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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Daniel 2:24–30. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
We have here the introduction to Daniel's declaring the dream, and the interpretation of it.
I.He immediately bespoke the reversing of the sentence against the wise men of Babylon, Dan 2:24.
He went with all speed to Arioch, to tell him that his commission was now superseded: Destroy not the wise men of Babylon. Though there were those of them perhaps that deserved to die, as magicians, by the law of God, yet here that which they stood condemned for was not a crime worth of death or of bonds, and therefore let them not die, and be unjustly destroyed, but let them live, and be justly shamed, as having been nonplussed and unable to do that which a prophet of the Lord could do. Note, Since God shows common kindness to the evil and good, we should do so too, and be ready to save the lives of even bad men, Mat 5:45. A good man is a common good. To Paul in the ship God gave the souls of all that sailed with him; they were saved for his sake. To Daniel was owing the preservation of all the wise men, who yet rendered not according to the benefit done to them, Dan 3:8.
II.He offered his service, with great assurance, to go to the king, and tell him his dream and the interpretation of it, and was admitted accordingly, Dan 2:24, Dan 2:25. Arioch brought him in haste to the king, hoping to ingratiate himself by introducing Daniel; he pretends he had sought him to interpret the king's dream, whereas really it was to execute upon him the king's sentence that he sought him. But courtiers' business is every way to humour the prince and make their own services acceptable.
III.He contrived as much as might be to reflect shame upon the magicians, and to give honour to God, upon this occasion.
The king owned that it was a bold undertaking, and questioned whether he could make it good (Dan 2:26): Art thou able to make known unto me the dream? What! Such a babe in this knowledge, such a stripling as thou are, wilt thou undertake that which thy seniors despair of doing? The less likely it appeared to the king that Daniel should do this the more God was glorified in enabling him to do it. Note, In transmitting divine revelation to the children of men it has been God's usual way to make use of the weak and foolish things and persons of the world, and such as were despised and despaired of, to confound the wise and mighty, that the excellency of the power might be of him, Co1 1:27, Co1 1:28. Daniel from this takes occasion,
1.To put the king out of conceit with his magicians and soothsayers, whom he had such great expectations from (Dan 2:27): "This secret they cannot show to the king; it is out of their power; the rules of their art will not reach to it. Therefore let not the king be angry with them for not doing that which they cannot do; but rather despise them, and cast them off, because they cannot do it." Broughton reads it generally: "This secret no sages, astrologers, enchanters, or entrail-cookers, can show unto the king; let not the king therefore consult them any more." Note, The experience we have of the inability of all creatures to give us satisfaction should lessen our esteem of them, and lower our expectations from them. They are baffled in their pretensions; we are baffled in our hopes from them. Hitherto they come, and no further; let us therefore say to them, as Job to his friends, Now you are nothing; miserable comforters are you all.
2.To bring him to the knowledge of the one only living and true God, the God whom Daniel worshipped: "Though they cannot find out the secret, let not the king despair of having it found out, for there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets," Dan 2:28. Note, The insufficiency of creatures should drive us to the all-sufficiency of the Creator. There is a God in heaven (and it is well for us there is) who can do that for us, and make known that to us, which none on earth can, particularly the secret history of the work of redemption and the secret designs of God's love to us therein, the mystery which was hidden from ages and generations; divine revelation helps us out where human reason leaves us quite at a loss, and makes known that, not only to kings, but to the poor of this world, which none of the philosophers or politicians of the heathens, with all their oracles and arts of divination to help them, could ever pretend to give us any light into, Rom 16:25, Rom 16:26.
IV.He confirmed the king in his opinion that the dream he was thus solicitous to recover the idea of was really well worth enquiring after, that it was of great value and of vast consequence, not a common dream, the idle disport of a ludicrous and luxuriant fancy, which was not worth remembering or telling again, but that it was a divine discovery, a ray of light darted into his mind from the upper world, relating to the great affairs and revolutions of this lower world. God in it made known to the king what should be in the latter days (Dan 2:28), that is, in the times that were to come, reaching as far as the setting up of Christ's kingdom in the world, which was to be in the latter days, Heb 1:1. And again (Dan 2:29): "The thoughts which came into thy mind were not the repetitions of what had been before, as our dreams usually are" -
Omnia quae sensu volvuntur vota diurno
Tempore sopito reddit amica quies -
The sentiments which we indulge throughout the day
often mingle with the grateful slumbers of the night.
