Daniel in the Lions' Den (Dan. 6)

As I mentioned last week, verse 28 could be translated: "So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius even the reign of Cyrus the Persian."

Darius could have been a throne name that Cyrus used (It could even be a nickname used by the Jews – sort of like in the book of Judges, where we hear of Eglon, King of Moab. It is highly unlikely that any Moabite would name his son “Eglon” – since Eglon can be loosely translated as “fat and greasy.”)

Others have proposed that Darius is another name for Gubaru, the governor whom Cyrus appointed over Babylon – but the actions of Darius are more fitting for the high king – not as much for a governor....