Daniel 6:20

KJV

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: [and] the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

KJV (with Strong's)

And when he came {H7127} to the den {H1358}, he cried {H2200} with a lamentable {H6088} voice {H7032} unto Daniel {H1841}: and the king {H4430} spake {H6032} and said {H560} to Daniel {H1841}, O Daniel {H1841}, servant {H5649} of the living {H2417} God {H426}, is thy God {H426}, whom thou servest {H6399} continually {H8411}, able {H3202} to deliver {H7804} thee from {H4481} the lions {H744}?

Complete Jewish Bible

On approaching the pit where Dani'el was, the king cried in a pained voice to Dani'el, "Dani'el, servant of the living God! Has your God, whom you are always serving, been able to save you from the lions?"

Berean Standard Bible

When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

American Standard Version

And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:20 marks the dramatic climax of Daniel's night in the lions' den, depicting King Darius's anxious arrival at dawn. His desperate, sorrowful cry to Daniel, immediately followed by the pivotal question regarding the "living God's" ability to deliver His faithful servant, encapsulates the king's profound distress, his burgeoning recognition of Yahweh's unique power, and the intense suspense surrounding Daniel's fate. This moment sets the stage for a miraculous divine intervention that will profoundly impact the king and his empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the king's sleepless night, filled with fasting and sorrow, after he was manipulated into casting Daniel into the lions' den ([Daniel 6:18](/daniel/6-18 "Daniel 6:18 - King Darius's Distress")). The decree, signed by Darius under duress from jealous officials, was irrevocable according to Medo-Persian law ([Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Irrevocable Decree")). Daniel's unwavering faithfulness, demonstrated by his continued prayer despite the decree ([Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer")), led directly to his predicament. Verse 20 captures the king's urgent, hopeful return to the den at the earliest possible moment, reflecting his deep personal attachment to Daniel and his desperate desire for a miracle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of executing criminals or political enemies by casting them into a pit with wild animals was known in ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as a brutal and public display of power. Medo-Persian law, particularly the irrevocability of royal decrees, is a crucial cultural element; once a law was signed by the king and sealed, it could not be changed, even by the king himself ([Daniel 6:15](/daniel/6-15 "Daniel 6:15 - The King's Powerlessness")). This highlights Darius's profound dilemma and the extraordinary nature of his hope. The king's reference to "the living God" is significant, as it contrasts sharply with the inanimate idols of pagan religions, indicating a growing, albeit still incomplete, understanding of Yahweh's true nature, influenced by Daniel's consistent witness.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Deliverance**, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention over human decrees and natural forces. The king's question, "is thy God... able to deliver thee from the lions?", directly challenges God's power, inviting a definitive demonstration. Secondly, it highlights **Faithfulness Under Persecution**, as Daniel's consistent devotion to God, even unto death, is explicitly acknowledged by the king. This unwavering commitment is the very reason for his trial and the foundation for the king's desperate hope. Finally, it touches on the theme of **Pagan Rulers Acknowledging God's Power**, a recurring motif in Daniel, seen previously in Nebuchadnezzar's decrees after the fiery furnace ([Daniel 3:28-29](/daniel/3-28 "Daniel 3:28-29 - Nebuchadnezzar's Decree")). Darius's lament and question reveal a significant shift from mere political admiration to a nascent spiritual curiosity and recognition of the true God's unique capabilities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lamentable (Aramaic, _ʻătsab'_):** From H6088, corresponding to the Hebrew root meaning "to afflict." This word describes the quality of Darius's voice, conveying deep sorrow, grief, and distress. It indicates the king's genuine anguish and regret over Daniel's predicament, which he himself was forced to orchestrate. His cry is not merely a call but an expression of profound emotional pain.
* **living (Aramaic, _chay'_):** From H2417, meaning "alive." When applied to God (H426, _ʼĕlâhh_), this term "living God" (H2417 H426) is a profound theological statement. It contrasts Yahweh with the dead, powerless idols of pagan worship. It emphasizes God's active presence, His dynamic power, and His ability to intervene in human affairs, possessing life in Himself and being the source of all life. Darius's use of this epithet, likely learned from Daniel, shows a growing understanding of God's unique nature.
* **able to deliver (Aramaic, _yᵉkêl'_ and _shᵉzab'_):** H3202 (_yᵉkêl'_) means "to be able," encompassing both literal capacity and moral permission. H7804 (_shᵉzab'_) means "to leave" or, causatively, "to free/deliver." The combination of these terms forms the core of Darius's desperate question. It's a direct challenge to God's power, asking if He possesses the inherent capability and willingness to rescue Daniel from an impossible situation. This phrase encapsulates the king's faint hope against the backdrop of an irreversible decree and a deadly den.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:"** This clause vividly portrays King Darius's urgent and emotionally charged arrival at the lions' den at dawn. The phrase "lamentable voice" (Aramaic: _qāl ʻătsab_) emphasizes his deep sorrow, regret, and anguish over Daniel's fate. It's not a casual inquiry but a desperate, pain-filled cry, revealing the king's profound personal distress and his genuine affection for Daniel, whom he had tried desperately to save.
* **"and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God,"** This segment highlights the king's direct address to Daniel, acknowledging his presence and identity. More significantly, Darius refers to Daniel's God as "the living God" (Aramaic: _ʼĕlâhh chay'ā_). This title, likely adopted from Daniel's consistent witness, signifies a crucial theological shift for the pagan king. It contrasts Yahweh with the inanimate, powerless deities of the Babylonian and Persian pantheons, suggesting a dawning realization of God's unique, active, and life-giving nature.
* **"is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?"** This is the climactic rhetorical question, laden with suspense and desperate hope. Darius acknowledges Daniel's unwavering and consistent service ("continually") to his God, recognizing that Daniel's faith is the very reason for his predicament. The core of the question lies in the "ability to deliver" (Aramaic: _yᵉkêl shᵉzab_). It's a profound inquiry into God's power and sovereignty, asking if He can overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles of an irrevocable human decree and the jaws of hungry lions. The question is not purely rhetorical but expresses a genuine, albeit faint, hope for a miracle.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Suspense**, building on the preceding narrative of Daniel's condemnation and the king's sleepless night. The dawn arrival and the king's "lamentable voice" heighten the tension before the outcome is revealed. **Irony** is present in the pagan king, who was forced to condemn Daniel, now desperately appealing to Daniel's God for deliverance. This highlights the transformative power of Daniel's witness. The central query, "is thy God... able to deliver thee from the lions?", functions as a **Rhetorical Question** that anticipates a powerful affirmative answer, setting the stage for the divine miracle. There is also a strong **Contrast** between the "living God" whom Daniel serves and the dead, impotent idols of the pagan world, implicitly challenging the prevailing polytheistic worldview and underscoring the uniqueness of Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:20 serves as a pivotal moment, not only in Daniel's narrative but also in the broader biblical revelation of God's character. King Darius's desperate question, "is thy God... able to deliver thee from the lions?", is a profound theological inquiry into the very nature and capacity of the God of Israel. It highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His unique ability to intervene in human affairs, even when human laws and natural forces seem to dictate an inescapable outcome. This moment underscores that God is not merely a distant deity but a "living God" who actively engages with His faithful servants and demonstrates His power in miraculous ways. It affirms that true faith is vindicated, and God's glory is revealed even through the darkest trials, impacting those who witness His mighty acts.

