Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:17-23
4. Daniel’s reception of a revelation and his thanksgiving 2:17-23 read more
4. Daniel’s reception of a revelation and his thanksgiving 2:17-23 read more
Daniel wished that people would bless (praise) God’s name forever because of two of His traits particularly."The name stands in Holy Scripture for the nature or revealed character of God, and not a mere label or title. It is found very frequently in the Old Testament as synonymous with God Himself in relation to man. . . . In the New Testament the same usage is perfectly clear." [Note: W. H. Griffith Thomas, "The Purpose of the Fourth Gospel," Bibliotheca Sacra 125:499 (July-September... 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
(20) Blessed be the name.—Daniel’s prayer is for the most part framed upon the model of scriptural language, while on the other hand it appears to have been adapted to their own special needs by later pious servants of God. The Doxology, with which it commences, is founded upon the liturgical formula concluding Psalms 41:0, the substance of it being repeated by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:5). read more
(21) Changeth times—i.e., He orders the events which occur at different times and seasons. Daniel refers to the dream which had been recently revealed to him, in which the changes of future times and seasons were depicted in so marvellous a way. “Times” are opposed to “seasons,” as circumstances of time may be contrasted with epochs of time. (Comp. Daniel 7:12.)He removeth.—Comp. 1 Samuel 2:8.Wisdom . . .—Comp. Jeremiah 32:19.The wise—i.e., wise men generally. Wise men become what they are, not... 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
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:21
21. changeth . . . times . . . seasons—"He herein gives a general preparatory intimation, that the dream of Nebuchadnezzar is concerning the changes and successions of kingdoms" [JEROME]. The "times" are the phases and periods of duration of empires (compare Daniel 7:25; 1 Chronicles 12:32; 1 Chronicles 29:30); the "seasons" the fitting times for their culmination, decline, and fall (Ecclesiastes 3:1; Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1). The vicissitudes of states, with their times and seasons, are... read more