Daniel 6:17 - A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
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What does "Daniel 6:17" mean?
This verse, Daniel 6:17, is a crucial piece in the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Let's break down its meaning:
"A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den..." This describes the physical act of closing the opening of the lions' den. The stone would have been large and heavy, designed to prevent Daniel from escaping and the lions from getting out.
"...and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords..." This is the most important part of the verse. Sealing the stone was a legal act, carrying significant weight.
The king's signet: This was the king's personal seal, used to authenticate documents and decrees. Anything sealed with it was considered to have the full authority of the king.
The signet of his lords: The nobles also added their seals. This ensured that the decree and the sealing of the den had the support and witness of the highest officials in the land.
"...that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel." This is the purpose of the sealing. It served to:
Prevent Daniel's release: The king, despite his personal feelings for Daniel, was bound by the law he had signed (thanks to the trickery of his advisors - Daniel 6:7-9). The sealing ensured no one could secretly release Daniel without breaking the law and defying the king and his court.
Prevent anyone from helping Daniel: This wasn't just about preventing him from leaving the den. It was also about preventing anyone from entering the den to give him food or water or to try to rescue him.
Maintain the integrity of the king's decree: Removing or altering the seal would be a direct challenge to the king's authority and the authority of his lords. It would demonstrate a lack of respect for the law and the stability of the kingdom.
In Summary:
Daniel 6:17 highlights the trap Daniel's enemies had laid. The sealing of the den was not just a physical barrier but a legal and political one. It was a deliberate act to make Daniel's execution (by lions) irreversible and to protect the king's decree, however unjust it was. The act was meant to ensure that the "rule of law" would be enforced, even if the king regretted the law itself. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow: Daniel's miraculous survival and the king's subsequent acknowledgement of the power of Daniel's God.
Daniel 6:17 - A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
What does "Daniel 6:17" mean?
This verse, Daniel 6:17, is a crucial piece in the story of Daniel in the lions' den. Let's break down its meaning:
"A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den..." This describes the physical act of closing the opening of the lions' den. The stone would have been large and heavy, designed to prevent Daniel from escaping and the lions from getting out.
"...and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords..." This is the most important part of the verse. Sealing the stone was a legal act, carrying significant weight.
The king's signet: This was the king's personal seal, used to authenticate documents and decrees. Anything sealed with it was considered to have the full authority of the king.
The signet of his lords: The nobles also added their seals. This ensured that the decree and the sealing of the den had the support and witness of the highest officials in the land.
"...that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel." This is the purpose of the sealing. It served to:
Prevent Daniel's release: The king, despite his personal feelings for Daniel, was bound by the law he had signed (thanks to the trickery of his advisors - Daniel 6:7-9). The sealing ensured no one could secretly release Daniel without breaking the law and defying the king and his court.
Prevent anyone from helping Daniel: This wasn't just about preventing him from leaving the den. It was also about preventing anyone from entering the den to give him food or water or to try to rescue him.
Maintain the integrity of the king's decree: Removing or altering the seal would be a direct challenge to the king's authority and the authority of his lords. It would demonstrate a lack of respect for the law and the stability of the kingdom.
In Summary:
Daniel 6:17 highlights the trap Daniel's enemies had laid. The sealing of the den was not just a physical barrier but a legal and political one. It was a deliberate act to make Daniel's execution (by lions) irreversible and to protect the king's decree, however unjust it was. The act was meant to ensure that the "rule of law" would be enforced, even if the king regretted the law itself. The verse sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow: Daniel's miraculous survival and the king's subsequent acknowledgement of the power of Daniel's God.