Read & explore together
Darius Praises Daniel's God
These verses record a royal proclamation after Daniel was delivered from the lions. The king speaks to a wide audience and describes Daniel’s God with strong words about life, power, rescue, and a kingdom that will not be destroyed.
Understanding the passage
Understanding the passage
The passage is a proclamation from King Darius to all the peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth. In it, he announces a decree about the God of Daniel, explains why this God should be feared, and ends by noting that Daniel prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28Main takeaway
This proclamation presents the God of Daniel as living, enduring, sovereign, and able to rescue.
Explore the teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A message to all peoplesDarius writes broadly, addressing “all the peoples, nations, and languages” who dwell “in all the earth”.
Explanation
Darius writes broadly, addressing “all the peoples, nations, and languages” who dwell “in all the earth”. His opening blessing, “Peace be multiplied to you”, gives the proclamation a formal and public tone. The message is not private. It is meant to be heard widely across his kingdom.
02A decree about the God of DanielThe king commands that people “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel”. The reason follows immediately.
Explanation
The king commands that people “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel”. The reason follows immediately. This God is called “the living God” and “steadfast forever”. Darius also says God’s kingdom will not be destroyed and his dominion continues “even to the end”.
03The God who delivers and rescuesThe proclamation moves from who God is to what God does. Darius says, “He delivers and rescues.”
Explanation
The proclamation moves from who God is to what God does. Darius says, “He delivers and rescues.” He also says God “works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth”. The specific example in this passage is Daniel’s rescue from “the power of the lions”.
04Daniel prospers under two rulersThe passage closes briefly with Daniel himself. After the decree, we are told that Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Explanation
The passage closes briefly with Daniel himself. After the decree, we are told that Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. This ending links the king’s proclamation with Daniel’s continuing well-being in these reigns.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What titles or descriptions does Darius give to the God of Daniel?
Look carefully at the words in the decree, especially the phrases about God’s life, steadfastness, kingdom, and dominion.
02What actions of God are named in this proclamation?
List the verbs Darius uses, then notice the one specific rescue he mentions as evidence.
03Who is the proclamation addressed to, and what does that show about its importance?
Notice how wide the audience is in the opening line and connect that with the formal decree that follows.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28
25Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.
26“I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; “for he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end.
27He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.