Daniel 2:18

KJV

That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise [men] of Babylon.

KJV (with Strong's)

That they would desire {H1156} mercies {H7359} of {H4481}{H6925} the God {H426} of heaven {H8065} concerning {H5922} this {H1836} secret {H7328}; that Daniel {H1841} and his fellows {H2269} should not {H3809} perish {H7} with {H5974} the rest {H7606} of the wise {H2445} men of Babylon {H895}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that they could ask the God of heaven for mercy concerning this secret, and thus save Dani'el and his companions from dying along with the other sages of Bavel.

Berean Standard Bible

urging them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

American Standard Version

that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:18 captures a pivotal moment of crisis and faith, revealing Daniel's immediate and decisive response to King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to execute all the wise men of Babylon. Faced with imminent death for himself and his three companions, Daniel turns not to human wisdom or political maneuvering, but to the "God of heaven," seeking divine mercy and revelation concerning the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation. This verse underscores the profound reliance on God's sovereignty and the power of intercessory prayer in the face of insurmountable human challenges.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:18 is situated within the dramatic narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream and his subsequent decree. The chapter begins with the king's troubled spirit and his demand for his wise men not only to interpret a dream he cannot recall but first to *reveal* the dream itself, under penalty of death. When the Chaldean astrologers and magicians confess their inability to meet this impossible demand, the king issues a decree to destroy all the wise men in Babylon, including Daniel and his companions (Daniel 2:12-13). Daniel, upon learning of the decree, responds with remarkable wisdom and composure, seeking a stay of execution and an audience with the king (Daniel 2:14-16). This verse, Daniel 2:18, marks the crucial turning point where Daniel gathers his friends to collectively seek divine intervention, setting the stage for God's miraculous revelation of the dream and its interpretation in Daniel 2:19-23.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Babylon during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Judean elite, including Daniel, were captives in a foreign land. Babylon was the pinnacle of ancient Mesopotamian civilization, renowned for its advancements in astrology, divination, and various forms of occult wisdom, embodied by the "wise men" (magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, Chaldeans). King Nebuchadnezzar was an absolute monarch, and his decrees were irreversible, often enforced with swift and brutal consequences. For Daniel and his friends, Hebrew exiles, their survival depended on the God of Israel demonstrating His power over the pagan deities and human wisdom of Babylon. The king's demand was designed to test the true source of wisdom, exposing the impotence of Babylonian magic and setting the stage for the supremacy of the "God of heaven" over earthly powers and false gods.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is rich with themes central to the Book of Daniel. It powerfully highlights the **Power of Prayer**, demonstrating Daniel's immediate and confident recourse to divine intervention in a life-threatening crisis. This act of seeking God's "mercies" establishes prayer as the primary means of accessing divine wisdom and deliverance, a theme seen throughout Daniel's life (e.g., [Daniel 6:10](/daniel/6-10 "Daniel's Prayer Habit")). The concept of **Divine Revelation** is paramount, as the "secret" (Aramaic: _raz_) refers to a mystery that only God can disclose, contrasting sharply with the limitations of human wisdom and pagan divination. This foreshadows God's direct intervention in revealing the dream to Daniel (cf. [Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "God Reveals the Secret to Daniel")). Furthermore, the address to the "God of heaven" underscores **God's Sovereignty** and transcendence, asserting His supreme authority over all earthly kingdoms and circumstances, a foundational truth that Daniel later proclaims to Nebuchadnezzar (cf. [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "God is the Revealer of Secrets")). Finally, Daniel's inclusion of his "fellows" emphasizes the importance of **Communal Intercession and Fellowship** in times of dire need, highlighting the strength and spiritual solidarity found in corporate prayer.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **desire (Aramaic, _bᵉʻâʼ'_):** This Aramaic verb means "to seek or ask," implying a fervent request or petition. It denotes a proactive and earnest turning to God for intervention, not a passive hope. In this context, it signifies a deep longing and urgent plea for divine favor and revelation.
* **mercies (Aramaic, _rᵉchêm'_):** This plural Aramaic noun, corresponding to the Hebrew _rachamim_, signifies "pity" or "compassion." It speaks to God's tender, covenantal love and His willingness to act graciously on behalf of His people, even when they are in a desperate situation. Daniel and his friends are not demanding, but appealing to God's inherent character of compassion.
* **secret (Aramaic, _râz'_):** This Aramaic noun refers to a "mystery" or something "hidden." It specifically denotes knowledge that is inaccessible to human understanding or wisdom and can only be revealed by divine disclosure. In Daniel 2, it refers to Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation, which is beyond the grasp of all Babylonian wise men.
* **perish (Aramaic, _ʼăbad'_):** This Aramaic verb means "to wander away," "lose oneself," or "to perish" (causative, "destroy"). It conveys the dire consequence of the king's decree: the complete destruction and elimination of the wise men. Daniel's prayer is thus a plea for deliverance from utter annihilation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret":** This clause reveals the immediate and unified purpose of Daniel and his companions. Faced with a death sentence, their first action is to turn to the one true source of help. "Desire mercies" indicates a humble and earnest petition for God's compassionate intervention. The phrase "God of heaven" (Aramaic: _Elah shamayyin_) is a significant theological title, emphasizing God's transcendence, His supreme authority over all earthly powers, and His distinction from the localized, impotent gods of Babylon. The object of their prayer is "this secret"—the king's forgotten dream and its meaning—which only God possesses the power to reveal.
* **"that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise [men] of Babylon."** This clause states the immediate, life-and-death stakes of their prayer. The phrase "Daniel and his fellows" highlights the communal aspect of their crisis and their shared fate. They stand in solidarity with the other "wise men of Babylon," all condemned by the king's decree. Their prayer is not just for revelation, but for preservation from the impending execution, demonstrating their trust in God's ability to deliver them from physical destruction.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **Irony** is present in the fact that the "wise men" of Babylon, renowned for their occult knowledge, are utterly helpless before the king's demand, while Daniel, a captive Hebrew, turns to the one true source of wisdom—the "God of heaven." This highlights the contrast between human limitation and divine omnipotence. The phrase "God of heaven" functions as a powerful **epithet**, emphasizing God's transcendence and supreme authority, setting Him apart from the earthly, localized deities of Babylon. The "secret" acts as a **motif** throughout Daniel 2, representing divine knowledge inaccessible to human reason, which only God can disclose, thereby demonstrating His unique power and sovereignty. The collective "Daniel and his fellows" underscores **solidarity** and the power of communal prayer in the face of shared adversity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:18 is a profound testament to the efficacy of prayer and God's sovereign control over human affairs, even in the most desperate circumstances. It establishes a pattern seen throughout biblical history where God's people, when faced with impossible situations, turn to Him in humble dependence, recognizing Him as the ultimate source of wisdom, mercy, and deliverance. This act of seeking "mercies of the God of heaven" foreshadows the greater revelation of God's plan for humanity, a plan that unfolds through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The "secret" of Nebuchadnezzar's dream is a microcosm of the larger mysteries of God's kingdom, which He alone has the power to reveal to those who seek Him.

* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Call to Me, and I will answer you")
* [Psalm 50:15](/psalms/50-15 "Call upon Me in the day of trouble")
* [Matthew 7:7-8](/matthew/7-7 "Ask, and it will be given to you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:18 offers a timeless model for navigating life's most daunting challenges. When confronted with circumstances that seem insurmountable, where human wisdom, resources, or connections fall short, our first and most confident recourse should be to "desire mercies of the God of heaven." This verse calls us to cultivate a life of profound dependence on God, recognizing that He is not only aware of our deepest needs but is also able and willing to intervene with wisdom, guidance, and miraculous deliverance. It reminds us that prayer is not merely a last resort, but a primary and powerful means of engaging with the sovereign Lord of the universe. Furthermore, Daniel's act of gathering his "fellows" underscores the vital importance of communal prayer and spiritual solidarity. In a world that often promotes self-reliance, Daniel exemplifies the strength found in shared faith and intercession, encouraging us to seek the support of our spiritual community when facing trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is your immediate response when faced with an overwhelming crisis or an impossible situation?**
* **How does Daniel's example of seeking "mercies of the God of heaven" challenge your own prayer life and your understanding of God's role in your difficulties?**
* **In what ways can you better cultivate a practice of communal prayer, inviting others to share burdens and seek God's intervention together?**
* **What "secrets" or seemingly unsolvable problems in your life are you willing to bring before the "God of heaven" in earnest prayer, trusting in His power to reveal and deliver?**

### FAQ
**What does "God of heaven" signify in Daniel 2:18?**

Answer: The title "God of heaven" (Aramaic: _Elah shamayyin_) is a significant theological designation used frequently in post-exilic books like Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. It emphasizes God's transcendence, His supreme authority, and His universal sovereignty. In Daniel 2:18, it contrasts sharply with the localized, often impotent, pagan deities of Babylon. It declares that the God whom Daniel serves is not confined to a particular land or temple, but is the Creator and Ruler of the entire cosmos, distinct from and superior to all earthly powers and false gods. This title underscores His ability to intervene in human affairs from His heavenly throne, revealing secrets and controlling kingdoms, as seen in [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "God is the Revealer of Secrets") and [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Nebuchadnezzar's Praise to the God of Heaven").

**Why did Daniel and his friends need to pray "concerning this secret"?**

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he could not remember, yet he demanded his wise men not only interpret it but first reveal the dream itself. This was an impossible task for human wisdom or pagan divination. The "secret" (Aramaic: _raz_) refers to this divinely hidden knowledge—the forgotten dream and its interpretation. Daniel and his friends needed to pray "concerning this secret" because only the "God of heaven" possessed the ability to disclose such a mystery. Their lives, and the lives of all the wise men, depended on this divine revelation. Their prayer was a recognition that human ingenuity was utterly insufficient, and only God could provide the necessary insight and deliverance, as He indeed did in [Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "God Reveals the Secret to Daniel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:18, with its emphasis on seeking "mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "secret" that Daniel sought was a specific, temporal revelation for a particular crisis, but Christ Himself is the ultimate "mystery" of God, long hidden but now revealed (cf. [Colossians 1:26-27](/colossians/1-26 "The Mystery Revealed in Christ")). In Jesus, the transcendent "God of heaven" has drawn near to humanity, embodying divine mercy and revealing the deepest secrets of God's redemptive plan. He is the ultimate wisdom of God (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), through whom all things are known and understood. Just as Daniel's life was spared through divine revelation, so too is humanity's eternal salvation secured through the revelation of God's Son. The intercession of Daniel and his friends foreshadows the perfect and perpetual intercession of Christ on behalf of His people (cf. [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Jesus Lives to Intercede")). Furthermore, the "perishing" that Daniel and his fellows faced is overcome by Christ, who, through His death and resurrection, conquered the ultimate perishing—spiritual death—and offers eternal life to all who believe (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God So Loved the World")). Thus, Daniel's desperate plea for mercy points forward to the boundless mercy found in the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and reveals the very heart of the "God of heaven" (cf. [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God, Except the Son")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Matthew 18:19

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:12

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Psalms 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

Genesis 18:28

Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for [lack of] five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy [it].

Malachi 3:18

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.