Daniel Chapter 2

Verse 1

In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign – There is a seeming contradiction between this statement and Chapter 1 that has caused some to question the accuracy of the book of Daniel. Chapter 1 tells us that Daniel received three years of training (1:5) before beginning his service to the king. But Chapter 2 takes place in the second year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, and the story ends with Daniel appointed as the ruler of Babylon (2:48). How could Daniel be appointed ruler of Babylon in the second year of King Nebuchadnezzar if he had not yet completed his three years of training?

Archaeology and a study of ancient history have cleared up this apparent contradiction. Nebuchadnezzar became the king of Babylon at the death of his father Nabopolassar in 605 BC, the same year in which Daniel was taken captive. However, according to the custom of the time they did not begin to count the first year of his reign until the beginning of the next year. The year in which he took the throne was called his “accession year,” and it was not counted toward his reign. So Nebuchadnezzar’s second year as king was actually the last year of Daniel’s training (they also used inclusive reckoning), which clears up this seeming contradiction. This story in Daniel 2 appears to have taken place about the time Daniel’s training ended, probably not long after his interview with King Nebuchadnezzar described in Daniel 1:19.

Nebuchadnezzar had dreams – One night King Nebuchadnezzar fell asleep while worrying about the future (vs. 29). History tells us his army had recently suffered a setback at Askelon during a military campaign, and this may explain his troubled state of mind. While sleeping, he had a dream that made such an impression upon his mind that he awoke. After awakening, he recalled that he had had a dream, but he couldn’t remember the dream.

And his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him - In Nebuchadnezzar’s time, a king’s dreams were considered to be messages from the gods, containing signs or omens regarding the future. And so, when Nebuchadnezzar couldn’t remember his dream, this troubled him so much that further sleep was impossible.

Verses 2, 3

Although at this point it was probably still the middle of the night, Nebuchadnezzar was so troubled that he immediately summoned his wise men. When they arrived he explained his dilemma, obviously expecting them to tell the forgotten dream as well as provide the interpretation. Who were these wise men, with the apparent ability to tell dreams?

The wise men of Babylon were the most highly educated and influential class in the kingdom, scholars and scientists. But they were also the leading proponents of the Babylonian religion, claiming to be in contact with the gods and able to interpret dreams. The wise men were composed of 5 different groups:

1. The Magicians were scholars, writers of Babylon’s sacred literature. They also practiced magic (see also Exodus 7:11,12) and were fortunetellers.

2. The Astrologers claimed to be able to foretell events by studying the stars (see Isaiah 47:12,13). They also dabbled in demonism and the occult.

3. The Sorcerers claimed to contact the spirits of the dead, as well as other evil spirits. They communicated with the spirits by muttering magic spells, chanting obscure speeches and praying in mysterious tongues.

4. The Chaldeans were the most elite and learned of the wise men, skilled in mathematics, astronomy, medicine and the sciences. They also interpreted dreams, read horoscopes and served as priests of the Babylonian religion. They were charged with educating the youth, and have been compared with the Jesuits.

5. The Soothsayers (mentioned in vs. 27) determined the future by cutting up animals and studying their various organs. This group was probably considered the least significant among the wise men.

The common denominator among these diverse groups was their involvement in the occult. The occult in all its forms is nothing more than communication with demons, and it gives the demons control over those who practice such things. This is why God’s Word forbids any involvement with the occult (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Leviticus 19:31, 20:27, Jeremiah 10:2, Isaiah 8:19,20). Don’t miss this point: Because the wise men of Babylon were involved in the occult, they were under the control of Satan and his fallen angels, and Satan worked through them to influence the king and the entire nation of Babylon.

The Lord had a wise purpose in giving Nebuchadnezzar his dream and then causing him to forget it. In the events that were to follow, God exposed the pretensions of the wise men and prepared the way for Daniel to introduce King Nebuchadnezzar and all of Babylon to Himself, the true God of heaven.

Verse 4

Acting as spokesmen for the wise men, the Chaldeans courteously asked the king to tell them the dream so that they could provide the interpretation.

