Daniel 6:16

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast [him] into the den of lions. [Now] the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Then {H116} the king {H4430} commanded {H560}, and they brought {H858} Daniel {H1841}, and cast {H7412} him into the den {H1358} of lions {H744}. Now the king {H4430} spake {H6032} and said {H560} unto Daniel {H1841}, Thy God {H426} whom thou {H607} servest {H6399} continually {H8411}, he will deliver {H7804} thee.

So the king gave the order, and they brought Dani'el and threw him into the lion pit. The king said to Dani'el, "Your God, whom you are always serving, will save you."

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Context

Daniel 6:16 marks the climactic moment of Daniel's trial in the Persian Empire under King Darius. Following a malicious plot by jealous satraps and administrators, Daniel was condemned for defying a royal decree that forbade prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Despite knowing the severe consequences, Daniel continued his daily prayers to God, demonstrating unwavering faithfulness. The king, who genuinely liked Daniel, was distressed and tried to save him but was bound by the unchangeable Medo-Persian law.

Key Themes

  • Faithfulness Under Persecution: Daniel’s steadfast devotion to God, even unto death, is the central theme. His refusal to compromise his spiritual convictions highlights the power of integrity.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance: The king's remarkable declaration, "Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee," underscores an underlying belief in Daniel's God. It foreshadows God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating His ultimate control over human laws and circumstances.
  • The Impact of Godly Living: Daniel’s consistent, righteous life profoundly impacted King Darius, a pagan ruler, leading him to acknowledge the power of Daniel's God. This illustrates how our actions can bear witness to God's truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thy God whom thou servest continually" uses the Aramaic word סְלִק (sĕliq), which implies a consistent, habitual, and uninterrupted service or devotion. It highlights Daniel's lifelong commitment rather than a sporadic act of worship. The word "deliver" (Aramaic שֵׁיזִב, sheyizib) signifies rescue, preservation, or salvation, emphasizing the king's expectation of a supernatural intervention to save Daniel from certain death.

Significance and Application

Daniel 6:16 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Courage in Conviction: It challenges us to stand firm in our faith and convictions, even when facing significant pressure or opposition, trusting that God sees our faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6).
  • God's Deliverance: The king's hopeful words remind us that God is a deliverer, capable of rescuing His people from impossible situations. While not always in the way we expect, God's power to save is absolute (Psalm 34:19). This narrative parallels other biblical accounts of miraculous preservation, such as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
  • Witness Through Lifestyle: Daniel's life was a powerful testimony that even a pagan king recognized. Our consistent walk with God can leave a lasting impression on those around us, opening doors for spiritual conversations and demonstrating God's reality.
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.

  • Psalms 37:39

    But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.

  • Psalms 37:40

    And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

  • Job 5:19

    He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

  • Psalms 91:14

    Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

  • Psalms 91:16

    With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

  • Isaiah 43:2

    When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

  • Daniel 3:28

    ¶ [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

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