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?

DANIEL 6:20KJV
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Daniel 6:20 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:20 mean?

Daniel 6:20 shows King Darius anxiously calling out to Daniel at the lions’ den, asking if Daniel’s God—whom Daniel faithfully serves—has been able to rescue him from the lions. The verse highlights the king’s deep concern and his hope that Daniel’s God is powerful enough to save him.

In this moment, King Darius approaches the den early in the morning after a sleepless night, worried about Daniel’s fate. The king’s voice is described as “lamentable,” showing his distress and emotional investment. By calling Daniel the “servant of the living God,” Darius recognizes Daniel’s ongoing devotion and the unique, active nature of Daniel’s God, setting the stage for the miracle that follows.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:20

  • “cried” (זְעַק, ze‘aq): This word means to call out or cry loudly, often in distress. The use of this word emphasizes the king’s emotional state as he approaches the den, showing real fear and urgency.
  • “lamentable” (עֲצִיב, ‘atsiv): This word means sad, sorrowful, or full of grief. It highlights the king’s deep sadness and worry for Daniel, not just a formal or routine concern.
  • “living” (חַי, ḥay): Calling God “living” sets Him apart from the idols and false gods of the time, who were thought to be powerless or dead. Darius is acknowledging that Daniel’s God is active and present, which is a significant recognition from a foreign king.
  • “continually” (תְּדִיר, tedir): This word means ongoing or constant. It points out that Daniel’s service to God is not occasional but a steady, lifelong commitment, which is why the king singles it out.

Why Daniel 6:20 matters

  • Daniel 6:20 clears up any idea that King Darius was indifferent or merely following protocol; the king is personally distressed and invested in Daniel’s fate.
  • The verse emphasizes Daniel’s faithfulness and the reputation of his God, setting up the miracle as a response to both Daniel’s devotion and the king’s hope.
  • By calling God “living,” the verse connects to a major theme in Daniel: the contrast between the God of Israel and the powerless gods of the surrounding nations. This prepares the reader for the demonstration of God’s power in the next verses.

Where else these words appear

“continually” Hebrew H8411 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“voice” Hebrew H7032 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
  • Daniel 3:10 Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:
  • Daniel 4:31 While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee.

“servant” Hebrew H5649 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:11 This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Daniel 2:4 Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
  • Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

“living” Hebrew H2417 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 6:10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.
  • Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
  • Daniel 6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.