Daniel 2:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

NIV: He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

NASB: so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

CSB: urging them to ask the God of the heavens for mercy concerning this mystery, so Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of Babylon's wise men.

NLT: He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.

KJV: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

NKJV: that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

When King Nebuchadnezzar tested his occult advisors, they proved themselves false. They could not tell him what he had dreamed, so he had no reason to think they could supernaturally interpret the vision (Daniel 2:1–3). This also meant they had been lying about their powers (Daniel 2:9). They would be brutally killed as punishment (Daniel 2:5). Unfortunately, the king's rage also fell on other wise men, such as Daniel and his friends (Daniel 1:6–7, 19; 2:12). Daniel reacted calmly when the guards came to kill him, then promised he could answer the king's challenge (Daniel 2:13–16).

However, at the time he made the promise, Daniel knew nothing about the dream or what it meant. The court magicians were correct when they claimed Nebuchadnezzar's request was beyond human ability (Daniel 2:10–11). Only a real god could know what the king had dreamed without being told. Daniel, of course, was in communication with the only existing God. Here, he and his friends pray for wisdom and guidance. God will grant their request (Daniel 2:19).

Solving the mystery of the king's dream would preserve Daniel's life and the lives of his three friends. This action shows Daniel to be faithful as well as prayerful. Remarkably, these four Hebrew youths withstood the pagan influences of Babylon and remained true to their faith in the God of heaven and earth (Daniel 1:8–16). Although they were hundreds of miles from family and Jerusalem, they were still close to God. Later, both Daniel and his friends will face persecution (Daniel 3; 6) yet remain faithful. In the New Testament era, Christian believers will again demonstrate unity (Acts 2:42–47) and prayerful faith in the face of danger (Acts 4:29–31; 12:5).

Daniel 2:17–23 explains what happened after Daniel requested an appointment to explain king Nebuchadnezzar's dream. When royal magicians could not explain his dream, the king gave an extreme command: to kill all his advisors, even those not involved with his request (Daniel 2:1–15). Daniel, despite knowing nothing about the dream, at first, promised the king an answer (Daniel 2:16). This passage shows what happened next and reveals more information about Daniel's character. This continues a stretch of Scripture recorded in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4—7:28).

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.