Daniel Chapter 2 · Verse 29
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Original Language Analysis
רַעְיוֹנָךְ֙
thy thoughts
H7476
רַעְיוֹנָךְ֙
thy thoughts
Strong's:
H7476
Word #:
3 of 17
a grasp. i.e., (figuratively) mental conception
עַל
into thy mind upon
H5922
עַל
into thy mind upon
Strong's:
H5922
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דִּ֥י
H1768
דִּ֥י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
8 of 17
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
לֶהֱוֵֽא׃
shall come to pass
H1934
לֶהֱוֵֽא׃
shall come to pass
Strong's:
H1934
Word #:
9 of 17
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
רָזַיָּ֛א
secrets
H7328
רָזַיָּ֛א
secrets
Strong's:
H7328
Word #:
13 of 17
to attenuate, i.e., (figuratively) hide; a mystery
Cross References
Daniel 2:28But 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;Amos 4:13For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.Daniel 2:47The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Historical Context
This occurred around 603 BC, early in Nebuchadnezzar's reign (605-562 BC). Ancient Near Eastern kings routinely consulted diviners about the future, believing dreams carried divine messages. Nebuchadnezzar's anxiety about succession and empire stability was justified—Babylon's rapid rise under his father Nabopolassar could just as quickly reverse. The dream ultimately revealed successive empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and God's eternal kingdom), addressing his concerns about futurity while revealing divine sovereignty over human history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Daniel's attribution of revelation to God rather than himself model proper stewardship of spiritual gifts?
- When you receive insight or success, do you direct attention to yourself or to the God who grants all wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter (אַנְתָּה מַלְכָּא רַעְיוֹנָךְ עַל־מִשְׁכְּבָךְ סְלִקוּ)—The Aramaic ra'yonak (רַעְיוֹנָךְ, "your thoughts") describes Nebuchadnezzar's anxious pondering about the future. Kings naturally worry about succession, stability, and the fate of their empires. The phrase mah di-leheve acharey denah (מָה דִּי־לֶהֱוֵא אַחֲרֵי דְנָה, "what will be after this") reveals the king's concern about futurity—what lies beyond his lifetime and reign.
And he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass (וְגָלֵא רָזַיָּא הוֹדְעָךְ מָה־דִי לֶהֱוֵא)—Daniel attributes revelation not to his own wisdom but to God, "the revealer of secrets" (galeh razaya, גָּלֵא רָזַיָּא). The term raz (רָז, "mystery/secret") appears frequently in Daniel (2:18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 30, 47) and refers to hidden divine knowledge inaccessible to human wisdom. God alone penetrates the veil between present and future, revealing what He chooses.
Daniel's careful attribution of knowledge to God rather than himself demonstrates true humility. He doesn't claim superior intellect or technique but acknowledges divine disclosure. This contrasts sharply with Babylonian magicians who pretended powers they didn't possess (2:10-11). By directing Nebuchadnezzar's attention to the true God, Daniel uses his interpretive gift evangelistically—pointing the pagan king beyond the dream to the Dream-Giver. This models how believers should use their gifts: not for self-promotion but to glorify God and bear witness to His reality.