Daniel 6:17

KJV

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And a {H2298} stone {H69} was brought {H858}, and laid {H7761} upon {H5922} the mouth {H6433} of the den {H1358}; and the king {H4430} sealed {H2857} it with his own signet {H5824}, and with the signet {H5824} of his lords {H7261}; that the purpose {H6640} might not {H3809} be changed {H8133} concerning Daniel {H1841}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A stone was brought to block the opening of the pit, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, so that nothing concerning Dani'el could be changed.

Berean Standard Bible

A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.

American Standard Version

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:17 describes the solemn and legally binding act of sealing the lions' den where Daniel had been cast, emphasizing the perceived finality of his judgment. The stone, secured by the king's and his lords' signets, served as an unalterable testament to the Medo-Persian law, ensuring that no human intervention could reverse the decree concerning Daniel's fate. This act, intended to seal Daniel's doom, paradoxically set the stage for a profound demonstration of divine sovereignty and miraculous deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 6:17 immediately follows King Darius's anguished command for Daniel to be thrown into the lions' den, a decree he was compelled to issue despite his personal distress and efforts to save Daniel (cf. [Daniel 6:14](/daniel/6-14 "Daniel 6:14 - King Darius's Distress")). The preceding verses detail the malicious plot of Daniel's jealous adversaries who exploited an unchangeable Medo-Persian law to condemn him for his unwavering devotion to God (cf. [Daniel 6:5-9](/daniel/6-5 "Daniel 6:5-9 - The Plot Against Daniel")). This verse marks the culmination of the human legal process, sealing Daniel's perceived fate and setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that follows in [Daniel 6:19-23](/daniel/6-19 "Daniel 6:19-23 - Daniel's Deliverance")). The sealing underscores the human perception of finality, creating a dramatic contrast with God's ultimate power.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Medo-Persian Empire, known for its rigid and unchangeable laws, provides the backdrop for this event. The phrase "the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not" ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unchangeable Law")) is central to understanding the king's predicament and the sealing of the den. Sealing with a signet ring was a common ancient Near Eastern practice to authenticate documents, secure property, or validate decrees. The ring bore a unique emblem or inscription, acting as a personal signature. By involving both the king's signet and those of his lords, the act of sealing the den was given the highest possible legal authority and public validation, preventing any future claims of tampering or illicit intervention. This practice ensured the integrity of official acts and was deeply embedded in the administrative and legal culture of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God versus Human Authority**. Despite the seemingly absolute and unchangeable nature of human decrees, symbolized by the sealed den, God's power ultimately transcends all earthly limitations. Secondly, it emphasizes **Faithfulness Under Persecution**. Daniel's unwavering prayer life, even in the face of death, led to this predicament, yet his faithfulness is vindicated by God's subsequent intervention. The sealing magnifies the perceived hopelessness of Daniel's situation, thereby magnifying God's miraculous deliverance. Lastly, the verse touches upon the theme of **Divine Preservation**, showcasing God's ability to protect His faithful servants even in the direst circumstances, foreshadowing the ultimate preservation of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **den (Aramaic, _gôb'_):** This term (H1358) refers to a pit, specifically one for wild animals, cut out of the ground. It emphasizes the confined, inescapable nature of Daniel's prison, designed for the specific purpose of holding and containing dangerous beasts. The use of "den" rather than a general "pit" highlights the immediate threat Daniel faced.
* **sealed (Aramaic, _chătham'_):** The verb (H2857) means "to seal," corresponding to the Hebrew root for sealing. This action signifies finality, authentication, and security. In this context, it legally binds the decree, preventing any alteration or interference. It is an act of official closure, making the judgment irreversible from a human perspective.
* **signet (Aramaic, _ʻizqâʼ'_):** This noun (H5824) refers to a signet-ring, an engraved ring used to impress a distinctive mark, serving as a signature or stamp of official authority. The use of both the king's and his lords' signets underscores the collective and undeniable authority behind the decree, validating its enforcement and preventing any future challenges to its legitimacy.
* **purpose (Aramaic, _tsᵉbûw'_):** This word (H6640) denotes "will" or "an affair (as a matter of determination)." In this context, it refers to the determined outcome or decision regarding Daniel. The sealing was to ensure that this "purpose"—Daniel's execution—could not be "changed" (H8133), highlighting the deliberate and irreversible nature of the human judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den":** This clause describes the physical act of sealing. A large stone, likely heavy and difficult to move, was positioned over the opening of the lions' den. This immediate physical barrier served to prevent Daniel's escape and to keep others from interfering with the den's contents, signifying the complete isolation and imprisonment of Daniel.
* **"and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords":** This part details the official authentication of the sealing. King Darius, despite his reluctance, affixed his personal seal, giving the act royal authority. Crucially, the lords (likely the very ones who plotted against Daniel) also sealed it with their signets. This dual sealing served to prevent any future claims of tampering or reversal, solidifying the decree's irrevocability and ensuring that no one, not even the king, could later claim the den was opened or Daniel was rescued by human means. It also bound the lords to the outcome.
* **"that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel":** This final clause explicitly states the legal and practical intent behind the sealing. The "purpose" refers to the death sentence against Daniel. The sealing was a legal safeguard, a public declaration that the judgment was final and unalterable. It was designed to eliminate any possibility of human intervention or a change of mind, leaving Daniel's fate entirely to the lions, or so his accusers believed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the stone and seals representing the absolute, unchangeable nature of human law and the perceived finality of Daniel's doom. This physical barrier symbolizes the human attempt to control destiny and thwart divine intervention. The act of sealing also functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting up the dramatic contrast between human power and divine power; the more securely Daniel is sealed in, the more powerfully God's miraculous deliverance will be demonstrated. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the very act intended to guarantee Daniel's demise ultimately highlights God's ability to work through and reverse seemingly irreversible human decrees, turning a death sentence into a testimony of divine faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:17 serves as a powerful testament to the perceived finality of human decrees and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles faced by God's faithful servants. The meticulous sealing of the den by both royal and noble authority underscores the human desire for control and the belief in the absolute power of earthly law. However, this human attempt to seal Daniel's fate ultimately sets the stage for a profound demonstration of God's transcendent sovereignty. No human decree, no matter how binding or meticulously enforced, can ultimately thwart the divine will or prevent God from delivering His chosen ones. This verse highlights the tension between human authority and divine omnipotence, ultimately affirming that God's power is not limited by any earthly constraint.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord")
* [Isaiah 43:13](/isaiah/43-13 "Isaiah 43:13 - God Acts, Who Can Reverse It?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:17 presents a stark picture of human authority attempting to assert final control, sealing a fate that appears irreversible. Yet, it is precisely in such moments of human certainty and perceived hopelessness that God's power is most gloriously revealed. For us today, this verse is a profound reminder that no situation, no matter how "sealed" by circumstances, human decrees, or even our own despair, is beyond the reach of God's intervention. When we face seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or when our circumstances appear to be "sealed" against any positive outcome, Daniel's story encourages us to look beyond the visible barriers to the invisible hand of God. It calls us to trust that God's purposes for us cannot be thwarted by human machinations or the limitations of this world. Our faith is not in the absence of trials, but in the presence of a God who can open what is sealed and deliver from what seems certain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sealed" situations in your life currently feel irreversible or beyond hope?**
* **How does the meticulousness of the sealing in Daniel 6:17 challenge or strengthen your understanding of God's sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might God be preparing to demonstrate His power in a seemingly "sealed" area of your life, just as He did for Daniel?**
* **How can remembering this verse encourage you to pray with greater faith when facing seemingly impossible circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Why was the den sealed by both the king and his lords?**

