Daniel 2:20

KJV

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

KJV (with Strong's)

Daniel {H1841} answered {H6032} and said {H560}, Blessed {H1289} be {H1934} the name {H8036} of God {H426} for {H4481} ever {H5957} and ever {H5705}{H5957}: for wisdom {H2452} and might {H1370} are {H1932} his:

Complete Jewish Bible

in these words: "Blessed be the name of God from eternity past to eternity future! For wisdom and power are his alone;

Berean Standard Bible

and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.

American Standard Version

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:20 captures Daniel's profound and immediate outpouring of praise to God upon receiving the divine revelation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation. Facing imminent execution alongside all the Babylonian wise men for their inability to reveal the king's forgotten dream, Daniel and his companions earnestly sought God's mercy. This verse serves as Daniel's spontaneous doxology, acknowledging God as the eternal source of all wisdom and might, capable of revealing the deepest mysteries and sovereignly orchestrating the course of human history and kingdoms.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:20 is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative. King Nebuchadnezzar's demand for his wise men to not only interpret but also *reveal* his dream, which he himself had forgotten, created an impossible situation. Their failure led to a decree for their execution, including Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), who were also counted among the wise men. In response, Daniel requested time, then gathered his friends to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery ([Daniel 2:17-18](/daniel/2-17 "Daniel 2:17-18 - Daniel Seeks Prayer")). God answered their fervent prayer by revealing the mystery to Daniel in a night vision ([Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - The Mystery Revealed to Daniel")). Daniel 2:20 is his immediate, heartfelt response of thanksgiving and adoration, preceding his actual presentation of the dream and its interpretation to the king. It highlights Daniel's deep faith and his recognition of God's sole prerogative in revealing hidden truths.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Babylon during the Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC). Daniel and many other Jews were exiles in Babylon, a consequence of Judah's disobedience and the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Babylonian culture was steeped in polytheism, astrology, and various forms of divination, with a class of "wise men" (magicians, enchanters, astrologers, Chaldeans, soothsayers) who advised the king. These wise men relied on human knowledge, occult practices, and interpretations of omens. Nebuchadnezzar's demand was unusual and extreme, exposing the limitations of their human wisdom and spiritual practices. In contrast, Daniel, a faithful servant of the one true God, demonstrates that genuine wisdom and revelation come directly from the sovereign Creator, not from human ingenuity or pagan rituals. This narrative underscores the vast chasm between the false gods and limited wisdom of Babylon and the omniscient, omnipotent God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes central to the book of Daniel and biblical theology. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount; God is not merely a distant deity but actively intervenes in human affairs, raising up and bringing down kings and kingdoms according to His will ([Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Dominion Over Kingdoms")). Secondly, **God's Infinite Wisdom** is highlighted as His unique attribute, far surpassing any human or demonic knowledge. He knows the future, orchestrates history, and reveals mysteries that are otherwise hidden ([Daniel 1:17](/daniel/1-17 "Daniel 1:17 - God Gives Daniel Understanding")). This wisdom is inextricably linked with His **Unchallengeable Might**, for His plans are not only perfectly conceived but also perfectly executed, demonstrating His absolute power over all creation and human rulers. Finally, Daniel's response exemplifies the theme of **Praise and Thanksgiving** as the appropriate human response to God's revelation and intervention, setting a pattern for believers to acknowledge God as the ultimate source of all good and the worthy recipient of eternal adoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Aramaic, _bᵉrak'_):** This Aramaic word, corresponding to the Hebrew _barak_, signifies to kneel, and by implication, to bless God as an act of adoration and worship. In this context, it expresses profound reverence, honor, and gratitude directed towards God. Daniel is not merely saying "God is blessed," but rather "May God's name be praised and honored." It is an active declaration of God's inherent worthiness of all praise.
* **Wisdom (Aramaic, _chokmâh'_):** This term denotes divine insight, skill, and understanding. It refers to God's perfect knowledge, His ability to discern and interpret complex matters, and His comprehensive understanding of all things, including the future. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but an active, governing intelligence that orders the universe and directs history. Daniel attributes this ultimate wisdom to God alone, distinguishing Him from the limited and fallible wisdom of human counselors.
* **Might (Aramaic, _gᵉbûwrâh'_):** Corresponding to the Hebrew _gevurah_, this word signifies strength, power, and valor. When applied to God, it speaks of His omnipotence, His ability to accomplish all His purposes without hindrance. It is the power that ensures His wisdom is not merely theoretical but is perfectly executed in the unfolding of His sovereign plan. Daniel recognizes that God's wisdom is always accompanied by the power to bring it to pass.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Daniel answered and said,"**: This phrase indicates Daniel's immediate and verbal response to the divine revelation. It is not a casual remark but a formal, solemn declaration, signaling the profound significance of the moment and the content of his speech. His "answer" is not to a human question but a responsive doxology to God's act of revealing the mystery.
* **"Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:"**: This is the core of Daniel's praise. "Blessed be the name of God" is a common biblical acclamation, emphasizing God's inherent worthiness of praise and adoration. The "name" of God represents His character, His attributes, and His very being. The phrase "for ever and ever" (literally, "from everlasting to everlasting") underscores the eternal, unchanging nature of God's blessedness and His enduring sovereignty. It is a timeless declaration of worship.
* **"for wisdom and might are his:"**: This clause provides the theological foundation for Daniel's praise. He blesses God's name *because* wisdom and might belong exclusively to Him. These two attributes are presented as the twin pillars of God's sovereignty, enabling Him to know all things (wisdom) and to accomplish all things (might). This statement directly contrasts with the impotence of the Babylonian wise men and affirms God's unique capacity to reveal the dream and control all circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is **Doxology**, an expression of praise or glory to God, which is Daniel's immediate and fervent response to divine revelation. This doxology is characterized by **Hyperbole** in the phrase "for ever and ever," emphasizing the eternal and unending nature of God's attributes and His worthiness of praise. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** implicit in the verse, setting God's infinite wisdom and might against the finite, fallible wisdom and power of human beings, particularly the Babylonian wise men who failed to meet the king's challenge. Furthermore, the declaration "wisdom and might are his" functions as a **Merism**, where two distinct but related qualities are mentioned to encompass the entirety of God's omniscient and omnipotent nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's spontaneous praise in this verse serves as a profound theological statement, anchoring the narrative in the absolute sovereignty and transcendent attributes of God. It establishes that all true wisdom and power originate from Him alone, contrasting sharply with the limited, often deceptive, wisdom of the world. This declaration sets the stage for the unfolding prophetic visions in Daniel, demonstrating that God is the one who controls the rise and fall of empires, the course of history, and the destiny of nations. Daniel's response is a model of faith, illustrating that when God reveals Himself or acts powerfully, the appropriate human response is immediate and unreserved worship, acknowledging His eternal dominion over all things.

