Daniel 6:26

Dan 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.

Ver. 26. I make a decree.] It is the honour of princes to make laws for the maintenance of religion. {2Ch 30:4-5}

And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.] Daniel’s dialect touching Christ and his kingdom. {Dan 2:44; Dan 7:14; Dan 7:27} By conversing with that good man, Darius had learned something, as those that walk much in the sun are apt to be tanned and discoloured.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Dan_6:26

Men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

The God of Daniel

Religion has furnished the widest field for persecution.

1. The God of Daniel permits His children to be tempted and tried. Generally, trials are regarded as punishments and corrections. What divine end should we regard as attained by undeserved trial and suffering? Many evils befall good people because your bearing under the yoke conveys impressions of himself, and the work of grace in your hearts, which no other ministration can impress on the adamant heart of the ungodly.

2. Trials are also permissible as occasions of the revelation of Gods special presence with His people. Not only was there something extraordinary in Daniel, but there was something more extraordinary around him. The animals were quiet. Daniel was protected by a divine hand.

3. There is here also the principle that faith is the link between the feeble and their God. Because he believed in his God. It was faith that saluted the throne on high three times a day. It was faith that brought the assurance all would end well. It was faith that breathed calmness and patience in the breast. It was faith that made the heart rest securely on the Rock of Ages. O for a touch of that ancient faith. The angel of the covenant recognises faith, and helps her in her struggles with sin.

4. Here we see the God-revealing man. The king might have said, The Daniel of God. What he said is more revealing, the God of Daniel. What an association--the God of Daniel. (T. Davies, M. A.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The consequences of this occurrence.

As Nebuchadnezzar, after the wonderful deliverance of Daniel's friends from the burning fiery furnace, issued an edict to all the nations of his kingdom forbidding them on pain of death from doing any injury to these men of God (Dan 3:29), so now Darius, in consequence of this wonderful preservation of Daniel in the den of lions, gave forth an edict commanding all the nations of his whole kingdom to fear and reverence Daniel's God. But as Nebuchadnezzar by his edict, so also Darius, did not depart from the polytheistic standpoint. Darius acknowledged the God of Daniel, indeed, as the living God, whose kingdom and dominion were everlasting, but not as the only true God, and he commanded Him to be reverenced only as a God who does wonders in heaven and on earth, without prejudice to the honour of his own gods and of the gods of his subjects. Both of these kings, it is true, raised the God of Judea above all other gods, and praised the everlasting duration of His dominion (see Dan 3:29, 32 [Dan 4:2]f., and Daniel 3:31 [Dan 3:28]ff., 6:27 [Dan 6:26]f.), but they did not confess Him as the one only God. This edict, the, shows neither the conversion of Darius to the worship of the God of the Jews, nor does it show intolerance toward the gods of his subjects. On v. 26 (Dan 6:25) cf. Daniel 3:31 (Dan 4:1). As Nebuchadnezzar, so also Darius, regarded his kingdom as a world-kingdom. On 27a (Dan 6:26) cf. Dan 3:29. The reverence which all the nations were commanded to show to Daniel's God is described in the same words as is the fear and reverence which the might and greatness of Nebuchadnezzar inspired in all the nations that were subject to him (Dan 5:19), which has led Hitzig justly to remark, that the words לאלההּ פּלחין להון (they must worship his God) are not used. God is described as living (cf. v. 21 [Dan 6:20]) and eternal, with which is connected the praise of the everlasting duration of His dominion, and of His rule in heaven and on earth; cf. Dan 2:44 and 3:33 (Dan 4:3). The דּי after מלכוּתהּ is not a conjunction, but is the relative, and the expression briefly denotes that His kingdom is a kingdom which is not destroyed; cf. Daniel 4:31 (Dan 4:34). סופא עד, to the end - not merely of all heathen kingdoms which arise on the earth, i.e., to their final destruction by the kingdom of the Messiah, Dan 2:44 (Kranichfeld), for there is no thought of the Messiah, Dan 2:44 (Kranichfeld), for there is no thought of the Messianic kingdom here at all, but to the end of all things, to eternity. In v. 28 (Dan 6:27) this God is lauded as the deliverer and wonder-worker, because in the case of Daniel He had showed Himself as such; cf. Daniel 3:32 (Dan 4:2). יד מן, from the hand, i.e., from the power of; cf. Psa 22:21.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Which hath not only life in himself, but is the only fountain of life, and quickeneth all things, so that without him there is no life.

This proveth not that Darius did worship God aright, or else was converted: for then he would have destroyed all superstition and idolatry: and not only given God the chief place, but also have set him up, and caused him to be honored according to his word: but this was a certain confession of God’s power, whereunto he was compelled by this wonderful miracle.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Stronger than the decree (Dan 3:29). That was negative; this, positive; not merely men must say "nothing amiss of," but must "fear before God."

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 26. I make a decree that - men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel] As in the case of the three Hebrews, Da 3:29. The true God was known by his servants, and by the deliverances he wrought for them. See his characters in this decree.

