Daniel 2:21-23

21 "It is He who 1changes the times and the epochs; He 2removes kings and establishes kings; He gives 3wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.
22 "It is He who 4reveals the profound and hidden things; 5He knows what is in the darkness, And the 6light dwells with Him.
23 "To You, O 7God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, For You have given me 8wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we 9requested of You, For You have made known to us the king's matter."

Daniel 2:21-23 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 9

  • 1. Psalms 31:15; Daniel 2:9; Daniel 7:25
  • 2. Job 12:18; Psalms 75:6, 7; Daniel 4:17, 32
  • 3. 1 Kings 3:9, 10; 1 Kings 4:29; James 1:5
  • 4. Job 12:22; Psalms 25:14; Daniel 2:19, 28
  • 5. Job 26:6; Psalms 139:12; Isaiah 45:7; Jeremiah 23:24; Hebrews 4:13
  • 6. Psalms 36:9; Daniel 5:11, 14; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5
  • 7. Genesis 31:42; Exodus 3:15
  • 8. Daniel 1:17; Daniel 2:21
  • 9. Psalms 21:2, 4; Dan 2:18, 29, 30

Footnotes 2

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