Daniel 2:28

Authorized King James Version

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בְּרַ֡ם
But
properly, highly, i.e., surely; but used adversatively, however
#2
אִיתַ֞י
there is
properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is
#3
אֱלָ֤הּ
a God
god
#4
בִּשְׁמַיָּא֙
in heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#5
גָּלֵ֣א
that revealeth
to reveal, to carry away
#6
רָזִ֔ין
secrets
to attenuate, i.e., (figuratively) hide; a mystery
#7
וְהוֹדַ֗ע
and maketh known
to inform
#8
לְמַלְכָּא֙
to the king
a king
#9
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר
Nebuchadnezzar
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
#10
מָ֛ה
what
what?, why?, how?
#11
דִּ֥י
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
#12
לֶהֱוֵ֖א
shall be
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
#13
בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית
in the latter
later
#14
יוֹמַיָּ֑א
days
a day
#15
חֶלְמָ֨ךְ
Thy dream
a dream
#16
וְחֶזְוֵ֥י
and the visions
a sight
#17
רֵאשָׁ֛ךְ
of thy head
the head; figuratively, the sum
#18
עַֽל
upon
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#19
מִשְׁכְּבָ֖ךְ
thy bed
a bed
#20
דְּנָ֥ה
are these
this
#21
הֽוּא׃
he (she or it); self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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