Daniel 6:15 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:15 mean?

Daniel 6:15 describes how the officials who wanted Daniel punished came together before the king and reminded him that, according to the unchangeable law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or law made by the king could be altered. This meant that even the king himself could not reverse his own command.

In this scene, the king is being pressured by Daniel’s enemies, who are making sure he cannot rescue Daniel from the punishment he had ordered. The officials are not just stating a fact; they are insisting that the king must follow through with the law he signed, which was designed to trap Daniel. This highlights the strict legal system of the Medes and Persians, where royal decrees were considered absolute and irreversible.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:15

• "law" (דָּתָא, dathā’): This word refers to an official decree or regulation. Here, it emphasizes the binding nature of the king’s command, showing that not even the king can undo it.
• "establisheth" (קִים, qîm): This word means to set up or establish. It underlines that once the king has put a law in place, it stands firm and cannot be changed.
• "changed" (שְׁנָא, shenā’): This word means to alter or modify. The officials stress that the law cannot be changed, reinforcing the idea that Daniel’s fate is sealed by the system itself.

Why Daniel 6:15 matters

• Daniel 6:15 clarifies that the king’s hands are tied, not by his own will, but by the legal system he is part of, which is a key reason why Daniel ends up in the lions’ den.
• The verse shows the determination of Daniel’s opponents, who are making sure the king cannot find a loophole to save Daniel, revealing their persistence and cunning.
• This moment sets up the tension for the rest of the story, as it becomes clear that only a miracle could now save Daniel, highlighting the seriousness of his situation.