Verses 5, 6

His suspicions now fully aroused, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the wise men to tell the dream and provide the interpretation, promising them lavish rewards for doing so and severe penalties if they did not. Imagine the terror of the wise men as the king threatened them with dismemberment and the destruction of their homes and families. The king’s words were no idle threat.

Verse 7

The wise men repeated their original request to the king, obviously at a loss as to what else to do.

Verses 8, 9

Accusing them of lying and deception, and of stalling for time in hope that the king would forget about the whole affair, Nebuchadnezzar told them he would make good on his threats if they did not immediately tell him the dream and its interpretation.

Verses 10, 11

The Chaldeans then confessed that it was impossible for them to comply with his request, suggesting that it was unreasonable for him to even ask such a thing. They then admitted that they had no connection with any god who was able to reveal the dream.

Verse 12

This confession convinced Nebuchadnezzar that his wise men were deceivers. They had claimed to be able to communicate with the gods and to interpret dreams, but why should he believe any of their claims if they could not tell him his dream?

Completely enraged by the thought that he had been duped by his wise men, the king summarily gave the command for their execution. This act reveals something of the rashness and cruelty of this young monarch. By executing his well-meaning advisors over this apparent offense, he was destroying the top minds in his kingdom, with all of their knowledge and experience.

Verse 13

Daniel and his friends were not among those originally called before the king, probably because of their youth and inexperience. But being numbered among the wise men, they were sought for execution. Imagine what it must have been like, for Daniel and his three friends to be awakened in the middle of the night by the king’s guard and informed that they were being taken for execution.

Verses 14, 15

This terrifying development didn’t cause Daniel to panic or lose his faith in God. Remembering that it was God who had placed him in his position in the first place, he calmly trusted his future to God. Inquiring as to the urgency of the decree, the captain of the king’s guard told him the whole story. This shows the high regard the entire palace must have had for these young men.

Verse 16

At Daniel’s request, he was given an audience with the king to ask for time. Obviously Nebuchadnezzar already knew this young man and respected him, or he would not have granted an audience to a junior wise man already condemned to death.

Daniel’s request was different than that of the other wise men. He didn’t ask the king to tell him the dream, only for time to pray to the God of heaven. This request must have reminded Nebuchadnezzar of the earlier statement of his wise men, that “there is no other who can tell [the dream] to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” (vs. 11) Daniel was so polite and his request so reasonable that Nebuchadnezzar immediately granted his request.

Verses 17, 18

As soon as his request was granted, Daniel invited his three companions to join him in prayer. No doubt they also prayed for the other wise men and their families, interceding with God for all of their lives.

Verse 19

Incredible as it may seem, these young men must have gone to bed after finishing their prayers, in quiet trust that God was in control of their lives. God answered their prayers of faith that very night by giving Daniel a “night vision” (the same Aramaic word used in this verse for ‘vision’ is also used in verse 28 to describe Nebuchadnezzar’s dream). Daniel was shown Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and given the interpretation. The Lord even revealed to him the thoughts of the king as he lay in bed before falling asleep (vs. 29).

Daniel probably woke his friends immediately and gave them the good news. And there, in the middle of the night, they had a praise session to the Lord, thanking Him for His great mercy in granting their petitions.

Verses 20 - 23

God had responded to their request with a dream, and now Daniel ‘answers’ God by blessing His name, with praise and thanksgiving.

He changes the times and the seasons – It is God who controls the rise and fall of empires and the various epochs of history (Acts 1:7). (SOP 1)

He removes kings and raises up kings – We tend to look at world events through human eyes, but we need to ever keep in mind that it is God who sets up and removes our earthly leaders (Romans 13:1-7).

Verse 24

The next morning Daniel went to Arioch, first asking him not to destroy the wise men and then giving him the good news that his prayer had been answered.

Verse 25

Arioch immediately took Daniel before the king, taking the credit for finding this young man who could tell the king his dream.

