Daniel 2:1-3

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep.
2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers[a] to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king,
3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.[b]

Daniel 2:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIAL 2

The subject of this chapter is a dream which Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, but had forgot; upon which he calls his magicians and astrologers together, to tell him it, and the interpretation of it; threatening them with death if they did not, and promising them great rewards and honour if they did, Da 2:1-6, they urge the unreasonableness of the demand, and the impossibility of the thing; which so highly incensed the king, that he ordered their immediate destruction, Da 2:7-13, Daniel and his companions being in danger, he goes in to the king, and desires time, and he would show him what he had dreamed; which being granted, he spent it in prayer to God, Da 2:14-18, and the thing being revealed to him, he gave thanks to God, Da 2:19-23, and being introduced to the king, he both told him his dream, and the interpretation of it; which concerned the four monarchies of the world, and the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, Da 2:24-45, upon which he was highly honoured, and greatly promoted by the king, Da 2:46-49.

Cross References 8

  • 1. ver 3; S Genesis 20:3; S Job 33:15,18; Daniel 4:5
  • 2. Genesis 41:8
  • 3. S Esther 6:1; Daniel 6:18
  • 4. S Genesis 41:8
  • 5. Exodus 7:11; Jeremiah 27:9
  • 6. S ver 10; S Isaiah 19:3; S Isaiah 44:25; Daniel 5:7
  • 7. Daniel 4:6
  • 8. Daniel 4:5

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or "Chaldeans" ; also in verses 4, 5 and 10
  • [b]. Or "was"
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