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.

DANIEL 6:24KJV
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Daniel 6:24 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:24 mean?

Daniel 6:24 describes how King Darius ordered the men who had falsely accused Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den, along with their families, and the lions immediately killed them before they even reached the bottom. This verse shows the swift and total reversal of fortune for Daniel’s accusers after Daniel was saved.

King Darius is speaking as the ruler of the Persian Empire, responding to Daniel’s miraculous survival in the lions’ den. The verse highlights the king’s anger at those who plotted against Daniel and the severe punishment they received. The detail that the lions "brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den" emphasizes how quickly and completely the lions overpowered them, in contrast to Daniel’s protection.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:24

  • The word for "accused" (אַרְגְּלוּ, argelu) comes from a root meaning "to slander" or "to bring charges," making clear that these men were not just critics but active plotters against Daniel.
  • The phrase "had the mastery of them" uses two Aramaic words (עַד, ‘ad and שַׁלֵּט, shalet), together meaning the lions dominated or overpowered the people completely. This stresses the total lack of protection for Daniel’s accusers, compared to Daniel’s miraculous safety.
  • The word for "den" (גֹּב, gov) refers to a pit or underground chamber, not just a cage, which helps the reader picture the scene as a deep, inescapable place.

Why Daniel 6:24 matters

  • Daniel 6:24 clears up any idea that the lions were not dangerous or that Daniel’s survival was due to luck; the immediate death of the accusers shows the miracle was real.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of false accusation and the justice that follows in the story, as those who plotted evil against Daniel face the same fate they intended for him.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing the dramatic reversal after Daniel’s deliverance and highlighting the power and justice of God in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“accused” Hebrew H7170 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

“them” Hebrew H581 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:4 Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
  • 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 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

“accused” Hebrew H399 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 3:8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • Daniel 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

“mastery” Hebrew H7981 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
  • Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
  • Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.