

* **How does the unchangeable nature of the Medo-Persian law in Daniel 6:15 compare with the immutability of God's character and promises?**
* **In what ways might human laws or systems today, even those designed for good, be prone to exploitation or lead to injustice?**
* **What does Daniel's response to this unchangeable decree teach us about standing firm in our faith when faced with seemingly insurmountable human obstacles?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty even when human authority seems absolute and unyielding?**

### FAQ

**Why was the law of the Medes and Persians considered unchangeable?**

Answer: The immutability of Medo-Persian law was a defining characteristic of their legal system, designed to ensure stability and consistency across their vast empire. Once a decree was signed and sealed by the king, it became an unalterable statute, preventing arbitrary changes by the current monarch or future rulers. This tradition is highlighted in other biblical texts, such as [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Unchangeable Law of Persia") and [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - Royal Decrees Are Irreversible"), reinforcing its historical accuracy. This rigidity was seen as a strength, providing predictability and preventing chaos, but as Daniel 6:15 shows, it could also be exploited for malicious purposes, leading to severe injustice.

**Did King Darius know the law was unchangeable when he signed the decree?**

Answer: While the text doesn't explicitly state Darius's full awareness of the decree's unchangeable nature *at the moment of signing*, it is highly probable that he did. As the king of the Medo-Persian Empire, he would have been intimately familiar with its foundational legal principles. His deep distress and desperate efforts to save Daniel after realizing the trap ([Daniel 6:14](/daniel/6-14 "Daniel 6:14 - King Darius's Distress")) strongly suggest he understood the irreversible consequences of his signature. The conspirators' explicit reminder in Daniel 6:15 serves to underscore this unyielding legal reality and to prevent the king from attempting to find a loophole.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Daniel 6:15, with its stark portrayal of an unchangeable human law leading to the condemnation of the innocent, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine decree of salvation through Jesus Christ. While the law of the Medes and Persians was rigid and unyielding, trapping even the king in its consequences, God's eternal decree of justice and mercy is perfectly immutable and unchangeable, yet it leads to life, not condemnation, for those who believe. The "law" that Christ fulfilled was not a flawed human statute, but the perfect and holy Law of God, which humanity could not keep. Jesus, the truly innocent One, was condemned by human decree and a flawed legal process ([John 19:16](/john/19-16 "John 19:16 - Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified")), much like Daniel. However, unlike Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den, Christ's death was not an escape but a purposeful sacrifice, an unchangeable act of divine love that satisfied the demands of God's perfect justice and broke the power of sin and death. His resurrection serves as the ultimate "alteration" of death's decree, establishing a new covenant based on grace and an everlasting kingdom whose laws are righteous and true, and whose King reigns forever ([Hebrews 7:24](/hebrews/7-24 "Hebrews 7:24 - Christ's Unchanging Priesthood")). The unchangeable nature of God's covenant promises in Christ provides a foundation far more secure than any human law, offering eternal hope and an unshakeable kingdom ([Hebrews 6:17-19](/hebrews/6-17 "Hebrews 6:17-19 - God's Unchangeable Purpose")).

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

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.