Daniel 2:46

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

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.

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

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

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

Daniel 2:46 captures a pivotal moment following Daniel's miraculous interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream. This verse highlights the profound impact of divine revelation on a powerful pagan monarch.

Context

After all the wise men of Babylon, including the astrologers, enchanters, and sorcerers, failed to tell King Nebuchadnezzar his dream and its meaning, the king issued a decree for their execution. Daniel, a Hebrew captive, sought and received divine understanding of the dream through prayer (Daniel 2:19). He then stood before the king, attributing all wisdom not to himself, but to the "God in heaven that revealeth secrets" (Daniel 2:28). The dream itself depicted a great image representing successive earthly kingdoms, ultimately to be replaced by an eternal kingdom established by God (Daniel 2:44-45).

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation and Sovereignty: The verse underscores God's absolute control over human affairs and His unique ability to reveal hidden truths. Nebuchadnezzar's reaction is a direct testament to the overwhelming evidence of God's power working through Daniel.
  • Humility of the Powerful: Despite his immense power and pride, King Nebuchadnezzar is brought to his knees in awe. This dramatic act of prostration demonstrates his recognition of a power far superior to his own, manifested through Daniel.
  • Indirect Worship of God: While Nebuchadnezzar "worshipped Daniel," it's crucial to understand this as an act of profound homage and reverence for the divine wisdom and power that Daniel clearly possessed. It was an acknowledgment of the God of Daniel, rather than Daniel himself as a deity. This paves the way for Nebuchadnezzar's later, more explicit declarations of God's greatness (Daniel 2:47).
  • God Exalts His Servants: Daniel, a foreign captive, is elevated to a position of great honor and authority by the very king who once held his life in the balance. This illustrates how God honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

Linguistic Insights

The Aramaic word for "worshipped" is səḡiḏ (סְגִד), which means to bow down, prostrate oneself, or pay homage. While it can certainly imply religious worship, in this context, it carries the strong connotation of profound respect and veneration for someone perceived to be an agent of divine power. It's similar to how one might bow before a king, but here, it's heightened by the miraculous circumstances. The "oblation" (minḥâ - מִנְחָה) and "sweet odours" (rêḥîn bŭśmîn - רֵיחִין בֻּסְמִין) were customary offerings of tribute and honor, often associated with religious ceremonies, further emphasizing the king's perception of Daniel as divinely favored or empowered.

Practical Application

Daniel 2:46 reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their societal status or background, to display His glory and wisdom. For believers, it encourages humility, always pointing credit back to God when successes or insights are granted. It also provides comfort that even the most powerful earthly authorities are ultimately subject to the supreme sovereignty of God. Our lives, when lived in obedience to God, can be powerful testimonies that lead others, even those in authority, to acknowledge Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
Daniel: A Man of Uncompromising Integrity Daniel in the Court of Nebuchadnezzar An Introduction to Daniel: God's Sovereignty Over History Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Statue Lessons in Integrity from the Life of Daniel

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.
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