Bible Commentaries
Daniel 2

Verse 1

Dan 2:1. Paul says that, God spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets (Heb 1:1) and that He did it at sundry times and in diverse manners. And we also know that He delivered messages to heathen men by dreams and visions and various signs. Thus we now have an instance of it in this chapter, and the king of Babylon is the person who was caused to have a dream. This date is definitely given, the second year of the king's reign which was also the second year of the Jewish captivity. A dream comes to a man in his sleep, but this verse says that Nebuchadnezzar’s sleep brake front, him. The situation is understandable, for the dream caused him to awaken, and its mystifying character so worked him up that he was unable to go to sleep again. What added to his worries was the fact that he could not even recall the dream, much less understand its meaning.

Verse 2

Dan 2:2. As was usual in such cases, the king called for his socalled wise men to help him out of his confusion. Among them the Chaldeans are named in a way that indicates they were a special class of men. See the comments on chapter 1:4 for information concerning them. The first object in calling for these wise men was that they might shew the king his dreams because he had forgotten them.

Verse 3

Dan 2:3. With the preceding verse in view we understand that know the dreams here means to be told what he dreamed. This is indicated also by a statement in verse 6.

Verse 4

Dan 2:4. Syriac was similar to the language spoken by the Jews, and was the common tongue of the court of Babylon. This explains why the wise men used it when speaking to Nebuchadnezzar. They made what they doubtless thought was a reasonable statement, that if the king would tell them his dream they could give the interpretation of it.

Verse 5

Dan 2:5. But the wise men were not to get off so easily, for they were demanded to tell the king both the dream and its interpretation. The word dunghill occurs 6 times in the Old Testament, and when used figuratively means a foul or corrupt condition.

Verse 6

Dan 2:6. These gifts and rewards are not to be regarded in the light of bribes, but as legitimate returns for services rendered. These men were subjects of the king and any assistance they could give towards clearing up the confusion their master was undergoing would he proper and would entitle them to some reward.

Verse 7

Dan 2:7. The men could only repeat their statement of verse 4.

Verse 8

Dan 2:8, Gain is from zebaw, which Strong defines, “To acquire by purchase.” These men had nothing of purchasing power or value by which literally to obtain more time, so we know the word is used figuratively. The explanation is in the closing words oi the verse, because ye see the thing is gone from, me. In the hope that the king’s memory would finally return and he could recall the dream, they kept repeating their suggestion as a means of gaining more time.

Verse 9

Dan 2:9. Tell me the dream, and 1 shall know. The logic of Nebuchadnezzar was correct, for if these men possessed the superhuman knowledge they professed to have, it would have been as easy to recall the dream as to interpret it. If there was any difference it would have been easier, since the dream was something that had already occurred while the interpretation was in the future. This consideration led the king to doubt the sincerity of all their pretensions of being wise men in the sense that term was used, and it showed him their reason for seeking more time, which is the meaning of till the time be changed. But one decree means that no change would be made in the decree that was threatened in verse 5.

Verse 10

Dan 2:10. The statements the wise men made to the king were true, but they disproved their claims to being possessed with superhuman knowledge. It is true that no mere normal man can reveal that which is unknown or hid from humanity, but the Chaldeans professed to be superhuman beings as to their knowledge.

Verse 11

Dan 2:11. The statements of these Chaldeans shows they believed in the existence of invisible, supernatural beings who did not live among men. It indicates also that these gods possessed knowledge that was never transmitted to men, for they claimed to have knowledge that ordinary men did not have. The gist of the verse is that the king was asking something that was impossible even of men possessing superhuman talents,

Verse 12

Dan 2:12, However, such a conclusion rested only on the assertion of these men, for no authority was cited for limiting the extent to which these gods could transmit their knowledge to men if they saw fit to do so, hence there was no valid excuse for the failure of these Chaldeans. The king evidently saw this point and concluded that the socalled wise men were frauds as a class and decided to destroy them all.

