Question 1

What does Daniel 2:19 mean?

Accepted Answer

Daniel 2:19 describes how God revealed the secret meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream to Daniel during the night, through a vision. In response, Daniel immediately praised and honored the God of heaven for this revelation. Daniel was one of the Jewish exiles in Babylon, and the king had demanded an interpretation of a troubling dream, threatening death to his wise men if they failed. Daniel and his friends prayed for mercy, and during the night, God made the mystery known to Daniel in a vision. Daniel’s blessing of God shows his gratitude and recognition that true wisdom comes from God alone.

Question 2

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:19

Accepted Answer

"secret" (רָז, raz): This word means a hidden or mysterious thing, often something only God can reveal. Here, it emphasizes that the dream’s meaning was not human knowledge but something only God could uncover. "revealed" (גְּלֵא, gelā’): This term means to make something known or uncover what was hidden. The verse stresses that God actively disclosed the answer to Daniel. "vision" (חֶזְוָא, ḥezvā’): This word refers to a supernatural experience, often at night, where God communicates directly. It highlights that Daniel’s understanding came through a divine encounter, not ordinary reasoning. "blessed" (בָּרַךְ, bāraḵ): This word means to praise or speak well of. Daniel’s immediate response was to honor God, showing humility and thankfulness.

Question 3

Why Daniel 2:19 matters

Accepted Answer

Daniel 2:19 clarifies that the wisdom Daniel received was not from his own ability but was a direct gift from God, setting the stage for the rest of the story. The verse shows Daniel’s character: his first response to receiving help was to give thanks and praise, not to seek credit for himself. This moment connects to the larger theme of Daniel, where God reveals mysteries and holds ultimate authority, even over powerful earthly rulers like Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel 2:19 (KJV)