Daniel 2:14-23

14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.
15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.
16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.
18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven
20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Daniel 2:14-23 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 20

  • 1. S Daniel 1:6
  • 2. S Isaiah 37:4
  • 3. Ezra 1:2; Nehemiah 1:4; John 1:9; Revelation 11:13
  • 4. ver 23; Jeremiah 33:3
  • 5. ver 28
  • 6. S Job 33:15; S Daniel 1:17
  • 7. S Joshua 22:33
  • 8. S Psalms 113:2; Psalms 145:1-2
  • 9. S Job 9:4; S Jeremiah 32:19
  • 10. Daniel 7:25
  • 11. Daniel 4:17
  • 12. S Job 12:19; Psalms 75:6-7; Romans 13:1
  • 13. S Psalms 119:34; James 1:5
  • 14. S 2 Samuel 14:17
  • 15. S Genesis 40:8; S Job 12:22; Psalms 25:14; Daniel 5:11; 1 Corinthians 2:10
  • 16. Job 12:22; Psalms 139:11-12; Jeremiah 23:24; S Hebrews 4:13
  • 17. Isaiah 45:7; James 1:17
  • 18. S Genesis 31:5; S Exodus 3:15
  • 19. S Daniel 1:17
  • 20. S Ezekiel 28:3
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