Verse 13

Dan 2:13. Wise men was a term that designated all men who were looked upon as belonging in the group possessing special talents pertaining to the mind. That is why the executioner of the king's decree sought Daniel and Ms fellows, knowing they had been pronounced even by the king himself as belonging in such a class (chapter 1: 19, 20).

Verse 14

Dan 2:14. The executioner found Daniel and informed him of the king's decree. Daniel would have been helpless had he tried to resist the actions of the officer, and it would also have been helpless had he tried to resist the actions of the officer, and it would also have been foolish to use any rash language to him, especially since the executioner had no choice in the matter. Instead of such a course, Daniel spoke with counsel and wisdom, which is defined in the lexicon as ’ prudence” and “judgment.”

Verse 15

Dan 2:15. So far the executioner had only announced to Daniel the decree of death with which he was provided as he contacted him and his three companions. Hasty is from ciiatsaph and Strong defines it, “A primitive root; properly to shear or cut close; figuratively to be severe.” This is what shows Daniel’s good judgment in his speech to the captain. He did not raise any question as to the authority of the king, nor as to whether none of the socalled wise men were guilty of death. He only asked why the decree was so severe or sweeping In its decision to slay all the wise men. This question induced the executioner to tell Daniel the particulars of the situation that ended with the wholesale death sentence from the king.

Verse 16

Dan 2:16. Having learned that disappointment at failure to obtain the interpretation of his dream was the real cause of the king’s action, Daniel requested him to give him the opportunity and he would get the desired information for him. This request of Daniel produced a "stay of execution” for a while.

Verse 17

Dan 2:17. Went to his house, and made the thing knvtcn. This indicates that Daniel and hfs three companions lived together, or at least were together much of the time. That would he a fair conclusion since they were such close .companions in tribulation as we shall see in later chapters of this book.

Verse 18

Dan 2:18. The purpose of telling his companions of the situation was that they unite with him in prayer to God. It is good to observe that, his personal safety was not the first consideration as a motive for the prayer, but that God would give him information concerning the secret of the king's dream to relieve the tension holding him. Their escape from the threatened destruction was the next purpose of their prayer.

Verse 19

Dan 2:19. After this prayer service Daniel retired for the night, and God answered the prayer In a vision. (See Heb 1:1.) The prophet was grateful and blessed the God of Heaven for the vision. This is another instance discussed in the note cited at chapter 1: 15,

Verse 20

Dan 2:20. This verse continues Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving for the favor of God in giving him the information asked for. He attributes all wisdom and might to God, and that is more significant than might be realized at first thought. Wisdom would qualify Him to formulate decrees and might would furnish the ability to do them.

Verse 21

Dan 2:21. Times Is from ipdajt which Strong defines, "A set lime," and seasons is from ZEMAN which is defined. "An appointed occasion," It indicates control over periods and arrangements that are supposed to be fixed. The right and ability to replace one king with another was shown in the histories of the books of Samuel and Kings. Wisdom to the wise means that God will favor those who show their appreciation for and the judgment to use more wisdom: the same thought is in the words knowledge and understanding as to God's dispensing of them to men.

Verse 22

Dan 2:22. The gist of this verse is that there is nothing that is hid from the knowledge of God, hence he is able to expose all secrets.

Verse 23

Dan 2:23. This verse sums up the powers and favors of God. In giving to Daniel the revelation of the matter that was troubling the king.

Verse 24

Dan 2:24. Daniel was now ready to make good his word to the king. He got in contact with Arioch who was the king's captain and who was the one to execute the death sentence on the wise men. The unselfishness of Daniel is shown by his desire to save all the wise men of Babylon. He requested a hearing before the king which he expected to be arranged through the services of the captain.

Verse 25

Dan 2:25. The meeting was arranged without delay and the captain brought Daniel into the presence of the king. He was introduced as one of the Judean captives who had the ability to interpret the king's dream.

