Daniel 6 — Daniel in the lions’ pit — Hebrew, Aramaic and Old Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 6:23
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Daniel 6 — Daniel in the lions’ pit
Source texts for Daniel 6: Hebrew / Aramaic
Source texts for Daniel 6: Old Greek
Verse 6:1 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:1] Darius the Mede received the kingdom when he was about sixty-two years old.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:1] Artaxerxes of the Medes received the kingdom. Darius was full of days and glorious in old age.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic names Darius as the recipient and gives his approximate age. Greek first names Artaxerxes, then introduces Darius as aged; both names and the abrupt transition are preserved without identifying them as one person. BHS six, verse one is commonly numbered five, verse thirty-one in English Bibles.
Verse 6:2 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:2] Darius was pleased to appoint one hundred twenty satraps over the kingdom, to be throughout the whole kingdom,
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:2] He appointed one hundred twenty-seven satraps over his whole kingdom,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic has one hundred twenty satraps; Greek one hundred twenty-seven. Greek’s pronoun follows its preceding mention of Darius without replacing Artaxerxes in verse one.
Verse 6:3 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:3] and over them three administrators, of whom Daniel was one, so that these satraps would give them an account and the king suffer no loss.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:3] and over them three men as their leaders. Daniel was one of the three men,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Both place three leaders over the satraps. Aramaic adds the accounting requirement and prevention of royal loss; Greek’s description continues into its next verse.
Verse 6:4 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:4] This Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because an exceptional spirit was in him, and the king intended to appoint him over the whole kingdom.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:4] having authority above everyone in the kingdom. Daniel was clothed in purple, great and glorious before King Darius, because he was distinguished, knowledgeable, and understanding, with a holy spirit in him, and prospered in the king’s affairs that he conducted. Then the king decided to appoint Daniel over his whole kingdom, along with the two men whom he had appointed with him and one hundred twenty-seven satraps.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek expands Daniel’s clothing, honor, knowledge, and service, with holy spirit where Aramaic has exceptional spirit. Its final coordination of Daniel, the two men, and the satraps is retained provisionally; the precise administrative scope needs syntactic review.
Verse 6:5 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:5] Then the administrators and satraps sought grounds for an accusation against Daniel concerning the kingdom. But they could find no ground or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:5] When the king decided to appoint Daniel over his whole kingdom, the two young men devised a plan and resolution together. Since they could find no sin or ignorant fault in Daniel of which they could accuse him before the king,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic makes administrators and satraps the investigators and stresses trustworthiness and absence of negligence. Greek identifies the two young men and distinguishes sin from ignorant fault.
Verse 6:6 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:6] Then these men said, “We will find no ground against this Daniel unless we find it concerning the law of his God.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:6] they said, “Come, let us establish a restriction binding upon ourselves: no one is to make a request or offer a prayer to any god for thirty days, except to King Darius; otherwise he will die.” They intended to bring Daniel down before the king and have him thrown into the lions’ pit, for they knew that Daniel prayed and entreated the Lord his God three times a day.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek lays out the thirty-day plan and its lethal purpose here, expressly anticipating Daniel’s three daily prayers. Aramaic states only the decision to exploit his God’s law before the court petition.
Verse 6:7 Similar
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:7] Then these administrators and satraps came together to the king and said to him, “King Darius, live forever!
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:7] Then those men approached and said before the king:
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both bring the conspirators before the king; Aramaic names the official groups and gives the formal greeting.
Verse 6:8 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:8] All the kingdom’s administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish a statute and enforce a restriction: whoever makes a petition to any god or human being for thirty days, except to you, O king, must be thrown into the lions’ pit.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:8] “We have established a restriction and decree: anyone who offers a prayer or makes any request to any god for thirty days, except to King Darius, will be thrown into the lions’ pit.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic claims agreement by five official groups and prohibits petitions to both gods and humans. Greek speaks of their established decree and requests to any god, with the same royal exception and penalty.
Verse 6:9 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:9] Now, O king, establish the restriction and inscribe the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be revoked.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:9] They asked the king to establish the restriction and not alter it, because they knew that Daniel prayed and entreated three times a day; they intended him to be brought down through the king and thrown into the lions’ pit.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Aramaic appeals to irrevocable Median and Persian law and a written document. Greek repeats the conspirators’ knowledge and purpose instead; its explicit appeal to those peoples’ decrees comes later in verse thirteen-a.
