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Commentary on Daniel 2 verses 46–49
One might have expected that when Nebuchadnezzar was contriving to make his own kingdom everlasting he would be enraged at Daniel, who foretold the fall of it and that another kingdom of another nature should be the everlasting kingdom; but, instead of resenting it as an affront, he received it as an oracle, and here we are told what the expressions were of the impressions it made upon him. 1. He was ready to look upon Daniel as a little god. Though he saw him to be a man, yet from this wonderful discovery which he had made both of his secret thoughts, in telling him the dream, and of things to come, in telling him the interpretation of it, he concluded that he had certainly a divinity lodged in him, worthy his adoration; and therefore he fell upon his face and worshipped Daniel, Dan 2:46. It was the custom of the country by prostration to give honour to kings, because they have something of a divine power in them (I have said, You are gods); and therefore this king, who had often received such veneration from others, now paid the like to Daniel, whom he supposed to have in him a divine knowledge, which he was so struck with an admiration of that he could not contain himself, but forgot both that Daniel was a man and that himself was a king. Thus did God magnify divine revelation and make it honourable, extorting from a proud potentate such a veneration but for one glimpse of it. He worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation to him, and burn incense. Herein he cannot be justified, but may in some measure be excused, when Cornelius was thus ready to worship Peter, and John the angel, who both knew better. But, though it is not here mentioned, yet we have reason to think that Daniel refused these honours that he paid him, and said, as Peter to Cornelius, Stand up, I myself also am a man, or, as the angel to St. John, See thou do it not; for it is not said that the oblation was offered unto him, though the king commanded it, or rather said it, for so the word is. He said, in his haste, Let an oblation be offered to him. And that Daniel did say something to him which turned his eyes and thoughts another way is intimated in what follows (Dan 2:47), The king answered Daniel. Note, It is possible for those to express a great honour for the ministers of God's word who yet have no true love for the word. Herod feared John, and heard him gladly, and yet went on in his sins, Mar 6:20. 2. He readily acknowledged the God of Daniel to be the great God, the true God, the only living and true God. If Daniel will not suffer himself to be worshipped, he will (as Daniel, it is likely, directed him) worship God, by confessing (Dan 2:47), Of a truth your God is a God of gods, such a God as there is no other, above all gods in dignity, over all gods in dominion. He is a Lord of kings, from whom they derive their power and to whom they are accountable; and he is both a discoverer and a revealer of secrets; what is most secret he sees and can reveal, and what he has revealed is what was secret and which none but himself could reveal, Co1 2:10. 3. He preferred Daniel, made him a great man, Dan 2:48. God made him a great man indeed when he took him into communion with himself, a greater man than Nebuchadnezzar could make him; but, because God had magnified him, therefore the king magnified him. Does wealth make men great? The king gave him many great gifts; and he had no reason to refuse them, when they all put him into so much the greater capacity of doing good to his brethren in captivity. These gifts were grateful returns for the good services he had done, and not aimed at, nor bargained for, by him, as the rewards of divination were by Balaam. Does power make a man great? He made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, which no doubt had great influence upon the other provinces; he made him likewise chancellor of the university, chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon, to instruct those whom he had thus outdone; and, since they could not do what the king would have them do, they shall be obliged to do what Daniel would have them do. Thus it is fit that the fool should be servant to the wise in heart. Seeing Daniel could reveal this secret (Dan 2:47), the king thus advanced him. Note, It is the wisdom of princes to advance and employ those who receive divine revelation, and are much conversant with it, who, as Daniel here, show themselves to be well acquainted with the kingdom of heaven. Joseph, like Daniel here, was advanced in the court of the king of Egypt for his interpreting his dreams; and he called him Zaphnath-paaneah - a revealer of secrets, as the king of Babylon here calls Daniel; so that the preambles to their patents of honour are the same - for, and in consideration of, their good services done to the crown in revealing secrets. 4. He preferred his companions for his sake, and upon his special instance and request, Dan 2:49. Daniel himself sat in the gate of the king, as president of the council, chief-justice, or prime-minister of state, or perhaps chamberlain of the household; but he used his interest for his friends as became a good man, and procured places in the government for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Those that helped him with their prayers shall share with him in his honours, such a grateful sense had he even of that service. The preferring of them would be a great stay and help to Daniel in his place and business. And these pious Jews, being thus preferred in Babylon, had great opportunity of serving their brethren in captivity, and of doing them many good offices, which no doubt they were ready to do. Thus, sometimes, before God brings his people into trouble, he prepares it, that it may be easy to them.
