Daniel Chapter 6 · Verse 25
Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
Original Language Analysis
דָּרְיָ֣וֶשׁ
Darius
H1868
דָּרְיָ֣וֶשׁ
Darius
Strong's:
H1868
Word #:
2 of 14
darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
כְּ֠תַב
wrote
H3790
כְּ֠תַב
wrote
Strong's:
H3790
Word #:
4 of 14
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּכָל
in all
H3606
בְּכָל
in all
Strong's:
H3606
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַֽמְמַיָּ֞א
people
H5972
עַֽמְמַיָּ֞א
people
Strong's:
H5972
Word #:
6 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
דִּֽי
H1768
דִּֽי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
9 of 14
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בְּכָל
in all
H3606
בְּכָל
in all
Strong's:
H3606
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Daniel 4:1Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.1 Peter 1:2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.Esther 8:9Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.Esther 3:12Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.Ezra 4:17Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
Historical Context
Persian royal decrees were disseminated throughout the vast empire in multiple languages (cf. Esther 8:9). This decree would have reached from India to Ethiopia, providing witness to Yahweh's power among Gentile nations. The theology rivals biblical proclamations—God's eternal kingdom, unchanging nature, and universal dominion. Whether Darius experienced genuine conversion or merely acknowledged Yahweh's power while maintaining polytheism remains unclear, but the decree's content advances God's purposes regardless of the king's personal faith state.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use dramatic deliverances to create testimony that reaches far beyond the immediate situation?
- What does Darius's decree teach about how God can use even pagan rulers to proclaim His character and advance His purposes?
Analysis & Commentary
Darius issues a decree acknowledging God's supremacy: '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.' The universal scope ('every dominion') shows empire-wide proclamation. The attributes—'living God,' 'stedfast for ever,' 'kingdom that shall not be destroyed,' 'dominion...unto the end'—comprise sophisticated theology remarkably similar to biblical monotheism. This decree provides testimony to God's character throughout the Persian Empire.