Verse 6:10 Similar
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:10] Therefore King Darius inscribed the document and restriction.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:10] Thus King Darius established and ratified it.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both make Darius confirm the restriction; Aramaic specifically describes inscription, Greek establishment and ratification.
Verse 6:11 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:11] When Daniel learned that the document had been inscribed, he entered his house. His upper room had windows open toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks before his God, just as he had done before.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:11] When Daniel learned of the restriction established against him, he opened windows in his upper room toward Jerusalem, fell upon his face three times a day as he had done before, and made supplication.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic has already-open windows, kneeling, prayer, and thanksgiving. Greek has Daniel open the windows and fall upon his face, and specifically calls the restriction directed against him.
Verse 6:12 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:12] Then these men came together and found Daniel making petition and seeking mercy before his God.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:12] They watched Daniel and caught him praying three times a day, every day.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek explicitly describes surveillance and repeats the daily threefold practice. Aramaic describes the men’s concerted arrival and Daniel’s petition and entreaty before God.
Verse 6:13 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:13] Then they approached and spoke before the king about the royal restriction: “Did you not inscribe a restriction that anyone who petitions any god or human being for thirty days, except you, O king, must be thrown into the lions’ pit?” The king answered and said, “The matter stands, according to the law of Media and Persia, which cannot be revoked.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:13] Then these men appealed to the king and said, “King Darius, did you not decree a restriction that no one should offer a prayer or make a request to any god for thirty days except to you, O king, otherwise he would be thrown into the lions’ pit?” The king answered them, “The statement is exact, and the restriction will remain.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic again includes petitions to humans and names irrevocable Median and Persian law in the reply. Greek postpones the legal appeal to its additional following unit.
Verse 6:13a Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[No separate Aramaic counterpart at this position.]
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:13a] They said to him, “We adjure you by the decrees of the Medes and Persians: do not alter the command, show partiality, or diminish anything that has been stated; punish the man who has not kept this restriction.” He said, “I will do as you say; this is established with me.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek adds an adjuration, explicit ban on partiality and diminution, demand for punishment, and royal assent before identifying Daniel. Aramaic’s related legal insistence occurs in its verses thirteen and sixteen and is not repeated here.
Verse 6:14 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:14] Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, pays no regard to you, O king, or to the restriction you inscribed. He makes his petition three times a day.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:14] They said, “Look! We found Daniel your friend praying and seeking the face of his God three times a day.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic labels Daniel a Judean exile and accuses him of disregarding king and decree. Greek calls him the king’s friend and describes his seeking God’s face.
Verse 6:15 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:15] When the king heard the matter, he was greatly distressed. He set his mind on rescuing Daniel and worked until sunset to deliver him.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:15] The king, grieved, ordered Daniel thrown into the lions’ pit according to the restriction he had established against him. Then the king was deeply grieved over Daniel and tried to rescue him from the satraps’ hands until sunset,
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Greek has the king give the casting order before describing his prolonged effort to rescue Daniel. Aramaic gives the distress and rescue effort here and the order in verse seventeen.
Verse 6:16 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:16] Then these men came together to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of Media and Persia that no restriction or statute the king establishes can be changed.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:16] but could not rescue him from them.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Aramaic repeats the conspirators’ appeal to unchangeable law. Greek briefly states the king’s inability to rescue Daniel, having placed the legal pressure earlier.
Verse 6:17 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:17] Then the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ pit. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will rescue you.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:17] King Darius cried out and said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you worship continually three times a day, will rescue you from the lions’ power. Take courage until morning.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek specifies three daily acts of worship, the lions’ power, and courage until morning; it narrates the casting in its next verse. Aramaic combines the casting with the king’s assurance here.
Verse 6:18 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:18] A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the pit. The king sealed it with his signet ring and his nobles’ signet rings, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:18] Then Daniel was thrown into the lions’ pit. A stone was brought and placed at the pit’s mouth, and the king sealed it with his own ring and his magnates’ rings, so that Daniel could not be taken away from them or the king pull him up from the pit.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Both seal the stone with royal and noble rings. Greek explicitly states prevention of removal or royal rescue; Aramaic gives the more general prevention of any change concerning Daniel.