1. He is the living God, the Author and Giver of life; all others are dead gods.

2. He is steadfast for ever. All things change; but he is unchangeable.

3. He has a kingdom; for as he made all things, so he governs all things.

4. His kingdom shall not be destroyed. No human power can prevail against it, because it is upheld by his omnipotence.

5. His dominion is without end. It is an everlasting dominion, under an everlasting rule, by an everlasting God.

6. He delivereth them that are in danger and bondage.

7. He rescueth those who have fallen into the hands of their enemies, and implore his succour.

8. He worketh signs in the heavens.

9. And wonders upon earth; showing that both are under his sway, and are parts of his dominion.

10. And to complete all, He hath delivered Daniel. Before our own eyes he has given the fullest proof of his power and goodness, in rescuing his faithful servant from the teeth of the lions. What a fine eulogium on the great God and his faithful servant!

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(26) Unto the end.—The language of this decree is remarkably Scriptural. This is due, no doubt, to the share which Daniel had in the composition of it. By the “end” is meant the end of all the heathen kingdoms which shall arise upon the earth, or, in other words, the setting up of the kingdom of the Messiah.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

26. I make a decree] almost exactly as Dan_3:29.

in every dominion] in all the dominion &c.

tremble and fear before] Cf. Dan_5:19 (of the dread felt towards Nebuchadnezzar).

stedfast] or subsistent, enduring,—a common epithet of God in the Targums, and often representing the Heb. ‘living,’ as in the passages quoted on Dan_6:20[267]. The combination, ‘living and enduring’ (חַי וְקַיָם), is also frequent in post-Biblical Jewish literature.

[267] Also regularly in the phrases, ‘(As) I live,’ ‘(As) Jehovah liveth,’ 1Sa_14:39; Eze_5:2, &c.

and his kingdom &c.] Cf. Dan_2:44, Dan_4:3; Dan_4:34 b; also Dan_7:14; Dan_7:27.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He delivereth and rescueth..... As he did the three companions of Daniel from the fiery furnace, and now Daniel himself from the lions' den:

and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth; which are out of the common course of nature, and not according to the laws of it; such as hindering the natural force of fire from burning, as in the case of the three children; and stopping the mouths of lions from devouring Daniel as follows:

who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions; or "from the hand" (r) of them; from their destroying paws, and devouring jaws; which was nothing less than a miracle, and a proof of the divine omnipotence and of his power of doing wonders.

(r) "de manu", Montanus, Cocceius.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

I make a decree - Compare Dan 3:29.

That in every dominion of my kingdom - Every department or province. The entire kingdom or empire was made up of several kingdoms, as Media, Persia, Babylonia, etc. The meaning is, that he wished the God of Daniel to be honored and reverenced throughout the whole empire.

Men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel - That they honor and reverence him as God. There is no certain evidence that he meant that he should be honored as the only God; but the probability is, that he meant that he should be recognized as a God of great power and glory, and as worthy of universal reverence. How far this pagan monarch might still regard the other deities worshipped in the empire as gods, or how far his own heart might be disposed to honor the God of Daniel, there are no means of ascertaining. It was much, however, that so great a monarch should be led to make a proclamation acknowledging the God of Daniel as having a real existence, and as entitled to universal reverence.

For he is the living God - An appellation often given to God in the Scriptures, and probably learned by Darius from Daniel. It is not, however, absolutely certain that Darius would attach all the ideas to these phrases which Daniel did, or which we would. The attributes here ascribed to God are correct, and the views expressed are far beyond any that prevailed among the pagan; but still it would not be proper to suppose that Darius certainly had all the views of God which these words would convey to us now.

And stedfast for ever - That is, he is always the same. He ever lives; he has power overall; his kingdom is on an immovable foundation. He is not, in his government, to cease to exist, and to be succeeded by another who shall occupy his throne.

And his kingdom what shall not be destroyed ... - See the Dan 4:3, note ; Dan 4:34, note. The similarity between the language used here, and that employed by Nebuchadnezzar, shows that it was probably derived from the same source. It is to be presumed that both monarchs expressed the views which they had learned from Daniel.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; take heed how they speak evil of this great God, but own and honour him as such; whereof he gives the reason following.

He is the living God, & c. You would take Darius by these words to be a convert: how far this went with him, and how long it lasted, who knoweth? Surely if he were in earnest, he would forsake his idolatry, and set up the worship of the true God in his kingdom, that his subjects might turn from dumb idols, as inconsistent with the living God and his worship. Howbeit, it is clear that Darius had learnt this doctrine from Daniel, whom he heard and honoured, and was the more convinced of it by this miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Connecting Statement:

This continues to state the message that Darius sent to everyone in his kingdom.

tremble and fear

These two words are similar and can be combined. AT: "shake with fear" (See: Doublet)

the God of Daniel

"the God that Daniel worships"

he is the living God and lives forever

The two phrases "the living God" and "lives forever" express the same concept, that God lives forever. (See: Parallelism)

his kingdom shall ... his dominion shall

These two phrases are parallel, emphasizing how God's kingdom will never end. (See: Parallelism)

his kingdom shall not be destroyed

This can be stated in active form. AT: "no one will destroy his kingdom" or "his kingdom will last forever" (See: Active or Passive)

his dominion shall be to the end

"he will rule forever"

he has kept Daniel safe from the strength of the lions

"he has not allowed the strong lions to hurt Daniel"

translationWords

decree

dominion

kingdom

fear

life

eternity

miracle

heaven

earth

power

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

Then King Darius...that lived in all the land, May your peace increase! [as translated,] that lived in all the land, May your peace increase!

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.