Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

This passage highlights the immutable nature of "the law of the Medes and Persians," emphasizing the rigidity and the potential for injustice within such a legal system. King Darius, despite his personal desire to save Daniel, is trapped by his own decree. The phrase "which altereth not" underscores the inflexibility of the law, reflecting the tension between human authority and moral righteousness. It serves as a narrative device to showcase Daniel's unwavering faith and the divine intervention that ultimately spares him. The story raises questions about the balance of power, the role of personal integrity, and the limitations of human governance when it becomes disconnected from ethical considerations. This tension between the letter of the law and the spirit of justice remains a resonant theme in discussions of legal and moral philosophy today.