Daniel 6:5

KJV

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} said {H560} these {H479} men {H1400}, We shall not {H3809} find {H7912} any {H3606} occasion {H5931} against {H5922} this {H1836} Daniel {H1841}, except {H3861} we find {H7912} it against him concerning the law {H1882} of his God {H426}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then these men said, "We're not going to find any cause for complaint against this Dani'el unless we can find something against him in regard to the law of his god."

Berean Standard Bible

Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel, unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

American Standard Version

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:5 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative, revealing the impeccable integrity of Daniel in his administrative duties. Despite the malicious intent and exhaustive efforts of his jealous adversaries—the presidents and satraps of the kingdom—they could find no legitimate fault, corruption, or negligence in his conduct as a public official. This verse highlights their ultimate conclusion: the only way to ensnare Daniel would be to exploit his unwavering devotion to the "law of his God," thereby setting the stage for a direct conflict between human decree and divine allegiance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Daniel's elevation to a position of unparalleled authority within the Medo-Persian empire, second only to King Darius himself. [Daniel 6:1-3](/daniel/6-1 "Daniel 6:1-3 - Daniel's Excellence and Promotion") describes how Daniel distinguished himself through his exceptional spirit and administrative acumen, leading the king to consider setting him over the whole realm. This promotion ignited intense jealousy among the other high-ranking officials, who then conspired to undermine him. The preceding verses detail their exhaustive, yet fruitless, search for any professional misconduct or personal failing, making Daniel 6:5 the definitive statement of their failure to find any secular "occasion" against him, thus forcing them to target his faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian and Persian exiles, with Daniel 6 specifically occurring under the reign of Darius the Mede (historically identified by many scholars with Cyrus the Great or a subordinate). The Persian Empire was vast and administered through a hierarchical system of satraps (governors) and presidents. Loyalty to the king was paramount, and any perceived disloyalty or corruption could lead to severe punishment. The cultural context also includes the syncretistic tendencies of empires to absorb or tolerate various religious practices, provided they did not conflict with imperial authority. However, this tolerance often had limits, especially when a particular religious practice implicitly challenged the absolute authority or divinity claimed by the monarch, as would become evident with the decree in [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The King's Decree Against Prayer").
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **unblemished integrity** and righteous living even in a pagan court, demonstrating that Daniel's excellence was not merely administrative but moral and spiritual. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **persecution for righteousness' sake**, as Daniel's adversaries are forced to target his faith, not his performance, foreshadowing the trials faced by those committed to God. Thirdly, it sets up the central conflict of **divine sovereignty versus human authority**, where Daniel's ultimate allegiance to "the law of his God" will inevitably clash with the king's decree, echoing earlier stands taken by Daniel and his friends in [Daniel 1](/daniel/1 "Daniel 1 - Daniel's Faithfulness in Babylon") and [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **occasion (Aramaic, _ʻillâh'_):** This Aramaic term (H5931) refers to a "pretext" or "charge" that is artificially created or sought. The fact that Daniel's enemies could find "no occasion" against him highlights his impeccable conduct and the manufactured nature of their subsequent accusation. It implies that their search was not for genuine wrongdoing but for *any* excuse to bring him down, even if fabricated.
* **law (Aramaic, _dâth'_):** The Aramaic word (H1882) here signifies a "royal edict or statute," or more broadly, a "decree" or "law." In this context, it refers to the divine law, the commandments and principles given by God. The contrast drawn by Daniel's adversaries is crucial: they could find no fault with him concerning the king's law or his administrative duties, but only concerning the "law of his God," setting up the direct confrontation between human and divine authority.
* **God (Aramaic, _ʼĕlâhh'_):** This Aramaic term (H426) is the common word for "God" in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, corresponding to the Hebrew _ʼĕlôah_. It refers specifically to the one true God whom Daniel worshiped. The phrase "the law of his God" emphasizes Daniel's personal and exclusive devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing his monotheistic faith from the polytheistic practices of the Persian court.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said these men,"**: This phrase introduces the conclusion reached by the conspiring presidents and satraps, who had been diligently investigating Daniel. "These men" are the jealous officials mentioned in [Daniel 6:4](/daniel/6-4 "Daniel 6:4 - Conspiracies Against Daniel"), whose malice drove their exhaustive search for fault.
* **"We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel,"**: This is a powerful testament to Daniel's integrity. Despite their thorough and motivated search, they were utterly unable to discover any legitimate grounds for accusation regarding his professional conduct or personal character. Daniel's blamelessness in the eyes of his enemies underscores his exemplary righteousness and faithfulness in all his duties.
* **"except we find [it] against him concerning the law of his God."**: This crucial clause reveals their desperate and cunning strategy. Unable to find any fault in Daniel's secular life, they realize their only recourse is to exploit his unwavering religious devotion. They understand that Daniel's ultimate allegiance is to God's law, and they plot to create a scenario where his faithfulness to God would be deemed a transgression against the state, effectively turning his virtue into a crime.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Daniel's enemies, in their relentless pursuit to discredit him, inadvertently highlight his impeccable character. Their inability to find any fault, save for his devotion to God, serves as a powerful, albeit unintended, commendation of his integrity. This also functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the infamous decree that will force Daniel to choose between human law and divine command, thereby instigating the central conflict of the chapter. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between human law (which Daniel upheld flawlessly) and divine law (which became the sole point of contention), emphasizing the ultimate supremacy of God's commands in Daniel's life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:5 profoundly illustrates the tension between worldly power and divine allegiance, a recurring theme throughout biblical history. It showcases that true righteousness often invites opposition, not because of wrongdoing, but precisely because it stands as a stark contrast to the fallen world. Daniel's blamelessness in the face of intense scrutiny serves as a model of integrity, demonstrating that a life wholly committed to God can withstand the most rigorous examination, even from hostile adversaries. This verse underscores the principle that when human laws conflict with God's commands, ultimate loyalty must reside with the divine, a conviction that would lead Daniel to the lion's den.

