Bible Commentaries
Daniel 2

Verse 1

Dan 2:1

Daniel 2:1 And in the second^H8147 year^H8141 of the reign^H4438 of Nebuchadnezzar^H5019 Nebuchadnezzar^H5019 dreamed^H2492 dreams,^H2472 wherewith his spirit^H7307 was troubled,^H6470 and his sleep^H8142 brake^H1961 from^H5921 him.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream (Daniel Chapter 2)

The first chapter of Daniel is an introduction to the person of Daniel, his three companions and a brief history of their capture, enslavement and life in Babylon. Daniel himself wrote this book as evidenced by Him using the autographical first person from chapter 7 onward. Interestingly, Daniel wrote the first three chapters as a historical account much like Moses wrote Exodus, keeping in mind that Daniel did not put the chapter divisions in his book. Chapter 4 begins with an accounting of Nebuchadnezzar as seen from his perspective, looking for all the world like it was written by Nebuchadnezzar himself. It is most likely that Daniel wrote what Nebuchadnezzar narrated. Then in chapter 5, Daniel returns to the narrative mode type of writing and continues this style until chapter 7 where he then began using much more apocalyptic language to describe his visions.

We will look much more closely at apocalyptic language at the beginning of chapter 7. Daniel is recognized as the apocalypse of the Old Testament and presents a detailed and comprehensive view of prophetic history. Daniel wrote chapter 1 in Hebrew, then he switched to Aramaic in chapters 2 thru 7 where he prophesied about the future course of the Gentile world powers. Then in chapters 8 thru 12, he returned to his native language of Hebrew to predict the future of the Israelite nation under Gentile domination. How comforting it must have been to the Israelites in bondage in Babylon to know from Daniel’s prophecies that their nation would continue into the future. With the Jerusalem and the temple utterly destroyed, it must have seemed to the captives that there was no hope of them ever returning and being a nation again. But Daniel’s prophecies concerning the Israelite nation in the future let them know that there would indeed be a future for the nation of Israel.

Daniel chapter 2 begins with the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about the future and what lay in store for his empire and thereafter. He went to sleep one night pondering the future of Babylon (Daniel 2:29), and he received an answer from God in the form of a troubling dream which he could not remember. From this account we learn that God did indeed make himself known to nations other than Israel and that he had expectations of them in their conduct and behavior. From Daniel, we learn that God was very proactive in the life of Nebuchadnezzar and from this we can infer that He was with the kings and rulers of other nations as well.

Daniel 2:1

And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

Nebuchadnezzar was not quite yet king when Daniel was taken from Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar’s father was old and infirmed back in Babylon while Nebuchadnezzar led his father’s (Nabo-polassar), campaigns against Egypt. It was during this campaign that Nabo-polassar died. Upon hearing the news of Nabo-polassar’s death, Nebuchadnezzar hastened to Babylon to secure his ascension to the throne of his father. Nebuchadnezzar probably arrived in Babylon after the Judean captives did so he began his reign a matter of months after Daniel and company arrived in Babylon.

Daniel was almost certainly a young teenager and had only been in Babylon a short time when Nebuchadnezzar had this dream. Nebuchadnezzar was obviously disturbed by this dream enough that it woke him up and he was unable to sleep because of it.

Verses 1-2

Dan 2:1-2

Commentary on Daniel 2:1-2 by Mark Dunagan

Someone has noted that the book of Daniel is divided between six chapters of historical events and six chapters of visions. In addition, much of what is mentioned in the book is rooted in the first chapter. The temple vessels taken from Jerusalem (Daniel 1:2) show up in chapter 5. The “here-I-must-draw-the-line” decision (Daniel 1:8) is repeated in chapters 3 and 6. Daniel’s God-given skill in interpreting visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17) is used in chapters 2 and 5.

Daniel 2:1-2 As in chapter one we have another reference to time, “The second year of Nebuchadnezzar” (Daniel 2:1). Be impressed that God can use such simple things as dreams to get the attention of the world’s mightiest mortal.

Verses 2-3

Dan 2:2-3

Daniel 2:2 Then the king^H4428 commanded^H559 to call^H7121 the magicians,^H2748 and the astrologers,^H825 and the sorcerers,^H3784 and the Chaldeans,^H3778 for to shew^H5046 the king^H4428 his dreams.^H2472 So they came^H935 and stood^H5975 before^H6440 the king.^H4428

Daniel 2:3 And the king^H4428 said^H559 unto them, I have dreamed^H2492 a dream,^H2472 and my spirit^H7307 was troubled^H6470 to know^{H3045 (H853)} the dream.^H2472

Daniel 2:2-3

Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

The Chaldaeans are classed with the magicians and astronomers, and evidently form a sort of priest class who have a peculiar "tongue" and "learning" (Daniel 1:4) and are consulted by the king on religious subjects. The Chaldeans were the inhabitants of a particular exclusive society of people within Babylonia. It is the learning and tongue of this society which Daniel and his companions were trained during their three year period precluding the presentation of them before Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:5). No doubt Nebuchadnezzar wanted servants near him who could translate their language for him.

Nebuchadnezzar wanted to know what this dream meant so this group of supposedly learned and wise priests were consulted. Nebuchadnezzar obviously held them in regard because he wanted his captive servants to be educated in their ways. So Nebuchadnezzar looked to them to find out what this troubling dream was about.

Verses 3-4

Dan 2:3-4

Commentary on Daniel 2:3-4 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:3-4 “In Aramaic”: Beginning in Daniel 2:4 and going all the way through Daniel 7:28 our copies of Daniel are written in Aramaic, even the Dead Sea scrolls of Daniel contains this switch from Hebrew to Aramaic. In Daniel’s time, Aramaic was the common language of non-Jewish peoples. “O king, live forever”: Yet we know from the interpretation of the dream that his will not be the case (Daniel 2:39). The Babylonian king and his Empire are just one passing pause of human history. “Tell the dream”: They were confident that with their collective wisdom, they could satisfy the king with an interpretation.

Verse 4

Dan 2:4

Daniel 2:4 Then spake^H1696 the Chaldeans^H3778 to the king^H4428 in Syriack,^H762 O king,^H4430 live^H2418 for ever:^H5957 tell^H560 thy servants^H5649 the dream,^H2493 and we will shew^H2324 the interpretation.^H6591

Daniel 2:4

Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.

