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 6:20KJVWhat 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.