27. cannot—Daniel, being learned in all the lore of the Chaldeans ( :-), could authoritatively declare the impossibility of mere man solving the king's difficulty. soothsayers—from a root, "to cut off"; referring to their cutting the heavens into divisions, and so guessing at men's destinies from the place of the stars at one's birth. read more
5. Daniel’s appearance before Nebuchadnezzar 2:24-30 read more
Arioch had focused on Daniel as the solution to the king’s problem. Nebuchadnezzar viewed him the same way. Daniel, however, quickly redirected the king’s attention from himself and placed it where it belonged, on God who revealed the future. No human being, neither the Babylonian wise men nor himself, could provide what the king required. Daniel used a new name for one of these groups of seers here: "diviners," meaning astrologers. [Note: See Leupold, p. 105.] They tried to draw information... read more
Nebuchandezzar’s Dream-ImageNebuchadnezzar in his second year had a dream, which he required the wise men of his court to describe and interpret on pain of death. They said this was beyond their power, but professed their readiness to explain the dream if the king would tell them its nature. Nebuchadnezzar persisted in his first demand, and as the wise men could not satisfy him he gave orders that they should be slain (Daniel 2:1-13). Daniel, however, interposed and asked that the execution of... read more
(27) The secret . . .—In this and the next verse Daniel justifies the astonishment of the king, and explains to him that what the wise men had stated was perfectly true. The “gods whose dwelling was with flesh” (see Note on Daniel 2:11) could not reveal the secret, but there was a God in heaven who had made it known. Daniel here teaches us what Scripture lays down elsewhere (Genesis 20:3; Genesis 41:16; Genesis 41:25; Genesis 41:28; Numbers 22:35), that all power of prediction is to be excluded... read more
Daniel 2-3 See Keble's lines on 'Monday in Whitsunweek '. Successive Monarchies Daniel 2:1-30 Nebuchadnezzar has a dream sent him by God. I. Strange as the vision had been it had left no clear impression upon his mind, but only a vague sense of great terror. He sent for the wise men of the kingdom, but for such a dilemma their art provided them with no expedient. The king threatens them and their families with death unless they make known to him his dream as well as its interpretation. II.... read more
THE DREAM-IMAGE OF RUINED EMPIRES"With thee will I break in pieces rulers and captains." - Jeremiah 51:23THE Book of Daniel is constructed with consummate skill to teach the mighty lessons which it was designed to bring home to the minds of its readers, not only in the age of its first appearance, but forever. It is a book which, so far from being regarded as unworthy of its place in the Canon by those who cannot accept it as either genuine or authentic, is valued by many such critics as a very... read more
CHAPTER 2 Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream and Its Interpretation 1. The forgotten dream (Daniel 2:1-13 ) 2. The prayer meeting in Babylon and the answer (Daniel 2:14-23 ) 3. Daniel before the king (Daniel 2:24-28 ) 4. The revelation and interpretation of the dream (Daniel 2:29-45 ) 5. The promotion of Daniel and his companions (Daniel 2:46-49 ) Daniel 2:1-13 . The king had a dream which was occasioned by thinking concerning the future (Daniel 2:29 ). God answered his desire by this dream,... read more
NEBUCHADNEZZAR ’S DREAM Daniel, like Ezekiel, was an Israelite in Babylonian captivity, but of a little earlier date (Daniel 1:1-4 , compared with Ezekiel 1:1-2 ). Of royal blood, fine physique, strong intellectuality and deep knowledge, he became trained in the language, traditions and astrological science of his captors that, with the other eunuchs, he might serve their king in responsible relations in the palace (Daniel 1:4-7 ). For religious reasons, and out of reverence to the true God,... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:24-49
Click image for full-size versionThe meaning of the dream (2:24-49).Daniel had no thought of taking the opportunity to exalt himself above his unfortunate fellow officials. Rather he first of all ensured that they would not be executed (24) and even supported their statement that no person could be expected to meet the king’s demand (25-27). Certainly, Daniel would tell the king the dream and its meaning, but the revelation was due entirely to God, not to any special skill that Daniel possessed... read more