Syriack is a term for the Syrian language which was 6th century Aramaic. The Chaldeans obviously speak to each other in their own peculiar tongue choosing to keep themselves distinct from the general populace. For this occasion when standing before the king of Babylonia, they thought it wise to address him in his own tongue. Especially in view of the fact that Nebuchadnezzar was obviously in a vile mood and they did not know what his dream was so they were at a distinct disadvantage.

Verse 5

Dan 2:5

Daniel 2:5 The king^H4430 answered^H6032 and said^H560 to the Chaldeans,^H3779 The thing^H4406 is gone^H230 from^H4481 me: if^H2006 ye will not^H3809 make known^H3046 unto me the dream,^H2493 with the interpretation^H6591 thereof, ye shall be cut^H5648 in pieces,^H1917 and your houses^H1005 shall be made^H7761 a dunghill.^H5122

Daniel 2:5

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

Nebuchadnezzar either could not remember his dream or he chose to tell the Chaldeans he could not as a test of their ability. It is a common thing to have a disturbing dream one cannot remember. Upon waking, the dream fades into oblivion leaving the emotional reaction to it behind. It is likely Nebuchadnezzar experienced just such a dream and wanted to know what it was. The Chaldeans were recognized as an exclusive society of learned magicians and astronomers and Nebuchadnezzar figured it was time they demonstrated their abilities. He obviously felt that it should have been within their abilities to know and tell him what his dream was. Whether Nebuchadnezzar really forgot his dream or not is inconsequential to the narrative. What is significant is that if the Chaldeans could not perform to Nebuchadnezzar’s expectations, they were going to be put to death. And as we see later, this was not going to be confined just to the ones that stood before him that day on his throne. It was going to mean the execution of their entire society at least in the city of Babylon.

Verses 5-6

Dan 2:5-6

Commentary on Daniel 2:5-6 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:5-6 Nebuchadnezzar is no fool, for he knew that wise men were not beyond making up an “interpretation”, and he also knew that if the magicians could tell him the dream without it being told to them, they would be demonstrating their true ability to interpret it. The King James Version here has the statement, “The thing is gone from me”, which probably is better translated, “The word from me is sure”, i.e., I have made up my mind about this, this is my decision. The punishment of being torn limb from limb pretty much fits what we know about such ancient rulers.

Verse 6

Dan 2:6

Daniel 2:6 But if^H2006 ye shew^H2324 the dream,^H2493 and the interpretation^H6591 thereof, ye shall receive^H6902 of^{H4481 H6925} me gifts^H4978 and rewards^H5023 and great^H7690 honour:^H3367 therefore^H3861 shew^H2324 me the dream,^H2493 and the interpretation^H6591 thereof.

Daniel 2:6

But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

Nebuchadnezzar started with the negative incentives. Now he gives the positive ones. If the Chaldeans can perform to Nebuchadnezzar’s expectations, they will be showered with gifts and honors. Failure will result in their deaths. The Biblical record restricts itself here to a simple recording of the facts. However, one cannot but help to speculate on the obvious consternation among the Chaldeans upon hearing Nebuchadnezzar’s request and the consequences for failure. It is safe to draw the conclusion that there were some high level discussions going on among the Chaldeans over this predicament they found themselves in.

It is often the case when someone or a group of people set themselves up as mystics and magicians that there are times when they are called upon to perform something clearly outside their ability. Trickery and illusion can only go so far and these people may be able to maintain their sham for some time, but in this case, they were caught and they knew it. One cannot help but consider the foolishness of trying to maintain such activities in any society, let alone one where the disfavor of the wrong individuals can cost one their lives. Charlatans have been around for centuries and through Daniel they can look back and see a grim example of the consequences that can befall them if they find themselves in the unfortunate position of being unable to live up to the things they claim they can do.

Verse 7

Dan 2:7

Daniel 2:7 They answered^H6032 again^H8579 and said,^H560 Let the king^H4430 tell^H560 his servants^H5649 the dream,^H2493 and we will shew^H2324 the interpretation^H6591 of it.

Daniel 2:7

They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

They have no idea what Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was. And how could they? Such a thing is not within the scope of mortal man without divine intervention. They knew they were in trouble and their lives were hanging in the balance and they knew it. One can only speculate on their anxiety and consternation as they stood before the king of Babylon.

Verses 8-9

Dan 2:8-9

Daniel 2:8 The king^H4430 answered^H6032 and said,^H560 I^H576 know^H3046 of^H4481 certainty^H3330 that^H1768 ye^H608 would gain^H2084 the time,^H5732 because^{H3606 H6903 H1768} ye see^{H2370 H1768} the thing^H4406 is gone^H230 from^H4481 me.

Daniel 2:9 But^H1768 if^H2006 ye will not^H3809 make known^H3046 unto me the dream,^H2493 there is but one^H2298 decree^H1882 for you: for ye have prepared^H2164 lying^H3538 and corrupt^H7844 words^H4406 to speak^H560 before^H6925 me, till^{H5705 H1768} the time^H5732 be changed:^H8133 therefore^H3861 tell^H560 me the dream,^H2493 and I shall know^H3046 that^H1768 ye can shew^H2324 me the interpretation^H6591 thereof.

Daniel 2:8-9

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

Now Nebuchadnezzar is getting upset. If he had any suspicions over the ability of the Chaldeans and the magicians, etc, it is quite evident now and is being displayed in his reaction to their insistence on him telling them what the dream was. What Nebuchadnezzar is saying here is "I know that you are trying to stall for more time. You know that your lives are forfeit and that I will do what I said if you don’t tell me about my dream. You have all conspired to lie to me, hoping for more time so that I will forget what I want you to do. Now tell me the dream and then I will know that you can tell me what it really means."

Nebuchadnezzar’s suspicions are evidently aroused at this point. The king’s last statement now reveal his purpose of requiring the wise men to tell him the dream in order that he might also trust them to reveal the true interpretation of it.

Verses 10-11

Dan 2:10-11

Commentary on Daniel 2:10-11 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:10-11 “There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter... and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods”: These two verses stand as a lasting condemnation of all occult practices. These men were not amateurs, rather, they were professionals and they candidly admit that their practices and methods cannot even discover or penetrate a simple thing such as, “Tell me the dream I had last night”. What this reveals is that when unbelievers are allowed to talk long enough they will reveal the actual truth of the matter. This statement reveals the honest truth that without the true God there is no sure word from the outside.

