It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

DANIEL 6:1KJV
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Daniel 6:1 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:1 mean?

Daniel 6:1 describes how King Darius decided to appoint 120 officials, called princes, to oversee his entire kingdom. This verse shows the king organizing his government by placing trusted leaders in charge of different regions or responsibilities.

The verse is set during the time when Darius became ruler over the kingdom, likely after the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon. The writer is describing how Darius structured his administration, which sets the stage for the events that follow in the chapter, including Daniel’s rise to a high position and the jealousy it provokes among other officials.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:1

  • "pleased" (שְׁפַר, shepar): This word means that the decision was agreeable or seemed good to Darius, emphasizing that the action was intentional and well-considered.
  • "set" (קֳיֵם, qayem): This verb means to appoint or establish, highlighting Darius’s authority to put leaders in place.
  • "princes" (אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנִין, 'achashdarpenin): This term refers to high-ranking officials or governors, showing that these were significant positions of power within the kingdom.

Why Daniel 6:1 matters

  • Daniel 6:1 helps explain how the Persian Empire managed its vast territory, using a structured system of officials to maintain control and order.
  • The verse sets up the political environment that leads to the later conflict involving Daniel, showing why he and other officials are in positions of influence.
  • Understanding the administrative structure helps clarify the motives and actions of the characters in the rest of the chapter, especially the jealousy and plotting against Daniel.

Where else these words appear

“pleased” Hebrew H8232 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
  • Daniel 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

“hundred” Hebrew H3969 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 6:17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
  • Ezra 7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

“princes” Hebrew H324 · used in 9 verses

  • Daniel 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
  • Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

“Darius” Hebrew H1868 · used in 15 verses

  • Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Ezra 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
  • Daniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.