Daniel 2:19

KJV

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} was the secret {H7328} revealed {H1541} unto Daniel {H1841} in a night {H3916} vision {H2376}. Then {H116} Daniel {H1841} blessed {H1289} the God {H426} of heaven {H8065}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the secret was revealed to Dani'el in a vision at night, and Dani'el blessed the God of heaven

Berean Standard Bible

During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven

American Standard Version

Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:19 marks the pivotal moment when God, in direct response to Daniel's fervent prayer, supernaturally revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation. This verse powerfully underscores God's unique omnipotence and active involvement in human affairs, demonstrating His unparalleled ability to disclose hidden mysteries. Simultaneously, it showcases Daniel's immediate and profound response of blessing the "God of heaven," acknowledging His divine intervention, faithfulness, and supreme authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the dramatic climax and turning point within the narrative of [Daniel chapter 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation"). King Nebuchadnezzar, deeply troubled by a forgotten dream, issues a life-or-death decree: his wise men must not only interpret the dream but first recount its content, or face execution. This impossible demand places Daniel and his companions in mortal peril. In response, Daniel, exhibiting remarkable faith and courage, requests time from the king. He then gathers his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to earnestly seek "mercy from the God of heaven concerning this secret" ([Daniel 2:18](/daniel/2-18 "Daniel 2:18 - Daniel and his friends pray for revelation")). [Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - The Secret Revealed to Daniel") immediately follows this desperate prayer, signifying God's swift, direct, and miraculous answer. This divine intervention then sets the stage for Daniel's magnificent prayer of praise and thanksgiving in [Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20-23 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise and Wisdom").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Daniel 2 are set during the nascent years of the Babylonian exile, specifically within the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605-562 BC). Daniel and his three friends were among the Jewish elite deported to Babylon following the first siege of Jerusalem. In this polytheistic empire, the king wielded absolute power, and his word was unquestionable law. The Chaldean "wise men"—a collective of astrologers, enchanters, and sorcerers—served as royal advisors, but their reliance on human wisdom and pagan divination stood in stark contrast to Daniel's unwavering dependence on the one true God. The king's decree to execute all wise men for their inability to reveal his dream highlights the extreme stakes and the profound spiritual and political tension of the moment. This dramatic backdrop serves to powerfully demonstrate God's absolute supremacy over all earthly powers, false deities, and human limitations.

* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - The Secret Revealed to Daniel") encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent throughout the entire book of Daniel. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that genuine wisdom and foreknowledge of the future emanate solely from God, specifically identified as the "God of heaven," in direct opposition to the futile attempts of human intellect or pagan practices. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Efficacy of Prayer**, demonstrating God's immediate responsiveness to the fervent and faithful prayers of His servants, even amidst the most dire and seemingly impossible circumstances. Thirdly, it profoundly affirms **God's Sovereignty**, showcasing His supreme authority over all earthly rulers and empires, His ability to hold the future in His hands, and His meticulous orchestration of events according to His divine purpose. Finally, Daniel's immediate and heartfelt response of blessing God introduces and exemplifies the theme of **Immediate Gratitude and Worship**, setting a profound example for believers to promptly acknowledge and praise God's faithfulness and intervention in their lives.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **secret (Aramaic, _râz'_):** This term (H7328) refers to a profound mystery, something deeply hidden or concealed that is beyond human comprehension, discovery, or even recollection. In this context, it underscores the absolute impossibility for human wisdom or pagan divination to uncover the king's forgotten dream, thereby magnifying the divine nature of its subsequent revelation. It is a truth that only the transcendent God can disclose.
* **revealed (Aramaic, _gᵉlâh'_):** This word (H1541) signifies a divine disclosure, an unveiling or uncovering of something previously hidden from human sight or knowledge. It implies an active, intentional, and sovereign act on God's part to make known what was unknown and unknowable by any other means. The use of this term highlights God's initiative, power, and direct communication in penetrating the veil of mystery, directly imparting truth to His chosen servant, Daniel.
* **blessed (Aramaic, _bᵉrak'_):** This term (H1289), when applied to God, denotes an act of profound adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. It implies Daniel's immediate and humble recognition of God's goodness, power, and faithfulness. It is a response of kneeling in humble reverence and acknowledging God's supreme authority and benevolent intervention, signifying not merely a casual expression of gratitude but a deep, worshipful act of acknowledging His worthiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision."**: This clause describes the divine action. The adverb "Then" signifies the immediate and direct consequence of Daniel and his friends' earnest prayer, highlighting God's swift responsiveness. The "secret" (King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation) was not discovered through human effort or intellectual prowess but was supernaturally "revealed" by God. The means of revelation, a "night vision," points to a direct, prophetic encounter with God, a common mode of divine communication in the Old Testament, emphatically underscoring the authenticity and divine origin of the message, distinguishing it from human conjecture or pagan divination.
* **"Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven."**: This clause describes Daniel's immediate and profoundly appropriate response to God's revelation. The repeated "Then" emphasizes the promptness and priority of his reaction. Upon receiving the life-saving and kingdom-altering revelation, Daniel did not immediately rush to the king or celebrate his own deliverance. Instead, his first and foremost action was to turn his attention to God, offering heartfelt praise and thanksgiving. Calling God "the God of heaven" underscores His supreme authority, transcendence, and universal dominion, sharply distinguishing Him from the impotent, localized gods of Babylon and acknowledging Him as the singular, true source of all wisdom, power, and salvation.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:19 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological and narrative message. **Juxtaposition** is powerfully evident in the stark contrast between the "secret"—a hidden, life-threatening enigma that baffled all human wisdom—and its immediate "revelation," which brings clarity, deliverance, and establishes God's supremacy. This highlights God's unique power to transform impossible situations. The repetition of "Then" at the beginning of both clauses serves as a prominent instance of **Anaphora**, emphasizing the immediate cause-and-effect relationship: God's decisive revelation is instantly met with Daniel's worshipful praise. This also creates a sense of rapid, divinely orchestrated action and a fitting human response. The "night vision" itself functions as a form of **Theophany** or divine manifestation, a direct, supernatural communication from God, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event and God's personal, intimate involvement with His servant. Finally, the phrase "God of heaven" is a significant **Epithet**, a descriptive title that emphasizes God's transcendent power, universal sovereignty, and unique identity, contrasting Him sharply with the earthly, limited, and false deities worshipped in Babylon.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:19 profoundly reveals God's character as the ultimate revealer of mysteries, distinguishing Him from all false gods and human wisdom. It affirms that true knowledge and understanding, especially concerning divine plans and future events, originate solely from Him. This moment underscores God's active engagement with His people and His world, demonstrating that He hears and answers prayer, intervening directly in human history to accomplish His purposes and vindicate His faithful servants. Daniel's immediate response of blessing God models a theology of prompt and fervent gratitude, recognizing God's supremacy and goodness as the only source of such profound revelation and deliverance.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God reveals His secret to His servants the prophets")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I will answer you")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10](/1_corinthians/2-10 "1 Corinthians 2:10 - The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:19 offers a powerful and enduring message for believers facing their own "impossible" situations, whether personal, professional, or spiritual. It reminds us that no challenge is too great, and no mystery too profound, for the "God of heaven." When we encounter circumstances that overwhelm human wisdom, defy logical solutions, or seem to have no earthly recourse, this verse calls us to emulate Daniel's example: to turn to God in earnest, believing prayer, confident that He is able and willing to reveal what is hidden and provide the wisdom, clarity, or intervention we desperately need. Furthermore, Daniel's immediate response of blessing God teaches us the vital importance of prompt and heartfelt gratitude. Our first reaction to God's faithfulness and intervention should be adoration and praise, acknowledging His power, goodness, and sovereignty in our lives. This practice not only honors God but also cultivates a spirit of thankfulness and deepens our faith, fostering a profound dependence on Him as the ultimate source of all wisdom and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "secrets" or seemingly impossible situations in your life are you currently seeking God's revelation or intervention for, and how might Daniel's example encourage your approach?**
* **How does Daniel's immediate act of blessing God challenge or encourage your own responses to answered prayer and divine provision?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God as the ultimate source of wisdom and understanding, rather than relying solely on human intellect or resources?**

