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.

DANIEL 6:12KJV
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Daniel 6:12 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:12 mean?

Daniel 6:12 describes how officials approached King Darius to remind him of the law he had signed, which said that anyone who prayed to any god or person except the king for thirty days would be thrown into the lions’ den. The king confirmed that the law was unchangeable, following the customs of the Medes and Persians.

In this verse, the officials are trying to trap Daniel by using the king’s own decree against him. They speak directly to King Darius, referencing the law he had just established, and ask if he remembers signing it. The king responds by affirming the law’s authority and its permanence, setting the stage for Daniel’s upcoming trial.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:12

  • The word for "decree" (טְעֵם, te‛em) appears twice, emphasizing the official and binding nature of the law. This highlights how the officials are using the king's own words to corner him.
  • The phrase "which altereth not" uses the Aramaic word (שְׁנָא, shena), meaning "does not change," underlining the idea that the king cannot revoke or modify his own law, a key point in the story’s tension.

Why Daniel 6:12 matters

  • Daniel 6:12 shows how the officials manipulated the legal system to target Daniel, making it clear that their actions were calculated and not accidental.
  • The verse highlights the rigidity of Medo-Persian law, which even the king could not change, explaining why Darius felt trapped by his own decree.
  • This moment builds suspense in the narrative, as it makes clear that Daniel’s fate is now sealed by an unbreakable law, setting up the dramatic events that follow.