Daniel 2:20-23

20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Daniel 2:20-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIAL 2

The subject of this chapter is a dream which Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, but had forgot; upon which he calls his magicians and astrologers together, to tell him it, and the interpretation of it; threatening them with death if they did not, and promising them great rewards and honour if they did, Da 2:1-6, they urge the unreasonableness of the demand, and the impossibility of the thing; which so highly incensed the king, that he ordered their immediate destruction, Da 2:7-13, Daniel and his companions being in danger, he goes in to the king, and desires time, and he would show him what he had dreamed; which being granted, he spent it in prayer to God, Da 2:14-18, and the thing being revealed to him, he gave thanks to God, Da 2:19-23, and being introduced to the king, he both told him his dream, and the interpretation of it; which concerned the four monarchies of the world, and the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, Da 2:24-45, upon which he was highly honoured, and greatly promoted by the king, Da 2:46-49.

Cross References 13

  • 1. S Psalms 113:2; Psalms 145:1-2
  • 2. S Job 9:4; S Jeremiah 32:19
  • 3. Daniel 7:25
  • 4. Daniel 4:17
  • 5. S Job 12:19; Psalms 75:6-7; Romans 13:1
  • 6. S Psalms 119:34; James 1:5
  • 7. S 2 Samuel 14:17
  • 8. S Genesis 40:8; S Job 12:22; Psalms 25:14; Daniel 5:11; 1 Corinthians 2:10
  • 9. Job 12:22; Psalms 139:11-12; Jeremiah 23:24; S Hebrews 4:13
  • 10. Isaiah 45:7; James 1:17
  • 11. S Genesis 31:5; S Exodus 3:15
  • 12. S Daniel 1:17
  • 13. S Ezekiel 28:3
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