And the decree being gone forth, the wise men were slain: and Daniel and his companions were sought for, to be put to death.
וְדָתָ֣א נֶפְקַ֔ת וְחַכִּֽימַיָּ֖א מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין וּבְע֛וֹ דָּנִיֵּ֥אל וְחַבְר֖וֹהִי לְהִתְקְטָלָֽה׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
This decree was issued to eliminate the wise men. The judgment of death was pronounced upon the Chaldeans, bringing them disgrace. If they were unable to rescue themselves in their own city, what led them to believe they could carry the children of Jerusalem into bondage?
Upon hearing this, the king was filled with rage and deep displeasure, and he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. As the decree was executed, the wise men were slain. The Hebrews question why Daniel and the three young men did not present themselves to the king alongside the other wise men, and why it was decreed that they too would face death. They clarify that when the king offered rewards, gifts, and the highest honors, they chose to refrain from attending, fearing it might seem that they were shamelessly pursuing wealth and distinction from the Chaldeans.
Alternatively, it is possible that the Chaldeans, driven by jealousy of their renown and wisdom, approached the king alone, with the intent to claim the accolades for themselves, while later seeking to include those they had initially disregarded in the peril they had created.
The determination of the tormentor is distinct from that of the ruler; it starkly contradicts justice and is clearly unjust. Pride and vanity, having assumed authority, plot against the subjugated people of Israel. However, the righteous Daniel, witnessing this unfair punishment, questions Arioch, the one tasked with executing this cruel decree: "Prince of kings, what does this chilling proclamation from the king mean?"
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS