Daniel 6:20

Authorized King James Version

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּכְמִקְרְבֵ֣הּ
And when he came
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
#2
לְגֻבָּ֔א
to the den
a pit (for wild animals) (as cut out)
#3
דָּֽנִיֵּאל֙
O Daniel
danijel, the hebrew prophet
#4
בְּקָ֥ל
voice
a voice or sound
#5
עֲצִ֖יב
with a lamentable
to afflict
#6
זְעִ֑ק
he cried
to make an outcry
#7
עָנֵ֨ה
spake
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,
#8
מַלְכָּ֜א
and the king
a king
#9
וְאָמַ֣ר
and said
to speak, to command
#10
דָּֽנִיֵּאל֙
O Daniel
danijel, the hebrew prophet
#11
דָּֽנִיֵּאל֙
O Daniel
danijel, the hebrew prophet
#12
עֲבֵד֙
servant
a servant
#13
אֱלָהָ֗ךְ
God
god
#14
חַיָּ֔א
of the living
alive; also (as noun in plural) life
#15
אֱלָהָ֗ךְ
God
god
#16
דִּ֣י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#17
אַ֤נְתְּה
thou
#18
פָּֽלַֽח
whom thou servest
to serve or worship
#19
לֵהּ֙
H0
#20
בִּתְדִירָ֔א
continually
permanence, i.e., (adverb) constantly
#21
הַיְכִ֥ל
able
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
#22
לְשֵׁיזָבוּתָ֖ךְ
to deliver
to leave, i.e., (causatively) free
#23
מִן
thee from
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#24
אַרְיָוָתָֽא׃
the lions
a lion

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 literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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