Daniel 6:22

KJV

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

KJV (with Strong's)

My God {H426} hath sent {H7972} his angel {H4398}, and hath shut {H5463} the lions {H744}' mouths {H6433}, that they have not {H3809} hurt {H2255} me: forasmuch as {H3606}{H6903} before {H6925} him innocency {H2136} was found {H7912} in me; and also {H638} before {H6925} thee, O king {H4430}, have I done {H5648} no {H3809} hurt {H2248}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths, so they haven't hurt me. This is because before him I was found innocent; and also I have done no harm to you, your majesty."

Berean Standard Bible

My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

American Standard Version

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:22 encapsulates Daniel's profound declaration to King Darius, affirming his miraculous deliverance from the lions' den. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the sovereign protection of God over His faithful servant, revealing divine intervention that supernaturally silenced the predatory lions and vindicated Daniel's blameless character before both God and the earthly king. It highlights the unwavering faithfulness of Daniel and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 6:22 is the climactic declaration within the narrative of Daniel in the lions' den, a pivotal story in the book of Daniel. The chapter opens with Daniel's elevation to a position of immense authority in the Persian Empire under King Darius, which incites jealousy among other high-ranking officials. These officials devise a scheme, persuading the king to issue an unalterable decree forbidding prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days, with the penalty of being cast into the lions' den. Daniel, despite knowing the decree, maintains his consistent practice of praying to his God three times a day, openly and unashamedly, as described in [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Unwavering Prayer"). His unwavering devotion leads to his condemnation and subsequent miraculous deliverance, which is revealed in this verse. The king's anxious night and his immediate morning inquiry set the stage for Daniel's calm and confident testimony of divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the early period of Persian rule after the fall of Babylon, with Darius the Mede (likely a satrap or co-regent under Cyrus the Great) as the reigning monarch. The Persian administrative system, characterized by satraps and high officials, provided the backdrop for political intrigue and power struggles. Royal decrees in Persia were considered unchangeable, as highlighted in [Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Unalterable Persian Law"), which made Daniel's situation particularly perilous. Lions were common in the ancient Near East and were often kept in pits for executions, symbolizing the king's absolute power and the finality of justice. Daniel's survival, therefore, was not merely a fortunate escape but a direct challenge to the perceived omnipotence of the earthly king and a profound demonstration of the true God's supremacy over all earthly powers and natural forces.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found in the book of Daniel and throughout Scripture. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, demonstrating God's absolute power to deliver His faithful servants from seemingly insurmountable dangers, echoing the deliverance of Daniel's friends from the fiery furnace in [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace"). Secondly, it highlights **Integrity and Innocence**, as Daniel explicitly states his blamelessness before God and the king, affirming that his suffering was not a consequence of wrongdoing but of his unwavering commitment to God. This vindication of the righteous is a recurring motif. Thirdly, the narrative showcases **Faithfulness Under Persecution**, as Daniel's steadfast devotion in the face of a death sentence serves as a powerful example of obedience and trust in God, encouraging believers to maintain their convictions regardless of external pressures, a theme echoed in the broader prophetic messages of [Daniel](/daniel/1 "The Book of Daniel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Aramaic, _ʼĕlâhh'_):** This Aramaic term, corresponding to the Hebrew `elohim` or `el`, refers to the supreme divine being. Daniel's immediate attribution of his deliverance to "My God" emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship with the Creator, distinguishing Him from the pagan deities or the deified king. It underscores the monotheistic conviction that fueled Daniel's actions and brought about his salvation.
* **innocency (Aramaic, _zâkûw'_):** Derived from a root meaning "purity," this word signifies blamelessness or righteousness. Daniel's declaration that "innocency was found in me" before God refers to his moral and spiritual uprightness, particularly regarding the specific accusation of disloyalty or rebellion against the king's decree. It asserts that his actions were not criminal but rather an act of worship, which God recognized as pure.
* **shut (Aramaic, _çᵉgar'_):** This Aramaic verb means "to shut up" or "to close." In the context of the lions' mouths, it denotes a complete and effective supernatural closure, preventing them from harming Daniel. This was not a natural phenomenon or a mere lack of appetite, but a direct, divine intervention orchestrated by God's angel, demonstrating God's absolute control over creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"My God hath sent his angel":** Daniel immediately attributes his miraculous survival not to chance or human intervention, but to the direct, purposeful action of his God. The sending of an "angel" (a divine messenger or agent) signifies a supernatural, targeted act of deliverance, emphasizing God's active involvement in the affairs of His faithful servants.
* **"and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me":** This clause describes the specific mechanism of deliverance. The angel's action of "shutting" the mouths of the lions indicates a complete and effective incapacitation of their predatory nature. The result, "that they have not hurt me," confirms the success of this divine intervention, demonstrating God's power to suspend natural laws for the protection of His chosen ones.
* **"forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me":** Daniel provides the divine rationale for his deliverance. He asserts that his blamelessness, or "innocency," was recognized and affirmed by God. This implies that his continued prayer, though it violated the king's decree, was not a sin in God's eyes but an act of righteous obedience, for which God vindicated him.
* **"and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt":** This final clause addresses King Darius directly, stating Daniel's innocence from a human perspective. Daniel clarifies that his actions were not an act of disloyalty or rebellion against the king or the kingdom. He had committed no crime that would legitimately warrant harm or punishment from the king, thus asserting his moral and legal blamelessness in the human court as well.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Testimony**, as Daniel delivers a direct, personal account of God's intervention, serving as a powerful witness to both the king and future generations. There is profound **Symbolism** in the lions, which represent overwhelming danger and the destructive power of earthly authorities, yet they are rendered harmless by divine command, symbolizing God's ultimate dominion over all forces. The **Irony** is striking: the very instrument intended for Daniel's destruction becomes the stage for God's glorious display of power and Daniel's vindication. Furthermore, the dual declaration of innocence—first before God, then before the king—employs **Parallelism** to underscore Daniel's complete blamelessness in both divine and human spheres, reinforcing the justice of his deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's declaration in Daniel 6:22 is a profound theological statement on God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful. It affirms that God is not a distant deity but one who hears the cries of His people and intervenes supernaturally to protect them, especially when their suffering is a direct result of their obedience to Him. This deliverance serves as a powerful demonstration of God's justice, vindicating the righteous and exposing the futility of human schemes against divine will. It reinforces the biblical truth that integrity and faithfulness, even in the face of death, are honored by God, who is able to deliver from the most dire circumstances.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalms/34-7 "The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Hebrews 11:33](/hebrews/11-33 "Faith That Shut the Mouths of Lions")
* [2 Timothy 4:17](/2_timothy/4-17 "The Lord Stood with Paul")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's experience in the lions' den offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a complex and often hostile world. His calm declaration of God's intervention, even while standing before the very king who condemned him, exemplifies profound trust and courage. In our own lives, we may not face literal lions, but we encounter "dens" of fear, anxiety, persecution, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. Daniel's testimony reminds us that our ultimate security and vindication come not from human power or cleverness, but from the sovereign hand of God. It calls us to live lives of uncompromising integrity, knowing that our true audience is God, and that our faithfulness to Him will ultimately be recognized and rewarded, even if it means enduring temporary hardship. We are encouraged to maintain our convictions, pray without ceasing, and trust that God is able to deliver us, or sustain us through, any trial.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "lions' dens" of life do I need to trust God's protective hand today?**
* **How does Daniel's emphasis on his "innocency" before God and man challenge me to live a life of greater integrity and blamelessness?**
* **What specific convictions am I being called to stand firm on, even in the face of opposition or potential negative consequences?**
* **How can Daniel's example encourage me to maintain a consistent prayer life, regardless of external pressures?**