Verse 26

Dan 2:26. In Dan 1:20 Is a statement that might seem to have made the inquiry of the present verse unnecessary. However, that other occasion only pertained to matters supposed to be within the mental qualifications of magicians or astrologers and Chaldeans, and the king had been told that they were not able to solve such a problem as the present situation presented. Now comes this Daniel Who, though found in the first interview with him to exceed the other wise men, was yet in their classification, Hence it was consistent to ask him the questions of the present verse.

Verse 27

Dan 2:27. In his answer to the king, Daniel confirmed the statements of the Chaldeans related in verses 10 and 11, but which did not explain the inconsistency in the pretensions of the wise men to high abilities regarding mysterious subjects,

Verse 28

Dan 2:28. Daniel is about to fulfill his promise to the king that he would give him the answer to his problem. But before doing so he makes it clear that it will not be through his ability as a soothsayer. It Is to be through the wisdom of God in heaven that the vision is to be recalled and explained.

Verse 29

Dan 2:29. Thy thoughts came upon thy ted signifies that Nebuchadnezzar had not seen some image or statue somewhere among the works of men. It was all a mental picture that came to him while asleep and hence was not a material one.

Verse 30

Dan 2:30. When God revealed this great secret to Daniel it was not in recognition of any special talents lie already possessed; in truth, it was not for any personal consideration of Daniel at all, The word their is not authorized by the original and it is in the way of the proper rendering of the passage. The American Standard Version translates the passage, "But to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king," and Moffatt's translation and others agree with this rendering.

Verse 31

Dan 2:31, Daniel will first recall the vision to the king then tell him the interpretation. Image is from TsEuau which Strong defines, "An idolatrous figure.” It was appropriate for the Lord to use such an object for the present purpose since Nebuchadnezzar was a worshiper of idols. Brightness has been rendered also by "countenance,'’ and excellent is defined in the lexicon by "preeminent." It means that the image had an imposing appearance. Form, is from a word that means "appearance," and terrible means to be dangerous or threatening. This image with its various parts represented the four world empires described or figurized by the “four living creatures” in Ezekiel 1 namely, Babylonian, MedoPersian, Macedonian and Roman. In our present chapter the Lord saw fit to represent the four governments by a giant of mixed materials in his bodily composition.

Verse 32

Dan 2:32. Three of the world empires are represented in this verse, using the image down as far as the thighs, which will be shown when Daniel comes with his interpretation of the whole vision.

Verse 33

Dan 2:33. This verse is very brief, making only a short mention of the materials composing the remainder of the image, which we shall learn represents the fourth and last of the world empires to which reference has been made in verse 31.

Verse 34

Dan 2:34. The speech of Daniel is still about his recalling what the king saw in his dream. After the image stood before Nebuchadnezzar until its impression of terrible greatness was fastened upon him, another subject mysteriously appeared on the scene. A stone tea.* cut out, and verse 45 supplies the word mountain which wiil be explained at that, place. This stone was cut out without hands which also will be commented upon when we come to studying the interpretation of the vision by Daniel. We will observe only at present that the stone smote the image oil his feet and broke them; more will be said on that later.

Verse 35

Dan 2:35. The immediate effect of the smiting on the feet by this stone was the crushing of the entire image into powder. It was not only crushed to pieces, but the fragments were blown out of sight as chaff is blown away. Slimmer threshingfloors has reference to an ancient method of threshing grain. The whole straw was piled on the floor in the path of the wind, it was beaten with a flail or trodden by oxen until the grain was forced out of the hull and the whole mass was a mixture of gTaln and chaff. Then it was scooped up and tossed into the air by an instrument called a winnowing shovel (called “fan" in Mat 3:12). The passing breeze blew the chaff away because it was light, and the grain, being heavier, fell back to the ground to be recovered for use or to be stored. It should be noted that after this attack was made by the stone, it enlarged until it filled the whole earth.

