Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

DANIEL 6:21KJV
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Daniel 6:21 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:21 mean?

Daniel 6:21 shows Daniel respectfully addressing King Darius after surviving a night in the lions’ den, wishing the king a long life. Daniel’s words signal that he is alive and unharmed, and that he still honors the king despite his ordeal.

Daniel is speaking directly to King Darius, who had reluctantly ordered Daniel thrown into the lions’ den because of a law he could not change. The verse captures the moment when Daniel responds from the den, reassuring the anxious king. Daniel’s greeting, “O king, live for ever,” was a common way to show respect and loyalty to a ruler in that time.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:21

  • "חֲיֵה" (ḥăyēh, “live”): This word is a wish or blessing for life, often used in royal greetings. Here, Daniel uses it to show respect, even after being wronged.
  • "עָלְמִין" (ʿālamīn, “ever”): This word means “forever” or “for ages,” emphasizing the wish for the king’s lasting reign. It highlights Daniel’s continued loyalty and the formal tone of his address.

Why Daniel 6:21 matters

  • Daniel’s respectful greeting, even after being thrown to the lions, shows his character and the importance of honoring authority, regardless of personal hardship.
  • The verse marks the dramatic turning point where Daniel’s survival is revealed, setting up the explanation of his deliverance in the following verses.
  • Understanding the cultural context of the greeting helps clarify that Daniel is not flattering the king, but following a respectful custom, which adds depth to his response.

Where else these words appear

“said” Hebrew H4449 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
  • Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
  • Daniel 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

“live” Hebrew H2418 · used in 6 verses

  • 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 3:9 They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
  • Daniel 5:19 And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down.

“ever” Hebrew H5957 · used in 15 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
  • Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
  • Daniel 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

“unto” Hebrew H5974 · used in 20 verses

  • Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
  • Daniel 2:22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
  • Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.