- Claudian
"But they were predictions of what should come to pass hereafter, which he that reveals secrets makes known unto thee; and therefore thou art in the right in taking the hint and pursuing it thus." Note, Things that are to come to pass hereafter are secret things, which God only can reveal; and what he has revealed of those things, especially with reference to the last days of all, to the end of time, ought to be very seriously and diligently enquired into and considered by every one of us. Some think that the thoughts which are said to have come into the king's mind upon his bed, what should come to pass hereafter, were his own thoughts when he was awake. Just before he fell asleep, and dreamed this dream, he was musing in his own mind what would be the issue of his growing greatness, what his kingdom would hereafter come to; and so the dream was an answer to those thoughts. What discoveries God intends to make he thus prepares men for.
V.He solemnly professes that he could not pretend to have merited from God the favour of this discovery, or to have obtained it by any sagacity of his own (Dan 2:30): "But, as for me, this secret is not found out by me, but is revealed to me, and that not for any wisdom that I have more than any living, to qualify me for the receiving of such a discovery." Note, It well becomes those whom God has highly favoured and honoured to be very humble and low in their own eyes, to lay aside all opinion of their own wisdom and worthiness, that God alone may have all the praise of the good they are, and have, and do, and that all may be attributed to the freeness of his good-will towards them and the fulness of his good work in them. The secret was made known to him not for his own sake, but,
1.For the sake of his people, for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, that is, for the sake of his brethren and companions in tribulation, who had by their prayers helped him to obtain this discovery, and so might be said to make known the interpretation - that their lives might be spared, that they might come into favour and be preferred, and all the people of the Jews might fare the better, in their captivity, for their sakes. Note, Humble men will be always ready to think that what God does for them and by them is more for the sake of others than for their own.
2.For the sake of his prince; and some read the former clause in this sense, "Not for any wisdom of mine, but that the king may know the interpretation, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart, that thou mightest have satisfaction given thee as to what thou wast before considering, and thereby instruction given thee how to behave towards the church of God." God revealed this thing to Daniel that he might make it known to the king. Prophets receive that they may give, that the discoveries made to them may not be lodged with themselves, but communicated to the persons that are concerned.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Let us not then be looking open-mouthed toward others. For it is true, the prayers of the saints have the greatest power, on condition, however, of our repentance and change. Since even Moses, who had rescued his own brother and six hundred thousand men from the wrath that was then coming on them from God, had no power to deliver his sister. … And Samuel was not able to save Saul from the wrath from above, yet he oftentimes preserved the Israelites.… And Daniel saved the barbarians from slaughter, but he did not deliver the Jews from their captivity.… So on the one hand, if we are careless, we shall not be able to obtain salvation, no, not even by the help of others; if, on the other hand, we are watchful, we shall be able to do this by ourselves, and by ourselves rather than by others. Yes, for God is more willing to give his grace to us than to others for us, that we, by our zeal to avoid his wrath, may both enjoy a deep trust in him and become better people.
For nothing is so advantageous and so likely to pacify the hearers as to say nothing about one’s self of an honorable nature, but on the contrary, to forestall all suspicion of wishing to do so. And, in truth, much more did they [the apostles] increase their glory by despising glory and showing that what had just taken place was not a human act but a divine work; and that it was their part to join with the beholders in admiration rather than to receive it from them.… In the same manner also did the ancient fathers, for instance, Daniel, say, “Not because of any wisdom I have more than all the living has this mystery been revealed to me.” … And again Joseph, “Do not interpretations belong to God?”
