Daniel 2:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel.

NIV: He asked the king's officer, 'Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?' Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.

NASB: he said to Arioch, the king’s officer, 'For what reason is the decree from the king so harsh?' Then Arioch informed Daniel of the matter.

CSB: He asked Arioch, the king's officer, "Why is the decree from the king so harsh? " Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.

NLT: He asked Arioch, 'Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?' So Arioch told him all that had happened.

KJV: He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

NKJV: he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.

The Bible only records the essential details of this incident. However, what it includes suggests important details. The king has ordered the slaughter of his advisors (Daniel 2:12), because his magicians could not complete his challenge regarding a troubling dream (Daniel 2:1–11). Yet his order extended to all the wise men, even those uninvolved. In the prior verse, the king's guard has come to kill Daniel and his friends, only for Daniel to respond calmly. Here, he asks why the king's command is so pressing, and the guard pauses long enough to explain what has happened.

This shows that Daniel already had a tremendous reputation. Arioch (Daniel 2:13–14) had received orders to kill every wise man, including Daniel and his three friends. That command came from an all-powerful, vicious ruler in Nebuchadnezzar. Yet Arioch listened to Daniel's question and then answered him. Whether he was hesitant to kill Daniel or not, he respected him enough to tell him why this was happening. Daniel's faith shines in this conversation. He dared to ask why Nebuchadnezzar was in such a hurry to execute so many people. Obviously, Daniel believed God would protect him from whatever reaction Arioch would give in response, even if he were indirectly criticizing the king's overreaction. The exchange also shows Daniel's wisdom. He knew how to avoid what seemed to be the imminent execution of his friends and himself. Finally, the exchange shows how calm Daniel was in the face of Arioch's mission to kill him and his friends. He did not panic but remained calm.

The likely-now-dead occultists had lied about spiritual insight (Daniel 2:8–9) before admitting their limitations (Daniel 2:10–11). Daniel, however, was given legitimate skill in dreams and visions by the One True God (Daniel 1:17). He will confidently claim the ability to answer the king's challenge (Daniel 2:16) and credit the Lord with the knowledge (Daniel 2:27–35).

Daniel 2:1–16 builds on the introduction to Daniel and his three friends given in chapter 1. Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, is deeply disturbed by a recurring dream. He insists that his pagan advisors tell him what the dream contained, to prove they have genuine insight. When the Babylonian counselors say that only a god could do that, the king plans to have every advisor in Babylon killed. Daniel, however, claims he can meet Nebuchadnezzar's challenge. The text switches from Hebrew to Aramaic in verse 4 and will not revert until chapter 8.

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.