Daniel 2:20-23

20 Daniel answered and said: 1"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, 2to whom belong wisdom and might.
21 3He changes times and seasons; 4he removes kings and sets up kings; 5he gives wisdom to the wise 6and knowledge to those who have understanding;
22 7he reveals deep and hidden things; 8he knows what is in the darkness, 9and the light dwells with him.
23 To you, O 10God of my fathers, 11I give thanks and praise, for 12you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what 13we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."

Daniel 2:20-23 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 13

  • 1. 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalms 72:18; Psalms 113:2; Psalms 115:18; Luke 1:68
  • 2. [Isaiah 28:29]
  • 3. [ver. 9; Daniel 7:25]
  • 4. [Daniel 4:17; Daniel 5:20; Job 12:18; Psalms 75:7; Romans 13:1]
  • 5. See Daniel 1:17
  • 6. See Daniel 1:17
  • 7. Job 12:22; [Psalms 25:14; Psalms 139:12; Amos 4:13; Hebrews 4:13]
  • 8. Job 12:22; [Psalms 25:14; Psalms 139:12; Amos 4:13; Hebrews 4:13]
  • 9. 1 Timothy 6:16; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5; [John 1:4, 5]
  • 10. Deuteronomy 26:7; 1 Chronicles 12:17; 1 Chronicles 29:18
  • 11. [Daniel 6:10]
  • 12. [ver. 20]; See Daniel 1:17
  • 13. [ver. 18]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.