Verse 36

Dan 2:36. Interpretation is from an original word which Strong defines with the simple phrase, “An interpretation," and neither is it rendered by any other word in the King James version of the Bible.

Verse 37

Dan 2:37. The description which Daniel gives of Nebuchadnezzar is for the purpose of showing why he should be represented by the most valuable of the materials. King of kings means not only that he is king over other rulers, but the phrase has the force of an adjective to describe the greatness of his power. God of heaven hath given thee means that the greater power of Nebuchadnezzar was not solely by his personal achievements, but that it was the divine will that he be a great ruler. Neither should we conclude that it was in reward for his personal merit, for this king was an idolater and a wicked man who had to be humbled severely later. But the Almighty had a great scheme of the ages that called for the existence of such a monarch.

Verse 38

Dan 2:38, Wheresoever . . . men dwell is what justifies the term "world power" that has been ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar and his dominions. Beasts . . . fowls . . . into thine )Mnd. It helps to arrive at the meaning of a statement to learn first what it does not mean, especially if some explanation has previously been offered that may be incorrect. A popular theory is that when man sinned, God deprived him o£ his dominion over the beasts of the field that was given him in Genesis 3: 28, and that it was renewed on behalf of this king. But such a theory is disproved by Gen 9:2 where the same dominion is given to man which was after the "fall of man.” Also, Jas 3:7 declares that "every kind of beasts . . . and serpents . . , is tamed of mankind,'’ and that was in the days of the writer, many centuries after the sin of Adam. So by the process of elimination, the theory mentioned must be rejected which will require us to look for another explanation. The reasonable conclusion is that while God gave man the right to rule over the beasts and birds, the e.afe«£ of that power was not Specified. Hence our verse means that Nebuchadnezzar was given that dominion to a complete degree. It is an indication of the complete cooperation that this heathen king enjoyed with the many units of his vast domain. Thou art this head of gold Includes Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom, for when Daniel goes on to the next division of the image he says "another kingdom,” which shows that an absolute monarch and his dominions are one unit.

Verse 39

Dan 2:39. This verse introduces briefly the two world powers that succeeded Nebuchadnezzar. The first is mentioned simply as one inferior to thee [Nebuchadnezzar], and the next the prophet calls a kingdom of brass, and he says it was to bear rule oi’er all the earth which is the reason it is designated as a "world empire" in history. By referring to comments on verse 31 the reader will see that this kingdom of brass was the Macedonian, otherwise called the Greek. We have seen in a number of instances the advantage of citing secular history by way of explaining and corroborating the statements of the scriptures, and I shall do that here on the statement that the third kingdom was one of brass. "After Psammetichus [an Egyptian ruler] had passed some years there, waiting a favorable opportunity to revenge him3elf for the affront which had been put upon him, a courier brought his advice, that brazen men had landed In Egypt. These were Grecian soldiers, Carians and Ionians, who had been cast upon the coast of Egypt by a storm, and were completely covered with helmets, cuirasses, and other arms of brass," - Rollin’s Ancient History, volume 1, page 223. "Knowing, then, that he [Psammeii chus] had been exceedingly injured by them, he entertained the design of avenging himself on his persecutors; and when he sent to the city of Buto to consult the oracle of Latona, where is the truest oracle that the Egyptians have, an answer came, ’that vengeance would come from the sea, when men of brass should appear.’ He, however, was very incredulous that men of brass would come to assist him. But when no long time had elapsed, stress of weather compelled some Ionians and Carians [Greek soldiers], who had sailed out for the purpose of piracy, to bear away to Egypt; and when they had disembarked and were clad in brazen armour, went to the marshes to Psammetichus, and told him that men of brass, having arrived from the sea, were ravaging the plains. He perceiving that the oracle was accomplished, treated these Ionians and Ca ldans in a friendly manner, and having promised them great things, persuaded them to join with him,’’-Herodotus, Book 2, section 151.