Verse 12

Dan 2:12

Daniel 2:12 For this cause^{H3606 H6903 H1836} the king^H4430 was angry^H1149 and very^H7690 furious,^H7108 and commanded^H560 to destroy^H7 all^H3606 the wise^H2445 men of Babylon.^H895

Daniel 2:12

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar’s disgust and fury with their inability to tell him the dream has now resulted in him ordering the execution of all the wise men of Babylon no matter who or where. He now thoroughly distrusts them and wants them all killed. The cruel injustice of such an unreasonable destruction was absolutely characteristic of the tyrannical monarchies of that era. There were no free societies then. The people lived under the rule of a supreme monarch who could and did order people executed at will.

Verses 12-16

Dan 2:12-16

Commetary on Daniel 2:12-16 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:12-16 The king determined in his anger that he would be well off without such “wise” men. “Why have a watchdog if you must do your own barking?” (McGuiggan, p. 42). Dale Ralph Davis notes that Daniel 2:1-13 is a good look at Babylon behind the glitz and glamour. Life could be very comfortable there – until the king had a bad mood and then it could all end in a moment. We live in a world where people often excuse their disobedience and sin by arguing that no one is being hurt by their choices. It might have seemed very innocent for the magicians to pretend to interpret omens and dreams, tell the king what he wanted to hear and have a comfortable life in the process. Yet Daniel and some innocent people are on the verge of losing their lives because of “such an innocent and harmless thing”. Daniel remains calm even when his life is in danger, instead of panicking, the text says, “Daniel replied with discretion and discernment” (Daniel 2:14). Daniel then boldly approached the king with the request that the executions be stayed for a while so that he might interpret the king’s dream. Seeing that true faith is not presumptuous, it would appear that Daniel already knew that God had given him the supernatural ability to interpret dreams (Daniel 1:17). Daniel is humble, he does not make any extravagant promises. Also note that the Babylonian “experts” had not even asked for an extension of time for they knew that their practices could not solve this problem, no matter how much time they were given.

Verse 13

Dan 2:13

Daniel 2:13 And the decree^H1882 went forth^H5312 that the wise^H2445 men should be slain;^H6992 and they sought^H1156 Daniel^H1841 and his fellows^H2269 to be slain.^H6992

Daniel 2:13

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

So angry was the king that even Daniel and his companions who had earlier impressed him so much were going to be slain right along with the rest. It should be noted here that Daniel and his companions were still quite young with Daniel himself probably being in his mid to late teens. This fact when taken into account makes this event in their lives all the more extraordinary. That Daniel had the conviction, composure and self-possession to accomplish what he did is a testament to this man’s extraordinary character.

Verses 14-15

Dan 2:14-15

Daniel 2:14 Then^H116 Daniel^H1841 answered^H8421 with counsel^H5843 and wisdom^H2942 to Arioch^H746 the captain^H7229 of^H1768 the king’s^H4430 guard,^H2877 which^H1768 was gone forth^H5312 to slay^H6992 the wise^H2445 men of Babylon:^H895

Daniel 2:15 He answered^H6032 and said^H560 to Arioch^H746 the king’s^{H1768 H4430} captain,^H7990 Why^{H5922 H4101} is the decree^H1882 so hasty^H2685 from^{H4481 H6925} the king?^H4430 Then^H116 Arioch^H746 made the thing known^{H3046 H4406} to Daniel.^H1841

Daniel 2:14-15

Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

There is an obvious relationship evident here between Daniel and Arioch. The king’s guard had been dispatched to find and execute all the wise men of Babylon. Arioch was probably going to have to dispatch Daniel and his companions himself, probably right there in the palace royal. It is quite possible he was standing in front of Daniel with his sword drawn at this point. Daniel did not even know what was going on and asked Arioch why the king’s decree was so urgent. Obviously Nebuchadnezzar lashed out in a rage without thinking about what he was doing. There was enough of relationship between the captain of the king’s guard and Daniel that he explained to Daniel what was going on. This alone could have cost Arioch his life if this had not gone well. This is the second time we have seen someone under the rule of a tyrant like Nebuchadnezzar risk their lives to help Daniel.

Verse 16

Dan 2:16

Daniel 2:16 Then Daniel^H1841 went in,^H5954 and desired^H1156 of^H4481 the king^H4430 that^H1768 he would give^H5415 him time,^H2166 and that he would shew^H2324 the king^H4430 the interpretation.^H6591

Daniel 2:16

Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

One does not just stroll into the presence of the king of Babylon or any other king in this era of history for that matter, unless they are well favored. We should recall that Esther put her life on the line in order to come into the presence of the Persian king Ahasuerus and she was his wife. It was a significant accomplishment that Daniel was even able to do this, let alone get a stay of execution for himself and his companions. But he was successful which testifies to the regard Nebuchadnezzar held for Daniel and to the fact that Nebuchadnezzar really wanted to know what his dream meant.

Verses 17-18

Dan 2:17-18

Daniel 2:17 Then^H116 Daniel^H1841 went^H236 to his house,^H1005 and made the thing known^{H3046 H4406} to Hananiah,^H2608 Mishael,^H4333 and Azariah,^H5839 his companions:^H2269

Daniel 2:18 That they would desire^H1156 mercies^H7359 of^{H4481 H6925} the God^H426 of heaven^H8065 concerning^H5922 this^H1836 secret;^H7328 that^H1768 Daniel^H1841 and his fellows^H2269 should not^H3809 perish^H7 with^H5974 the rest^H7606 of the wise^H2445 men of Babylon.^H895

Daniel 2:17-18

Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Two things of interest here. First, Daniel had his own house. Doubtless this was a palace residence reserved for palace servants but it was his own nonetheless and the text seems to indicate it was a separate dwelling from the palace itself.

Second, Daniel sought out his companions, who knew nothing about this, and he wanted them all to pray to God for the answer to the mystery of the king’s dream. Daniel had absolute faith in God and knew God could reveal the secret to them.

Verses 17-19

Dan 2:17-19

Commentary on Daniel 2:17-19 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:17-19 Observe that prayer is far more powerful and useful than anything they had been taught out of the Babylonian astrology or wizardly books (James 5:16-17). Equally consider how the answer to this prayer is called “compassion”. I wonder if we really appreciate the answers to our prayers? Do we see such answers as “mercies” and “compassion” from God? How many people are trying to live without such mercies because they simply do not ask?

“The night is not always bad! God is sovereign of time too. Sometimes it is in the darkness that we see best. If God is behind it all, whatever time of day it is, we see better than before” (McGuiggan, p. 43).

