Daniel 6:26

KJV

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.

KJV (with Strong's)

I {H4481}{H6925} make {H7761} a decree {H2942}, That in every {H3606} dominion {H7985} of my kingdom {H4437} men tremble {H1934}{H2112} and fear {H1763} before {H4481}{H6925} the God {H426} of Daniel {H1841}: for he is the living {H2417} God {H426}, and stedfast {H7011} for ever {H5957}, and his kingdom {H4437} that which shall not {H3809} be destroyed {H2255}, and his dominion {H7985} shall be even unto {H5705} the end {H5491}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I herewith issue a decree that everywhere in my kingdom, people are to tremble and be in awe of the God of Dani'el. "For he is the living God; he endures forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed; his rulership will last till the end.

Berean Standard Bible

I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.

American Standard Version

I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:26 records King Darius's profound decree, issued throughout his vast kingdom, commanding all people to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. This declaration, prompted by God's miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions' den, extols the God of Israel as the "living God," eternally steadfast, whose kingdom is indestructible and whose dominion endures forever. It serves as a powerful testament to divine sovereignty and an affirmation of God's unique nature in contrast to all earthly powers and false deities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic declaration following the dramatic narrative of Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den in [Daniel chapter 6](/daniel/6 "Daniel 6 - Daniel in the Lions' Den"). The chapter opens with Daniel's promotion, followed by the jealous machinations of his rivals who trick King Darius into issuing an irrevocable decree forbidding prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days. Daniel, undeterred, continues his daily prayers, leading to his condemnation and casting into the lions' den. God miraculously preserves Daniel, shutting the lions' mouths (as affirmed by Daniel in [Daniel 6:22](/daniel/6-22 "Daniel 6:22 - God's Angel Shuts the Lions' Mouths")). Witnessing this undeniable divine intervention, Darius is utterly convinced of Daniel's God's supremacy, leading directly to the issuance of this universal decree, which stands in stark contrast to his earlier, ill-conceived edict.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the early years of the Persian Empire, specifically under King Darius the Mede (possibly a viceroy or a historical figure associated with Cyrus the Great's reign after the fall of Babylon). The Persian Empire was a vast, multi-ethnic, and polytheistic dominion. Kings were often deified or seen as having divine favor, and their decrees were considered absolute and unchangeable, as highlighted by the predicament Darius faced in [Daniel 6:8](/daniel/6-8 "Daniel 6:8 - The Law of the Medes and Persians"). In this cultural milieu, a pagan king's public declaration of the God of an exiled Jew as the supreme, living, and eternal God was an extraordinary and unprecedented theological statement. It challenged the prevailing polytheistic worldview and the notion of the king's ultimate authority, attributing true ultimate power to Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:26 powerfully reinforces several core themes prevalent throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God's power transcends even the mightiest earthly empires and rulers. Darius, initially constrained by his own law, ultimately bows to the superior authority of Daniel's God. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Uniqueness of the Living God**, contrasting Him with the impotent idols and transient gods of the pagan world. This echoes the theological declarations found elsewhere in the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - Idols are Lifeless") and [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry"). Thirdly, the decree emphasizes the **Eternal and Indestructible Nature of God's Kingdom**, a central prophetic theme in Daniel, foreshadowed in visions like the stone cut without human hands that destroys all earthly kingdoms and fills the whole earth ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). This theme provides enduring hope amidst the rise and fall of human empires.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tremble (Aramaic, _dᵉchal'_):** (H1763) This Aramaic word, corresponding to the Hebrew "zachal," signifies to slink, fear, or be formidable. In this context, it denotes a profound, reverential awe and respect, bordering on dread, commanded by King Darius for the God of Daniel. It implies acknowledging God's immense power and authority, which can inspire both fear and worship.
* **Living (Aramaic, _chay'_):** (H2417) Derived from the Aramaic root "chaya" (to live), this term describes God as being actively alive, possessing inherent vitality, and being the source of life itself. This stands in stark contrast to the lifeless, inanimate idols worshipped by pagan nations, emphasizing God's dynamic presence, power, and ability to intervene in the world.
* **Destroyed (Aramaic, _chăbal'_):** (H2255) This Aramaic word means to ruin or destroy. Its use in the negative ("shall not be destroyed") highlights the eternal, immutable, and invincible nature of God's kingdom and dominion. Unlike all human empires, which are destined to rise and fall, God's reign is presented as utterly secure and beyond any possibility of ruin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I make a decree":** King Darius, as the supreme earthly authority of the vast Persian Empire, issues a formal, authoritative edict. This highlights the king's recognition of God's power, compelling him to use his royal authority to promote reverence for Daniel's God.
* **"That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel":** This clause establishes the universal scope and the required response to the decree. "Every dominion" signifies the vast reach of the Persian Empire. "Tremble and fear" conveys a sense of profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's power and holiness, rather than mere terror. The specific reference to "the God of Daniel" grounds this decree in the recent miraculous event, attributing the divine intervention directly to Daniel's God.
* **"for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever":** This provides the theological justification for the decree. God is declared "living," actively present and powerful, unlike dead idols. "Stedfast for ever" emphasizes His unchanging, reliable, and eternal nature, a stark contrast to the transient nature of human rulers and kingdoms.
* **"and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end":** This final clause describes the eternal and invincible nature of God's reign. It underscores that God's rule is not subject to the limitations, decay, or overthrow that characterize all earthly empires. His dominion extends "unto the end," signifying its perpetual and ultimate nature, reaching beyond all temporal boundaries.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 6:26 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Decree/Edict**, as King Darius formally issues a command throughout his empire, lending a sense of official weight and universal applicability to his declaration about God. There is also a powerful **Contrast** at play: the "living God" is contrasted with the lifeless idols of the pagan world, and God's eternal, indestructible kingdom is contrasted with the temporal, perishable kingdoms of humanity, including Darius's own. The phrase "every dominion of my kingdom" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration of Scope**, emphasizing the vastness of Darius's empire and, by extension, the universal recognition he demands for Daniel's God. Finally, the entire verse serves as a **Declaration** or **Affirmation**, a strong theological statement by a pagan king, attesting to God's unique attributes and supreme authority, which is a testament to God's power to reveal Himself even to those outside the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
King Darius's decree in Daniel 6:26 is a profound theological statement, asserting the absolute supremacy of the God of Israel over all other deities and earthly powers. It highlights God's unique attribute as the "living God," actively involved in human affairs, unlike the inert idols of paganism. Furthermore, it explicitly declares the eternal and indestructible nature of God's kingdom and dominion, a foundational theme in Daniel's prophecies that contrasts sharply with the transient rise and fall of human empires. This divine sovereignty and everlasting reign provide an anchor of hope and a call to ultimate allegiance for all who recognize His truth, demonstrating that even the most powerful earthly rulers are ultimately subject to the King of Kings.

