Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

DANIEL 2:48KJV
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Daniel 2:48 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:48 mean?

Daniel 2:48 describes how King Nebuchadnezzar honored Daniel by giving him many valuable gifts, making him ruler over the entire province of Babylon, and appointing him as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. This verse shows Daniel’s rise to a position of great authority and respect because of his ability to interpret the king’s dream.

In this scene, King Nebuchadnezzar is rewarding Daniel after Daniel successfully explains the king’s troubling dream, something none of the other wise men could do. Daniel, a Jewish exile, is promoted to a high government office and placed in charge of Babylon’s wise men, showing a dramatic reversal of fortune and highlighting the king’s recognition of Daniel’s wisdom and insight.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:48

  • The word for “ruler” (שַׁלִּיט – shallit) means someone with authority or power. Here, it emphasizes that Daniel was not just given an honorary title but real administrative control over the province of Babylon.
  • The term for “chief” (רַב – rav) means “great” or “chief,” showing Daniel’s new status as the leader among the wise men. This marks a shift in who holds influence in the royal court.
  • The phrase “province of Babylon” (מְדִינַת בָּבֶל – medinat bavel) refers specifically to the main region around the city, the heart of the empire, highlighting the importance of Daniel’s new role.

Why Daniel 2:48 matters

  • Daniel 2:48 clears up any idea that Daniel’s wisdom went unnoticed; the king’s public rewards show how highly Daniel was valued, even as a foreigner.
  • This verse connects to the wider story by setting up Daniel’s continued influence and involvement in later events in the book, as his new authority puts him at the center of Babylonian affairs.
  • The verse emphasizes that Daniel’s rise was not due to political maneuvering but to his faithfulness and the unique insight he received, which even the king could not ignore.

Where else these words appear

“gifts” Hebrew H4978 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 2:6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.
  • Daniel 5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.

“made” Hebrew H7236 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth:
  • Daniel 4:20 The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;
  • Daniel 4:22 It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.

“governors” Hebrew H5460 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
  • Daniel 3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

“ruler” Hebrew H7981 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
  • Daniel 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.