Verse 19

Dan 2:19

Daniel 2:19 Then^H116 was the secret^H7328 revealed^H1541 unto Daniel^H1841 in a night^{H1768 H3916} vision.^H2376 Then^H116 Daniel^H1841 blessed^H1289 the God^H426 of heaven.^H8065

Daniel 2:19

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

God was indeed merciful to Daniel and Daniel was properly grateful. The application here for us today is that God has indeed been merciful to us as well. The plan of redemption by which we are saved is nothing short of the most incredible gift man could have ever received from God. We today need to be as grateful as Daniel was that next day following his night vision. Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving to God is given to us in the following scripture.

Verses 20-23

Dan 2:20-23

Daniel 2:20 Daniel^H1841 answered^H6032 and said,^H560 Blessed^H1289 be^H1934 the name^H8036 of^H1768 God^H426 for ever and ever:^{H4481 H5957 H5705 H5957} for^H1768 wisdom^H2452 and might^H1370 are his:

Daniel 2:21 And he^H1932 changeth^H8133 the times^H5732 and the seasons:^H2166 he removeth^H5709 kings,^H4430 and setteth up^H6966 kings:^H4430 he giveth^H3052 wisdom^H2452 unto the wise,^H2445 and knowledge^H4486 to them that know^H3046 understanding:^H999

Daniel 2:22 He^H1932 revealeth^H1541 the deep^H5994 and secret things:^H5642 he knoweth^H3046 what^H4101 is in the darkness,^H2816 and the light^H5094 dwelleth^H8271 with^H5974 him.

Daniel 2:23 I^H576 thank^H3029 thee, and praise^H7624 thee, O thou God^H426 of my fathers,^H2 who^H1768 hast given^H3052 me wisdom^H2452 and might,^H1370 and hast made known^H3046 unto me now^H3705 what^H1768 we desired^H1156 of^H4481 thee: for^H1768 thou hast now made known^H3046 unto us the king’s^H4430 matter.^H4406

Daniel 2:20-23

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.

In this prayer of thanksgiving to God, Daniel exhibits a considerable knowledge of old testament scripture. This young man who was probably just barely a teenager when he was deported from Jerusalem, knew the scriptures well.

He changeth the times and the seasons

At this point Daniel knew the dream and what it meant. The dream was all about the changing of times and seasons and rulers over nations. The "times" are the phases and periods of duration of empires (Daniel 7:25; 1 Chronicles 12:32; 1 Chronicles 29:30); the "seasons" are the fitting times for their culmination, decline, and fall (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1). The existence of empires, with their times and seasons, are not regulated by chance or fate, as the pagans thought, but by God alone.

"He removeth kings" (Job 12:18; Psalms 75:6-7; 1 Samuel 2:7-8).

"He giveth wisdom" as He gave it to Solomon when he chose wisdom over riches (1 Kings 3:9-12).

"He revealeth the deep and secret things" (Job 12:22, "He discovereth deep things out of darkness").

"He knoweth what is in the darkness" (Psalms 139:11-12, "If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee"

Daniel gave all the glory to God for this revelation. He shows the proper attitude of a man of God. He was not haughty or self-important. He did not use this as an occasion to further his own standing in the eyes of men. Daniel was a true man of God in every sense. The application for us today is that nothing we have or possess came about by the result of our actions apart from the will of God. The New Testament scripture in support of this is found in James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

Verses 20-24

Dan 2:20-24

Commentary on Daniel 2:20-24 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:20-24 “And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings”: If God had not revealed this dream, they would have still blessed His name, Chapters 3 and 6 make this very clear. Daniel claims that it is God who moves the nations and precipitates the critical periods of world history. Notice how Daniel views the upheavals of history, not as time to throw in the towel, but rather, “God works just as well when things are looking terrible” (McGuiggan, p. 44). “Slice it how you will.” God runs this show and no one has authority to exercise it unless it’s been given to him of God (Daniel 2:37). This not only includes godly rulers and acceptable governments, but dictatorships as well as democracies (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, when one studies history, one should be impressed with the fact that they are studying God’s hand in the affairs of men (Jeremiah 18; Acts 17:26).

Verse 24

Dan 2:24

Daniel 2:24 Therefore^{H3606 H6903 H1836} Daniel^H1841 went in^H5954 unto^H5922 Arioch,^H746 whom^H1768 the king^H4430 had ordained^H4483 to destroy^H7 the wise^H2445 men of Babylon:^H895 he went^H236 and said^H560 thus^H3652 unto him; Destroy^H7 not^H409 the wise^H2445 men of Babylon:^H895 bring me in^H5924 before^H6925 the king,^H4430 and I will shew^H2324 unto the king^H4430 the interpretation.^H6591

Daniel 2:24

Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

Daniel went to Arioch first and made a plea for the lives of the wise men of Babylon. We do not know if the executions of the wise men had commenced at this point or not. The text indicated in verse 13 that the king’s guard had already been dispatched to carry out the executions so it is entirely likely that some of the wise men had already been executed. Of interest here is that Daniel sought to have them spared. This speaks to the character of Daniel’s righteousness and compassion for his fellow man.

Verse 25

Dan 2:25

Daniel 2:25 Then^H116 Arioch^H746 brought in^H5954 Daniel^H1841 before^H6925 the king^H4430 in haste,^H927 and said^H560 thus^H3652 unto him, I have found^H7912 a man^H1400 of^H4481 the captives^{H1123 H1547} of^H1768 Judah,^H3061 that^H1768 will make known^H3046 unto the king^H4430 the interpretation.^H6591

Daniel 2:25

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

This was an urgent matter. Did Arioch dispatch messengers immediately to stop the executions at the request of Daniel or did he hasten Daniel in front of the king in hopes that he would receive the similar order from Nebuchadnezzar himself. It seems unlikely at this point that Daniel had the authority to put a stop to Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. It seems logical that Arioch brought Daniel immediately before the king with this in mind.

Verse 26

Dan 2:26

Daniel 2:26 The king^H4430 answered^H6032 and said^H560 to Daniel,^H1841 whose^H1768 name^H8036 was Belteshazzar,^H1096 Art^H383 thou able^H3546 to make known^H3046 unto me the dream^H2493 which^H1768 I have seen,^H2370 and the interpretation^H6591 thereof?

Daniel 2:26

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

Nebuchadnezzar asked Daniel to confirm what Arioch had announced to him. Nebuchadnezzar is interested in knowing what Daniel had to say but there is no hint in the text here that he was in any way going to retreat from his decree to have the wise men slain if someone could not tell him what the dream was and what it meant.

