Who were the satraps in the book of Daniel?

Answer

Satraps are mentioned in the book of Daniel, specifically in chapters 3 and 6. These officials were part of the eight classes of officials appointed by King Nebuchadnezzar (605–562 BC) in Babylon. Satraps are also referenced in the books of Ezra and Esther.

The satraps served as the principal representatives of the king and likely oversaw the various provinces of the kingdom. Other officials in Babylon included prefects (military commanders), governors (civil administrators), advisers (counselors to those in authority), treasurers (administrators of the kingdom’s funds), judges (interpreters of the law), and magistrates (those responsible for legal judgments). The “other provincial officials” mentioned in Daniel 3:2 were likely subordinates of the satraps. This roster of officers likely encompassed all individuals serving in official capacities under Nebuchadnezzar. All these officials, including the satraps, were mandated to bow down before the king’s golden image, a command that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego defied.

In Daniel 6, the satraps under King Darius had Daniel as one of their overseers: “Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps to govern the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made answerable to them so that the king would not incur any loss” (verses 1–2). The satraps’ duty was to safeguard the king’s possessions, and Daniel was tasked with ensuring they fulfilled their responsibilities. God favored Daniel, which displeased the satraps who attempted to thwart Daniel’s promotion to administrator of the entire kingdom. The satraps and other officials under Darius devised a scheme they believed would result in Daniel’s downfall. However, their deceitful plan backfired, and instead of Daniel being devoured in the lions’ den, the satraps and other officials were “And the king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel.”l, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they reached the bottom of the den. », (Daniel 6:24).