Daniel 2:25

KJV

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} Arioch {H746} brought in {H5954} Daniel {H1841} before {H6925} the king {H4430} in haste {H927}, and said {H560} thus {H3652} unto him, I have found {H7912} a man {H1400} of the captives {H1123}{H1547} of {H4481} Judah {H3061}, that will make known {H3046} unto the king {H4430} the interpretation {H6591}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Quickly Aryokh brought Dani'el before the king and told him, "I have found one of the exiles of Y'hudah who will reveal the interpretation to his majesty."

Berean Standard Bible

Arioch hastily brought Daniel before the king and said to him, “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who will tell the king the interpretation.”

American Standard Version

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:25 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, as Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, swiftly brings Daniel before King Nebuchadnezzar. Having failed to find anyone among Babylon's wise men who could reveal and interpret the king's troubling dream, Arioch presents Daniel, a Jewish captive, as the one uniquely capable of providing the longed-for interpretation. This urgent presentation underscores the critical nature of the situation and sets the stage for God's divine revelation through His chosen servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Daniel's successful prayer and God's revelation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its meaning in a night vision ([Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - God Reveals the Dream")). Prior to this, King Nebuchadnezzar, profoundly disturbed by a forgotten dream, had issued an unprecedented and impossible demand: his wise men must not only interpret his dream but also tell him what the dream was. When they failed, the king, in a fit of rage, decreed the execution of all the wise men in Babylon, a decree that included Daniel and his companions ([Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - Nebuchadnezzar's Decree to Kill the Wise Men")). Daniel, upon learning of the decree, boldly requested time from Arioch ([Daniel 2:16](/daniel/2-16 "Daniel 2:16 - Daniel Requests Time to Interpret the Dream")), promising an interpretation. Having received the divine insight, Daniel now returns to Arioch, ready to fulfill his promise, leading to Arioch's hurried presentation of Daniel to the king.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the opulent and powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II, a monarch known for his absolute authority and often volatile temperament. In ancient Near Eastern courts, kings frequently relied on a class of "wise men" – astrologers, diviners, sorcerers, and Chaldeans – for counsel and interpretation of omens and dreams. However, Nebuchadnezzar's demand to know the dream itself was highly unusual, designed to test the true supernatural abilities of his advisors. The consequence for failure was death, highlighting the life-or-death stakes for Arioch and all the wise men. Daniel, as one of the "captives of Judah," represented a conquered people, making his sudden elevation to a position of such critical importance an extraordinary testament to divine intervention, challenging the prevailing power structures and religious systems of Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 2:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Timing**, demonstrating how God orchestrates events, bringing His chosen instrument, Daniel, to the forefront precisely when human wisdom and power have utterly failed. The "haste" of Arioch underscores the urgency of God's perfect timing. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereignty over Human Rulers**, showing that even the most powerful earthly king is subject to the divine will, and God can use a humble captive to reveal His mysteries. This contrasts sharply with the impotence of the Babylonian wise men, reinforcing the theme of **Superiority of Divine Wisdom** over all human and pagan knowledge. Daniel's identity as a "captive of Judah" further underscores God's ability to work through the marginalized and seemingly powerless.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arioch (foreign origin, _ʼĂryôwk'_):** This name identifies the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, a significant figure responsible for executing the king's decree. His role here is crucial as the intermediary who brings Daniel into the royal presence, signifying the immediate resolution of the crisis.
* **captives of Judah (Aramaic, _gâlûwth Yᵉhûwd'_):** This phrase specifically identifies Daniel as an exile from the conquered kingdom of Judah. The term _gâlûwth_ (captivity) emphasizes his status as a displaced person, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's choice to use someone from a subjugated nation rather than a native Babylonian. This designation underscores God's ability to work through the seemingly powerless and marginalized.
* **make known (Aramaic, _yᵉdaʻ'_):** From the root meaning "to know" or "to ascertain by seeing," this word implies a deep, comprehensive understanding and the ability to reveal or certify truth. It signifies Daniel's unique capacity, granted by God, to not merely guess but to definitively disclose the hidden mystery, contrasting with the failed attempts of the Babylonian wise men who could not "make known" the dream or its interpretation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste":** This opening clause immediately conveys the urgency and high stakes of the situation. Arioch, having been tasked with a deadly decree, is now relieved and eager to present the solution. The "haste" (H927, _bᵉhal_) indicates a rapid, almost frantic movement, reflecting the immense pressure and the dramatic turning point in the narrative.
* **"and said thus unto him, I have found a man":** Arioch's direct address to the king is a declaration of success. His statement "I have found a man" carries a tone of triumph and relief, indicating that he has discovered the one individual capable of resolving the king's impossible demand, thereby saving his own life and the lives of the other wise men.
* **"of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation":** This final clause identifies Daniel's origin and his specific, divinely-granted ability. By specifying Daniel as a "captive of Judah," Arioch highlights his unlikely background, further emphasizing the miraculous nature of his insight. The promise that Daniel "will make known... the interpretation" sets the expectation for the divine revelation that is about to unfold, contrasting sharply with the failure of all the king's native advisors.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the "wise men" of Babylon, with all their supposed knowledge and magical arts, utterly fail, while a young, exiled captive from a conquered nation is the one to provide the solution. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the futility of human wisdom and the omnipotence of divine revelation. The phrase "in haste" serves as a crucial element of **Pacing**, dramatically accelerating the narrative and emphasizing the immediate danger and the urgency of God's intervention. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Daniel's future role as a revealer of divine mysteries and God's continued use of him to demonstrate His sovereignty to Gentile rulers throughout the book.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:25 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over all human affairs, even in the most chaotic and desperate circumstances. It underscores the profound truth that true wisdom and revelation come not from human intellect, political power, or pagan practices, but exclusively from God alone. God deliberately uses a marginalized, exiled individual to humble the pride of the world's most powerful king, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in weakness and that He raises up whom He wills. This moment is a testament to divine timing, where God's instrument is brought to the forefront precisely when all human solutions have failed, showcasing His ultimate authority and the futility of relying on anything other than Him.

* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness Wiser Than Men")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Humbles")
* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This dramatic scene in Daniel 2:25 offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. It reminds us that God is not limited by our circumstances, our perceived status, or the overwhelming challenges we face. Just as He used Daniel, a humble captive in a foreign land, to reveal mysteries to a mighty king, He can use any of us, in any situation, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. When human wisdom, expertise, and power fail to provide answers or solutions, we are called to turn to God, trusting in His superior wisdom and revelation. This passage encourages us to cultivate a life of prayer and dependence on God, knowing that He has perfect timing and will bring His servants to the forefront precisely when they are needed most to demonstrate His glory. Our role is to be faithful, available, and obedient, allowing God to work through us in ways we could never imagine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently relying on human wisdom or solutions rather than seeking God's divine revelation?**
* **How does Daniel's identity as a "captive of Judah" encourage me about God's ability to use unexpected or marginalized individuals, including myself?**
* **What "impossible" situations in my life or in the world around me am I being called to pray for, trusting in God's perfect timing and ability to "make known" His will?**

### FAQ
**Who was Arioch and why was he so eager to bring Daniel before the king?**

Answer: Arioch was the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, a position of significant authority responsible for enforcing the king's decrees, including the recent order to execute all the wise men of Babylon. He was eager to bring Daniel before the king because Daniel had promised to provide the interpretation of the king's forgotten dream, a task that all the other wise men had failed to accomplish. Finding Daniel meant saving his own life, the lives of the other wise men, and potentially gaining immense favor with the king by resolving a crisis that threatened the entire court.

**Why is Daniel's identity as a "man of the captives of Judah" significant in this context?**

Answer: Daniel's identity as a "captive of Judah" is highly significant because it highlights the profound contrast between the power and wisdom of the Babylonian Empire and the seemingly powerless status of an exiled Jew. It underscores that God's power and wisdom transcend human hierarchies and national boundaries. The failure of all the king's native, powerful advisors, contrasted with the success of a humble captive, powerfully demonstrates that true revelation comes only from the God of Israel, not from pagan practices or human intellect. This emphasizes God's ability to use the marginalized and unexpected to accomplish His purposes and display His glory ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Lowly")).

**How did Daniel know the interpretation when all the king's other wise men failed?**

Answer: Daniel knew the interpretation because God Himself revealed it to him. After Daniel requested time from Arioch, he and his three companions (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) earnestly prayed to the God of heaven for mercy concerning this mystery. In response to their prayer, "the secret was revealed unto Daniel in a night vision" ([Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - God Reveals the Mystery to Daniel")). This divine revelation is the sole source of Daniel's knowledge, setting him apart from the Babylonian wise men who relied on human wisdom, divination, or occult practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:25, while a dramatic moment in Old Testament history, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's mysteries through Jesus Christ. Daniel, a "son" (H1123, _bên_) of Judah and a "man" (H1400, _gᵉbar_) chosen by God, stands as a type of Christ. Just as Daniel was brought "in haste" to "make known" (H3046, _yᵉdaʻ'_) the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation, so Jesus, the true Son of God from the tribe of Judah ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ")), came into the world at God's appointed time ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son")) to reveal the Father and the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. The Babylonian wise men failed to "make known" the truth, but Jesus, the "wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")), perfectly reveals God's nature and His redemptive plan. He is the ultimate "interpretation" (H6591, _pᵉshar_) of God's will and character, the One through whom all hidden things are brought to light ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge")). Daniel's role as the unique revealer of truth in a time of crisis points to Christ as the sole Mediator and Revealer of God's saving truth, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and the One who perfectly "makes known" the Father to us ([John 1:18](/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

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:28

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

Daniel 5:13

Then was Daniel brought in before the king. [And] the king spake and said unto Daniel, [Art] thou that Daniel, which [art] of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?

Daniel 6:13

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which [is] of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Daniel 1:6

Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Nehemiah 7:6

These [are] the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;