Verses 26-30

Dan 2:26-30

Commentary on Daniel 2:26-30 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:26-30 Daniel makes three things abundantly clear:

1) First, astrology and all its relatives are bankrupt.

2) Only God is able to do this.

3) The ability to declare and interpret the dream is not some natural ability or wisdom that resides in Daniel, for he gives all the credit and glory to God.

Compare with Genesis 41:16. “In the latter days” (Daniel 2:28), that is, the days following the reign of Nebuchadnezzar up to the time when Jesus will come and build His church. Both Isaiah (Isaiah 2:2-4) and Peter (Acts 2:16-17), speak of God’s kingdom being established in the last days. “Your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future” (Daniel 2:29). Apparently, the king had gone to bed thinking about what would happen after his reign of power. Observe that even powerful people, people who according to this world, “have done it all”, still worry about the future.

Verses 27-28

Dan 2:27-28

Daniel 2:27 Daniel^H1841 answered^H6032 in the presence of^H6925 the king,^H4430 and said,^H560 The secret^H7328 which^H1768 the king^H4430 hath demanded^H7593 cannot^{H3202 H3809} the wise^H2445 men, the astrologers,^H826 the magicians,^H2749 the soothsayers,^H1505 shew^H2324 unto the king;^H4430

Daniel 2:28 But^H1297 there is^H383 a God^H426 in heaven^H8065 that revealeth^H1541 secrets,^H7328 and maketh known^H3046 to the king^H4430 Nebuchadnezzar^H5020 what^{H4101 H1768} shall be^H1934 in the latter^H320 days.^H3118 Thy dream,^H2493 and the visions^H2376 of thy head^H7217 upon^H5922 thy bed,^H4903 are these;^H1836

Daniel 2:27-28

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Daniel took advantage of the opportunity here to set forth God as being far superior to the wise men of Babylon and their false gods. Daniel made sure Nebuchadnezzar knew exactly where this knowledge was coming from and to who should be given the glory and praise for it. We see here that God was making things known directly to Nebuchadnezzar. God was dealing with the king in a direct and personal way. God, in his wisdom and in displaying his providential care of the Israelites in captivity, revealed this information to the king through Daniel in such a way that it would benefit Daniel and all the Israelite captives in Babylon.

While Daniel performed an extraordinary feat in revealing and explaining Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, let’s not overlook the importance of the fact that it was Nebuchadnezzar who God gave the dream to. The Israelites often considered themselves to be much better than the Gentiles because they were God’s chosen people. This does not mean that God left the Gentiles to their own devices and abandoned them to their fate. He certainly did not. God dealt with the Gentile nations and He had expectations of them. God sent Jonah to the Assyrian capitol of Nineveh to preach God’s righteousness to them so we know that the Gentiles had direction from God on matters of righteousness. They, like the Israelites on numerous occasions, chose to reject Him and embrace their own forms of righteousness. God desires no men to be lost anywhere, be they Israelites or Gentiles and this is why he strove with them to try and give them all an opportunity to escape the fate of sinners.

Verse 29

Dan 2:29

Daniel 2:29 As for thee,^H607 O king,^H4430 thy thoughts^H7476 came^H5559 into thy mind upon^H5922 thy bed,^H4903 what^{H4101 H1768} should come to pass^H1934 hereafter:^{H311 H1836} and he that revealeth^H1541 secrets^H7328 maketh known^H3046 to thee what^{H4101 H1768} shall come to pass.^H1934

Daniel 2:29

As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

Daniel is here telling the king what prompted the dream in the first place. Nebuchadnezzar was lying in bed contemplating the future of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was no different in this regard than anybody who at a quiet time ponders their existence, purpose and the future of their endeavors. Nebuchadnezzar went down in history as a great master builder for the Babylonian Empire. His architectural achievements in both infrastructure and culture were widespread across the empire. It is said that over 90% if the bricks excavated from that time period of history bore the stamp of his name on them. Obviously Nebuchadnezzar was reflecting on what would come to pass in the future of this great empire he was building. Nebuchadnezzar doubtless got more than he was looking for. He received in his dream about 600 years of "what should come to pass hereafter" and he received a prophetic vision of the most powerful and glorious kingdom that will ever exist and its king.

Verse 30

Dan 2:30

Daniel 2:30 But as for me,^H576 this^H1836 secret^H7328 is not^H3809 revealed^H1541 to me for any wisdom^H2452 that^H1768 I have^H383 more than^H4481 any^H3606 living,^H2417 but^H3861 for their sakes^{H5922 H1701} that^H1768 shall make known^H3046 the interpretation^H6591 to the king,^H4430 and that thou mightest know^H3046 the thoughts^H7476 of thy heart.^H3825

Daniel 2:30

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

Before Daniel reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he assumes a penitent and subservient attitude. Daniel did not go into the presence of the king of Babylon and try to portray himself as someone with more wisdom and importance than anybody else. This was in stark contrast with Arioch who announced to the king that he was the one who found someone that could reveal the meaning of the dream. Doubtless it was the humble attitude of Daniel which caused him to be so favored by those he served.

Daniel tells the king that the dream was not revealed to him because of any wisdom he had more than anybody else, but it was revealed for the preservation of those who would make known the meaning of it. Furthermore Daniel affirms that the dream is revealed to him so that Nebuchadnezzar could know the thoughts of his heart. This dream was intended for a purpose and it was meant for Nebuchadnezzar to know it from the beginning. God’s use of Daniel in the process assured a measure of protection for the Israelites in captivity by diminishing the influence of the Chaldeans and elevating the influence of the Israelites, especially those who served in the palace courts and could directly influence the king who had already demonstrated a capacity for cruel and bloody reactions towards those who could not provide him exactly what he wanted at the time. God’s providential hand is evident in his dealings with Nebuchadnezzar and with the kings who came after him as well.