### FAQ
**Was Daniel truly innocent in the eyes of the Persian law, given that he broke the king's decree?**

Answer: From a strict legalistic perspective of the Persian decree, Daniel did violate the letter of the law by continuing to pray to his God. However, Daniel's declaration of "innocency" (H2136, _zâkûw_) points to a deeper moral and spiritual blamelessness. He had committed no act of disloyalty, treason, or harm against the king or the kingdom. His "crime" was an act of worship to his God, which he deemed a higher allegiance. Thus, while technically in violation of a specific, politically motivated decree, he was morally and ethically innocent of any genuine wrongdoing against the state, a fact implicitly acknowledged by King Darius's distress and desire to save him (see [Daniel 6:14](/daniel/6-14 "Daniel 6:14 - Darius's Distress")).

**How did the angel "shut the lions' mouths"? Was it a physical act or a spiritual one?**

Answer: The text does not specify the exact mechanism, but the Aramaic verb "shut" (H5463, _çᵉgar_) implies a complete and effective closure. Given that it was an angel sent by God, it was undoubtedly a supernatural act. This could have involved a physical restraint, a spiritual influence that removed their predatory instinct, or a combination thereof. The emphasis is not on the *how* but on the *who*—God's direct intervention through His messenger to supernaturally suspend the natural behavior of the lions, ensuring Daniel's safety. This mirrors other biblical accounts of God's control over creation, such as the calming of the storm by Jesus in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's miraculous deliverance from the lions' den, and his vindication through divine intervention, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate deliverance and vindication found in Jesus Christ. Daniel's "innocency" before God and man, which was the basis for his salvation, points to the perfect and absolute innocence of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Christ, though perfectly blameless and without sin, willingly entered the "den" of death and the grave, not to be preserved from it, but to conquer it. Just as an angel shut the mouths of the lions for Daniel, God's power ultimately triumphed over death through Christ's resurrection, demonstrating His victory over the ultimate enemy (see [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Daniel's testimony of God's protective hand assures us that in Christ, we too are delivered from the power of sin and death, and are ultimately vindicated through His righteousness. He is the true [Lion of the tribe of Judah](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"), who, unlike the lions in the den, reigns in power and delivers His people from all spiritual harm, leading them to eternal life.

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

2 Timothy 4:17

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and [that] all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Hebrews 11:33

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Acts 12:11

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

Psalms 91:11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Psalms 91:13

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

Psalms 84:11

For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.