Daniel 6:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Daniel 6:8 captures the conspirators' urgent plea to King Darius to formalize an unchangeable decree, setting the stage for Daniel's inevitable confrontation with the law. This verse highlights the strategic manipulation of the Medo-Persian legal system, which boasted an unalterable nature, to ensnare Daniel, whose unwavering devotion to God was his only perceived vulnerability. It underscores the profound implications of a law that, once signed by the king, could not be revoked, even by the monarch himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of [Daniel 6](/daniel/6 "Daniel in the Lions' Den"). Following Daniel's exceptional administrative success and his elevation to a position of great authority under King Darius, other satraps and princes grew envious. Unable to find any legitimate fault in Daniel's conduct or work ethic, they recognized that his only weakness, from their perspective, was his steadfast obedience to his God. Therefore, they cunningly devised a plan to exploit this devotion. They approached the king with a seemingly pious request for a decree that would prohibit prayer to any god or man except the king for thirty days, knowing full well Daniel's daily practice of prayer, as detailed in [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel's Continued Prayer"). Verse 8 is their crucial step in ensuring this malicious trap is legally binding and irreversible.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not" is a pivotal element reflecting a unique characteristic of the Achaemenid Persian legal system. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern empires where a king's word could be arbitrary and easily changed, the Medo-Persian Empire prided itself on the immutability of its laws once they were formally established and signed by the monarch. This principle, also referenced in [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Unchangeable Law of the Medes and Persians") and [Esther 8:8](/esther/8-8 "Esther 8:8 - The King's Signature Seals the Law"), was intended to convey stability, reliability, and the king's commitment to his word. However, as seen in Daniel's case, it also created a dangerous rigidity that could be exploited by cunning individuals for unjust purposes, leaving even the king powerless to reverse a decree he later regretted.

* **Key Themes:** Daniel 6:8 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it powerfully establishes the **immutability of Medo-Persian law**, highlighting its absolute finality and the danger it posed when manipulated. This legal rigidity stands in stark contrast to the divine law and God's unchanging character. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **political conspiracy and deception**, revealing the calculated malice of Daniel's adversaries who leveraged the king's vanity and the legal system's inflexibility to achieve their nefarious ends. Their flattery of Darius, as seen in [Daniel 6:7](/daniel/6-7 "Daniel 6:7 - The Conspirators' Deceptive Proposal"), was a means to an end. Thirdly, this verse serves as the critical setup for the theme of **unwavering faith in the face of persecution**. The unchangeable decree forces Daniel into a direct confrontation between human law and divine command, setting the stage for his ultimate test of faithfulness and God's miraculous deliverance, a central message throughout the book of Daniel, particularly evident in [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **establish (Aramaic, _qûwm'_):** (H6966) This word, corresponding to the Hebrew `qum`, means "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); appoint, establish, make, raise up self, (a-) rise (up), (make to) stand, set (up)." In this context, it signifies the act of making the decree firm, permanent, and legally binding. The conspirators insist on its establishment to ensure its irreversible nature.
* **decree (Aramaic, _ʼĕçâr'_):** (H633) This term, corresponding to the Hebrew `'esar`, refers to "an interdict" or "a legal sense; an interdict; decree." It denotes a formal, authoritative command or prohibition issued by a ruler. The conspirators are not merely asking for a suggestion but a legally enforceable edict that carries the full weight of royal authority and, crucially, the unalterable nature of Medo-Persian law.
* **altereth (Aramaic, _shᵉnâʼ'_):** (H8133) This word means "to alter" or "to change," and its negation here ("altereth not") is critical. It emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of the law once enacted. This characteristic was a hallmark of Medo-Persian jurisprudence, signifying a commitment to stability, but in this instance, it became the very mechanism for an unjust trap, highlighting the dangers of human laws, however stable, when devoid of divine justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing":** This clause reveals the conspirators' urgent and manipulative plea to King Darius. They are not merely suggesting a new law but are pressing for its immediate and formal ratification. "Establish the decree" emphasizes making it firm and irreversible, while "sign the writing" refers to the official act of the king's signature, which in Medo-Persian law, sealed its unalterable status. This highlights their cunning in ensuring the trap for Daniel would be legally inescapable.
* **"that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians":** This phrase explicitly states the desired outcome and the legal basis for it. The conspirators want the decree to be immutable, invoking the well-known and respected legal principle of the Medo-Persian Empire. This clause underscores their meticulous planning to create a legal dilemma for Daniel, knowing that once this law was in place, even the king himself would be powerless to reverse it.
* **"which altereth not.":** This final, emphatic declaration reiterates the central characteristic of the Medo-Persian legal system. It is a concise summary of the law's absolute finality. This immutability is the linchpin of the conspirators' plot, ensuring that Daniel's adherence to his God would directly violate an unchangeable royal edict, leading to his certain condemnation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as a legal system designed for stability and the king's authority is manipulated to undermine justice and trap an innocent man. The very immutability of the law, intended to reflect strength, becomes a weakness that ensnares the king himself. There is also clear **Foreshadowing**, as this decree sets the stage for the dramatic conflict and Daniel's ultimate test of faith in the subsequent verses, building narrative tension. Furthermore, the phrase "the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not" functions as a **Symbol** of human legal systems' rigidity and potential for corruption, contrasting sharply with the perfect and just nature of divine law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 6:8 profoundly illustrates the tension between human law and divine command, a recurring theme throughout the book of Daniel. The unchangeable nature of the Medo-Persian law, while intended to reflect stability and the king's authority, becomes a tool for injustice and a direct challenge to Daniel's unwavering devotion to God. This human legal system, despite its claim to immutability, is ultimately fallible and subject to malicious manipulation. It stands in stark contrast to the true immutability and perfect justice of God's character and His divine decrees, which are always righteous and cannot be thwarted by human schemes. This verse therefore sets up a dramatic theological conflict, highlighting God's sovereignty over human rulers and their laws.