* [Psalm 103:19](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereignty Over All")
* [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - The Everlasting God")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of Our Lord and His Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:26 serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty is not limited by human decrees, political power, or adverse circumstances. Just as He delivered Daniel and compelled a pagan king to acknowledge His supremacy, so too does He remain the "living God" who actively intervenes in the lives of His faithful. For believers today, this verse calls us to an unwavering trust in God's power and an acknowledgment of His eternal reign, even when earthly kingdoms seem to dominate. Our fear should not be of man or circumstances, but a reverential awe for the God whose dominion is "unto the end." This passage challenges us to live with such integrity and faithfulness that our lives, like Daniel's, become a testimony to God's reality and power, prompting others to recognize Him. It encourages us to find our ultimate security and hope not in fleeting human systems, but in the unshakeable, eternal kingdom of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does King Darius's decree challenge our perceptions of earthly power versus divine authority?**
* **In what ways can our faithful living, like Daniel's, lead others to acknowledge the "living God"?**
* **How does the truth of God's "stedfast for ever" kingdom impact our anxieties about the future or current global instability?**

### FAQ

**Why does a pagan king like Darius issue such a decree about the God of Daniel?**

Answer: King Darius issues this decree not out of a pre-existing monotheistic belief, but as a direct, undeniable response to God's miraculous intervention on behalf of Daniel. Having been manipulated into condemning Daniel to the lions' den, Darius was deeply distressed. When he found Daniel unharmed, he recognized this as an extraordinary act of the divine, far surpassing the power of any god he knew or worshipped. The decree is a pragmatic and awe-filled acknowledgment of the God of Daniel's superior power and authority, compelling Darius to use his royal prerogative to command reverence for this "living God" throughout his vast empire. It's a testament to God's ability to reveal Himself powerfully, even to those outside the covenant, through the faithfulness of His servants and His sovereign acts of deliverance, as seen in [Daniel 6:27](/daniel/6-27 "Daniel 6:27 - God Delivers and Rescues").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 6:26, with its declaration of the "living God" whose kingdom "shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "living God" is perfectly revealed in Jesus, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and who declared, "I am the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). The eternal and indestructible kingdom that Darius unknowingly prophesied is the very kingdom inaugurated by Christ's first advent and consummated at His second coming. Jesus Himself proclaimed the nearness of this kingdom ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")) and taught His disciples to pray for its coming ([Matthew 6:10](/matthew/6-10 "Matthew 6:10 - Your Kingdom Come")). Unlike earthly dominions that rise and fall, Christ's reign is truly "unto the end," a kingdom that "cannot be shaken" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). The command to "tremble and fear before the God of Daniel" is transformed into the call to worship and submit to Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, before whom "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). Thus, Darius's decree, born of a miraculous deliverance, points forward to the ultimate deliverance and eternal reign established through the Lamb of God.

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 4:34

¶ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

Luke 1:33

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Daniel 2:44

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Daniel 7:14

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed.

Psalms 2:11

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

Daniel 4:3

How great [are] his signs! and how mighty [are] his wonders! his kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion [is] from generation to generation.