Daniel 6:12

12 Then they approached and ¹spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides * you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the ²law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked."

Daniel 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 6:12

Then they came near
They went immediately from Daniel's house to the king's palace, and into the king's presence; which they could do, either by virtue of their offices, or being admitted by the proper officer in waiting: and spake before the king concerning the king's decree;
at first they said nothing about Daniel, but about the decree, to get it recognized, and afresh ratified and confirmed; lest, under some pretence or another, the king should change it: 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?
they do not say peremptorily that he had signed such a decree, but put the question to him, that they might have it affirmed by himself: the king answered and said, the thing is true, according to the law of
the Medes and Persians, which altereth not;
it is true that such a decree is made and signed, and it is an unalterable one; such as is every established and signed decree of the Medes and Persians: it is as if he had said, it is very true what you put me in mind of, and I will never recede from it, or nullify and make it void.

Daniel 6:12 In-Context

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem ); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.

12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked."

13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."

14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.

Cross References

• 1. Daniel 3:8-12; Acts 16:19-21
• 2. Esther 1:19; Daniel 6:8, 15

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "does not pass away"