Daniel 6:6

KJV

¶ Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} these {H459} presidents {H5632} and princes {H324} assembled together {H7284} to the king {H4430}, and said {H560} thus {H3652} unto him {H5922}, King {H4430} Darius {H1868}, live {H2418} for ever {H5957}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So these chiefs and viceroys descended on the king and said to him, "King Daryavesh, live forever!

Berean Standard Bible

So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever!

American Standard Version

Then these presidents and satraps assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:6 marks a critical turning point in the unfolding drama of Daniel in the lions' den, depicting the moment when the envious Persian officials, unable to find any legitimate fault with Daniel, cunningly approach King Darius. This verse sets the stage for their manipulative scheme, as they assemble before the king, initiating their plot with a seemingly respectful, yet deeply insincere, salutation designed to curry favor and pave the way for their malicious decree against Daniel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 6:6 is situated immediately after Daniel's unparalleled promotion by King Darius, who intended to set him over the entire kingdom, recognizing his "excellent spirit" ([Daniel 6:3](/daniel/6-3 "Daniel 6:3 - Daniel's Excellent Spirit")). This elevation, however, ignited intense jealousy among the other satraps and presidents. The preceding verses, [Daniel 6:4-5](/daniel/6-4 "Daniel 6:4-5 - The Officials Seek Accusation Against Daniel"), detail their frustrated attempts to find any grounds for accusation against Daniel, whether in his administration or personal conduct. Their failure to uncover any corruption or negligence forces them to conclude that the only way to ensnare Daniel is through his unwavering devotion to his God. Thus, Daniel 6:6 initiates their direct, manipulative appeal to the king, forming the crucial first step in their carefully orchestrated conspiracy to exploit Daniel's piety.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian exile and the subsequent Persian Empire. King Darius, likely a title or an alternate name for Cyrus the Great or one of his immediate successors, ruled over a vast and diverse empire, necessitating a complex administrative structure involving "presidents" (satraps) and "princes" (governors). Such a system was prone to political intrigue, rivalries, and power struggles, especially when a foreign official like Daniel rose to prominence. The traditional salutation, "King Darius, live for ever," was a common and respectful address to a monarch in the ancient Near East, signifying a wish for a long and prosperous reign. However, in this specific context, it is imbued with a sinister undertone, as it precedes a treacherous proposal, highlighting the cultural practice of using elaborate courtesy as a veneer for deceit.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **political conspiracy and envy**, illustrating how human ambition and jealousy can lead to destructive plots against the righteous. The officials' assembly is a direct manifestation of their malice, driven by their inability to tolerate Daniel's integrity and favor with the king, echoing the broader biblical theme of the wicked plotting against the righteous, as seen in [Psalm 37:12](/psalms/37-12 "Psalm 37:12 - The Wicked Plots Against the Righteous"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **deceptive flattery**, where outward respect masks malicious intent. The seemingly innocuous greeting, "King Darius, live for ever," serves as a manipulative tool to disarm the king and prepare him for their harmful proposition, a tactic warned against in wisdom literature like [Proverbs 29:5](/proverbs/29-5 "Proverbs 29:5 - A Man Who Flatters His Neighbor Spreads a Net for His Feet"). Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **unwavering faithfulness in the face of opposition**, as Daniel's enemies specifically target his religious devotion, knowing it is his unshakeable commitment to God that will lead him into their trap.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **presidents (Aramaic, _çârêk'_):** This term refers to high-ranking officials or emirs, indicating the chief administrators appointed by the king to oversee the various satrapies. Their collective assembly signifies a concerted effort by the most powerful figures in the kingdom, highlighting the formidable opposition Daniel faced.
* **princes (Aramaic, _ʼăchashdarpan'_):** These were satraps or governors of major provinces, holding significant authority. Their inclusion alongside the "presidents" emphasizes the broad and unified nature of the conspiracy against Daniel, representing a powerful coalition of the kingdom's elite.
* **assembled together (Aramaic, _rᵉgash'_):** This word implies a gathering that is tumultuous or agitated, suggesting a deliberate and perhaps urgent meeting with a specific, calculated purpose. It conveys the sense of a concerted, almost agitated, movement by the officials to confront the king and present their pre-meditated plan.
* **live for ever (Aramaic, _chăyâʼ ʻâlam'_):** This phrase, a conventional royal salutation, literally means "live indefinitely" or "live to remote time." While outwardly respectful, in this context, it serves as a hypocritical and manipulative opening. The officials are not genuinely wishing the king eternal prosperity but rather using a culturally appropriate form of flattery to soften him and prepare him to receive their deceitful proposal.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king,"**: This clause establishes the key actors and their decisive action. "Then" signals a direct consequence of their failed attempts to find fault with Daniel. The "presidents and princes," representing the highest echelons of the Persian administration, are united in their purpose. Their act of "assembling together" implies a deliberate, coordinated, and perhaps conspiratorial approach to the king, indicating the gravity and premeditated nature of their scheme against Daniel.
* **"and said thus unto him,"**: This transitional phrase sets up the direct address to King Darius. It highlights the formality of their approach, yet the subsequent content reveals the underlying deceit. The "thus" anticipates the specific, carefully chosen words they are about to utter, designed to manipulate the king's perception and gain his immediate favor.
* **"King Darius, live for ever."**: This is the traditional, deferential salutation to a monarch, expressing a wish for the king's long life and prosperous reign. However, in this specific context, it is laden with **irony** and **hypocrisy**. The officials, far from genuinely wishing Darius eternal well-being, are about to propose a decree that would undermine his own authority (by forcing him to condemn an innocent man) and potentially lead to his later distress. This flattery is a calculated move to disarm the king and make him more receptive to their insidious plan.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 6:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Irony**, particularly in the officials' opening salutation, "King Darius, live for ever." While a standard respectful greeting, its use here is deeply ironic given their malicious intent to manipulate the king into signing a decree that will cause him great distress and potentially lead to the death of his favored servant, Daniel. Their words of blessing are a stark contrast to their true, destructive motives. This verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the solemn assembly of these powerful figures and their calculated flattery strongly hint at the grave danger Daniel is about to face. The reader is given a sense of impending doom, knowing that such a concerted effort by envious officials can only lead to a significant challenge for the protagonist. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the integrity and "excellent spirit" of Daniel, which was highlighted in the preceding verses, and the deceitful, conniving nature of his adversaries. This moral contrast underscores the conflict between righteousness and wickedness that is central to the chapter's narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:6 serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of envy and political intrigue in human affairs, especially when directed against those who walk in integrity. The officials' calculated flattery and deceptive approach to King Darius expose the corrupting influence of jealousy, which blinds individuals to justice and drives them to malicious ends. Theologically, it highlights the constant spiritual warfare faced by the righteous, where opposition often arises not from direct wrongdoing, but from the very uprightness that challenges the corrupt status quo. This verse sets the stage for Daniel's unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating that even the most elaborate human schemes cannot thwart God's ultimate purposes for His faithful servants. It underscores the biblical truth that human power, when unchecked by divine principles, often devolves into manipulation and injustice.

