Where is Daniel 6:22 located in Scripture?

Daniel 6:22 is found in Daniel, chapter 6, verse 22.

What Does Daniel 6:22 Mean?

Daniel 6:22 meaning: how God protected Daniel in the lion's den and what this reveals about divine deliverance

Divine protectionangel · innocency · lions' mouths · no hurt

Ask AI about Daniel 6:22Get a personal, plain-English answer — free→

Clear Bible Translation

Modern English

My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths, and they haven't harmed me at all. God found me innocent before him, and I've done nothing wrong against you either, Your Majesty."

King James Version

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Read Daniel 6:22 in context →Open in reader

Historical and Literary Context

Written during the Babylonian exile, likely in the 6th century BC, recounting events from Daniel's service in the Persian court under Darius the Mede.

Daniel's declaration from the lion's den reveals God's sovereign power to suspend natural law in defense of the innocent. The Hebrew word for 'innocency' (zakû) carries forensic weight — Daniel stands legally vindicated before both divine and human courts. His deliverance demonstrates that God actively intervenes when His people face persecution for their faithfulness, transforming instruments of death into testimonies of divine power. The angel's intervention (malak) echoes earlier biblical rescues where heavenly messengers execute God's protective will, from the angel of death in Egypt to the warrior angels at Elisha's side in 2 Kings 6:17. Notice Daniel's careful distinction: his innocence before God flows from covenant faithfulness, while his innocence before Darius stems from loyal citizenship. This reveals how biblical faith produces integrity in both vertical and horizontal relationships. The lions' sealed mouths become a prophetic sign — just as God controls the mouths of wild beasts, He controls the destinies of empires.

Daniel speaks these words to King Darius after surviving an entire night in the royal lion's den. The king's officials had trapped Darius into condemning Daniel through an irrevocable law forbidding prayer to anyone but the king for thirty days. Upon discovering Daniel's survival, Darius rushed to the den at daybreak and called out desperately to learn Daniel's fate. Daniel's response reveals not only his miraculous preservation but also his continued respect for royal authority even after facing unjust punishment.

Read the full chapter: Daniel 6 →

Living This Out

When believers face persecution for their faith, Daniel's experience assures them that God sees their innocence and possesses power to deliver in impossible circumstances. His example also demonstrates how authentic faith maintains respect for legitimate authority even when that authority fails us.

Parallel Passages

Psalms 23:4 →Connects divine protection with divine presence
Joshua 1:9 →Connects divine protection with divine courage
Exodus 14:14 →Connects divine protection with divine warfare
1 Peter 5:7 →Connects divine protection with divine care

Bible Verses About Protection Bible Verses About Purity Bible Verses About Persecution

Book Summary

The Book of Daniel

Daniel 1: Daniel and His Friends in Babylon

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon comes unto Jerusalem and besieges it. The Lord gives Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God, which he carries into the land of Shinar to the house of his god. The king speaks unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; children in whom is no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as have ability in them to stand in the king's palace, whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. The king appoints them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank, so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Among these are of the children of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The prince of the eunuchs gives them names: unto Daniel he gives the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel purposes in his heart that he will not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. He requests of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. The prince of the eunuchs fears his lord the king, who has appointed their meat and drink, lest he should see their faces worse liking than the children of their sort, and thus endanger his head to the king. Daniel then speaks to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs has set over them, and proposes a test of ten days. He asks that they be given pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let their countenances be looked upon, and as the guard sees, he should deal with his servants. Melzar consents, and at the end of ten days their countenances appear fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar takes away the portion of their meat and gives them pulse. As for these four children, God gives them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel has understanding in all visions and dreams. At the end of the days, the prince of the eunuchs brings them in before Nebuchadnezzar. The king communes with them, and among them all is found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they stand before the king. In all matters of wisdom and understanding that the king enquires of them, he finds them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that are in all his realm.

Premium

Unlock the full Daniel summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Daniel — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 12 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Daniel summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

All 66 book summaries • unlimited AI tools • $99/year after trial

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Already have an account? Log in

Frequently Asked

What is the context of Daniel 6:22?: Written during the Babylonian exile, likely in the 6th century BC, recounting events from Daniel's service in the Persian court under Darius the Mede.
Why does Daniel 6:22 matter today?: When believers face persecution for their faith, Daniel's experience assures them that God sees their innocence and possesses power to deliver in impossible circumstances. His example also demonstrates how authentic faith maintains respect for legitimate authority even when that authority fails us.
Where is Daniel 6:22 located in Scripture?: Daniel, chapter 6, verse 22. Read Daniel 6 →

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.

Browse All Verse Explanations →