Daniel 2:11-21

11 What you are asking is much too hard. No one can tell you what you dreamed except the gods. And they don't live among human beings."

12 That made the king very angry. He ordered that all of the wise men in Babylon be put to death.

13 So the order was given to kill them. Men were sent out to look for Daniel and his friends. They were also supposed to be put to death.

14 Arioch was the commander of the king's guard. He went out to put the wise men of Babylon to death. So Daniel spoke to him wisely and carefully.

15 He asked the king's officer, "Why did Nebuchadnezzar give a terrible order like that?" Then Arioch explained to Daniel what was going on.

16 When Daniel heard that, he went to the king. He told him he would explain the dream to him. But he needed more time.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house. He explained everything to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

18 He asked them to pray that the God of heaven would give him mercy. He wanted God to help him understand the mystery of the king's dream. Then he and his friends wouldn't be killed along with the other wise men in Babylon.

19 During that night, God gave Daniel a vision. He showed him what the mystery was all about. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.

20 He said, "May God be praised for ever and ever! He is wise and powerful.

21 He changes times and seasons. He sets up kings. He removes them from power. The wisdom of those who are wise comes from him. He gives knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel 2:11-21 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.