Daniel 2:12-22

12 Then the king in rage and anger commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13 So the decree went forth, and they began to slay the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to slay .

14 Then Daniel answered counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the royal guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; ,

15 Chief magistrate of the king, wherefore has the preemptory command proceeded from the king? So Arioch made known the matter to Daniel.

16 And Daniel intreated the king to give him time, and that he might declare to the king the interpretation of it.

17 So Daniel went into his house, and made known the matter to Ananias, and Misael, and Azarias, his friends.

18 And they sought mercies from the God of heaven concerning this mystery; that Daniel and his friends might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night; and Daniel blessed the God of heaven, and said,

20 May the name of God be blessed from everlasting and to everlasting: for wisdom and understanding are his.

21 And he changes times and seasons: he appoints kings, and removes , giving wisdom to the wise, and prudence to them that have understanding:

22 he reveals deep and secret ; knowing what is in darkness, and the light is with him.

Daniel 2:12-22 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.