Daniel 6:8

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Now {H3705}, O king {H4430}, establish {H6966} the decree {H633}, and sign {H7560} the writing {H3792}, that it be not {H3809} changed {H8133}, according to the law {H1882} of the Medes {H4076} and Persians {H6540}, which altereth {H5709} not {H3809}.

Now, your majesty, issue this decree over your signature, so that it cannot be revoked, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable."

Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

Now, O king, establish the interdict, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Commentary

Context

Daniel 6:8 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Daniel in the lions' den. Following Daniel's remarkable administrative success and favor with King Darius, jealous satraps and princes sought to undermine him. Unable to find fault in his work or character, they realized Daniel's only vulnerability was his unwavering devotion to God. Therefore, they devised a cunning plan: to trick the king into issuing a decree that would exploit Daniel's faithfulness.

The verse highlights the request made to King Darius by these conspirators to formalize the decree. Their insistence on the decree being "established" and "signed" was crucial because it invoked a specific characteristic of the law of the Medes and Persians: its unalterable nature. Once a law was signed by the king, it could not be changed or revoked, even by the king himself.

Key Themes

  • The Immutability of Medo-Persian Law: This verse underscores a defining feature of the Persian legal system—its absolute finality. Once enacted, a law was considered irreversible, a concept that forms the very foundation of the trap set for Daniel. This characteristic stands in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and changeable decrees of other ancient rulers.
  • Political Conspiracy and Deception: The verse implicitly reveals the sinister motive behind the request. The conspirators were not genuinely concerned with the king's glory, but rather with eliminating Daniel. They leveraged the king's vanity and the rigidity of the law to achieve their malicious aims.
  • The Unwavering Faith of Daniel: While not directly about Daniel's faith, this verse sets the stage for Daniel's ultimate test. The unchangeable decree forces him to choose between obedience to God and obedience to a human law, knowing the dire consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "which altereth not" comes from the Aramaic root שְׁנָא (*shenā*), meaning "to change" or "to alter." Its use here emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of the law once it was enacted and signed by the king. This was a well-known legal principle in the Medo-Persian Empire, signifying a commitment to stability and predictability in law, even if it could be exploited for ill purposes.

Significance and Application

Daniel 6:8 is significant because it seals Daniel's fate within the framework of human law, setting up the dramatic conflict that follows. The conspirators ensured that King Darius, once he realized his error, would be powerless to save Daniel, despite his affection for him. This highlights the dangers of hasty legislation and the potential for rigid laws to be manipulated for unjust ends.

For us today, this verse serves as a reminder of several principles:

  • The Power of Human Law: It shows how human laws, even those intended to be unchangeable, can be used for both good and ill.
  • Consequences of Hasty Decisions: King Darius's quick agreement to the decree, likely fueled by flattery, led to a situation he later deeply regretted, as seen in Daniel 6:14. This underscores the importance of careful consideration in decision-making.
  • Contrast with God's Character: While human laws can be rigid and unchangeable, they are still prone to human error and malicious intent. In contrast, God's character and His divine laws are truly immutable and perfect, always working for ultimate good, as affirmed in passages like Malachi 3:6, "For I am the LORD, I change not."
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 6:15 (5 votes)

    Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians [is], That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

  • Esther 1:19 (5 votes)

    If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

  • Daniel 6:12 (4 votes)

    Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask [a petition] of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing [is] true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

  • Isaiah 10:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

  • Esther 3:12 (3 votes)

    Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

  • Esther 8:10 (3 votes)

    And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed [it] with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, [and] riders on mules, camels, [and] young dromedaries:

  • Esther 8:8 (2 votes)

    Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal [it] with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.