Verse 6:19 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:19] Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought before him, and sleep fled from him.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:19] Then the king returned to his royal residence and spent the night fasting, grieving over Daniel. Daniel’s God, taking care of him, shut the lions’ mouths, and they did not trouble Daniel.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Aramaic adds absence of diversions and sleep; its dahawan is an uncertain term provisionally rendered diversions. Greek immediately narrates God’s protective care and the closing of the lions’ mouths, without an angel in this clause.
Verse 6:20 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:20] Then the king rose at the first light of dawn and hurried to the lions’ pit.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:20] King Darius rose early in the morning, took the satraps with him, and went and stood at the mouth of the lions’ pit.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic emphasizes haste at dawn. Greek names Darius and adds the satraps accompanying him and his position at the pit’s mouth.
Verse 6:21 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:21] As he approached the pit, he cried out to Daniel in a sorrowful voice. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:21] Then the king called to Daniel with a loud voice and weeping: “O Daniel, are you perhaps alive? Has your God, whom you worship continually, saved you from the lions, so that they have not destroyed you?”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic addresses Daniel as servant of the living God. Greek adds weeping, explicitly asks whether he lives, and asks whether the lions have destroyed him.
Verse 6:22 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:22] Then Daniel spoke with the king: “O king, live forever!
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:22] Then Daniel answered with a loud voice and said, “O king, I am still alive,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic begins with the conventional wish for the king’s life; Greek directly announces Daniel’s own survival.
Verse 6:23 Disparate
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:23] My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because innocence was found in me before Him. And before you also, O king, I have done no harm.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:23] and God has saved me from the lions, because righteousness was found in me before Him. Before you also, O king, neither ignorant fault nor sin was found in me. Yet you listened to men who mislead kings and threw me into the lions’ pit for destruction.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Aramaic explicitly names God’s angel and denies wrongdoing toward the king. Greek omits the angel, distinguishes ignorant fault and sin, and directly rebukes the king for listening to deceivers and casting Daniel to destruction.
Verse 6:24 Divergent
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:24] Then the king was exceedingly glad and ordered Daniel lifted out of the pit. Daniel was lifted from the pit, and no harm was found in him, because he had trusted in his God.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:24] Then all the forces assembled and saw Daniel, that the lions had not troubled him.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: Aramaic narrates the king’s joy, Daniel’s extraction, and trust in God as the reason for his safety. Greek instead assembles the forces to observe the unharmed Daniel, without an explicit extraction clause.
Verse 6:25 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:25] The king gave the order, and they brought those men who had denounced Daniel and threw them into the lions’ pit—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the pit, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:25] Then those two men who had testified against Daniel, with their wives and children, were thrown to the lions. The lions killed them and crushed their bones.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek specifies two accusers and explicitly says the lions killed them. Aramaic names no number here and says they were overpowered before reaching the bottom, with all their bones crushed. Both include their families.
Verse 6:26 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:26] Then King Darius wrote to all peoples, nations, and languages dwelling in all the earth: “May your peace abound!
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:26] Then Darius wrote to all nations, countries, and languages dwelling throughout his whole land, saying:
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic includes a peace greeting and all the earth. Greek says his whole land, names countries, and proceeds without the greeting.
Verse 6:27 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:27] I issue a decree that throughout my kingdom’s dominion people must tremble and fear before Daniel’s God. For He is the living God, enduring forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His dominion extends to the end.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:27] “Let all people in my kingdom bow to and worship Daniel’s God, for He is God who endures and lives from generation to generation forever.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic requires trembling and fear and affirms indestructible kingdom and dominion. Greek requires bowing and worship and describes God’s enduring life without those kingship clauses here.
Verse 6:28 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:28] He rescues and delivers and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; He has rescued Daniel from the lions’ power.”
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:28] I, Darius, will bow to Him and serve Him all my days, for handmade idols cannot save as Daniel’s God redeemed Daniel.”
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic praises divine rescue and wonders in heaven and earth. Greek gives Darius’s personal lifelong commitment and contrasts God’s redemption with the idols’ inability to save.
Verse 6:29 Different
Hebrew / Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[6:29] This Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Old Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[6:29] King Darius was gathered to his people, and Daniel was appointed in Darius’s reign. Cyrus the Persian received his kingdom.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Aramaic describes Daniel’s prosperity under both reigns. Greek explicitly reports Darius’s death by the gathered-to-his-people idiom, Daniel’s appointment, and Cyrus’s reception of the kingdom. Greek epi tes basileias is rendered temporally in Darius’s reign; it does not require Daniel’s installation as sovereign.