John Calvin Commentary Daniel 6:28

"So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." — Daniel 6:28 (ASV)

The word צלח, tzelech, properly signifies “to pass over,” and its meaning here is metaphorical, in the sense of being prosperous. There is no doubt, however, that there is a silent contrast between the kingdom of the Persians and the Chaldean monarchy—that is, to speak more concisely and clearly, between the twofold condition of Daniel.

For, as we have said, he was for some time in obscurity under Nebuchadnezzar; when this monarchy was about to perish, he became conspicuous. Throughout the whole period of the reign of the Chaldeans, he was obscure and contemptible. All indeed had heard of him as a remarkable and illustrious Prophet, but he was rejected from the palace.

At one time he was seated at the king’s gate, in great honor and respect, and then again he was cast out. During the Chaldean monarchy, Daniel was not held in any esteem. However, under that of the Medes and Persians, he prospered and was uniformly treated with marked respect, for Cyrus and Darius were not so negligent as to instantly forget the wonderful works of God performed by his hand.

Therefore, the term “passing through” seems appropriate to me, since, as I have said, it is a mark of ongoing honor. Not only King Darius but also Cyrus exalted him and raised him among his nobles when he heard of the favor Daniel enjoyed. It is clear that he left Babylon and went elsewhere.

He was very probably not long among the Medes, for Darius (or Cyaxares) died without any heirs. His whole power then passed to Cyrus alone, who was his nephew (through his sister) and also his son-in-law (as his daughter’s husband). No doubt, Daniel here commends God’s favor and kindness towards himself. This was not the usual solace of exile: to obtain the highest favor among foreign and barbarous nations, or to attain the largest share of their honor and reverence.

God, therefore, alleviated his sorrow by this consolation in his exile. Hence, Daniel here not only considers his personal situation but also the purpose behind his high position. For God wished His name to be spread abroad and celebrated over all those regions where Daniel was known, since no one could behold Daniel without remembering the power and glory of Israel’s God. Daniel, therefore, wished to mark this.

On the other hand, it was undoubtedly a matter of grief to him to be deprived of his country—not in the same way as for the rest of humankind, but because the land of Canaan was the special inheritance of God’s people. When Daniel was snatched away and led off to distant lands like Media and Persia, without the slightest hope of return, he undoubtedly suffered continual distress. Nor was the splendor of his station among the profane nations of such importance as to induce him to prefer it to that pledge of God’s favor and paternal adoption in the land of Canaan. He had doubtless inscribed on his heart that passage of David’s:

“I would rather be in the court of the Lord than in the midst of the greatest riches of the ungodly; then, I would rather be a despised one in the house of God than to dwell in the tents of the unrighteous.” (Psalms 84:10)

Thus Daniel had been taught. Ezekiel, too, properly includes him among the three most holy men who have lived since the beginning of the world (Ezekiel 14:14). This was of the greatest importance, for when he was a youth, or at least only middle-aged, he was joined with Job and Noah, and was the third in rare and almost incredible sanctity!

Since this was his character, he was undoubtedly affected with the greatest sorrow when he perceived himself subject to perpetual exile, without the slightest hope of return, and unable to worship God in His temple and to offer sacrifice with the rest of the faithful.

But to avoid being ungrateful to God, he desires to express his awareness of the uncommon benevolence with which he—though an exile, a stranger, and subject to reproach among other captives—was treated and even honored among the Medes and Persians.

This, therefore, is the simple meaning of the passage. It is quite clear, as I have recently said, that Cyrus, after the death of Darius, succeeded to the whole monarchy. We shall afterwards see in its proper place how Daniel remained with Cyrus, who reigned almost thirty years longer. Thus, a long time passed from Darius’s death until Cyrus’s own death.

This, therefore, did not occur without the remarkable counsel of God, since the change in the kingdom did not influence Daniel’s position, as it usually does. For we know that new empires are like turning the world upside down. But Daniel always retained his rank, and thus God’s goodness was displayed in him; wherever he went, he carried with him this testimony of God’s favor. I shall not proceed further, as we shall discuss a new prophecy tomorrow.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since by means of a man entangled in many errors, You wish to testify to us the extent of Your power, that we may not today grope about in darkness, while You offer us light through the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, Your Son. Meanwhile, may we not be ashamed to profit by the words of a heathen, who was not instructed in Your law but who celebrated Your name so magnificently when admonished by a single miracle. From this, may we learn by his example to acknowledge You, not only as the Supreme but as the Only God. As You have bound us to Yourself by entering into a covenant with us in the blood of Your only-begotten Son, may we ever cleave to You with true faith. May we renounce all the clouds of error and be always intent upon that light to which You invite us and towards which You draw us, until we arrive at the sight of Your glory and majesty. Being conformed to You, may we at last enjoy in reality that glory which we now but partially behold. Amen.