Daniel 2:20-21 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 2:19-23

Divine might and Divine wisdom. We have here a model of the highest form of worship—a prayer which is wholly adoration and thanksgiving. The importance of this is emphasized by the circumstances. Daniel's life is threatened; he has just received the Divine assistance by which he can give the king his dream and secure his own escape; yet he stays to utter a full expression of praise for the greatness and goodness of God, with the sentence of death still hanging over him. For the most part, if... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 2:20

And Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the Name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his. The Septuagint, having practically given the beginning of this verse as the end of verse19. omits it now: hence it renders, "Blessed be the Name of the great Lord for ever, because the wisdom and the greatness are his." The fact that מִן־עָלְמָא ( min ‛ālmā ), "from eternity," is not rendered in this version, and that the adjective "great" is added in its place, indicates a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 2:21

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. In regard to this verse, Theodotion and the Septuagint only differ in this from the Massoretic text, that they omit the repetition of the word "kings." The Peshitta has a different sense in the middle clause. "He maketh (Peshitta, ma'bed ) kings and confirmeth (Peshitta, maqeem ) kings" The Syriac translators have evidently... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:20

Daniel answered and said - The word “answer,” in the Scriptures, often occurs substantially in the sense of “speak” or “say.” It does not always denote a reply to something that has been said by another, as it does with us, but is often used when a speech is commenced, as if one were replying to something that “might” be said in the case, or as meaning that the circumstances in the case gave rise to the remark. Here the meaning is, that Daniel responded, as it were, to the goodness which God... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:21

And he changeth the times and the seasons - The object of this is to assert the general control of God in reference to all changes which occur. The assertion is made, undoubtedly, in view of the revolutions in empire which Daniel now saw, from the signification of the dream, were to take place under the Divine hand. Foreseeing now these vast changes denoted by different parts of the image Daniel 2:36-45, stretching into far-distant times, Daniel was led to ascribe to God the control over “all”... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 2:19-23

Daniel 2:19-23. Then was the secret revealed It is generally thought that this secret was revealed to Daniel only, and that in sleep, by a dream, or, as it is here termed, a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven He does not stay till he had told what had been revealed to him to the king, and seen whether he would own it to be his dream or not; but, being confident it was so, and that he had gained his point, he immediately turns his prayers into praises. As he had prayed in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:1-23

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1-23)Soon after completing their early training, Daniel and his friends were faced with a severe test. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and wanted his wise men to tell him its meaning. However, he would not, or could not, tell them the dream. He insisted that they first describe the dream to him accurately, and then he could be sure that their interpretation also was accurate (2:1-6). The wise men replied that the king’s demand was unreasonable. No person anywhere had such... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:20

answered and said . See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 . for ever and ever = from age to age. See App-151 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:21

He changeth, &c . Compare Daniel 2:9 ; Daniel 7:25 . 1 Chronicles 29:30 . Job 34:24-29 . Psalms 31:14 , Psalms 31:15 .Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 . Jeremiah 27:5-7 . secret = hidden. Chaldee. sathar. Not the same word as in Daniel 2:18 , &c. and the light, &c . Compare Daniel 5:11 , Daniel 5:14 .Psalms 36:9 ; 2 John 1:9; 2 John 1:9 ; John 8:12 ; John 12:45 , John 12:46 ; 1 Timothy 6:16 . James 1:17 . 1 John 1:5 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:20

20. answered—responded to God's goodness by praises. name of God—God in His revelation of Himself by acts of love, "wisdom, and might" (Jeremiah 32:19). read more