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.

DANIEL 2:30KJV
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Daniel 2:30 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:30 mean?

Daniel 2:30 shows Daniel telling King Nebuchadnezzar that the secret of the king’s dream was not revealed to him because he was wiser than anyone else, but so that the interpretation could be given for the king’s benefit and to reveal what was in the king’s heart. Daniel makes it clear that the insight comes from God, not from his own abilities.

Daniel is speaking directly to Nebuchadnezzar after God has revealed the king’s troubling dream and its meaning to him. Daniel wants the king to understand that he is not special or more intelligent than others (using the word for "wisdom" חָכְמָה, chokhmah), but that God has a purpose in making the dream known—so the king can understand his own thoughts and concerns. This humility highlights Daniel’s role as a messenger, not the source of the revelation.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:30

  • "secret" (רָזָא, razāʾ): This word refers to something hidden or mysterious, like the king’s dream. Daniel emphasizes that the ability to reveal this "secret" is not from his own insight.
  • "wisdom" (חָכְמָה, ḥokhmāh): Daniel uses this word to deny having special wisdom above "any living" person, stressing that the message is not about his own cleverness.
  • "revealed" (גְּלֵי, gelē): This verb means "to uncover" or "to make known." Daniel points out that the dream’s meaning was "revealed" to him, not discovered by his own effort.
  • "thoughts" (רְעָיוֹן, reʿāyōn) and "heart" (לֵב, lēv): These words show that the dream’s message is meant to address the king’s deepest concerns and inner thoughts, not just surface matters.

Why Daniel 2:30 matters

  • Daniel’s humility clears up any idea that he is claiming credit for the interpretation, pointing instead to God as the true source of wisdom and revelation.
  • This verse sets the stage for the rest of Daniel’s explanation, showing that the dream’s meaning is meant for Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding and benefit, not for Daniel’s glory.
  • The verse connects to the wider theme in Daniel that God reveals mysteries and controls the course of history, often using humble people as his messengers.

Where else these words appear

“sakes” Hebrew H1701 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

“thoughts” Hebrew H7476 · 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 4:19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
  • Daniel 5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:

“heart” Hebrew H3825 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 4:16 Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be given unto him; and let seven times pass over him.
  • Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
  • Daniel 5:22 And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;

“wisdom” Hebrew H2452 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 7:25 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.
  • Daniel 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
  • Daniel 5:11 There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;