Verse 40

Dan 2:40. The fourth and last one of the world kingdoms was the Roman Empire which Daniel describes as being strong as iron. This does not refer to the extent of territorial position, for all four of the kingdoms in the geneva! prediction were to be known, as world powers. The characteristic of iron attributed to the fourth one pertains to its power. On this point I shall quote a paragraph from an authentic work of reference: “The last of the Old World empires was the one having Its capital on the seven hills of Rome. Like most of the others, it was the dominion of a single city; but, unlike others, it represented the conquests, not of a single conquering king, as Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus, but of a SELF-GOVERNING AND CONQUERING PEOPLE; and, unlike its predecessors, It was not a loose aggregation of states, ready to fall apart as soon as the hand that fettered them was removed, but an empire, carefully welded together, building up in every land. Its own civilization, and developing a national unity which held its possessions together for a thousand years.”-Rand McNally Bible Atlas. Edward Gibbon, author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire says of it, "The frontiers of that extensive monarchy were guarded by ancient renown and disciplined valor. The gentle but POWERFUL influence of laws and manners had gradually cemented the union of the provinces.”-Chapter 1. The above estimates by the authentic writers fully justify the prediction of Daniel that the fourth kingdom was to be strong as iron, and that It would be able to break in pieces the elements of resistance which might be encountered by It in the world.

Verse 41

Dan 2:41. The Lord selected the form of a giant man for the imagery of this prediction in the vision of Nebuchadnezzar because it would serve certain features Of the subject better. In proceeding along that line we observe a being with ten toes which represents something that was a part of the Roman Empire. It refers to ten of the prominent governmental units that were incorporated within the Empire and that formed a great part of its strength. I shall reserve the more detailed comments on these ten governments until we reach the 7th ehap (er of this book. Shall be divided does not mean organic or bodily division, but was to be composed of two elements.

Verse 42

Dan 2:42. Tilts verse is much the same as the preceding one, but it adds the statement that the mixture of clay with the iron will cause the kingdom to be partly broken. That is from tebar and Strong’s definition is, ‘‘To be fragile." That justifies the rendering of "brittle” that is in the margin of some Bibles, and Moffatt’s version renders it by the same word. The thought is that, while the presence of Iron will make the kingdom strong, the mixture of clay will force it to have within itself the elements of weakness that will eventually cause it to fall.

Verse 43

Dan 2:43. Mixed and mingle both are derived from a word that Strong defines, "A primitive root; to braid, i.e., intermix; technically to traffic (as if by barter); also to give or be security (as a kind of exchange; to commingle.” Cleave is from debaq which the same lexicon defines, "To stick to." Seed, of men is from an original that means human posterity, indicating that the "mingling" predicted was to he some human relationship, whether by business and political association, or by intermarriage. The above predictions are fully carried out in the vast historical field pertaining to the Roman Empire. It can be seen that (he Roman government and institutional life was infiltrated through the civilized world even in cases where the people did not surrender their personal traits. On the other hand, the Romans were also averse to losing their patriotic identity although they were striving to enlarge the power of Rome through the means of colonization, Hence we read in Act 16:21 a complaint against the .Tews because they "Teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans," In other words, the Roman Empire was eager to enlarge its borders by any means that would accomplish that purpose. That included war, colonization, political and commercial traffic, and marriage. But so particular was (he empire to retain its own inherent character that the above relationships did not result in a genuine fusion or merging together of all the personalities that professed to embrace the Roman cause. This created an element of weakness that was destined finally to result in the decay of the empire.

