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Darius

maleExile

Meaning: “He who holds firm the good

The ruler who took Babylon after Belshazzar and, tricked into a decree against prayer, reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions’ den — then rejoiced at his deliverance.

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Biography

Darius the Mede received the kingdom of Babylon after Belshazzar was slain, at about sixty-two years of age (Daniel 5:31). He plays the central royal role in one of the Bible's most beloved stories. (A later Darius, king of Persia, supported the temple rebuilding under Haggai and Zechariah — Ezra 6.)

Daniel in the lions' den

Darius set Daniel over his kingdom and planned to promote him over all. Jealous officials, unable to find fault, tricked the king into signing an irrevocable decree that no one could petition any god or man but the king for thirty days. When Daniel kept praying toward Jerusalem as always, he was cast into the den of lions (Daniel 6:1–16).

The king's joy

Darius, who had fasted all night, hurried at dawn to the den and cried out — and Daniel answered that God had shut the lions' mouths. Overjoyed, the king punished the accusers and decreed that all should fear "the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever" (Daniel 6:19–26).

Life Timeline

539 BC

Receives the kingdom of Babylon after Belshazzar

Daniel 5:31
538 BC

Casts Daniel into the lions’ den, then rejoices at his rescue

Daniel 6:23

On the Bible timeline

Darius belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).

  1. c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
  2. 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
  3. 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem

Themes & lessons from Darius

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Darius appears.

Temple, the Second9×Medo-Persian Kingdom4×Persia4×Medes3×Months3×Diplomacy2×Hatred2×Malice2×Persecution2×Prophets2×Shethar-Boznai2×Tatnai2×Adar1×Artaxerxes1×Bishlam1×Book1×Government1×King1×

People they appear with

Cyrus3×
Haggai3×
Zechariah3×
Daniel1×
Ahasuerus1×
Zerubbabel1×
Joshua1×

Scripture Appearances

25 verses in 5 books
Ezra10 verses

Ezra 4:5

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 4:24

Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 5:5

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

Ezra 5:6

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

Ezra 5:7

They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace. wherein: Chaldee, in the midst whereof

Ezra 6:1

Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. rolls: Chaldee, books laid up: Chaldee, made to descend

Ezra 6:12

And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

Ezra 6:13

Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

Ezra 6:14

And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. commandment: Chaldee, decree

Ezra 6:15

And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

Nehemiah1 verse

Nehemiah 12:22

The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.

Daniel8 verses

Daniel 5:31

And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. being: Cald. he as the son of, etc about: or, now

Daniel 6:1

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

Daniel 6:6

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. assembled: or, came tumultuously

Daniel 6:9

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Daniel 6:25

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

Daniel 6:28

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 9:1

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; which: or, in which he

Daniel 11:1

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

Haggai3 verses

Haggai 1:1

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, by: Heb. by the hand of governor: or, captain

Haggai 1:15

In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Haggai 2:10

In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Zechariah3 verses

Zechariah 1:1

In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

Zechariah 1:7

Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,

Zechariah 7:1

And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, that the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth day of the ninth month, even in Chisleu;

Frequently asked about Darius

Who was Darius in the Bible?

The ruler who took Babylon after Belshazzar and, tricked into a decree against prayer, reluctantly cast Daniel into the lions’ den — then rejoiced at his deliverance.

What does the name Darius mean?

The name Darius means “He who holds firm the good”.

What did Darius do in the Bible?

Darius served as king.

Where does Darius appear in the Bible?

Darius is mentioned 25 times across 5 books: Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Haggai, Zechariah.

What can we learn from Darius?

The story of Darius touches on themes of temple, the second, medo-persian kingdom, persia, medes — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Darius's life.

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