Daniel 6:20

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?

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}?

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?"

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?”

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?

Daniel 6:20 captures a pivotal, suspenseful moment in the narrative of Daniel in the lions' den. It reveals the profound anxiety of King Darius and his desperate hope in the God whom Daniel served.

Context

After being tricked by jealous officials into signing an irrevocable decree forbidding prayer to any god or man other than himself for thirty days, King Darius reluctantly had Daniel cast into the lions' den. The king, who held Daniel in high esteem, spent a restless night, filled with sorrow and regret. This verse describes his urgent return to the den at dawn, his voice filled with anguish as he calls out to Daniel, hoping against all odds for a miracle.

Key Themes

  • The King's Distress and Hope: Darius's "lamentable voice" underscores his deep personal distress and guilt over Daniel's plight. His question, "is thy God... able to deliver thee?" is not purely rhetorical but an expression of a faint, yet desperate, hope that Daniel's God might indeed be powerful enough to intervene. It shows a growing recognition of the true God.
  • God's Power and Deliverance: The central question challenges the very nature and capacity of Daniel's God. It sets the stage for the miraculous demonstration of God's power to protect His faithful servant, highlighting divine sovereignty over natural forces and human decrees. This miraculous deliverance is a testament to God's ability to act on behalf of those who trust Him, much like the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
  • Daniel's Unwavering Faith: Although Daniel does not speak in this verse, the king's reference to "thy God, whom thou servest continually," emphasizes Daniel's consistent and unwavering devotion. This steadfastness was the very reason he faced the den, and it is also the foundation for the king's hope.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lamentable voice" (KJV) conveys the king's deep sorrow and distress. In the original Aramaic, it suggests a voice full of grief or pain, reflecting Darius's genuine anguish. More significantly, the king refers to God as the "living God" (Aramaic: 'Elaha chayya' - אֱלָהָא חַיָּא). This title, used by Daniel and later adopted by Darius in his subsequent decree, powerfully contrasts the true, active, and life-giving God with the dead, powerless idols of pagan religions. It emphasizes God's active presence and ability to intervene in human affairs.

Practical Application

Daniel 6:20 reminds us that even those in positions of power can be moved by genuine faith and the evidence of God's work. For believers, it serves as a powerful encouragement: no matter how dire our "lions' dens" may seem—whether they are personal crises, professional challenges, or spiritual battles—the same "living God" whom Daniel served is still able to deliver. Our consistent service and trust in Him, even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles, can lead to remarkable demonstrations of His power and impact those around us, just as Daniel's faith impacted King Darius. We are called to cast our anxieties upon Him, for He cares for us.

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 6:27

    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.

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