Verses 31-35

Dan 2:31-35

Daniel 2:31 Thou,^H607 O king,^H4430 sawest,^{H2370 H1934} and behold^H431 a^H2298 great^H7690 image.^H6755 This^H1797 great^H7229 image,^H6755 whose brightness^H2122 was excellent,^H3493 stood^H6966 before^H6903 thee; and the form^H7299 thereof was terrible.^H1763

Daniel 2:32 This^H1932 image’s^H6755 head^H7217 was of^H1768 fine^H2869 gold,^H1722 his breast^H2306 and his arms^H1872 of^H1768 silver,^H3702 his belly^H4577 and his thighs^H3410 of^H1768 brass,^H5174

Daniel 2:33 His legs^H8243 of^H1768 iron,^H6523 his feet^H7271 part^H4481 of^H1768 iron^H6523 and part^H4481 of^H1768 clay.^H2635

Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest^{H2370 H1934} till^H5705 that^H1768 a stone^H69 was cut out^H1505 without^{H1768 H3809} hands,^H3028 which smote^H4223 the image^H6755 upon^H5922 his feet^H7271 that were of^H1768 iron^H6523 and clay,^H2635 and brake them to pieces.^{H1855 H1994}

Daniel 2:35 Then^H116 was the iron,^H6523 the clay,^H2635 the brass,^H5174 the silver,^H3702 and the gold,^H1722 broken to pieces^H1751 together,^H2298 and became^H1934 like the chaff^H5784 of^H4481 the summer^H7007 threshingfloors;^H147 and the wind^H7308 carried them away,^{H5376 H1994} that no^{H3809 H3606} place^H870 was found^H7912 for them: and the stone^H69 that^H1768 smote^H4223 the image^H6755 became^H1934 a great^H7229 mountain,^H2906 and filled^H4391 the whole^H3606 earth.^H772

Daniel 2:31-35

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Revealed

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces. Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Daniel said, "Your Majesty, what you saw standing in front of you was a huge and terrifying statue, shining brightly. Its head at the top was made of gold. Moving down, its chest and arms were silver, and from its waist down to its knees, it was bronze. From there to its ankles it was iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and potter’s clay. As you watched, a stone was cut from a mountain-but not by human hands. The stone struck the feet, completely shattering the iron and clay. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed and blown away without a trace, like husks of wheat at threshing time. But the stone became a tremendous mountain that covered the entire earth."

The stone which was cut without human hands was Jesus Christ who identified Himself as such in: Matthew 21:42-44, "Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Jesus was quoting prophecy from Psalms 118:22-23 when He said this to the chief priests and scribes.

Peter later identified Jesus Christ as this stone in Acts 4:10-11, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner".

"and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."

The stone, Jesus Christ, became a tremendous mountain that covered the whole earth. Daniel explained this in Daniel 2:44 as the kingdom that the God of heaven set up which shall endure and consume all other kingdoms. This is a figure of the church, the body of the saved, which grew to cover the whole earth.

Verses 36-37

Dan 2:36-37

Daniel 2:36 This^H1836 is the dream;^H2493 and we will tell^H560 the interpretation^H6591 thereof before^H6925 the king.^H4430

Daniel 2:37 Thou,^H607 O king,^H4430 art a king^H4430 of kings:^H4430 for^H1768 the God^H426 of heaven^H8065 hath given^H3052 thee a kingdom,^H4437 power,^H2632 and strength,^H8632 and glory.^H3367

Daniel 2:36-37

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Explained

"This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory."

Daniel starts out by telling Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom, power, strength and glory came from God. And indeed it did as stated from the word of God by inspiration in Jeremiah 29:23. Nebuchadnezzar was told at the onset of the interpretation that God was behind his success. Not the pagan false gods he served, but the God of Daniel, the one true and living God. Nebuchadnezzar had some trouble with his pride and would have done well to heed this gentile admonition from God through Daniel. Later in life, this pride resulted in his being basically dethroned for 7 years and placed into a position with the wild beasts of the fields (Daniel 4:30-32).

Verses 36-38

Dan 2:36-38

Commentary on Daniel 2:36-38 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:36-38 The statue clearly represents four successive world empires: Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian Empire represent the head of gold in the statue. The next part of the statue is not the next Babylonian king, but the next empire, “After you will arise another kingdom” (Daniel 2:39). Once again, the sovereignty of God is stressed, “To whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom” (Daniel 2:37). “Given can be written over all areas of human endeavor. The nations may strive and sweat and groan in exertion, but the kingdom is ‘given’” (McGuiggan, p. 52). Do we view the things in our lives as “gifts”? (Psalms 127:3; Proverbs 19:14).

Verse 38

Dan 2:38

Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever^{H3606 H1768} the children^H1123 of men^H606 dwell,^H1753 the beasts^H2423 of the field^H1251 and the fowls^H5776 of the heaven^H8065 hath he given^H3052 into thine hand,^H3028 and hath made thee ruler^H7981 over them all.^H3606 Thou^H607 art this^H1932 head^H7217 of^H1768 gold.^H1722

Daniel 2:38

"And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold."

Nebuchadnezzar did not actually rule every part of the globe. However God granted him vast domination in whatever direction his ambition led him, Egypt, Nineveh, Arabia, Syria, Tyre, and its Phoenician colonies. Starting at the head of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he was represented as the head of gold. The Babylonian Empire did not last long as compared to some of the other empires in history, but it certainly was one of the most glorious and powerful. Nebuchadnezzar was certainly one of the post powerful gentile kings who ever lived.

The designation "Thou art this head of gold", does not refer to his person, but to the world-kingdom founded by him and represented in his person, having all things placed under his control by God. The kingdoms in view here in this vision are not small nations, rather they are world powers which dominated vast regions of the known world at the time. None of these world kingdoms extended over all of the whole earth, but they did encompass the majority of the historical nations of their time. Babylon, being the head of the figure in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream established the pattern by which the following world kingdoms would be recognized. We should bear in mind here that what Daniel’s explanation of the dream meant to Nebuchadnezzar is what it must mean to us as well. In Nebuchadnezzar’s mind, the kingdoms following after him would be similar to the one he reigned over. They would be an empire of many smaller nations in service and under the authority of one mighty one.

Verse 39

Dan 2:39

Commentary on Daniel 2:39 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:39 The second portion of the statue, the chest and arms of silver, represented the rise of the Medes and the Persians, who conquered the Babylonians in 539 B.C. The belly and thighs of bronze represented the third kingdom to arise, this was the Grecian Empire. Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persians between 334 and 330 B.C. By his conquests he extended the Greek Empire as far East as the Northwestern portion of India, an extensive empire that seemingly was over the whole earth. “Inferior to you”: Apparently in the sense of inferior unity and cohesiveness. Thus Babylon is represented as one head, the second kingdom by breast and arms, the third by belly and thighs and the fourth by legs and feet. Also note that the statue degenerates from gold to iron. The splendor dissipates but the hardness increases. New Governments and History cannot save us. True optimism comes from serving in the indestructible kingdom (Daniel 2:44-45).