* [1 Chronicles 29:11](/1_chronicles/29-11 "1 Chronicles 29:11 - David's Prayer of Praise")
* [Psalm 103:19](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Sovereign Rule")
* [Romans 11:33-36](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33-36 - The Depths of God's Wisdom and Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's response to God's revelation offers a timeless blueprint for the believer's life. In moments of breakthrough, divine intervention, or even simply in recognizing God's hand in our daily lives, our first inclination should be one of heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, shifting our focus from our anxieties to God's infinite capabilities. This verse reminds us that true wisdom and ultimate power reside solely with God, encouraging us to seek His counsel and rely on His strength when faced with challenges that exceed human capacity. It fosters a deep trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He is in control even when circumstances seem chaotic or beyond our understanding. By acknowledging God as the eternal source of all wisdom and might, we cultivate a spirit of humility and dependence, recognizing that all good things come from Him and that He alone is worthy of our eternal adoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Daniel's immediate and fervent praise challenge my own typical response to God's intervention or provision in my life?**
* **In what specific areas of my life do I need to more fully trust in God's "wisdom and might" rather than relying on my own limited understanding or strength?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and gratitude for God's sovereign control and His willingness to reveal His purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why is Daniel's response so immediate and fervent?**

Answer: Daniel's response is immediate and fervent because God had just delivered him and all the wise men from certain death by revealing the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation. This was a direct, miraculous intervention by God in a life-or-death situation, demonstrating His unique power and knowledge in stark contrast to the impotence of the Babylonian wise men. Daniel's character, as seen throughout the book, is one of deep faith and devotion, always quick to acknowledge God as the source of all blessings and revelations. His praise is a spontaneous overflow of profound relief, awe, and gratitude for God's faithfulness and power, even before he presented the interpretation to the king ([Daniel 2:19-24](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19-24 - Daniel Praises God and Prepares to Meet the King")).

**What does "for ever and ever" signify in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "for ever and ever" (Aramaic: _lᵉʻâlam wᵉʻad_) emphasizes the eternal, unchanging, and unending nature of God's attributes and His worthiness of praise. It signifies that God's wisdom and might are not temporary or contingent, but are inherent to His being and endure throughout all generations and ages. It is a declaration of God's timeless sovereignty, indicating that His reign and His perfect attributes extend beyond any earthly kingdom or temporal boundary, affirming His eternal dominion.

**How does this verse relate to the concept of God's hidden wisdom?**

Answer: This verse is central to the concept of God's hidden wisdom because it explicitly states that "wisdom and might are his." The context reveals that this wisdom is not accessible through human means (like the Babylonian wise men's divination) but is divinely revealed. God chooses to disclose mysteries according to His will, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Deuteronomy 29:29 - Secret Things Belong to the Lord"). Daniel's praise acknowledges that only God possesses the ultimate, hidden wisdom that can discern the future and reveal the secrets of the heart and mind, making Him the sole source of true understanding.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's doxology, "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the very embodiment of God's eternal wisdom, for in Him "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")). He is the divine Word through whom all things were created, demonstrating God's inherent wisdom in the very fabric of the universe ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Were Made Through Him")). Furthermore, the "might" attributed to God in Daniel 2:20 is perfectly manifested in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. His miracles demonstrated divine power over creation, sickness, and even death, culminating in His resurrection, which Paul describes as "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might" ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Incomparably Great Power")). As the ultimate revealer of God's character and will, Jesus declared, "No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God, Except the Son")). Therefore, Daniel's eternal praise to God for His wisdom and might is eternally directed towards the Son, whose name is indeed to be blessed "for ever and ever," for "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus Exalted")).

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

Psalms 113:2

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

Psalms 145:1

¶ David's [Psalm] of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 145:2

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Job 12:13

With him [is] wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

Revelation 5:12

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Psalms 147:5

Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.

Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings: