My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

DANIEL 6:22KJV
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Daniel 6:22 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:22 mean?

Daniel 6:22 describes Daniel explaining to King Darius that God sent an angel to protect him by shutting the mouths of the lions, so they did not harm him. Daniel says this happened because he was found innocent before God and had not wronged the king.

Daniel is speaking from inside the lions’ den after surviving a night that should have been fatal. He tells King Darius that his rescue was an act of God, carried out by an angel, and emphasizes both his innocence before God and his loyalty to the king. This verse is a direct answer to the king’s question about whether Daniel’s God was able to save him.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:22

  • "God" (אֱלָהּ, ʼĕlāh): This word is the Aramaic term for God, used throughout Daniel. Daniel points to his faith in the God he serves, not just any deity.
  • "Angel" (מַלְאָךְ, malʾakh): The word means a messenger or divine being. Daniel credits his survival to a supernatural intervention, not luck or personal strength.
  • "Shut" (סְגַר, segar): This word means to close or shut tightly. The verse stresses that the lions’ mouths were actively closed, making it clear the danger was real and the deliverance was specific.
  • "Innocency" (זָכוּ, zāḵû): This term means purity or blamelessness. Daniel claims that his protection was tied to his innocence, both before God and the king.

Why Daniel 6:22 matters

  • Daniel 6:22 clarifies that Daniel’s survival was not accidental but a direct result of divine intervention, highlighting the power and care of God in a dangerous situation.
  • The verse emphasizes Daniel’s innocence and integrity, showing that his faithfulness to God did not mean disloyalty to the king.
  • Daniel’s explanation connects the miracle to his relationship with both God and the king, reinforcing the main theme of the chapter: faithfulness in the face of unjust persecution.

Where else these words appear

“angel” Hebrew H4398 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

“also” Hebrew H638 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • 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.

“mouths” Hebrew H6433 · used in 6 verses

  • 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.
  • Daniel 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
  • 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.

“hurt” Hebrew H2255 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 6:12 And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
  • 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 6:26 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.