Daniel 2:28

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

But {H1297} there is {H383} a God {H426} in heaven {H8065} that revealeth {H1541} secrets {H7328}, and maketh known {H3046} to the king {H4430} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} what {H4101} shall be {H1934} in the latter {H320} days {H3118}. Thy dream {H2493}, and the visions {H2376} of thy head {H7217} upon {H5922} thy bed {H4903}, are these {H1836};

But there is a God in heaven who unlocks mysteries, and he has revealed to King N'vukhadnetzar what will happen in the acharit-hayamim. Here are your dream and the visions you had in your head when you were in bed.

But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days. Your dream and the visions that came into your mind as you lay on your bed were these:

but there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these:

Commentary

Context of Daniel 2:28

Daniel 2:28 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a terrifying dream that he could not recall, yet he knew it held immense significance. He demanded his wise men not only interpret the dream but also tell him what the dream was, threatening death if they failed. After all human wisdom proved futile, Daniel, a young Jewish exile, stepped forward, having sought and received divine revelation from God. This verse is Daniel's powerful opening statement to the king, attributing the ability to reveal such profound mysteries not to himself or any human, but to a sovereign God in heaven. It sets the stage for the detailed interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which outlines the course of world history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Revelation: The primary message is that God alone is the ultimate source of knowledge and the revealer of hidden things. Unlike the powerless human astrologers and magicians, God in heaven knows and makes known the future (Amos 3:7).
  • God's Control Over History: The phrase "maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days" emphasizes that God orchestrates and foretells historical events, demonstrating His absolute control over human kingdoms and destinies. This dream is not random but a divinely ordained message about future dispensations.
  • Prophecy of the "Latter Days": This verse introduces one of the Bible's most significant prophecies concerning the "latter days" (Aramaic: aharit yomayya), a prophetic term often referring to the end times or the distant future leading up to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. It signifies that the dream's scope extends far beyond Nebuchadnezzar's immediate reign, encompassing successive world empires and culminating in God's ultimate plan.
  • Humility and Giving Glory to God: Daniel immediately deflects any credit from himself, ensuring that all glory for the revelation goes to God. This humility is a hallmark of true servants of God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "latter days" (Aramaic: aharit yomayya) is crucial. It is a common prophetic idiom in the Old Testament, pointing to a future period, often one of significant divine activity or the unfolding of God's ultimate purposes. It is echoed in New Testament prophecies as well, such as Peter's sermon on Pentecost, quoting Joel's prophecy of the Spirit being poured out in the "last days."

Prophetic Significance

Daniel 2:28 serves as the introduction to the detailed interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which describes a great image representing a succession of world empires: Babylon (gold), Medo-Persia (silver), Greece (bronze), and Rome (iron and clay). Crucially, the dream culminates with a stone "cut out without hands" that crushes the image, symbolizing the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, which will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). This verse highlights that the dream's purpose is to reveal God's long-term plan for human history, culminating in His sovereign rule.

Practical Application

For believers today, Daniel 2:28 offers profound encouragement and a call to faith:

  1. Trust in God's Control: In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, this verse assures us that God is actively involved in human history. He knows the end from the beginning and is working out His divine plan.
  2. Seek Divine Wisdom: When faced with overwhelming challenges or seeking understanding, we are reminded that true wisdom and revelation come from God, not from human intellect or worldly sources. Like Daniel, we should turn to Him in prayer.
  3. Live with Eternal Perspective: Understanding that God reveals "what shall be in the latter days" encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that all earthly kingdoms are temporary and God's kingdom is everlasting.
  4. Give God the Glory: Daniel's immediate response was to give glory to God, not to himself. This models a humble and God-centered approach to life and ministry, recognizing that any ability or insight we possess comes from Him.
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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

  • Genesis 40:8 (7 votes)

    And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and [there is] no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, [Do] not interpretations [belong] to God? tell me [them], I pray you.

  • Amos 4:13 (6 votes)

    For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what [is] his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, [is] his name.

  • Daniel 10:14 (6 votes)

    Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days.

  • Genesis 49:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you [that] which shall befall you in the last days.

  • Daniel 2:22 (5 votes)

    He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what [is] in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

  • Genesis 41:16 (4 votes)

    And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

  • Isaiah 2:2 (4 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.