Daniel 2:46

KJV

¶ Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} the king {H4430} Nebuchadnezzar {H5020} fell {H5308} upon {H5922} his face {H600}, and worshipped {H5457} Daniel {H1841}, and commanded {H560} that they should offer {H5260} an oblation {H4504} and sweet odours {H5208} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then King N'vukhadnetzar fell on his face and worshipped Dani'el; he ordered that a grain offering and incense be offered to him.

Berean Standard Bible

At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering of incense be presented to him.

American Standard Version

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odors unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:46 marks the dramatic climax of King Nebuchadnezzar's encounter with divine revelation through Daniel. After Daniel successfully interpreted the king's forgotten dream, Nebuchadnezzar, overwhelmed by the undeniable power and wisdom displayed, prostrates himself before Daniel, acknowledging a divine authority far superior to his own. This act of profound homage is accompanied by a command to offer traditional tributes of worship, signifying the pagan monarch's astonishing recognition of the God of Israel working through His humble servant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:46 immediately follows Daniel's miraculous interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which none of Babylon's wise men could recall or explain. The preceding verses detail the king's decree to execute all wise men for their failure, Daniel's intercession and prayer for divine wisdom, and God's revelation of the dream and its meaning to Daniel in a night vision ([Daniel 2:19](/daniel/2-19 "Daniel 2:19 - God Reveals Secrets to Daniel")). Daniel then stands before the king, explicitly disclaiming personal wisdom and attributing all credit to "a God in heaven that revealeth secrets" ([Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28 - God Reveals Secrets")). The dream itself, describing a colossal statue representing successive earthly kingdoms culminating in an eternal kingdom established by God ([Daniel 2:44-45](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44-45 - God's Eternal Kingdom")), profoundly impacts the king, leading directly to his extraordinary reaction in verse 46.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful monarch of his time, ruling the vast Neo-Babylonian Empire. Kings in the ancient Near East were often considered divine or divinely appointed, and absolute power rested in their hands. Prostration (falling on one's face) was a common gesture of profound respect, submission, or worship, frequently performed before deities or powerful rulers. The command to offer "oblation and sweet odours" reflects customary practices of tribute and religious veneration. Oblations (often grain offerings) and sweet odours (incense) were integral parts of religious ceremonies in pagan cultures, offered to gods or to those perceived as having divine favor or power. Nebuchadnezzar's actions, therefore, are not merely a sign of respect for Daniel as a person, but a recognition of the extraordinary divine power he witnessed, expressed through the highest forms of reverence known in his culture.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes woven throughout the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Revelation**, demonstrating God's absolute control over human history and His unique ability to reveal hidden truths to His chosen servants ([Daniel 2:20-22](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-22 - God's Wisdom and Power")). Secondly, it showcases the **Humility of the Powerful**, as the proud and mighty King Nebuchadnezzar is brought to his knees, acknowledging a power far superior to his own. This act foreshadows his later, more explicit confessions of God's supremacy ([Daniel 2:47](/daniel/2-47 "Daniel 2:47 - Nebuchadnezzar's Confession") and [Daniel 4](/daniel/4 "Daniel 4 - Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation and Restoration")). Thirdly, it illustrates how **God Exalts His Servants**, as Daniel, a foreign captive, is elevated to a position of immense honor and authority by the very king who held his life in his hands ([Daniel 2:48](/daniel/2-48 "Daniel 2:48 - Daniel's Exaltation")). Finally, the nature of Nebuchadnezzar's "worship" of Daniel points to the theme of **Indirect Worship of God**, where the king's homage to Daniel is ultimately an acknowledgment of the God of Daniel, whose power and wisdom were undeniably manifest.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fell (Aramaic, _nᵉphal'_):** This Aramaic word (H5308) signifies to fall, to prostrate oneself, or to cast down. In this context, it describes Nebuchadnezzar's physical act of falling upon his face, a gesture of extreme deference, submission, or worship. It conveys the profound impact of Daniel's revelation, causing the most powerful man in the world to humble himself completely.
* **worshipped (Aramaic, _çᵉgid'_):** The Aramaic term (H5457) means to prostrate oneself in homage, to bow down, or to pay reverence. While it can denote religious worship, its broader usage includes showing profound respect or submission to a superior, whether human or divine. Here, it indicates Nebuchadnezzar's overwhelming awe and veneration, directed towards Daniel as the conduit of divine power, rather than towards Daniel as a god himself.
* **oblation (Aramaic, _minchâh'_):** This word (H4504) refers to a sacrificial offering, often a grain or meal offering. In the ancient Near East, such offerings were common tributes to deities or to individuals of immense status and perceived divine favor. The command to offer an oblation and "sweet odours" (H5208, _nîychôwach'_, meaning pleasure or sweet savour, typically from incense) underscores the king's perception of Daniel as divinely empowered, meriting the highest forms of respectful tribute and veneration available in his cultural context.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face":** This clause describes the immediate and dramatic physical reaction of the mighty Babylonian monarch. His prostration signifies utter humility, submission, and awe in the face of Daniel's divinely revealed wisdom. It is a powerful visual testament to the overwhelming impact of God's truth on even the most arrogant human authority.
* **"and worshipped Daniel":** This phrase indicates the profound reverence and homage paid by Nebuchadnezzar. While the term "worshipped" can imply religious adoration, in this context, it primarily conveys an act of extreme veneration and acknowledgment of Daniel as a divinely empowered agent. The king recognized that Daniel possessed a connection to a power far greater than any he had ever encountered, compelling him to offer the highest form of respect.
* **"and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him":** This final clause details the king's decree for formal tribute. Oblations (grain offerings) and sweet odours (incense) were customary offerings in ancient Near Eastern religious contexts, given to deities or individuals deemed to have divine favor. Nebuchadnezzar's command to provide these to Daniel further emphasizes his perception of Daniel as a conduit of divine power, worthy of the most sacred forms of honor and appeasement, reflecting his own pagan worldview attempting to process a monotheistic revelation.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:46 is rich in **Dramatic Irony** and **Symbolism**. The **Dramatic Irony** is profound: the most powerful king on earth, who had threatened to execute all his wise men, is now utterly humbled before a young, foreign captive. This reversal of power dynamics highlights the ultimate sovereignty of God over human rulers. The act of Nebuchadnezzar falling on his face is deeply **Symbolic** of submission and recognition of superior authority. It symbolizes the bowing of earthly power before divine power. The command to offer "oblation and sweet odours" is also **Symbolic**, representing the highest forms of reverence and tribute in the Babylonian culture, typically reserved for deities. This signifies the king's acknowledgment of a supernatural force at work through Daniel, even if his understanding of the true God was still nascent. The entire scene serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** of God's ultimate triumph over all earthly kingdoms, a central theme of Daniel's prophecy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:46 serves as a profound theological statement on the absolute sovereignty of God over all earthly powers and His unique ability to reveal His purposes. Nebuchadnezzar's prostration and offerings, though directed at Daniel, are ultimately an acknowledgment of the "God of heaven" whom Daniel proclaimed. This moment underscores that true wisdom and power originate from God alone, and He can use the most unexpected individuals—a captive prophet—to humble the proudest rulers and demonstrate His supremacy. It highlights God's faithfulness to His servants and His intention to make His name known among the nations, even through the conversion (or at least profound conviction) of pagan kings. The scene also prefigures the ultimate subjugation of all earthly authority to the divine will, a core message of Daniel's apocalyptic visions.