Verse 44

Dan 2:44. A question that is susceptible of two answers calls for the consideration of both. These kings could mean those represented by the ten toes, or the entire four kingdoms represented by the giant man considered as a whole. Both would be correct, but the first is more specific since it was literally in course of the ten smaller divisions of the Roman Empire that the event occurred just here being predicted. One very important item which must not be overlooked is that She mentioned event was to take place while the Roman Empire was in its full power, not after it ceased to be. The great event consisted of the setting up of another kingdom, and its character is indicated by the fact that the Ood of heaven was to set it up, whereas the four world powers of the image had been set up by man. It would seem scarcely necessary to state that this institution that was to be set up is the church or kingdom of Christ, set up by the God of heaven and delivered to His well beloved Son. Not left to other people was said in contrast with these kingdoms of the image, concerning which it was said that one was to come after the other, and history shows that was accomplished by the one in power being given over to another. The kingdom of Christ will have no successor and hence it will stand forever. Break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms. Note that it was to destroy all these kingdoms, not just destroy kingdoms. True that is a distinction of Qnty one word, hut there is a vast amount of meaning in the distinction, for without it the prediction would be that all temporal governments were to be overthrown by the kingdom of Christ. That not only is not the prediction here, but it would contradict the teaching of the New Testament. Without taking apace by quoting the many lines that are in point, I shall Cite references that prove beyond any doubt that Christ endorses and expects man to have his own governments and that His servants are to be in subjection thereto. (See Romans 13: 16; 1Ti 2:13.) It is an unavoidable conclusion that God would not ask His servants to pray for an institution if the very one of which those servants are members was divinely intended to destroy the one to be prayed for. But the key thought in the noted passage is that the kingdom that God was to set up would destroy these kingdoms, which means it would bring about the end of worldwide empires such as the four represented by the giant man. Neither does it mean that the church would destroy such empires by a direct and arbitrary attack on the very existence of such governments, but it was to accomplish that end through the principles of individual responsibility, and the inherent right of all human beings to have a part in their own government, that were to be taught by this kingdom of God and Christ, In proportion as men received this teaching thus offered to them through the kingdom which the Cfod, of heaven set up, they were to see that worldpowers with their stifling of individual rights were improper and they would rebel against them, which would result in their overthrow. Such was the prediction which Daniel made and it was fulfilled according to history and other authentic sources to which the attention of the reader is next invited. 1 shall first make a quotation from Myers’ Ancient History (page 495) to show the influence that Christianity had on the Roman Empire. "It was in the midst of the reign of Tiberius that, in a remote province of the Roman Empire, the Saviour was crucified. Animated by an unparalleled missionary spirit, his followers traversed the length and breadth of the empire, preaching everywhere the ‘glad tidings/ Men’s faith in the gods of the old mythologies, the softening and liberalizing influence of Greek culture, the unification of the whole civilized world under a single government, the widespread suffering and the inexpressible weariness of the oppressed and servile classes,-all these things had prepared the soil for the seed of the new doctrines. In less than three centuries the pagan empire had become Christian not only in name but also very largely in fact. This conver sion of Rome is one of the most important events in all history. A new element is here introduced Into civilization. an element which has given color and character to the history of all succeeding centuries.” The next, historical information will be from Edward Gihbon, author of the famous Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Gibbon was an infidel and would not write anything with the motive or corroborating the scriptures. But he was an authentic historian, and any testimony that comes from him that is favorable to the claims of the Bible will be valuable. In the first paragraph of his great history is the following statement: "During a happy period of more than fourscore years, the public administration was conducted by the virtue and abilities of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and the two Antonines. It is the design of this, and of the two succeeding chapters, to describe the prosperous condition of their empire; and afterwards, from the death of Marcus Antonius, to deduce the most important circumstances of its decline and fall; a revolution which will ever be remembered, and is still felt by the nations of the earth." (Emphasis mine, E.M.Z.) My purpose in this quotation is to show that the succeeding chapters of Gibbon's work are histories of facts that he regarded as causes of the fall of the Roman Empire, the event that Daniel said was foreshown by the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. Among the causes of that "decline and fall,” Gibbon devotes two lengthy chapters (35 and 16) to the “Progress of the Christian Religion,” and "The Conduct of the Roman Government Towards the Christians." The mere fact of his devoting these t ,o chapters to an end which he declares is to show the causes of the fall of the Roman Empire is very significant, and impresses us with the truth of Daniel's prediction. However, I deem it helpful to quote from the first paragraph of the 15th chapter: “A candid but rational inquiry into the progress and establishment of Christianity may be considered as a very essential part of the historv of the Roman empire. While that great body was Invaded by open violence, or undermined by slow decay, a pure and humble religion gently insinuated itself into the minds of men, grew up in silence and obscurity, derived new vigor from opposition, and finally erected the triumphant banner of the Cross on the ruins of the Capitol." in the third paragraph of this 15th chapter is tlie following: “Our curiosity is naturally prompted to inquire by what means the Christian faith obtained so remarkable a victory over the established religions of the earth. To this inquiry an obvious but satisfactory answer may be returned; that it was owing to the convincing evidence of the doctrine itself, and to the ruling providence of its great Author.” The foregoing citations to history are sufficient to show that the principles brought to the world through the church or kingdom of Christ resulted in the downfall of the Roman Empire as predicted by Daniel. That was the fourth of the worldwide empires and it was to be tbe last. Not that no one would ever desire and try to set up another; Napoleon, the German Kaiser and Hitler thought they could accomplish a universal rule, but all of them failed. And any other man or group of men who attempt to accomplish such a worldwide government are doomed to failure.