* [Proverbs 29:5](/proverbs/29-5 "Proverbs 29:5 - A Man Who Flatters His Neighbor Spreads a Net for His Feet")
* [Psalm 12:2-3](/psalms/12-2 "Psalm 12:2-3 - The Deceitful and Flattering Lips")
* [Psalm 37:12](/psalms/37-12 "Psalm 37:12 - The Wicked Plots Against the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:6 offers profound insights into human nature and the challenges of living faithfully in a fallen world. It compels us to be acutely discerning, recognizing that outward displays of respect or flattery can often mask ulterior motives, especially when they precede requests that seem to target others or compromise principles. The passage serves as a powerful warning against the destructive power of envy, illustrating how it can corrupt hearts and lead to elaborate, harmful conspiracies. For believers, Daniel's situation, even before the decree is made, is a call to steadfastness. It reminds us that integrity and an "excellent spirit" can provoke opposition, but our ultimate allegiance must remain with God, regardless of the political or social pressures. We are encouraged to stand firm in our convictions, trusting that God will vindicate His righteous ones, even when facing sophisticated schemes designed to undermine our faith or character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the behavior of the presidents and princes in this verse challenge my understanding of outward respect versus true intent?**
* **In what ways might envy manifest in my own life or in the communities I am part of, and how can I guard against its destructive influence?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Daniel's integrity in the face of such powerful opposition, and how can I apply them to my own life when facing unjust criticism or schemes?**

### FAQ
**Why did the officials use flattery like "King Darius, live for ever" if they intended to harm Daniel?**

Answer: The officials used this traditional and highly respectful salutation as a calculated manipulative tactic. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such elaborate greetings were common when addressing royalty. By beginning with this seemingly benevolent wish, they aimed to disarm King Darius, gain his immediate favor, and create an atmosphere of trust before presenting their true, malicious agenda. It was a strategic move to soften him up and make him more receptive to their deceptive proposal, which would ultimately lead to Daniel's peril. This is a classic example of using outward politeness to mask insidious intent, a theme found throughout biblical wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 29:5](/proverbs/29-5 "Proverbs 29:5 - A Man Who Flatters His Neighbor Spreads a Net for His Feet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The political conspiracy and malicious flattery directed at King Darius in Daniel 6:6, designed to entrap the righteous Daniel, powerfully prefigure the opposition faced by Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel's enemies sought to exploit his unwavering devotion to God, so too did the religious and political leaders of Jesus' day conspire against Him, driven by envy and a desire to maintain their own power and status ([Matthew 27:18](/matthew/27-18 "Matthew 27:18 - Pilate's Awareness of Envy")). They often approached Him with seemingly respectful questions or flattery, such as when they asked about paying taxes to Caesar, hoping to trap Him in His words ([Matthew 22:15-18](/matthew/22-15 "Matthew 22:15-18 - The Pharisees' Plot to Entrap Jesus")). Like Daniel, Jesus was found to be without fault or blemish, yet He faced an elaborate, unjust trial orchestrated by those who envied His light and truth. Ultimately, Daniel's deliverance from the lions' den foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over death and the powers of darkness, demonstrating that even the most cunning human schemes cannot thwart God's sovereign plan for His beloved Son, who, through His obedience even unto death, secured salvation for all who believe ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")).

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 2:4

Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

Nehemiah 2:3

And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

Daniel 6:21

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Daniel 5:10

¶ [Now] the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: [and] the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

Matthew 27:23

And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

Matthew 27:25

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

Luke 23:23

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.