Daniel 6:4

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he [was] faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Then {H116} the presidents {H5632} and princes {H324} sought {H1934}{H1156} to find {H7912} occasion {H5931} against Daniel {H1841} concerning {H6655} the kingdom {H4437}; but {H3606} they could {H3202} find {H7912} none {H3809} occasion {H5931} nor {H3809} fault {H7844}; forasmuch {H6903} as he was faithful {H540}, neither {H3809} was there any {H3606} error {H7960} or fault {H7844} found {H7912} in him {H5922}.

The other chiefs and the viceroys tried to find a cause for complaint against Dani'el in regard to how he performed his governing duties, but they could find nothing to complain about, no fault; on the contrary, because he was so faithful, not a single instance of negligence or faulty administration could be found.

Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Context

Daniel 6:4 is set in the Babylonian-Persian Empire, specifically during the reign of King Darius the Mede, who had recently conquered Babylon. Daniel, already an elderly man, had proven himself indispensable under previous rulers and was appointed as one of three "presidents" over 120 "princes" throughout the kingdom (Daniel 6:1-2). His exceptional character and administrative skill, highlighted in Daniel 6:3, naturally led to the king's consideration of promoting him over the entire realm. This rapid ascent and Daniel's unwavering integrity sparked intense jealousy and resentment among the other high-ranking officials, who then sought any possible means to discredit or remove him.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Integrity: The verse powerfully testifies to Daniel's blameless character. Despite diligent searching by his adversaries, they could find absolutely no fault, error, or corruption in his conduct, either personally or professionally.
  • Envy and Conspiracy: The primary motivation for the "presidents and princes" was envy and a desire to undermine Daniel's position. Unable to find legitimate grounds, they resorted to plotting a snare against him, demonstrating the destructive power of jealousy in leadership.
  • Divine Vindication: Daniel's faithfulness to God and his king resulted in an impeccable record. This blamelessness not only highlights his personal righteousness but also sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention and ultimate vindication of His servant in the subsequent events of Daniel chapter 6.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "find occasion" translates the Aramaic word 'illah (עִלָּה), which implies a pretext, a false charge, or a fabricated reason to accuse. It suggests that their search was not for genuine wrongdoing but for a convenient excuse to bring Daniel down. They desired a 'handle' or 'opportunity' to attack him.

The term "fault" (occurring twice in the verse: shachath - שָׁחַת, and shaluth - שְׁלוּ) emphasizes the complete absence of moral, administrative, or legal failing. Shachath often carries a sense of corruption, decay, or ruin, highlighting that Daniel was entirely free from any form of malfeasance. Shaluth refers to an error, slip, or mistake. The repetition underscores the thoroughness of their failed investigation.

Daniel's "faithfulness" (ne'eman - נֶאֱמָן) speaks to his reliability, trustworthiness, and steadfast loyalty. This quality was rooted in his devotion to God, which extended to his duties as a public servant, making him a model of integrity.

Related Scriptures

  • Daniel's blamelessness echoes the call for integrity found in Psalms 7:8, where the psalmist prays for judgment according to his integrity.
  • The envy of the princes is a recurring theme in scripture, reminiscent of Joseph's brothers' envy which led to their plot against him.
  • This verse sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, demonstrating His protection over the righteous, as seen in Daniel 6:22, after Daniel was cast into the lion's den.
  • The principle of faithful stewardship, exemplified by Daniel, is also highlighted in Luke 16:10, which teaches that faithfulness in little things leads to faithfulness in much.

Practical Application

Daniel 6:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of living a life of unimpeachable integrity, especially for believers in positions of influence. Daniel's conduct demonstrates that true faithfulness is not only about spiritual devotion but also about ethical excellence in all areas of life, including one's professional responsibilities. His example encourages us to live in such a way that even our detractors cannot find a legitimate fault, only perhaps a pretext based on our commitment to God.

Furthermore, it underscores the truth that living faithfully can sometimes provoke opposition from those who are not. When faced with envy or false accusations, this verse offers comfort that God sees our integrity and will ultimately vindicate those who walk uprightly.

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.

  • 1 Peter 3:16

    ¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

  • Philippians 2:15

    That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

  • 1 Peter 2:12

    Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

  • Luke 20:20

    ¶ And they watched [him], and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

  • Luke 23:14

    Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined [him] before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:

  • Luke 23:15

    No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.

  • Titus 2:8

    Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

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