Verse 45

Dan 2:45. Mountain, is from TAWR and defined in the lexicon, “A rock or hill.” Stones are often cut out from a bed of rock by some quarry instrument in the hands of a workman, but this one was seen to be extracted out of a hill of rock and no human worker was visible. The thought is intended to be a contrast with the kingdoms represented by the giant man, which were the productions of man. The stone and the kingdom that the God of heaven was to set up are the same Inasmuch as it was said of both that they were to smite amt destroy the giant image. Of course the church or kingdom of Christ is not a production of man, hence it was said to have been cut out without [human] hands. As thou saieest was to recall to Nebuchadnezzar the dream that he had, and since Daniel was able to do this, it was evidence to the king that the prophet knew what he was talking about. That constituted the assurance that both dream and interpretation were decreed by the Lord and would prove to be sure.

Verse 46

Dan 2:46. It was natural for the king to act as the account shows for gratitude alone would prompt it. And there would not be anything strained about his views of propriety seeing he had never known any kind of religious activities other t*±an those belonging to idolatry which usually involved some priest or other attendant to represent the deity being worshiped. Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten his dream, but there was nothing to prevent him from remembering it after Daniel recalled it for him. He could not know that the prediction would he fulfilled, but he could know whether the recalling of the dream was correct. He then employed the reasoning he had made with the Chaldeans in verse 9, and concluded that Daniel was a true magician and worthy of devotions. But the record does not say that he accepted them, and we are sure he did not judging from his conduct at other times. Instead, he informed the king that it was not through any superior wisdom that he possessed that he could explain the situation, but that it was by the help of his God, This is indicated by the word answered in the following verse which is properly translated.

Verse 47

Dan 2:47. The king then acknowledged that Daniel's God was greater than ail other gods or ruters. That meant that He had honored Daniel by enabling him to reveal this secret to the king.

Verse 48

Dan 2:48. Offering gifts to Daniel was on the same principle as those promised to the wise men in verse 6 and was proper. The king was eager to do something to show his appreciation for the favor that Daniel had shown him. Making him ruler over the province of Babylon means he was to manage the affairs, even having seniority over other managers, hut of course it would be under the jurisdiction of the king. There was a logical reason for offering such a position to him. The monarchs all had need of such subordinates in their dominions, and Daniel had shown that he possessed great wisdom and was qualified and worthy of such a trust

Verse 49

Dan 2:49. Daniel’s unselfishness manifested itself again, and through his request the king gave the honor to the prophet's three companions while he was content to remain at the court of the palace, ready to perform any service that might be desired. In thus passing the honor on to his friends Daniel gave a good example of the performance that Paul teaches in Rom 12:10.