Daniel 2:16 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Daniel 2:16 kjv
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
Daniel 2:16 nkjv
So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation.
Daniel 2:16 niv
At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
Daniel 2:16 esv
And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.
Daniel 2:16 nlt
Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant.
Daniel 2 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | Ask God for wisdom, He gives generously. |
| 1 Ki 3:9-12 | Give your servant therefore an understanding mind... I have given you a wise and discerning heart... | Solomon's request for wisdom, God grants it. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | Wisdom comes directly from the Lord. |
| Dan 1:17 | To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding... | God is the source of wisdom and revelation. |
| Ps 25:4-5 | Make me know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths... | Seeking God's guidance and truth. |
| Jer 33:3 | Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things... | God promises to reveal mysteries upon prayer. |
| Matt 7:7-8 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find... | Encouragement to seek God in prayer. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer... | Overcoming anxiety through prayer. |
| Prov 28:1 | ...but the righteous are bold as a lion. | The righteous exhibit courage. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace... | Boldness to approach God. |
| Acts 4:13 | Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John... | Apostles' courage in challenging authority. |
| Acts 5:29 | We must obey God rather than men. | Prioritizing God's command over human authority. |
| Dan 2:28 | but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries... | God alone reveals secret things. |
| Amos 3:7 | For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants... | God's prior revelation to His prophets. |
| Isa 45:7 | I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity... | God's absolute sovereignty over all creation. |
| Job 12:22 | He uncovers the deep things out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light. | God's ability to reveal hidden truths. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west... | God is the ultimate dispenser of power and wisdom. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... | Respect for governing authority. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-17 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution... | Christian submission to governing powers. |
| Gen 41:16 | Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." | Humility in attributing divine revelation to God. |
| 1 Sam 3:7-10 | Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, and the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. | Revelation is God's initiative, not human. |
| Dan 2:18-19 | ...that they might ask mercy from the God of heaven... Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. | Direct result of Daniel's request for time and prayer. |
| 1 Cor 12:8-10 | To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom... | God grants gifts of wisdom and knowledge. |
Daniel 2 verses
Daniel 2 16 meaning
Daniel 2:16 marks a pivotal moment where Daniel, facing imminent execution due to the king's decree, bravely approaches King Nebuchadnezzar. He requests a period of time, expressing confidence that, given this opportunity, he will be able to reveal both the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation, thereby offering a solution that the king's own wise men could not.
Daniel 2 16 Context
Daniel chapter 2 opens with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon experiencing a profoundly disturbing dream. The dream troubled him greatly, but he could not recall its specifics. He summoned his wise men—magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans—demanding that they not only tell him the dream itself but also its interpretation. When they professed inability, stating that only the gods, not men, could fulfill such a demand, the furious king issued a decree to execute all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his three friends who were part of this group.
Daniel 2:16 is a critical turning point within this tense narrative. Following his prudent inquiry about the king's decree from Arioch, the captain of the king's guard (v. 14), Daniel boldly decides to confront the source of the decree. This verse encapsulates his initiative, moving from learning about the crisis to seeking a solution from the highest human authority. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful and often ruthless monarch whose word was absolute, making Daniel's direct appeal an act of immense faith and courage, especially considering his own life hung in the balance. It positions Daniel as a representative of the One True God against the backdrop of the helpless Babylonian deities and their impotent adherents.
Daniel 2 16 Word analysis
- Then (Aramaic: בֵּאדַיִן - bēʾadayin): An adverb meaning "then" or "at that time." It signifies an immediate sequence of events, showing Daniel's swift and decisive action after learning of the decree and its severity.
- Daniel (Aramaic: דָּנִיֵּאל - dānîyēʾl): "God is my Judge." This Hebrew name underscores his identity and reliance on God, a name perfectly fitting for one standing for divine truth amidst paganism.
- went in (Aramaic: עַל לְקֳדָם - ʿal ləqōḏām): Literally "entered before." It indicates gaining an audience with the king. This was no trivial act; gaining access to an ancient Near Eastern monarch, especially one in a volatile mood, required courage and, in this instance, perhaps divine intervention. It demonstrates Daniel's unshakeable resolve rooted in faith.
- and requested (Aramaic: וּבָעֵא מִנֵּהּ - ūḇāʿēʾ minnēh): "And sought/desired/asked from him." The term denotes a polite but firm request, rather than a demand. Daniel recognizes the king's authority but also presents his petition with the understanding that he serves a higher power. This contrasts with the self-serving pleas of the king's own wise men.
- the king (Aramaic: מַלְכָּא - malkāʾ): Referring to King Nebuchadnezzar. The singular definite article emphasizes his absolute authority and the risk involved in challenging him.
- to give him time (Aramaic: דִּי יְהַב לֵהּ זְמָן - dî yəhab lēh zəman): "That he might give him time." The request for "time" (Aramaic: זְמָן - zəman) is crucial. Daniel did not claim immediate knowledge but sought an opportunity for God to reveal it. This act of faith allowed Daniel to turn to God in prayer (Dan 2:17-18). It’s not an excuse but a calculated strategy rooted in dependence on the divine.
- that he might declare (Aramaic: דִּי יְחַוֵּה - dî yəḥawwēh): "That he might show/reveal/make known." This points to Daniel's intent to convey divine truth. He trusts God to enable him to do so.
- to the king (Aramaic: לְמַלְכָּא - ləMalkāʾ): Reiterates the direct communication with the king, signifying a personal and vital interaction.
- the interpretation (Aramaic: פְשַׁרָא - pəšārāʾ): "The solution," "the explanation," or "the interpretation." This is the core of the king's demand, encompassing both the dream's content and its meaning. Daniel confidently states his intention to provide the interpretation, not merely an interpretation, distinguishing divine revelation from human guesswork.
Daniel 2 16 Bonus section
Daniel's approach to the king not only averted immediate danger but also demonstrated an active form of prayer. His request for time was, in essence, a prayer for a window of opportunity, immediately followed by gathering his companions for fervent intercession (Dan 2:17-18). This strategic move teaches us the importance of blending boldness in action with complete reliance on God in prayer, especially when faced with insurmountable challenges. It exemplifies that even within a foreign and hostile political system, believers can act as instruments of God's purpose, often through direct engagement with those in power. Daniel didn't hide his faith but presented it as the sole solution to an otherwise unsolvable problem.
Daniel 2 16 Commentary
Daniel 2:16 encapsulates a moment of profound courage, strategic wisdom, and unwavering faith. At a juncture where human wisdom has demonstrably failed and the wrath of an absolute monarch hangs heavy, Daniel, an exile and a captive, steps forward. His request for "time" reveals not a delay tactic due to ignorance, but a faith-filled petition to create space for divine intervention. It signifies his complete reliance on God's ability to reveal secrets, rather than any innate human insight. This act distinguishes him sharply from the impotent Chaldean wise men, highlighting the superiority of the God of Israel. Daniel's calm yet bold demeanor in approaching a king capable of ordering mass executions underscores his conviction that God is sovereign over human rulers and can unveil hidden truths beyond human comprehension. This verse is thus a prelude to a magnificent display of divine power and prophetic revelation.