Daniel 2:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: "Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation."

NIV: Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, "Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him."

NASB: Thereupon, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to kill the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: 'Do not kill the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.'

CSB: Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had assigned to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He came and said to him, "Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will give him the interpretation."

NLT: Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, 'Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.'

KJV: Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

NKJV: Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”

Daniel was a foreigner and a slave in Babylon trained to be an advisor to his own captors (Daniel 1:1–6). Yet he maintained faith in the God of Israel and was gifted in dreams and visions (Daniel 1:8–17). In this passage, he has shown firm trust in the Lord. He calmly asked for an explanation from the man charged with killing him (Daniel 2:12–15). Then, he promised he could answer the king's challenge about a dream (Daniel 2:1–6, 16). This was then revealed to Daniel in a vision from God (Daniel 2:17–19).

The sequence of these events shows evidence of God's guiding hand. King Nebuchadnezzar was vicious and could be cruel when he did not get his way (Daniel 2:5; 3:19–20; 2 Kings 25:1–7). The same king later demonstrates his violent temper when three advisors—the companions who prayed with Daniel during this event—refuse to worship his idol (Daniel 3:13–20). Yet at this time the captain of the guard was willing to explain the situation to Daniel and give him time to request an audience with the king (Daniel 2:15–16). He also paused executing the wise men, on nothing more substantial than Daniel's promise. In a sense, Arioch is giving obedience and trust to Daniel, rather than Nebuchadnezzar. This could have cost him his life, yet he acts according to the plans of God (Daniel 2:21–23).

This section of the book of Daniel (Daniel 2:4—7:28) is recorded in Aramaic, rather than Hebrew. Aramaic was the common language of Babylon at that time. This highlights how the early contents of the book are meant as messages to, and about, the Gentile people.

Daniel 2:24–30 records Daniel's initial statement to King Nebuchadnezzar regarding the king's disturbing dream (Daniel 2:1–3). God revealed the truth to Daniel in a vision (Daniel 2:17–19), and Daniel will credit God alone with the knowledge he is about to share. Humbly, Daniel agrees that what the king had demanded was impossible for any person (Daniel 2:10–11), but that nothing can be kept secret from the true God in heaven.

King Nebuchadnezzar tests his magicians, demanding they tell him what he has dreamed, rather than merely inventing an interpretation. When they fail, he prepares to execute the entire department of wise men. Daniel promises he can meet the king's request and is given a special vision from God. The king dreamed of a massive statue shattered into powder by a supernatural rock. Daniel accurately describes this and interprets it as a prophecy about kingdoms which would come after Babylon. The king appoints Daniel and his friends to positions of power and influence over Babylon.

Chapter 1 introduced King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel—a captive youth from Jerusalem—and three other Jewish boys. After three years of education, the four Hebrew captives outperformed all the other trainees, even surpassing the wise men in Babylon. In chapter 2, Daniel describes and interprets Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream, though the court magicians could not. As a result, the king promotes Daniel and his three friends to high positions over the provinces of Babylon. This sets the stage for a severe test of faith in chapter 3.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.