Verse 30. "Moreover this holy secret has not been revealed to me in virtue of any wisdom which inheres in me more than in all living men, but rather that the interpretation might be manifested to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thine own mind." The king had imagined that cleverness of the human intellect could embrace a knowledge of the future, and for that reason he had ordered the wise men of Babylon to be slain. Daniel therefore makes excuse for those who were unable to speak, and himself avoids the envy of others, lest any should imagine that he had said any of the things he was going to say by virtue of his personal wisdom. But the cause of the prophetic revelation was the earnest desire of the king, who wished to know the future. Consequently he does honor to the king, because he states that it was for the sake of the king's knowledge that the secrets have been revealed by God. And this fact should be pondered, that dreams in which any coming events are signified and in which truth is shown forth, as it were, through a cloud, are not manifest to the conjectures or dominion of the human mind but to the knowledge of God alone.
The one who interprets what another has seen is more a prophet than the one who had seen.… Less a prophet is he who … sees in spirit only the signs of the things signified, and a greater prophet is he who is granted only an understanding of images. But the greatest prophet is he who is endowed with both gifts, namely, that of seeing in spirit the symbolic likeness of corporeal objects and that of understanding them with the vital power of the mind. Such a one was Daniel. His preeminence was tested and established when he not only told the dream he had had but also explained the meaning of it. For the corporeal images themselves were produced in his spirit, and an understanding of them was revealed in his mind. I am using the word spirit, therefore, in the sense in which Paul uses it, where he distinguishes it from the mind: "I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also." Here he implies that signs of things are formed in the spirit and that an understanding of the signs shines forth in the mind.
“To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be hereafter, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.” And a little later, “You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image.” … Daniel, therefore, in reverently indicating that the dream was to be fulfilled and in telling from what thoughts it arose, shows clearly that dreams often rise from our thoughts and from revelation. Seeing, then, that dreams may arise from such a variety of causes, one ought to be very reluctant to put one’s faith in them, since it is hard to tell from what source they come.… If the mind is not on its guard against these, it will be entangled in countless vanities by the master of deceit, who is clever enough to foretell many things that are true in order finally to capture the soul by but one falsehood. This happened recently to one of our people who believed strongly in dreams. In one of them he was promised a long life. After collecting a large sum of money to last him for many years, he died suddenly, leaving all of his wealth behind untouched, without having so much as a single good work to take with him.
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Summary
Daniel 2:30 encapsulates Daniel's profound humility and theological clarity before King Nebuchadnezzar, as he unequivocally disclaims any personal superior wisdom for his ability to interpret the king's forgotten dream. Instead, Daniel attributes the revelation solely to God's divine purpose, emphasizing that this sacred secret was unveiled not for his own glorification, but specifically so that the interpretation might be made known to the king, enabling Nebuchadnezzar to comprehend the very thoughts and intentions of his own heart. This declaration magnifies God's absolute sovereignty over human affairs, history, and the innermost being.
Context
Literary Context
Daniel 2:30 is strategically positioned as Daniel's opening statement to King Nebuchadnezzar, immediately before he reveals the dream and its interpretation. This verse follows a dramatic sequence where the king, troubled by a forgotten dream, threatens to execute all his wise men, including Daniel and his companions, for their inability to reveal and interpret it. Daniel, after a period of fervent prayer with his friends (as detailed in Daniel 2:17-18), receives the mystery in a night vision (Daniel 2:19). His subsequent prayer of thanksgiving (found in Daniel 2:20-23) sets the tone for his encounter with the king. Daniel 2:30 thus serves as a crucial theological preamble, establishing that the forthcoming revelation is not a product of human ingenuity but a direct divine disclosure, thereby setting a God-centered framework for the entire prophetic message that follows.
Historical & Cultural Context
The setting of Daniel 2 is the opulent and powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 605-562 BC), a period marked by significant political and cultural dominance in the ancient Near East. Babylon was renowned for its advanced knowledge in astrology, divination, and various forms of occult wisdom, practiced by the king's extensive retinue of "wise men," magicians, enchanters, and Chaldeans (Daniel 2:2). In this polytheistic environment, where kings often held semi-divine status and dreams were considered vital omens, Daniel, a Jewish exile and monotheist, stood in stark contrast. His refusal to engage in pagan divinatory practices and his direct appeal to the "God of heaven" (as he states in Daniel 2:18) would have been a radical departure from the norm. Daniel 2:30, therefore, is not merely a statement of personal humility but a profound theological declaration challenging the prevailing worldview, asserting the unique supremacy and active involvement of the God of Israel in human affairs, even in the heart of a pagan empire.