* [1 Peter 2:12](/1_peter/2-12 "Living Honorably Among Gentiles")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Obeying God Rather Than Men")
* [Matthew 5:10](/matthew/5-10 "Blessed Are Those Persecuted for Righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:5 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. It compels us to examine the integrity of our own lives, particularly in our professional and public spheres. Daniel's adversaries, despite their malice, could find no legitimate fault in his work or personal conduct, forcing them to attack his faith directly. This calls us to strive for such an unblemished testimony that our integrity is beyond reproach, even by those who wish us ill. Furthermore, it reminds us that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. When societal pressures or human laws conflict with God's clear commands, our faithfulness to "the law of his God" must take precedence. This commitment may indeed lead to opposition or persecution, but Daniel's experience assures us that God honors and vindicates those who prioritize Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life (work, community, family) can you strive for greater integrity, such that even your adversaries would find no legitimate fault?**
* **Are there areas where your commitment to "the law of your God" might bring you into conflict with societal norms or expectations? How are you prepared to navigate such conflicts?**
* **How does Daniel's example encourage you to stand firm in your faith, even when facing opposition or the threat of negative consequences?**

### FAQ
**What does Daniel's blamelessness in this verse teach us about living in a hostile environment?**

Answer: Daniel's blamelessness teaches us that living with integrity and excellence, even in a hostile or pagan environment, is both possible and powerful. His enemies' inability to find any legitimate fault in his administrative duties or personal conduct underscores the transformative power of a life submitted to God. It demonstrates that our conduct can be a powerful testimony, leaving no room for valid accusation, thereby forcing adversaries to attack our faith directly if they wish to undermine us. This integrity protects our witness and glorifies God, even when it leads to persecution, as seen throughout [Daniel 6](/daniel/6 "Daniel in the Lions' Den").

**Why was "the law of his God" the only "occasion" they could find against Daniel?**

Answer: "The law of his God" was the only "occasion" because Daniel's life was otherwise exemplary and beyond reproach in all secular matters. His enemies, driven by jealousy and a desire to remove him from power, meticulously searched for any form of corruption, negligence, or disloyalty to the king's decrees, but found none. Daniel's commitment to God's law was absolute, meaning he would not compromise his spiritual practices or divine commands for any human edict. This unwavering devotion was the only "vulnerability" they could exploit, as they correctly surmised that Daniel would obey God rather than men, setting up the direct challenge to his faith, as detailed in the subsequent verses leading to the decree in [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "The King's Decree Against Prayer").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 6:5, with its depiction of a blameless man whom adversaries could only accuse concerning his devotion to God, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate blamelessness of Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel's enemies could find no fault in him, so too did the religious and political leaders of Jesus' day search in vain for legitimate charges against Him. Pilate repeatedly declared, "I find no guilt in him" ([John 18:38](/john/18-38 "John 18:38 - Pilate Finds No Guilt") and [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate's Declaration of Innocence")), echoing the testimony of Daniel's accusers. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, lived a life utterly without sin ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Life"); [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")), fulfilling the ideal of integrity that Daniel exemplified. His "occasion" was not a violation of human law, but His divine claim and unwavering obedience to the "law of His God"—the will of the Father ([John 8:46](/john/8-46 "John 8:46 - Jesus' Challenge to His Accusers")). Ultimately, both Daniel and Christ faced persecution not for wrongdoing, but for their perfect righteousness and unyielding devotion to God, with Christ's unjust condemnation leading to the salvation of all who believe ([Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Sinless Suffering Servant"); [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Daniel's vindication from the lion's den points to Christ's ultimate victory over death, demonstrating that God preserves and exalts His faithful servants.

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

Acts 24:13

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Acts 24:16

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

Acts 24:20

Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

Acts 24:21

Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

Esther 3:8

And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws [are] diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it [is] not for the king's profit to suffer them.

1 Samuel 24:17

And he said to David, Thou [art] more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

John 19:6

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him.