Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

DANIEL 6:5KJV
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Daniel 6:5 (KJV)

What does Daniel 6:5 mean?

Daniel 6:5 shows that Daniel’s rivals could find no fault or wrongdoing in him, except possibly in matters related to his faithfulness to the law of his God. The verse highlights that the only way to accuse Daniel was to target his religious devotion.

Daniel 6:5 takes place in the Persian court, where jealous officials are looking for a way to bring Daniel down. These men speak among themselves, realizing that Daniel’s character and conduct are blameless in every area except his unwavering commitment to God’s law. This sets up the plot that leads to Daniel being trapped by a law targeting his religious practices.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 6:5

  • "occasion" (עֲלַת — ‘ălāt): This word means a ground for accusation or a pretext. The officials are searching for any legitimate reason to accuse Daniel, but find none.
  • "law" (דָּת — dāṯ): This word refers to a decree or regulation, here specifically the religious law Daniel follows. The officials realize their only hope is to use Daniel’s obedience to God’s law against him.
  • "God" (אֱלָהּ — ’ĕlāh): This word is the Aramaic term for God, showing that the issue at hand is Daniel’s loyalty to his own God, not the Persian gods or laws.

Why Daniel 6:5 matters

  • Daniel 6:5 clarifies that Daniel’s enemies could not find any moral or legal fault in his public or private life, underscoring his integrity.
  • The verse explains why the officials later propose a law targeting religious practice: it is the only way they can hope to trap Daniel.
  • This moment highlights the tension between loyalty to God and the demands of a secular government, a theme that runs through the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“occasion” Hebrew H5931 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

“except” Hebrew H3861 · used in 10 verses

  • Ezra 5:12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
  • Daniel 2:11 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
  • Daniel 4:27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.

“these” Hebrew H479 · used in 13 verses

  • Ezra 4:21 Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
  • Daniel 3:13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

“law” Hebrew H1882 · used in 13 verses

  • Ezra 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
  • Ezra 7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
  • Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.