Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

DANIEL 6:18KJV
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Daniel 6:18 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:18 mean?

Daniel 6:18 describes how King Darius spent a sleepless and troubled night after Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. The king fasted, refused entertainment, and could not sleep, showing his deep concern and distress for Daniel’s fate.

King Darius had reluctantly ordered Daniel into the lions’ den because of a law he could not change. This verse highlights the king’s personal turmoil: he returned to his palace, did not eat (fasted), did not allow music or entertainment, and was unable to rest. The verse paints a vivid picture of a powerful ruler who is deeply anxious and powerless to help someone he cares about.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:18

  • "Fasting" (צֲמָה, ṣămāh): This word refers to abstaining from food. The king’s choice to fast shows his emotional distress and possibly a hope for Daniel’s deliverance.
  • "Instruments" (דַּחֲוָן, daḥăwān): This word is often understood as musical entertainment or diversions. The king’s refusal of music underlines how troubled and joyless he felt that night.
  • "Sleep" (שְׁנָה, shenāh): This word means sleep or rest. The phrase that sleep "went from him" stresses that the king’s worry was so great that he could not find any rest.

Why Daniel 6:18 matters

  • Daniel 6:18 shows that King Darius genuinely cared for Daniel, which adds emotional depth to the story and highlights Daniel’s integrity and influence.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of the situation by showing that even the king, who had all the comforts of a palace, was deeply disturbed and unable to enjoy them.
  • This moment sets up the dramatic tension for what will happen to Daniel, making the reader feel the weight of the king’s anxiety and the uncertainty of the outcome.

Where else these words appear

“went” Hebrew H236 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Ezra 5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.
  • Daniel 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

“palace” Hebrew H1965 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 4:14 Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;
  • Ezra 6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
  • Daniel 5:2 Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

“brought” Hebrew H5954 · used in 12 verses

  • Daniel 2:16 Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
  • Daniel 4:6 Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
  • Daniel 5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

“before” Hebrew H6925 · used in 38 verses

  • Ezra 4:18 The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.
  • Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
  • Daniel 5:24 Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written.