Daniel 2:18

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Daniel 2:18 is a pivotal verse that highlights Daniel's immediate and faithful response to a life-threatening decree from King Nebuchadnezzar. Faced with the execution of all the wise men of Babylon, including himself and his three companions, Daniel turns to the true source of wisdom and power: the "God of heaven."

Context

This verse is set during the Babylonian exile, where Daniel and his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, also known by their Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) are serving in King Nebuchadnezzar's court. The king had a disturbing dream that he could not remember, yet he demanded his wise men not only interpret it but first reveal the dream itself. When they failed, Nebuchadnezzar issued a decree to kill all the wise men, putting Daniel and his companions in grave danger. Daniel, with remarkable composure and faith, sought an audience with the king and then immediately gathered his friends for fervent prayer, as seen in this verse. Their lives, and the truth of God's sovereignty, hung in the balance.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Prayer: Daniel's first action in a dire situation is to seek divine intervention through prayer. This emphasizes prayer as a primary means of connecting with God and receiving His guidance and help, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.
  • Divine Revelation: The "secret" (Aramaic: raz) refers to Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation, which only God could reveal. This highlights God as the ultimate source of knowledge and truth, capable of disclosing mysteries hidden from human understanding. This theme is profoundly demonstrated when God reveals the secret to Daniel in a night vision.
  • God's Sovereignty: The title "God of heaven" (Aramaic: Elah shamayyin) is significant. It contrasts sharply with the pagan deities of Babylon, asserting God's supreme authority and transcendence over all earthly powers and circumstances. He is the one who controls kingdoms and reveals secrets, as Daniel later proclaims in Daniel 2:28.
  • Intercession and Fellowship: Daniel calls upon his companions to pray with him, underscoring the importance of communal prayer and spiritual solidarity in times of crisis.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God of heaven" (Aramaic: Elah shamayyin) is a recurring and significant title for God in the Book of Daniel and other post-exilic books. It emphasizes His transcendence, His rule over all creation, and His distinction from the localized, often powerless, gods of other nations. The "secret" (Aramaic: raz) refers to a hidden, divine mystery, inaccessible to human wisdom alone.

Practical Application

Daniel 2:18 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, uncertainties, or life-altering decisions, our immediate and confident recourse should be to "desire mercies of the God of heaven." It teaches us the profound value of earnest prayer, trusting that God is able and willing to reveal what is hidden, provide wisdom, and intervene in our circumstances. Furthermore, it encourages us to seek the support and intercession of fellow believers, recognizing the strength found in communal prayer and faith.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 33:3 (8 votes)

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

  • Matthew 18:19 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 91:15 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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