Key Themes
Daniel 2:30 powerfully contributes to several foundational themes woven throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Revelation vs. Human Wisdom. Daniel explicitly differentiates his source of knowledge from that of the Babylonian wise men, highlighting that true understanding of God's mysteries comes exclusively through His direct revelation, not human intellect or occult practices (a concept echoed in 1 Corinthians 2:10-14). Secondly, the verse emphasizes God's Absolute Sovereignty. The "secret" is not revealed due to Daniel's inherent capabilities, but because God sovereignly wills it for His own purposes, demonstrating His ultimate control over world empires and the hearts of rulers—a central motif throughout the book (e.g., Daniel 4:17). Thirdly, it exemplifies Humility in God's Service. Daniel's immediate disclaimer of personal wisdom sets a crucial precedent for how God's servants should operate: as humble vessels through whom divine truth is communicated, deflecting all glory to God. This humility stands in stark contrast to the pride often associated with worldly power and wisdom, a theme dramatically illustrated in the downfall of proud kings like Nebuchadnezzar himself in Daniel 4).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H7328) denotes a mystery or something hidden, particularly a truth that is beyond human discovery or comprehension, often implying a divine origin. In this context, it highlights that Nebuchadnezzar's dream and its interpretation were not accessible through human intellect, Babylonian divination, or any earthly means. Daniel's possession of this "secret" therefore points directly to a supernatural source, emphasizing the unique nature of God's revelation.
This Aramaic verb means "to denude," "uncover," or "reveal," signifying the act of making known something that was previously concealed. Daniel's use of the passive voice ("is not revealed to me") is crucial; it underscores that he is merely the humble recipient of a divine disclosure, not the active agent of discovery or a possessor of inherent mystical power. This choice of language reinforces his humility and God's initiative in unveiling the truth.
Corresponding to H2452, this word refers to practical skill, insight, or understanding. Daniel's explicit denial of "any wisdom that I have more than any living" directly refutes the common assumption that his ability stemmed from superior human intellect, training, or magical prowess. By disclaiming personal wisdom, Daniel redirects all credit and glory for the revelation to God, who is presented as the ultimate and sole source of true, divine insight.
Verse Breakdown
"But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for [any] wisdom that I have more than any living"
Daniel immediately establishes a posture of profound humility and theological clarity. He distinguishes himself from the Babylonian wise men, not by claiming superior personal intellect or skill, but by emphatically denying that the revelation came through any inherent wisdom of his own. He states that he is no more inherently wise than anyone else alive, thus preempting any notion of personal boasting or self-aggrandizement. This crucial opening sets the stage for God alone to receive all the glory for the forthcoming revelation.
"but for [their] sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king"
This clause clarifies the primary, immediate purpose of the divine revelation. The "secret" was unveiled not for Daniel's personal benefit, fame, or political advancement, but for the specific purpose of communicating God's truth to King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel perceives himself as a mere conduit, a chosen instrument through whom God's message would be conveyed, a message designed to impact the king and, by extension, the course of world history.
"and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart."
This final phrase reveals a deeper, more personal, and ultimately spiritual purpose behind God's revelation. Beyond merely providing information about the future, God intended for the dream and its interpretation to penetrate Nebuchadnezzar's inner being. It was designed to expose and illuminate the king's deepest concerns, anxieties, and perhaps even his subconscious aspirations, demonstrating God's intimate knowledge of human psychology and His ability to speak directly to the core of a person's being. This highlights God's sovereign involvement not only in global affairs but also in the individual human heart.