* [Exodus 14:13](/exodus/14-13 "God's Deliverance at the Red Sea")
* [Psalm 34:19](/psalms/34-19 "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.")
* [Jeremiah 32:27](/jeremiah/32-27 "Is anything too hard for me?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the lions' den, culminating in King Darius's anguished cry, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even those who seem to hold ultimate power can be deeply affected by the unwavering faith of a single individual. In our own "lions' dens"—whether they are overwhelming financial burdens, debilitating illnesses, relational crises, or spiritual attacks—we are called to remember that the "living God" whom Daniel served is still able to deliver. Our consistent, faithful service to Him, even when the path ahead seems impossible or when human systems fail us, can become a powerful testimony to His sovereign power. Just as Daniel's steadfastness prompted a pagan king to acknowledge God's ability, our trust in God amidst trials can lead others to ponder His reality and power. This verse encourages us to bring our deepest anxieties and seemingly insurmountable challenges before the God who is truly "able to deliver."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lions' dens" are you currently facing, and how does King Darius's desperate question resonate with your own prayers for deliverance?**
* **How does Daniel's consistent service, even unto death, challenge your own commitment to God when faced with difficult circumstances?**
* **In what ways has God demonstrated His "living" and "able to deliver" nature in your own life or in the lives of those you know?**
* **How might your unwavering faith in God, even in trials, serve as a powerful witness to those around you who do not yet know Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was King Darius so distressed if he was the one who ordered Daniel into the den?**

Answer: King Darius's distress was genuine and multifaceted. While he was indeed the one who signed the decree, he did so under duress and manipulation from Daniel's jealous adversaries ([Daniel 6:6-9](/daniel/6-6 "Daniel 6:6-9 - The Plot Against Daniel")). He held Daniel in high esteem, recognizing his exceptional wisdom and integrity, and had even planned to set him over the whole kingdom ([Daniel 6:3](/daniel/6-3 "Daniel 6:3 - Daniel's High Position")). Darius spent an entire night fasting and sleepless, deeply regretting the irreversible decree ([Daniel 6:18](/daniel/6-18 "Daniel 6:18 - King Darius's Distress")). His anguish stemmed from his affection for Daniel, his helplessness in the face of his own law, and a nascent hope that Daniel's God, whom he had heard about from Daniel, might somehow intervene. His cry at the den was not an act of hypocrisy but a desperate plea born of sorrow and a faint, yet profound, hope for a miracle.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den, initiated by King Darius's desperate question about the "living God's" ability to save, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Daniel's miraculous preservation from physical death foreshadows Christ's victory over spiritual death and the grave. Just as Daniel was cast into a pit and emerged unharmed, so too was Christ laid in a tomb, only to rise triumphantly on the third day, demonstrating the ultimate power of the "living God" over death itself ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death")). Jesus is the true "servant of the living God" ([Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")), whose continual obedience led Him to the cross, where He conquered sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us")). His resurrection is the definitive answer to Darius's question: God is indeed "able to deliver," not just from lions, but from the eternal consequences of sin and the power of the grave, offering true and lasting life to all who trust in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). In Christ, we see God's delivering power fully manifested, securing not merely temporary reprieve but eternal salvation and resurrection hope for all His faithful ones ([1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ the Firstfruits of Resurrection")).

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 6:27

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Hebrews 7:25

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

2 Timothy 4:16

¶ At my first answer no man stood with me, but all [men] forsook me: [I pray God] that it may not be laid to their charge.

2 Timothy 4:18

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Daniel 3:17

If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king.

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.