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[Daniel Ch.6: Daniel and the Lions] Introduction
This chapter introduces us to the Second World Empire--the Medo-Persian
Empire. Babylonia had lasted 67 years, now it is the turn of the next
kingdom.
For centuries, children have loved to listen to this story of courage,
prayer, and faith. Persecuted Christians loved to draw scenes from
Daniel's prophecies on the stones of the catacombs.
On the other hand, critics have questioned the historicity of the entire
book of Daniel, disparaging it as written after the events. One of the
main contentions of critics is with the "Darius" of this
chapter. There is no historical evidence of a Darius the Mede who
conquered Babylon (5:31) and reigned over Babylon (6:1).
Before
options are given below, it must be noted that the Biblical "Darius
the Mede, son of Ahasuerus" is NOT the historical Darius I who
reigned one generation later and who was the father of Ahasuerus (Xerxes).
Who
then is he? Several
explanations are possible—
(a)
"Darius" was simply another name for Cyrus, first king of Medo-Persia.
In Daniel 6:28, the Hebrew word "and" may be translated
"even"--"So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius,
[even] in the reign of Cyrus the Persian."
(b) Cyrus appointed a general named Ugbaru, who had conquered Babylon, to
rule over Babylon. Babylon was only a part of the vast Medo-Persian
Empire. The Biblical "Darius" was probably "Ugbaru."
Daniel 9:1 said he was "made" ruler, that is by appointment.
History mentioned that Ugbaru died one month after conquering Babylon,
which may seem logical with Darius age (62) in 5:31.
(c) Another personage named "Gubaru" was appointed by Cyrus to
rule over Babylon. This was the Biblical "Darius the Mede."
Dr. John C. Whitcomb said: "From 535 to 525 B.C., the name Gubaru
appears frequently in cuneiform texts as the `governor of Babylon and the
Region Beyond the River,' exercising almost kingly powers in this vast
domain covering all of Babylonia, Syria, and Palestine (the entire
`Fertile Crescent') during the prolonged absence of his administrative
superior, Cyrus the Great (539-540 B.C.)."
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