Verse 40

Dan 2:40

Daniel 2:40 And the fourth^H7244 kingdom^H4437 shall be^H1934 strong^H8624 as iron:^H6523 forasmuch as^{H3606 H6903 H1768} iron^H6523 breaketh in pieces^H1855 and subdueth^H2827 all^H3606 things: and as iron^H6523 that^H1768 breaketh^H7490 all^H3606 these,^H459 shall it break in pieces^H1855 and bruise.^H7490

Daniel 2:40

And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

The Roman Empire was well known for its use of iron in weaponry. A huge iron mining and refining operation has been discovered near Brayford on the southern edge of Exmoor in what is today the United Kingdom. Thousands of tons of metal was smelted at the site - far more than would have been needed locally. There is also the iron mining trench or openwork known as "Roman Lode," at Burcombe near Simonsbath. The Roman military was one of the strongest military powers in the ancient world because of their superior weapons made of iron. Helmets, Body Armour, Shields, Swords and other weapons made of iron served to identify the Roman Empire’s military as the most fearsome yet.

Interestingly history classifies the period of time known as the bronze age up to about 500 BC and from there to what is called the early iron age. The Persians used iron in the armor of their troops before the Romans did. The Romans got the idea from their iron clad enemies, refined it and expanded on it. The Roman Iron Age is shown to be from 0 to 400 AD. 0 to 200 AD is known as the early Roman Iron Age with the period of time from 200 to 400 AD being the late Roman Iron Age. During this period of time in history, iron rose to be the metal of choice for weaponry and fortification. The iron weaponry of the Roman soldiers helped to secure their dominance in warfare and they used it to subdue their enemies and to become the great Roman world empire that was represented by legs of iron in the figure in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Verses 40-43

Dan 2:40-43

Commentary on Daniel 2:40-43 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:40-43 The Roman Empire was as strong as iron, for it swallowed up lands and peoples who had been part of the previous three empires, but the empire was also fragile and divided, just like iron and clay cannot be mixed. The idea is a kingdom of massive strength, with disturbing weakness, crushing power and failing cohesion. So beware of worshipping or being overly impressed by human power no matter now “ironish” it appears.

Verses 41-43

Dan 2:41-43

Daniel 2:41 And whereas^H1768 thou sawest^H2370 the feet^H7271 and toes,^H677 part^H4481 of^H1768 potters’

^H6353 clay,^H2635 and part^H4481 of iron,^H6523 the kingdom^H4437 shall be^H1934 divided;^H6386 but there shall be^H1934 in it of^H4481 the strength^H5326 of^H1768 the iron,^H6523 forasmuch as^{H3606 H6903 H1768} thou sawest^H2370 the iron^H6523 mixed^H6151 with miry^H2917 clay.^H2635

Daniel 2:42 And as the toes^H677 of the feet^H7271 were part^H4481 of iron,^H6523 and part^H4481 of clay,^H2635 so the kingdom^H4437 shall be^H1934 partly^{H4481 H7118} strong,^H8624 and partly^H4481 broken.^H8406

Daniel 2:43 And whereas^H1768 thou sawest^H2370 iron^H6523 mixed^H6151 with miry^H2917 clay,^H2635 they shall^H1934 mingle themselves^H6151 with the seed^H2234 of men:^H606 but they shall^H1934 not^H3809 cleave^H1693 one^H1836 to^H5974 another,^H1836 even as^{H1888 H1768} iron^H6523 is not^H3809 mixed^H6151 with^H5974 clay.^H2635

Daniel 2:41-43

And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

The Roman Empire, even though she ruled and dominated much of the the known world during the Roman Iron Age, had divisions within herself. The Roman Empire conquered nations to add to the empire and taxed them. As long as these nations paid their taxes, they were allowed to retain their cultures to a degree. This was unlike the Greek Empire which diligently sought to assimilate their vassal nations to their culture, which was labeled as Hellenism. Later on the imperial cults set up idols and temples and imposed emperor worship on the populace throughout the empire. These smaller nations within the Roman Empire never completely united under the Roman banner. As a result they were always a divided kingdom. The ten toes represented the smaller kingdoms or nations within the empire.

Another great adversary of the Empire within was the Christians. They were a people who refused to join with the Empire in her dealings. They refused to serve in the Roman Army because the troops were required to worship the emperor. They refused to partake in worship of any kind with the pagan people of Rome. While law abiding where possible, in areas where the will of God conflicted with Roman law, they stubbornly and steadfastly opposed them and refused to have any dealings with them. The Christians however were not represented by the clay in the figure. In the vision, the clay along with the rest of the materials making up the statue in the dream "became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away" (Daniel 2:35). The Christians were not carried away, they grew to be the mountain the covered the entire earth. Yet, it is significant to note that the Roman Empire was indeed a divided kingdom on many different levels. Truly the Roman Empire was a divided realm and in the end when she was overthrown the provinces under her authority turned on her and helped to bring her down from within.

Verse 44

Dan 2:44

Commentary on Daniel 2:44 by Mark Dunagan

Daniel 2:44 In the days of the kings of the fourth empire, God would set up a kingdom. The New Testament reveals that the kingdom of God, the church, was established in the first century, during the days of the Roman emperors (Matthew 3:1; Luke 3:1-3; Mark 9:1; Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:12-14).

1)The church has long outlasted the Roman Empire. “Stone cut without hands”: Speaks of a kingdom without human origin, compared to the other kingdoms in this chapter had been shaped and built by humans. Such an expression might hint at having a beginning in obscurity and seeming weakness. “It crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold”: Until the church is established, the whole image is viewed as continuing to exist. This stresses the fact that all these empires had built upon each other and all of them were of the same worldly spirit.

2) The message reveals to the Jewish people of Daniel’s time that deliverance would not come after Babylon collapsed. So avoid believing, “We could serve God better if only we were not under Babylonian rule”. “To have a God who reveals mysteries, however does not mean we have a God who unveils everything. He doesn’t show us which stocks will profit or whether you can avoid cancer... He only reveals what we need to have” (The Message of Daniel, Dale Ralph Davis, p. 45).