Verse 26

Ignoring Arioch’s claim, Nebuchadnezzar asked Daniel if he really could tell him the dream and its interpretation.

Verses 27, 28

Standing before the monarch of the greatest nation on earth, Daniel answered Nebuchadnezzar by reminding him that no wise man could do such a thing. Giving the credit entirely to God, Daniel made no reference to himself. It was the God of heaven who gave the king his dream, and He was now revealing to Nebuchadnezzar what would be in the “latter days.” In this dream, God was opening the future all the way down to the close of this world’s history.

Daniel then announced that he was going to tell the king his dream.

Verse 29

At this point, Nebuchadnezzar must have been sitting on the edge of his throne in anticipation. But Daniel began by revealing to the king what he had been thinking while lying in bed before falling asleep, and again reminding him that it was the God of heaven who had given him the dream.

This verse reveals a crucial point that we must not miss: Only God can read our minds. Even Satan cannot read minds, or he would have known Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and in some way revealed it to the wise men.

Verse 30

Before describing the dream, Daniel also made a personal disclaimer. God had not revealed the dream to him because he was in any way superior. It was in mercy to His faithful servants that God had revealed the dream to Daniel, to save their lives and to reveal to the king his forgotten dream.

Verses 31 - 33

His introduction now over, Daniel began to describe the dream. Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed of a great image in the form of a man. Its appearance was extraordinary, filling him with awe and dread. The head of the image was of pure gold; the chest and arms were of silver; the belly and hips of bronze; the legs of iron; and the feet and toes a mixture of iron and clay.

Verses 34, 35

After gazing at the great image, Nebuchadnezzar’s attention was drawn to a stone being cut out of a mighty mountain “without hands.” This stone struck the feet of the image, breaking them into pieces. This caused the entire image to come crashing down, breaking the gold, silver, bronze and iron into pieces. The wind then carried away the shattered fragments of the great image until no trace of it remained. But the stone that had struck the image grew, becoming a great mountain and filling the entire earth.

Verses 36 - 38

After giving this dramatic description of the dream, Daniel then announced that he would provide the interpretation. He began by pointing out to Nebuchadnezzar that the God of heaven had given him his kingdom and the subjects over which he ruled. Although he held absolute power over the world’s greatest empire, his right to rule and the high regard by which he was held were all gifts from heaven. This God regarded Nebuchadnezzar as His servant, and expected him to exercise his authority by Divine permission. (SOP 2) Daniel then announced that the image’s head of gold represented Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom. Babylon ruled the world for approximately 66 years, from 605 to 539 BC.

Verses 39, 40

Daniel then passed quickly over the world kingdoms that would follow, without naming them. The chest and arms of silver represented Medo-Persia, who conquered Babylon in 539 BC and ruled the world until 331 BC. The belly and thighs of bronze represented Greece (also known as the Macedonian Empire), who conquered Medo-Persia in 331 BC and ruled to 168 BC. The legs of cruel, crushing iron represented the Pagan Roman Empire, who conquered Greece in 168 BC and ruled all the way to 476 AD.

Notice that the metals representing these kingdoms were of decreasing value, illustrating the progressive character degradation of these nations. (SOP 3) This moral degeneration would continue down through history all the way to the end of time (2 Timothy 3:13). Contrast this Bible view of history with the current evolutionary idea that man is evolving upward, the world is getting better.

Verse 41

The feet and toes of iron and clay represent divided Rome. Rome was divided when Germanic tribes swept down from the continent of Europe, breaking up the empire and dividing it among themselves. These tribes later became the nations of Western Europe. Following is a list of these tribes and the nations they became:

Germanic Tribe European Nation

Alemanni Germany

Anglo-Saxons Britain

Burgundians Switzerland

Franks France

Suevi Portugal

Visigoths Spain

Lombards Italy

Heruli now extinct

Vandals now extinct

Ostragoths now extinct

We will discuss the three tribes that became extinct when we study Daniel Chapter 7.