* [Malachi 3:6](/malachi/3-6 "Malachi 3:6 - God's Unchanging Nature"): "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie"): "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Settled"): "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 6:8 serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for human systems, even those designed for order and stability, to be perverted for unjust ends. It challenges us to critically evaluate the laws and decrees of our own societies, recognizing that while they may appear immutable, they are ultimately subject to human fallibility and sin. The king's regret later in the chapter (cf. [Daniel 6:14](/daniel/6-14 "Daniel 6:14 - Darius's Distress")) underscores the danger of hasty decisions and the seductive power of flattery. For believers, this verse calls for discernment and courage: discernment to recognize when human laws conflict with divine principles, and courage to stand firm in faith, even when faced with seemingly unalterable consequences. Our ultimate allegiance must be to the unchanging God, whose character and commands are truly immutable and always just, providing a steadfast anchor in a world of shifting human decrees.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the immutability of the Medo-Persian law in this verse contrast with the immutability of God's character and His divine law?**
* **In what ways might we, like King Darius, be susceptible to flattery or hasty decisions that lead to regrettable outcomes?**
* **What does Daniel 6:8 teach us about navigating situations where human laws conflict with our deeply held spiritual convictions?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "law of the Medes and Persians" considered unchangeable?**

Answer: The unchangeable nature of the Medo-Persian law was a distinctive feature of their legal system, designed to project an image of stability, reliability, and the king's unwavering commitment to his word. Once a decree was formally written and signed by the king, it was considered irreversible, even by the monarch himself. This principle is also highlighted in [Esther 1:19](/esther/1-19 "Esther 1:19 - The Unchangeable Law of the Medes and Persians"), where it's stated that a royal decree could not be repealed. This rigidity, while perhaps intended for good governance, also created a vulnerability that cunning individuals could exploit, as seen in the conspiracy against Daniel.

**How did Daniel's adversaries use this unchangeable law to their advantage?**

Answer: Daniel's adversaries, unable to find any fault in his conduct or work, realized his only vulnerability was his unwavering devotion to God. They shrewdly devised a decree that would prohibit prayer to any god or man other than King Darius for thirty days, knowing Daniel's consistent practice of praying to his God three times a day (cf. [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel 6:10 - Daniel's Prayer Habit")). By insisting that the king "establish the decree, and sign the writing," they ensured that once the law was enacted, its unchangeable nature would prevent Darius from revoking it, thereby guaranteeing Daniel's condemnation when he inevitably broke the decree by continuing his worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 6:8 highlights the rigid, unchangeable nature of human law, it ultimately points to the infinitely more profound and immutable decrees of God, perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Medo-Persian law, though fixed, could be manipulated for unjust ends, leading to the condemnation of an innocent man. In stark contrast, God's divine law, though unchangeable and requiring perfect obedience, finds its fulfillment not in human condemnation but in divine redemption through Christ. Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), perfectly embodying its righteous demands. Moreover, the ultimate "decree" that "altereth not" is God's eternal plan of salvation, established before the foundation of the world (cf. [Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ Before the Foundation of the World")). Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, the righteous requirements of God's holy law are met for all who believe, demonstrating God's unchanging love and justice (cf. [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the temporary, flawed immutability of human law in Daniel's time foreshadows the eternal, perfect, and redemptive immutability of God's covenant and His saving work accomplished in the Lamb of God (cf. [Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever")).

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 6:15

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

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

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

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

Esther 3:12

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

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

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.