Literary Devices
Daniel 2:30 employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its theological impact. Apostrophe is subtly present as Daniel directly addresses the king ("thou mightest know"), creating an intimate and direct tone for his humble yet profound declaration. The verse is a profound example of Antithesis, sharply contrasting Daniel's explicit denial of inherent superior wisdom ("not...for any wisdom that I have more than any living") with the divine purpose for the revelation ("but for their sakes that shall make known...and that thou mightest know"). This stark opposition powerfully highlights the true source of wisdom and authority. Furthermore, the phrase "thoughts of thy heart" is a form of Metonymy, where "heart" stands for the totality of one's inner being, encompassing thoughts, intentions, emotions, and the very essence of one's person. This emphasizes the deep, personal nature of God's revelation, designed to penetrate beyond surface-level understanding to address the king's innermost self.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Daniel 2:30 profoundly illustrates the principle that true wisdom and understanding of divine mysteries originate solely from God, not from human intellect or effort. Daniel's humility serves as a powerful model, emphasizing that God often chooses to work through humble instruments to accomplish His grand purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. This passage underscores God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereign control over nations and His intimate knowledge of individual hearts, revealing His purposes to those He chooses. The revelation of the "secret" is not an end in itself, but a means for God to communicate His truth, validate His servant, and confront the human heart with divine reality, ultimately for His glory and the benefit of humanity.
Reflection and Application
Daniel's declaration in Daniel 2:30 offers a timeless and crucial lesson for believers navigating a world that often values self-promotion, intellectual prowess, and human achievement above all else. It calls us to cultivate a profound and genuine sense of humility, recognizing that any wisdom, insight, or gifting we possess is not inherent to us, but a gracious endowment from God, a stewardship for His purposes. When God chooses to use us to accomplish His will, whether in ministry, professional life, or personal witness, our primary response should be to deflect all praise and glory back to Him, just as Daniel did before the most powerful king of his time. This posture of humility protects us from the insidious grip of pride and ensures that God's power and wisdom, not our own perceived abilities, are magnified. Furthermore, this passage reminds us that God's revelations, whether through His written Word or specific guidance, are not merely for intellectual consumption but are designed to penetrate our hearts, expose our inner thoughts, and align our lives with His perfect will. We are called to be faithful conduits of His truth, not its originators, always seeking to make His interpretation known to a world in desperate need of His divine perspective and transformative power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was it so important for Daniel to emphasize that the secret was not revealed by his own wisdom?
It was critically important for Daniel to emphasize that the secret was not revealed by his own wisdom for several profound and interconnected reasons. Firstly, it served to distinguish the God of Israel from the pagan deities and occult practices of Babylon. The king's own wise men, who relied on human wisdom, astrology, and divination, had utterly failed to reveal the dream or its interpretation (as seen in Daniel 2:10-11). By explicitly disclaiming personal wisdom, Daniel highlighted that his ability came from a unique, supernatural, and infinitely superior source—the "God of heaven" (as he calls Him in Daniel 2:18). Secondly, this declaration ensured that all glory and credit would be directed to God alone. In a court where human power and wisdom were highly esteemed, Daniel's humility prevented any misattribution of divine power to himself or any human source. This act magnified God's absolute sovereignty and wisdom before a powerful pagan monarch and his court. Thirdly, it protected Daniel from the sin of pride and set a crucial precedent for all who serve God, reminding them that they are merely vessels for divine truth, not the originators of it. This humility also likely made Nebuchadnezzar more receptive to the message, as it was clearly not a self-serving act on Daniel's part, but a genuine testimony to a higher power.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Daniel 2:30, with its profound emphasis on divine revelation through a humble servant, finds its ultimate and most complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Daniel, as a mere conduit for God's "secret" and interpreter of a divine mystery, profoundly foreshadows Christ, who is not just a recipient of revelation but the very fullness of divine revelation itself. While Daniel received a specific mystery concerning earthly kingdoms, Jesus is the mystery of God revealed to humanity, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (as stated in Colossians 2:2-3). He is not merely a possessor of wisdom, but the very incarnation of God's wisdom and power (as articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:24). Just as the secret was revealed to Daniel "for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king," so too was Christ sent not for His own glory, but to perfectly reveal the Father and His redemptive will to humanity (as He states in John 14:9). The purpose for Nebuchadnezzar to "know the thoughts of thy heart" through the dream finds its ultimate expression in Christ, who perfectly knows the human heart (as seen in John 2:24-25) and whose gospel penetrates to the deepest parts of our being, revealing our sin, our need for salvation, and God's boundless grace. Thus, Daniel's humble declaration points forward to the supreme humility of Christ, who, though eternally God, "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" (as described in Philippians 2:5-8), becoming the ultimate revealer of God's heart and redemptive plan for all humanity.