Notice that the image ends with the toes, representing the nations of Europe that arose from divided Rome. Thus far in this prophecy we have seen one superpower after another arise and conquer the kingdom that preceded it. But in the symbol of the toes God revealed that the fourth kingdom would not be followed by another universal empire. Instead, a collection of smaller nations would arise, that would war among themselves.

Also notice that a foreign element is introduced into the feet and toes of the image. The different metals of the image represented four great world empires. But in the feet and toes we see the iron of Rome now mixed with an alien non-metal substance – potter’s clay.

Potter’s clay is used in the Bible as a symbol for God’s people, His church (Jeremiah 18:1-10, Isaiah 45:9, Romans 9:20, 21). So this mixture of iron and clay in the feet and toes represents Papal Rome, a combination of church and state that ruled over the nations of Europe during the Dark Ages. (SOP 4) The church united with the state to gain strength, but in reality this artificial mixture made both the church and the state weaker.

Verse 42

The mixture of iron and clay in the toes also represents a mixture of strength and weakness among the nations of Europe. Down through the centuries these nations have differed greatly in military strength, with first one and then another dominating the rest.

Verse 43

They will mingle with the seed of men - This phrase describes an artificial attempt to make the iron and clay adhere through the intermingling of “seed.” In the nineteenth century, England’s Queen Victoria attempted to unite Europe by arranging marriages between her children and other royal families. By the dawn of the twentieth century, almost all the monarchies of the western world were related. But this attempt at unity ended in complete failure with the First World War.

But they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay – In this brief statement, God predicted that the nations of Europe would never again be united. Throughout the centuries, many aspiring world leaders have struggled in vain against this prophecy. In the eighth century the French emperor Charlemagne attempted to unite Europe by force, but failed. Napoleon in the nineteenth century, and Kaiser Wilhelm II in the twentieth also tried and failed. During World War II, Hitler nearly succeeded in bringing all the nations of Europe under his control. But at the very last minute, God intervened and miraculously stopped his invasion of England. More recently, the European Union has tried to unite the nations of Europe politically and monetarily, but this too has not brought about unity.

Verse 44

In the days of these kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom - This is the focal point toward which the rest of this prophecy has pointed. At a time when the nations identified in this prophecy will still be ruling, God is going to intervene in human history and set up a kingdom of His own. This statement points us to the Second Coming of Jesus (2 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 25:31-34).

Which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people -

God’s kingdom will never be destroyed or conquered, which was the fate of all the earthly kingdoms that preceded it.

It shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever – The stone smashing the great image represents the destruction of all earthly powers when Jesus comes and sets up God’s eternal kingdom (Psalm 2:1-12).

Verse 45

Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands –

The stone that was cut out of the mountain “without hands” represents Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:42,44, 1 Peter 2:4, Deuteronomy 32:18, Psalm 31:2,3). The mountain from which the stone was quarried is a symbol of God’s kingdom, as well as His church on earth (Isaiah 2:2,3).

The stone that smashed the image will itself grow into a great mountain that fills the whole earth (see vs. 35). This points us forward to the time when Jesus will set up this earth as the capitol of His kingdom (Revelation 21:2, 20:11), put down all rebellion (Revelation 20:9, see also Isaiah 11:9, 57:13), and deliver the kingdom back to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24). (Note: Compare the phrase “no place was found for them” in Daniel 2:35, KJV, with Revelation 20:11.)

The great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure – Daniel concluded his narrative by again reminding Nebuchadnezzar that the dream was from the God of heaven, and it would surely come to pass just as predicted.

This prophecy wonderfully illustrates the fact that the Bible is its own expositor. By allowing the Bible to interpret itself, we avoid the mistakes being made by the majority of Christians today, who see every crisis in the Middle East as a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Let’s briefly consider the three primary schools of prophetic interpretation in the world today:

Preterism is the belief that most of Daniel and Revelation describe events that took place 2000 years ago, during the times of Antiochus Epiphanes and the Apostle John. Since nearly all the prophecies in these books were fulfilled long ago, they have no relevance to our day.

