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.

DANIEL 6:26KJV
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Daniel 6:26 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:26 mean?

Daniel 6:26 records King Darius making a royal decree that everyone in his kingdom must show respect and awe before the God of Daniel, declaring that this God is alive, unchanging, and that His kingdom and rule will never end. The verse highlights the king’s recognition of God’s unique power and eternal authority after Daniel’s deliverance from the lions’ den.

King Darius is speaking to all the peoples and regions under his rule, following the miraculous rescue of Daniel from the lions. The king’s proclamation is not just about Daniel’s faith, but about the character of Daniel’s God—described as “living” (not an idol), “stedfast for ever” (unchanging), and whose kingdom cannot be destroyed. This public decree marks a dramatic moment where a foreign king acknowledges the supremacy of Israel’s God.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:26

  • “God” (אֱלָהּ, ʾĕlāh): This is the general Aramaic word for God, used here to refer specifically to Daniel’s God, setting Him apart from other gods worshipped in the empire.
  • “Living” (חַי, ḥay): The word means alive or living, emphasizing that Daniel’s God is not a lifeless idol but an active, present being.
  • “Stedfast” (קַיָּם, qayyām): This word means enduring or lasting, stressing that God’s nature and rule do not change or fade over time.
  • “Dominion” (שָׁלְטָן, sholtan): This term refers to rule or authority, highlighting that God’s power extends everywhere and lasts “unto the end,” meaning forever.

Why Daniel 6:26 matters

  • Daniel 6:26 shows a pagan king publicly acknowledging the God of Israel as supreme, which is unusual and significant in the context of the book.
  • The verse clarifies that Daniel’s God is not just powerful in one moment, but is always living and His kingdom is permanent, unlike the temporary kingdoms of men.
  • This decree connects to the broader theme in Daniel of God’s sovereignty over all earthly rulers and empires, reinforcing the message that God’s authority is ultimate and unending.

Where else these words appear

“tremble” Hebrew H2112 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“stedfast” Hebrew H7011 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

“end” Hebrew H5491 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
  • Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
  • Daniel 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

“fear” Hebrew H1763 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
  • Daniel 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
  • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.