Daniel 6:12-13

Daniel 6:12-13

[12] 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.  [13] Then  answered  they and said  before  the king,  That Daniel,  which is of  the children  of the captivity  of Judah,  regardeth  not  thee,  O king,  nor the decree  that thou hast signed,  but maketh  his petition  three  times  a day. 

What does Daniel 6:12-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

After reminding Darius of his decree, the hostile officials informed the king that his prime minister elect had violated it and was therefore worthy of death. Notice that they described Daniel as "one of the exiles from Judah" (cf. Daniel 2:25; Daniel 5:13), rather than as a royal cabinet minister. They were evidently hoping that Daniel"s Jewish nationality and religion would contribute to Darius" distaste for him. This was not the result, however. They also used almost the same words that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego"s accusers had used when they charged Daniel with disregarding the king (cf. Daniel 3:12). To them, prayer to Yahweh constituted disrespect for the king, rather than respect for the Most High God. How quickly and persistently humankind reverts to humanism!