### FAQ
**Why was the secret revealed to Daniel in a night vision, and what is its significance?**

Answer: The secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision as a direct, supernatural act of divine communication. This method of revelation, common in biblical history (e.g., [Genesis 46:2](/genesis/46-2 "Genesis 46:2 - God speaks to Jacob in a night vision"); [Job 33:15-16](/job/33-15-16 "Job 33:15-16 - God speaks in dreams and visions")), underscores that the knowledge came directly from God, not from human insight, pagan divination, or Daniel's own intellect. It authenticates the message as divine and demonstrates God's unique ability to disclose hidden truths, distinguishing Him from the false gods and futile practices of Babylon. The "night vision" emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of God's communication with His faithful servant, highlighting that God actively engages with those who seek Him.

**What is the significance of Daniel blessing "the God of heaven"?**

Answer: Daniel's act of blessing "the God of heaven" is profoundly significant, especially within the polytheistic and idolatrous context of Babylon. It is a powerful declaration of God's absolute supremacy, transcendence, and universal dominion. While Nebuchadnezzar worshipped many gods and relied on his Chaldean wise men, Daniel immediately attributes the revelation and deliverance to the one true God, who rules from the heavens and is sovereign over all earthly kingdoms and powers. This title, "God of heaven," contrasts sharply with the localized, limited deities of the Babylonian pantheon and affirms the universal authority and unique power of the God of Israel. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God as the sole source of wisdom, power, and salvation in a moment of extreme crisis, setting an example of proper allegiance and worship in a hostile environment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The revelation of the "secret" to Daniel in a night vision powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and most profound revelation of God's eternal mystery in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as Daniel received a hidden truth from the "God of heaven" that saved lives and established God's sovereignty, so too did God reveal the ultimate "secret" of His redemptive plan through His Son. The apostle Paul speaks of Christ as the "mystery of God, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). What was previously concealed for ages and generations in the Old Testament, the "mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people" ([Colossians 1:26](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26 - The mystery hidden for ages, now revealed")), is fully and perfectly revealed in Christ's person and redemptive work. He is the very wisdom of God incarnate ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption")), the one who perfectly reveals the Father, for "No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus, the one who reveals the Father")). Daniel's immediate blessing of the "God of heaven" upon receiving the revelation prefigures the worship due to Christ, who is God incarnate, the ultimate revealer of divine truth, and the one through whom all spiritual blessings flow. In Christ, the "secret" of God's eternal purpose to reconcile humanity to Himself is fully unveiled, bringing not just a temporary reprieve from death, but eternal life and salvation to all who believe.

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

Numbers 12:6

And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Daniel 7:7

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it [was] diverse from all the beasts that [were] before it; and it had ten horns.

Job 33:15

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

Job 33:16

Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

Daniel 1:17

¶ As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.