But 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;

DANIEL 2:28KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 2:28 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:28 mean?

Daniel 2:28 says that God in heaven is the one who reveals hidden things and has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Daniel tells the king that the mysterious dream and visions he had while lying in bed are about to be explained.

Daniel is speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar, who has had a troubling dream that none of his wise men could interpret. Daniel makes it clear that the ability to reveal secrets does not come from human wisdom, but from God. This sets the stage for Daniel to explain the dream’s meaning, emphasizing that God controls the future and communicates important messages to people in authority.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:28

  • "God" (אֱלָהּ, ʾĕlāh): This word is the general Aramaic term for God, highlighting that Daniel is pointing to the one true God rather than any Babylonian deity.
  • "Revealeth" (גָּלֵא, gālēʾ): This verb means to uncover or make known something hidden, stressing that only God can truly disclose mysteries that are beyond human understanding.
  • "Secrets" (רָז, rāz): This word refers to hidden or mysterious things, underlining the idea that the king’s dream is not just puzzling but carries a deeper, divine meaning.
  • "Latter days" (אַחֲרִית יוֹמַיָּא, ʾaḥarīt yômayya): This phrase often points to future times, sometimes with a sense of what will happen at the end of an era or in significant future events.

Why Daniel 2:28 matters

  • Daniel 2:28 corrects the idea that human wisdom or magic can explain everything, showing that some truths come only from God.
  • The verse shifts the focus from Daniel’s abilities to God’s power, making it clear that Daniel is just the messenger.
  • Daniel 2:28 connects the king’s dream to future events, preparing the reader for the prophecy that follows and showing that God is involved in the course of history.

Where else these words appear

“But” Hebrew H1297 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 5:13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
  • Daniel 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“bed” Hebrew H4903 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 2:29 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.
  • Daniel 4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.
  • Daniel 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

“revealeth” Hebrew H1541 · used in 8 verses

  • Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.
  • Daniel 2:19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
  • Daniel 2:29 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.

“secrets” Hebrew H7328 · used in 8 verses

  • Daniel 2:18 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.
  • Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
  • Daniel 2:30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.