Futurism is the belief that most of Daniel and Revelation were written for the Jews, with the prophecies describing the seven-year tribulation that will occur after the secret rapture. Since the prophecies in these books are yet future, they have no application for our day.

Historicism is the belief that Daniel and Revelation describe events taking place down through the stream of history. The prophecies in these books began in the day of the prophet, and continue down through history to the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore these prophecies have a definite application for our day.

Daniel chapter 2 is a prime example showing that Historicism is the correct method of prophetic interpretation. Historicism is the method used by the Christian church for most of the past two thousand years. In more recent times, however, the various denominations have gradually adopted Preterism or Futurism, until today Seventh-day Adventists stand virtually alone in advocating Historicism.

So where did these other schools of prophetic interpretation come from?

History shows that they came from the counter-reformation of the sixteenth century. The great reformers such as Martin Luther studied the books of Daniel and Revelation and concluded that the Papacy was the antichrist of Bible prophecy. To counteract this teaching, two Spanish Jesuit priests came up with alternative methods of interpreting these prophecies. Luis de Alcazar created Preterism and Francisco Ribera created Futurism. Since that time, these methods of prophetic interpretation have been adopted by nearly all the Protestant churches.

Preterism and Futurism seem to be complete opposites, but they have one thing in common. One relegates prophecy to the distant past, while the other pushes prophecy off into the future. But both make Daniel and Revelation irrelevant for our day, which is just as Satan would have it.

Verse 46

Nebuchadnezzar was so overwhelmed by this revelation that he fell on his face before Daniel, and called for an offering and incense to be brought. Don’t miss the significance of this. This king was a sovereign monarch accustomed to his subjects bowing down to him, but here he fell down prostrate before this Hebrew slave and called for objects of worship to be brought.

Verse 47

Daniel may have politely and diplomatically rebuked Nebuchadnezzar for trying to worship him. Notice that the king “answered” Daniel, acknowledging that it was Daniel’s God Who had revealed the dream and provided the interpretation, thereby proving that He was superior to all other gods.

Verse 48

The king then promoted Daniel to second in command over all of Babylon, as well as the head over all the wise men of Babylon.

Verse 49

Daniel must have realized his need for the support and counsel of his companions in his new position, because he requested positions for them in his new administration.

Daniel sat in the gate of the king – The gate of the king is where oriental kings sat as judges and where councils were convened. This statement gives us a glimpse into Daniel’s role in the affairs of the kingdom. He apparently worked closely with the king, participating in the judgments and decisions made by the royal court.

Spirit of Prophecy Quotations

1 “In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.” – Prophets and Kings, pages 499, 500.

2 “Every nation that has come upon the stage of action has been permitted to occupy its place on the earth, that it might be seen whether it would fulfill the purpose of "the Watcher and the Holy One." Prophecy has traced the rise and fall of the world's great empires--Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each of these, as with nations of less power, history repeated itself. Each had its period of test, each failed, its glory faded, its power departed, and its place was occupied by another.

“While the nations rejected God's principles, and in this rejection wrought their own ruin, it was still manifest that the divine, overruling purpose was working through all their movements.” – Education, pages 176, 177.

3 “The image revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, while representing the deterioration of the kingdoms of the earth in power and glory, also fitly represents the deterioration of religion and morality among the people of these kingdoms. As nations forget God, in like proportion they become weak morally.

“Babylon passed away because in her prosperity she forgot God, and ascribed the glory of her prosperity to human achievement.

“The Medo-Persian kingdom was visited by the wrath of heaven because in this kingdom God's law was trampled under foot. The fear of the Lord found no place in the hearts of the people. The prevailing influences in Medo-Persia were wickedness, blasphemy, and corruption.

“The kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt. They deteriorated because they cast off their allegiance to God. As they forgot Him, they sank lower and still lower in the scale of moral value.” – The Youth’s Instructor, Sept. 22, 1903.

4 “The mingling of churchcraft and statecraft is represented by the iron and

the clay.” – Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, pages 1168, 1169.