Answer: The den was sealed by both the king's signet and the signets of his lords to ensure the absolute legal finality and irrevocability of the decree against Daniel. In the Medo-Persian legal system, a law or decree, once enacted and sealed, was unchangeable ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unchangeable Law")). By having both the highest royal authority and the collective authority of the lords (who were Daniel's accusers) affix their seals, any possibility of tampering, reversal, or later claims of illicit intervention was eliminated. This act publicly validated the execution and bound all parties to its outcome, making it impossible for even King Darius to secretly rescue Daniel or for the lords to later claim the king had interfered. It underscored the perceived absolute power of the human legal system.

**What is the symbolic significance of the stone and the sealing in this context?**

Answer: The stone and the act of sealing carry profound symbolic significance. The **stone** represents a physical, unyielding barrier, signifying the complete isolation and containment of Daniel, and the seemingly insurmountable nature of his predicament. It is a symbol of finality and human control over life and death. The **sealing**, especially with multiple authoritative signets, symbolizes the legal and administrative finality of the decree. It represents the ultimate human attempt to make a situation irreversible and to prevent any change in "the purpose" concerning Daniel. Theologically, these symbols highlight the depth of Daniel's humanly hopeless situation, thereby magnifying the miraculous power of God when He intervenes to deliver Daniel, demonstrating that no human barrier or decree can ultimately thwart His divine will (cf. [Isaiah 43:13](/isaiah/43-13 "Isaiah 43:13 - God Acts, Who Can Reverse It?")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 6:17, with its depiction of a righteous man sealed in a den of death by an unchangeable decree, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate sealing of Jesus Christ's tomb. Just as Daniel was condemned by a human decree and sealed in a den, so too was Jesus condemned by human authorities and sealed in a tomb ([Matthew 27:66](/matthew/27-66 "Matthew 27:66 - The Sealing of Jesus's Tomb")). The stone laid over the den's mouth and secured by royal and noble signets mirrors the great stone rolled against Christ's tomb and sealed by Roman guards ([Matthew 27:60](/matthew/27-60 "Matthew 27:60 - The Tomb Sealed")). In both instances, the sealing was intended to ensure finality, prevent interference, and confirm the death of the condemned. However, just as God supernaturally intervened to shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel ([Daniel 6:22](/daniel/6-22 "Daniel 6:22 - The Angel Shuts the Lions' Mouths")), He likewise supernaturally intervened to raise Jesus from the dead, breaking the seals of death and the grave ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Him Up")). Daniel's deliverance from the sealed den of death points to Christ's victory over sin and death, demonstrating that no human decree, no earthly power, and certainly no sealed tomb, can ultimately contain the power of God or thwart His redemptive purposes for His Son and for all who believe in Him ([Romans 8:37-39](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37-39 - More Than Conquerors")).

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

Lamentations 3:53

They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.

Acts 12:4

And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Acts 16:23

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast [them] into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Acts 16:24

Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Matthew 27:60

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Matthew 27:66

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.