* [Daniel 2:47](/daniel/2-47 "Daniel 2:47 - Nebuchadnezzar's Praise of God")
* [Psalm 2:10-11](/psalms/2-10 "Psalm 2:10-11 - Kings Serve the Lord")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The astonishing scene in Daniel 2:46 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that no earthly power, no matter how great or seemingly invincible, is beyond the reach of God's sovereign hand. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was humbled, so too can God work in the hearts of those in authority, bringing them to acknowledge His truth, often through the humble witness of His faithful servants. For us, this means living courageously and faithfully, trusting that God can use our lives, even in challenging circumstances, to display His glory. We are called to embody humility, always redirecting praise and credit to God when He works through us, recognizing that any wisdom or success comes from Him. This verse encourages us to pray for our leaders and to be prepared to speak truth to power, knowing that God is ultimately in control and His kingdom will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Nebuchadnezzar's reaction challenge my understanding of God's power to influence even the most hardened or powerful individuals?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to take credit for God's work in my life, and how can I ensure I always point others to Him?**
* **What "kings" or powerful forces in my life or society do I need to see brought to their knees before the sovereignty of God?**
* **How can I, like Daniel, be a faithful witness to God's truth in my sphere of influence, even when it feels daunting?**

### FAQ
**Did King Nebuchadnezzar truly worship Daniel as a god?**

Answer: While the KJV uses "worshipped," it's crucial to understand this in its ancient Near Eastern cultural context. The Aramaic word `çᵉgid` (H5457) means to prostrate oneself in homage or reverence. While it can apply to divine worship, it also describes profound respect and submission to a superior, whether human or divine. Nebuchadnezzar was overwhelmed by the undeniable divine power and wisdom manifested through Daniel, which surpassed anything his own wise men or gods could offer. His actions—falling on his face and commanding offerings—were the highest forms of tribute and veneration known in his pagan culture, expressing his awe and acknowledgment of the God of Daniel, rather than seeing Daniel himself as a deity. This is further clarified by his subsequent declaration in [Daniel 2:47](/daniel/2-47 "Daniel 2:47 - Nebuchadnezzar's Confession"), where he explicitly praises Daniel's God.

**What was the significance of offering an "oblation and sweet odours" to Daniel?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, "oblation" (H4504, `minchâh`), typically a grain offering, and "sweet odours" (H5208, `nîychôwach`), often incense, were common elements of religious ceremonies and offerings to deities. By commanding these to be given to Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar was treating Daniel with the highest possible honor and reverence, usually reserved for gods or those clearly favored by the gods. It signified his profound belief that Daniel was a direct conduit for divine power and revelation, and he sought to appease or honor that power through Daniel. It was an expression of his pagan worldview attempting to comprehend and respond to the true God who had revealed Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:46, with King Nebuchadnezzar's dramatic prostration before Daniel, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and universal recognition of God's supreme authority, fully realized in Jesus Christ. Just as Nebuchadnezzar, the world's most powerful king, was compelled to acknowledge the divine wisdom revealed through Daniel, so too will every knee ultimately bow before the true King of kings, Jesus Christ. The dream Daniel interpreted spoke of an eternal kingdom established by God, a stone cut without human hands that would shatter all earthly kingdoms ([Daniel 2:44-45](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44-45 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). This "stone" is unequivocally fulfilled in Christ, whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) yet will ultimately encompass all things. The reverence shown to Daniel, the messenger of divine truth, pales in comparison to the worship due to Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom and the ultimate revelation of God Himself ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). Nebuchadnezzar's act of homage, born of awe at God's power, points forward to the day when "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Bows to Jesus")). Thus, Daniel 2:46 serves as a prophetic glimpse of the universal homage that will one day be paid to the Messiah, the true and eternal King.

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

Acts 10:25

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped [him].

Acts 14:13

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Ezra 6:10

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

Revelation 22:8

And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Revelation 19:10

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Leviticus 26:31

And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours.

Luke 17:16

And fell down on [his] face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.