Definition: And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Daniel 6:17. It's a really interesting story about obedience and protecting someone important! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where a stone was placed in the mouth of a very dangerous place – a den (a deep, dark cave). And then, the king and his officials sealed it with their own special signet (like a stamp or mark) to ensure that nothing would be changed about what Daniel was doing. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Daniel 6:17” : This is the verse itself – it’s a specific part of a longer story in the Bible. “A stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den…” : Imagine a very large, dark cave. A stone was placed right inside its mouth. It was a significant and dangerous place! “…and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords;” : The king put a special stamp or mark on this stone – something that identified who made it and what it was meant to be. He also added the marks of his powerful officials (the lords). “That the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” : This is the key part! The king wanted to ensure that Daniel wouldn’t do anything that would disrupt what he was doing. He wasn't just letting Daniel be, he was making sure he didn't do anything wrong . What does this mean in a broader sense? This story is about obedience and loyalty . It highlights the importance of: Listening to wise people: The king trusted Daniel to protect something important. Being faithful to your duty: Daniel was tasked with guarding a very valuable thing (the secret of the whole kingdom). He didn’t disobey his command, even when it seemed risky. Protecting those you're entrusted to care for: This verse shows that protecting someone is a serious responsibility. In short, it’s about prioritizing your loyalty and following instructions, even when they seem difficult. Do you want me to: Explain this passage further with some examples? Discuss the symbolism behind the stone? Connect this story to other stories in the Bible?