Darius the Mede
Gentile Median · Exile & Return · Old Testament
- Also called
- Darius the Median, Darius
- Role
- Ruler over Babylon who cast Daniel to the lions
- When
- c. 539 BC (after the fall of Babylon)
What they did
Took the kingdom at about sixty-two years old and set Daniel over his princes. Tricked into signing a decree, he cast Daniel to the lions and rejoiced when God delivered him.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
He decreed that men should tremble before the God of Daniel, 'for he is the living God', proclaiming God's name to all nations.
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. Daniel 6:26 (KJV)
Bible references
And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. Daniel 5:31 (KJV)
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:1-3 (KJV)
Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:25-27 (KJV)
In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; Daniel 9:1 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Ahasuerus (of the seed of the Medes)