Verse 45

Dan 2:45

Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as^{H3606 H6903 H1768} thou sawest^H2370 that^H1768 the stone^H69 was cut out^H1505 of the mountain^{H4481 H2906} without^{H1768 H3809} hands,^H3028 and that it brake in pieces^H1855 the iron,^H6523 the brass,^H5174 the clay,^H2635 the silver,^H3702 and the gold;^H1722 the great^H7229 God^H426 hath made known^H3046 to the king^H4430 what^{H4101 H1768} shall come to pass^H1934 hereafter:^{H311 H1836} and the dream^H2493 is certain,^H3330 and the interpretation^H6591 thereof sure.^H540

Daniel 2:45

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

The "stone" that was "cut out of the mountain without hands" is none other than Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Scripture describes Christ as a stone or as rock in numerous places. The imagery being that Christ is enduring, unmovable and strong. Jesus portrayed Himself as the stone which was rejected by the builders and then became the cornerstone, the stone around and upon which all other stones were placed. Paul portrayed Christ as the chief cornerstone of the foundation of the household of God. Peter’s words as written by inspiration show Christ as the "chief corner stone, elect, precious" (1 Peter 2:6). Peter then went on to say that to those who were disobedient, Jesus became a "stone of stumbling, a rock of offence".

The stone which was cut from the mountain without hands utterly destroyed all the kingdoms represented by the figure in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. It would emerge victorious over all the rest of the glorious kingdoms that would rise after Babylon. This is the answer Nebuchadnezzar received by revelation in response to his thoughts as to what would "come to pass hereafter".

Verse 46

Dan 2:46

Daniel 2:46 Then^H116 the king^H4430 Nebuchadnezzar^H5020 fell^H5308 upon^H5922 his face,^H600 and worshipped^H5457 Daniel,^H1841 and commanded^H560 that they should offer^H5260 an oblation^H4061 and sweet odours^H5208 unto him.

Daniel 2:46

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

The revealing and the interpretation of the remarkable dream made a powerful impression on Nebuchadnezzar. So much so that he fell down in supplication before Daniel and ordered sacrifice to be offered to him. Falling prostrate to the earth is found as a mark of honour to men. To the Chaldean king, Daniel appeared as a man in whom the gods manifested themselves; therefore he shows to him divine honour, such as was shown by Cornelius to the Apostle Peter (Acts 10:25), and at Lystra was shown to Paul and Barnabas, Acts 14:13. What an image it portrays to visualize one of the greatest kings on earth to ever live prostrating himself before Daniel, a servant in his palace.

Verse 47

Dan 2:47

Daniel 2:47 The king^H4430 answered^H6032 unto Daniel,^H1841 and said,^H560 Of^H4481 a truth^H7187 it is, that^H1768 your God^H426 is a God^H426 of gods,^H426 and a Lord^H4756 of kings,^H4430 and a revealer^H1541 of secrets,^H7328 seeing^H1768 thou couldest^H3202 reveal^H1541 this^H1836 secret.^H7328

Daniel 2:47

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

At this point in Nebuchadnezzar’s life he praises the God of the Jews as the God of gods. Nebuchadnezzar did not abandon his belief in his own pagan gods. He did not recognize the God of the Jews as the one true and living God, but only as the God of gods, as the highest or the most exalted of the gods, who excelled the other gods in might and in wisdom, and was a Lord of kings. As such Nebuchandnezzar believed Daniel’s God worthy to be honored along with the pagan gods of his own country. Later in Nebuchadnezzar’s life, he would find good reason to think more highly of Daniel’s God and less highly of his own. This was not the only dream Nebuchandnezzar had and this is certainly not the only dream Daniel interpreted for him during his reign in Babylon. God dealt extensively with Nebuchadnezzar throughout his life and it is entirely within the scope of possibility that Daniel’s influence on Nebuchadnezzar might have brought him to God’s righteousness. Unfortunately, as is the case so often, after the passing of Nebuchadnezzar, it was short lived and Babylon continued in her evil ways and paid the price for it.

Verse 48

Dan 2:48

Daniel 2:48 Then^H116 the king^H4430 made Daniel a great man,^{H7236 H1841} and gave^H3052 him many^H7690 great^H7260 gifts,^H4978 and made him ruler^H7981 over^H5922 the whole^H3606 province^H4083 of Babylon,^H895 and chief^H7229 of the governors^H5460 over^H5922 all^H3606 the wise^H2445 men of Babylon.^H895

Daniel 2:48

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

Obviously all the wise men of Babylon had not been slain when Daniel intervened on behalf of them, or there would have not been any of them left for Daniel to rule over. Nebuchadnezzar was so disgusted with the inability of the Chaldean wise men to show him the dream that he appointed the one man in all the empire who did show him the dream as their ruler. The Chaldeans stood before the king and declared that what he desired of them could not be done by mortal man. Daniel, by the will of God, was able to prove to the king of Babylon that his own wise men were not so inspired by God. The Chaldeans spoke the truth when they told Nebuchadnezzar that "there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh". What they didn’t know was that there was a man on earth to whom the one true and living God would reveal Nebuchadnezzar’s secret through. And for that error and their failure, they were placed under the rule of the man who with great humility and penitence before God and before the king made them eat their words. These wise men literally owed Daniel their lives. It is quite probable that these wise men received extensive instruction under the rule of Daniel about the ways of righteousness and about the one true and living God. Daniel found himself in quite a unique position where he could influence a great many people and given the evidence from scripture there can hardly be any doubt that he did so.

Verse 49

Dan 2:49

Daniel 2:49 Then Daniel^H1841 requested^H1156 of^H4481 the king,^H4430 and he set^H4483 Shadrach,^H7715 Meshach,^H4336 and Abednego,^H5665 over^H5922 the affairs^H5673 of^H1768 the province^H4083 of Babylon:^H895 but Daniel^H1841 sat in the gate^H8651 of the king.^H4430

Daniel 2:49

Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Here we see Daniel asking to have his companions set in positions where they could influence others as well. Nebuchadnezzar granted this request and the people of Babylon found themselves under the authority of those who were brought to Babylon as captives from a deposed nation. What an inspiration these young men must have been to their fellow Israelites in captivity. They could look at what happened with Daniel and his companions and they could see the fruits of their righteousness manifest before all Babylon. There is every reason to believe they knew why they were there. They had been warned by Ezekiel for years before their overthrow. There can be no doubt that many of the Israelite captives knew they were getting what they deserved and in seeing Daniel and his three righteous companions being elevated to positions of authority over the province of Babylon, they had to know that God was behind it and His blessings would have been on them in Judah if they would have but listened and heeded the words of the prophets.

To the captives who were righteous in Judah and got carried off like Daniel and his companions, these four young men were examples for them to live by. They represented the hope that God was indeed active and watching over his righteous children, even in Babylon.