Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

DANIEL 6:19KJV
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Daniel 6:19 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:19 mean?

Daniel 6:19 describes how King Darius got up very early in the morning and hurried to the lions’ den. The king was anxious to see what had happened to Daniel after spending the night surrounded by lions.

This verse takes place after Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den because he continued to pray to God despite a royal decree. The king, who respected Daniel, had been deeply troubled by the situation and spent a sleepless night. At dawn, his immediate rush to the den shows his concern and hope that Daniel might have survived.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:19

  • "arose" (קֽוּם־, qum): This word means to get up or stand up, often with a sense of urgency or purpose. Here, it highlights the king’s restless night and his eagerness to check on Daniel.
  • "in haste" (בְּהִתְבְּהָלָה, behitbehalah): This word means to act quickly or in alarm. The use of this word shows the king’s deep anxiety and emotional investment in Daniel’s fate.
  • "den" (גֹּב, gov): This term refers specifically to a pit or enclosure for lions. It clarifies that Daniel was placed in a real, physical danger, not just a metaphorical one.

Why Daniel 6:19 matters

  • Daniel 6:19 shows the personal concern King Darius had for Daniel, which sets up the dramatic tension of the story—whether Daniel survived the night.
  • The king’s haste and worry contrast with the officials who plotted against Daniel, highlighting Darius’s regret and the injustice of the situation.
  • This verse connects to the wider theme of faithfulness and deliverance in the book of Daniel, preparing the reader for the miracle that follows.

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.

“den” Hebrew H1358 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
  • Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
  • Daniel 6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

“lions” Hebrew H744 · used in 9 verses

  • Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
  • Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
  • Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

“haste” Hebrew H927 · used in 10 verses

  • Daniel 2:25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
  • Daniel 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
  • 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: