Daniel 6:14
New International Version
When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

New Living Translation
Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.

English Standard Version
Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him.

Berean Standard Bible
As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him.

King James Bible
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

New King James Version
And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

New American Standard Bible
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed, and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and until sunset he kept exerting himself to save him.

NASB 1995
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.

NASB 1977
Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then, as soon as the king heard this word, he was greatly distressed within himself and set his mind on saving Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to deliver him.

Amplified Bible
Then, as soon as the king heard these words, he was deeply distressed [over what he had done] and set his mind on rescuing Daniel; and he struggled until the sun went down [trying to work out a way] to save him.

Christian Standard Bible
As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him.

American Standard Version
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to rescue him.

Contemporary English Version
The king was really upset to hear about this, and for the rest of the day he tried to think how he could save Daniel.

English Revised Version
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to rescue him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king was very displeased when he heard this. He tried every way he could think of to save Daniel. Until sundown he did everything he could to rescue him.

Good News Translation
When the king heard this, he was upset and did his best to find some way to rescue Daniel. He kept trying until sunset.

International Standard Version
When the king heard this, he was greatly upset, because he was determined to make every effort to save Daniel before the sun set.

Majority Standard Bible
As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him.

NET Bible
When the king heard this, he was very upset and began thinking about how he might rescue Daniel. Until late afternoon he was struggling to find a way to rescue him.

New Heart English Bible
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. And he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the king, when he heard these words, was much displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the setting of the sun to deliver him.

World English Bible
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then the king, when he has heard the matter, is greatly displeased at himself, and on Daniel he has set the heart to deliver him, and until the going up of the sun he was arranging to deliver him.

Young's Literal Translation
Then the king, when he hath heard the matter, is greatly displeased at himself, and on Daniel he hath set the heart to deliver him, and till the going up of the sun he was arranging to deliver him.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then the king as soon as he heard the word, was greatly displeased with himself, and upon Daniel he set the heart to set him free: and even to the going down of the sun he was exerting himself to deliver him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when the king had heard these words, he was very much grieved, and in behalf of Daniel he set his heart to deliver him and even till sunset he laboured to save him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now when the king had heard these words, he was greatly grieved, and, on behalf of Daniel, he set his heart to free him, and he labored even until sunset to rescue him.

New American Bible
The king was deeply grieved at this news and he made up his mind to save Daniel; he worked till sunset to rescue him.

New Revised Standard Version
When the king heard the charge, he was very much distressed. He was determined to save Daniel, and until the sun went down he made every effort to rescue him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king, when he heard these words, was very much grieved, and made up his mind to deliver Daniel; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then the King, when he heard this message, it grieved him much and he set his mind to save Daniel, and until the setting of the sun he was struggling to save him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then the king, when he heard the saying, was much grieved for Daniel and he greatly exerted himself for Daniel to deliver him: and he exerted himself till evening to deliver him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Daniel in the Lions' Den
13Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.” 14 As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him. 15Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”…

Cross References
Esther 8:8
Now you may write in the king’s name as you please regarding the Jews, and seal it with the royal signet ring. For a decree that is written in the name of the king and sealed with the royal signet ring cannot be revoked.”

Esther 1:19
So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.

Esther 3:10-11
So the king removed the signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. / “Keep your money,” said the king to Haman. “These people are given to you to do with them as you please.”

Esther 4:11
“All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.”

Esther 7:7-8
In his fury, the king arose from drinking his wine and went to the palace garden, while Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king was planning a terrible fate for him. / Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Would he actually assault the queen while I am in the palace?” As soon as the words had left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

Matthew 27:17-24
So when the crowd had assembled, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” / For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. / While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.” ...

Mark 6:26
The king was consumed with sorrow, but because of his oaths and his guests, he did not want to refuse her.

Acts 25:9-12
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” / Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” ...

Acts 24:27
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Acts 26:30-32
Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. / On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

1 Samuel 19:6
Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan and swore an oath: “As surely as the LORD lives, David will not be put to death.”

1 Samuel 14:39
As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word.

1 Samuel 15:24-25
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. / Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

2 Samuel 3:28-29
Afterward, David heard about this and said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD concerning the blood of Abner son of Ner. / May it whirl over the head of Joab and over the entire house of his father, and may the house of Joab never be without one having a discharge or skin disease, or one who leans on a staff or falls by the sword or lacks food.”

2 Kings 6:31
He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

was sore.

Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Matthew 27:17-24
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? …

Mark 6:26
And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.

and he.

2 Samuel 3:28,29
And afterward when David heard it, he said, I and my kingdom are guiltless before the LORD for ever from the blood of Abner the son of Ner: …

Jump to Previous
Daniel Deeply Deliver Delivering Determined Displeased Distressed Ears Effort Evil Fixed Greatly Heard Heart Keeping King's Labored Mind Power Rescue Safe Save Setting Soon Sore Statement Sun Sundown Sunset Words
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Daniel Deeply Deliver Delivering Determined Displeased Distressed Ears Effort Evil Fixed Greatly Heard Heart Keeping King's Labored Mind Power Rescue Safe Save Setting Soon Sore Statement Sun Sundown Sunset Words
Daniel 6
1. Daniel is made chief of the presidents.
4. They, conspiring against him, obtain an idolatrous decree.
10. Daniel, accused of the breach thereof, is cast into the lion's den.
18. Daniel is saved;
24. his adversaries devoured;
25. and God magnified by a decree.














As soon as the king heard this
This phrase indicates the immediacy of King Darius's reaction upon learning about the decree's implications for Daniel. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but understanding and internalizing the gravity of the situation. Historically, this reflects the king's awareness of the irreversible nature of Medo-Persian laws, which even he could not alter. The king's immediate distress underscores his respect and affection for Daniel, highlighting the personal conflict between his royal duty and personal loyalty.

he was deeply distressed
The phrase "deeply distressed" conveys an intense emotional turmoil. The Aramaic word used here, "be'ish" (בְּאֵשׁ), suggests a burning or consuming anxiety. This reflects the king's internal struggle and the weight of responsibility he feels. In the historical context of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, a king's emotional display was significant, as it showed vulnerability and humanity, traits not often associated with rulers of that era.

he set his mind on delivering Daniel
This phrase indicates a determined resolve. The Aramaic root "shavah" (שָׁוָה) for "set" implies a deliberate and focused intention. The king's resolve to deliver Daniel demonstrates his recognition of Daniel's innocence and his desire to uphold justice, even against the constraints of his own decree. This reflects a biblical theme of righteousness and the moral duty of leaders to protect the innocent.

and made every effort until sundown
The phrase "made every effort" suggests a relentless pursuit. The Aramaic word "haval" (הֲוָל) implies exertion and striving. The mention of "until sundown" is significant, as it marks the end of the day and the deadline for executing the decree. This urgency highlights the king's desperation and the limited time he had to find a legal loophole to save Daniel. It underscores the tension between human limitations and divine intervention, a recurring theme in the Book of Daniel.

to rescue him
The word "rescue" (נָצַל, natsal) in Hebrew conveys the idea of snatching away or delivering from danger. This reflects the king's ultimate goal and his recognition of Daniel's value not only as a trusted advisor but as a man of God. Theologically, this points to the divine theme of deliverance and salvation, foreshadowing God's intervention in the lion's den. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to those who remain steadfast in their faith.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
As soon as
כְּדִ֧י (kə·ḏî)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

the king
מַלְכָּ֜א (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

heard
שְׁמַ֗ע (šə·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8086: To hear intelligently

this,
מִלְּתָ֣א (mil·lə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4406: A word, command, discourse, subject

he was deeply
שַׂגִּיא֙ (śag·gî)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7690: Great, much

distressed
בְּאֵ֣שׁ (bə·’êš)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 888: To smell bad, to be offensive

and set
שָׂ֥ם (śām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

[his] mind
בָּ֖ל (bāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1079: Anxiety, the heart

on delivering
לְשֵׁיזָבוּתֵ֑הּ (lə·šê·zā·ḇū·ṯêh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7804: To leave, free

Daniel,
דָּנִיֵּ֛אל (dā·nî·yêl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1841: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon

and he labored
מִשְׁתַּדַּ֖ר (miš·tad·dar)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7712: To struggle, strive

until
וְעַד֙ (wə·‘aḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5705: Even to, until

sundown
מֶֽעָלֵ֣י (me·‘ā·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4606: The setting

to rescue him.
לְהַצָּלוּתֵֽהּ׃ (lə·haṣ·ṣā·lū·ṯêh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5338: To rescue, deliver


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OT Prophets: Daniel 6:14 Then the king when he heard these (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 6:13
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