Daniel 6:12

Authorized King James Version

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בֵּ֠אדַיִן
Then
then (of time)
#2
קְרִ֨בוּ
they came near
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#3
וְאָמַ֗ר
and said
to speak, to command
#4
קֳדָם
before
before
#5
מַלְכָּ֜א
The king
a king
#6
עַל
concerning
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
אֱסָ֣ר
a decree
an interdict
#8
מַלְכָּ֜א
The king
a king
#9
לָ֥א
Hast thou not
no, not
#10
אֱסָ֣ר
a decree
an interdict
#11
רְשַׁ֗מְתָּ
signed
to record
#12
דִּ֣י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#13
כָּל
any
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
וֶֽאֱנָ֜שׁ
man
a man
#15
דִּֽי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#16
יִבְעֵא֩
that shall ask
to seek or ask
#17
מִנָּ֣ךְ
a petition of
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#18
כָּל
any
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#19
אֱלָ֨הּ
God
god
#20
וֶֽאֱנָ֜שׁ
man
a man
#21
עַד
within
until
#22
יוֹמִ֣ין
days
a day
#23
תְּלָתִ֗ין
thirty
ten times three
#24
לָהֵן֙
save
therefore; also except
#25
מִנָּ֣ךְ
a petition of
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#26
מַלְכָּ֜א
The king
a king
#27
יִתְרְמֵ֕א
shall be cast
to throw, set, (figuratively) assess
#28
לְג֖וֹב
into the den
a pit (for wild animals) (as cut out)
#29
אַרְיָותָ֑א
of lions
a lion
#30
עָנֵ֨ה
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#31
מַלְכָּ֜א
The king
a king
#32
וְאָמַ֗ר
and said
to speak, to command
#33
יַצִּיבָ֧א
is true
fixed, sure; concretely, certainty
#34
מִלְּתָ֛א
The thing
a word, command, discourse, or subject
#35
כְּדָת
according to the law
a royal edict or statute
#36
מָדַ֥י
of the Medes
madai, a country of central asia
#37
וּפָרַ֖ס
and Persians
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
#38
דִּי
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#39
לָ֥א
Hast thou not
no, not
#40
תֶעְדֵּֽא׃
which altereth
to advance, i.e., pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck (i.e., bring an ornament upon)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Daniel. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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