"Then the king made Daniel a great man." For as he had humbled himself, and presented himself as the least among all men, God made him great, and the king established him as ruler over the whole land of Babylon. Just as also Pharaoh did to Joseph, appointing him then to be ruler over the whole laud of Egypt.
Verse 48. "Then the king elevated Daniel to a high position, and gave him many great gifts and set him up as governor over all the provinces of Babylon..." In this matter also the slanderous critic of the Church has ventured to castigate the prophet because he did not reject the gifts and because he willingly accepted honor of the Babylonians. He fails to consider the fact that it was for this very purpose that the king had beheld the dream and that the secrets of its interpretation were revealed by a mere lad, that Daniel might increase in importance and that in the place of captivity he might become ruler over all the Chaldeans, to the end that the omnipotence of God might be made known. We read that this same thing happened in the case of Joseph at the court of Pharaoh and in Egypt (Genesis 41:38-43), and also in the case of Mordecai at the court of Ahasuerus (Esther 8:1-2). The purpose was that the Jews, as captives and sojourners in each of these nations, might receive encouragement as they beheld men of their own nation constituted as governors over the Egyptians or the Chaldeans, as the case might be.
This is itself divine guidance. It is most fitting that the subjects benefit from the piety of the ruler: so also at one point God had done the same with Joseph.… He sent a man before them; Joseph was sold as a slave.
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SUMMARY
Daniel 2:48 records the profound and immediate exaltation of Daniel by King Nebuchadnezzar, following Daniel's divinely inspired interpretation of the king's forgotten dream. This pivotal verse marks Daniel's dramatic transition from a captive Judean exile to a man of immense power and influence within the Babylonian Empire, being made a great man, receiving lavish gifts, and appointed ruler over the entire province of Babylon, as well as chief over all the wise men of the kingdom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to emphasize the dramatic and divinely orchestrated shift in Daniel's fortunes. Juxtaposition is prominently featured, starkly contrasting Daniel's former status as a captive and a member of a conquered people with his new, unprecedented position as a powerful ruler and chief over the very intellectual elite of the conquering empire. This highlights the unexpected and divinely orchestrated nature of his elevation, defying all human expectations. The use of hyperbole or exaggeration in phrases like "many great gifts," "whole province of Babylon," and "chief of the governors over all the wise [men]" underscores the extraordinary magnitude and comprehensiveness of Daniel's promotion, emphasizing the king's overwhelming gratitude and the vastness of Daniel's newly bestowed authority. Furthermore, there is a strong sense of irony in Daniel, a foreign exile from a conquered nation, being placed in charge of the indigenous intellectual and spiritual elite of the conquering empire. This profound reversal of roles powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand at work, overturning human hierarchies and demonstrating His ability to elevate the humble and confound the wise of the world.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel's dramatic elevation in Daniel 2:48 serves as a profound theological statement about God's sovereignty, His faithfulness to His servants, and the undeniable superiority of divine wisdom over all human knowledge and occult practices. God demonstrates His absolute power to raise up individuals from obscurity to positions of great influence, not through human machinations or worldly power plays, but through divine revelation, humble obedience, and unwavering integrity. This event underscores that true authority, lasting success, and genuine wisdom come from God alone, who orchestrates the affairs of nations and individuals to accomplish His righteous purposes. Daniel's experience is a powerful testament to the truth that when we honor God by faithfully serving Him and attributing all glory to Him, He honors us, often in ways far beyond our imagination or perceived merit, using us as instruments for His glory in the world.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel's story in this verse offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers today, particularly in navigating complex and often secular environments. It reminds us that our true worth and potential for influence are not determined by our circumstances, social standing, or worldly achievements, but by our unwavering relationship with God and our willingness to be faithful to Him, even when it is difficult or unpopular. When we prioritize seeking God's wisdom, humbly acknowledge His sovereignty, and faithfully use the gifts and opportunities He provides for His glory, He can open doors and grant us influence in unexpected places, even in environments that may seem hostile, unspiritual, or overtly secular. Daniel's example challenges us to trust God's timing and methods, understanding that His ways are higher than our ways, and He can elevate us to impact our spheres of influence for His kingdom, demonstrating His truth, power, and character to a watching world that desperately needs to see it. It encourages us to live with integrity and courage, knowing that God can use us to bring light into darkness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did King Nebuchadnezzar elevate Daniel so dramatically?
Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar was utterly astonished and deeply impressed by Daniel's unique ability to not only reveal the forgotten dream but also provide its accurate and profound interpretation. No other wise man in his kingdom, with all their accumulated knowledge and magical arts, could accomplish this feat. The king recognized that Daniel's insight came from a divine source, leading him to acknowledge Daniel's God as "a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets" (Daniel 2:47). This profound and public recognition of God's supreme power, demonstrated through Daniel, compelled the king to bestow such immense honor, authority, and lavish gifts upon him, solidifying Daniel's indispensable position within the empire.
Does this mean Daniel became a pagan leader or compromised his faith by serving in Babylon?
Answer: No, Daniel did not become a pagan leader or compromise his faith. While he served in a pagan court and held high office within the Babylonian Empire, the book of Daniel consistently shows his unwavering devotion to the one true God. His position allowed him to bear witness to God's power, truth, and sovereignty within a pagan system, influencing the most powerful ruler of his time and later kings. Subsequent chapters, such as Daniel 6, clearly demonstrate his continued faithfulness, even when it meant risking his life and defying royal decrees. His service was a testament to God's ability to use His servants as agents of light and truth even in challenging, non-ideal, and idolatrous environments, without requiring them to abandon their convictions.
What was the significance of Daniel becoming "chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon"?
Answer: This appointment was profoundly significant on multiple levels. It symbolized the ultimate triumph of divine wisdom over human and occult knowledge. The "wise men of Babylon" represented the pinnacle of their culture's intellectual, spiritual, and magical understanding, yet they failed completely and faced execution where Daniel, through God's direct revelation, succeeded. By placing Daniel in charge of them, Nebuchadnezzar effectively declared the superiority of Daniel's God and His wisdom over all the gods and wisdom of Babylon. It was a public vindication of God's truth, a profound humbling of the proud, self-proclaimed wise, and a clear demonstration that true insight and power come from the God of Israel alone, not from human ingenuity or pagan practices.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel's dramatic elevation from captive to ruler in Babylon, marked by the king's recognition of his divine wisdom and the bestowal of vast authority, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate exaltation of Jesus Christ. Daniel, an exile who faithfully served God and revealed divine truth, became a channel through whom the most powerful earthly king acknowledged the supreme God. This points profoundly to Christ, who, though He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7), was ultimately "highly exalted and given the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Daniel's God-given wisdom, which surpassed all human wisdom and confounded the wise of Babylon, anticipates Christ, who is Himself the wisdom of God and "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Just as Daniel was made ruler over a vast province and chief over the wise men, Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and He reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, far above all earthly powers, principalities, and human wisdom, fulfilling the prophetic pattern of God's humble servants being exalted to positions of ultimate dominion and glory.