Daniel 2 18

Daniel 2:18 kjv

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 2:18 nkjv

that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2:18 niv

He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2:18 esv

and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2:18 nlt

He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.

Daniel 2 verses

Daniel 2 18 Meaning

Daniel and his three companions recognized the gravity of King Nebuchadnezzar's demand, knowing failure meant execution for all the wise men, including themselves. This verse states their collective decision to urgently seek God's divine mercy through fervent prayer. Their petition specifically concerned the revelation of the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation, aiming to prevent their unjust perishing alongside the Chaldean sages who could not provide the answer.

Daniel 2 18 Context

Daniel 2 introduces King Nebuchadnezzar's troubling, forgotten dream and his subsequent demand for his Babylonian "wise men" not only to interpret but also to reveal the dream itself, threatening them with execution if they failed. The wise men, incapable of such a feat, highlighted the impossibility of the king's request, demonstrating their impotence and reliance on the king's caprice. Daniel, though not initially among those consulted, becomes aware of the impending doom. Recognizing the divine source required for such knowledge, Daniel requests time from the king, confidently believing that his God can reveal the secret. Verse 18 marks the critical turning point where Daniel and his companions engage in fervent, collective prayer, appealing directly to God, shifting the focus from human desperation to the certainty of divine intervention. This moment sets the stage for God to display His absolute sovereignty over all earthly wisdom and power.

Daniel 2 18 Word analysis

• "that they would desire" (בְּעוּ - ba'aw): This Aramaic verb means "to ask, seek, pray, petition, desire." It signifies an earnest, deliberate, and intense request. In this context, it highlights the urgent and concerted effort by Daniel and his friends to approach God, emphasizing the deep need and a profound dependency on divine action rather than passive hope. It implies an active turning toward God as their only solution.

• "mercies" (רַחֲמִין - rachamin): The plural form of "mercy" or "compassion." The use of the plural emphasizes the abundance, fullness, or multiplicity of God's compassionate nature. It implies a plea not based on merit but solely on God's profound pity and benevolent character, recognizing His inherent willingness to act kindly even in dire circumstances, specifically to spare them from destruction.

• "of the God of heaven" (אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא - elah sh'mayya'): This title designates the God of Daniel and his friends as the supreme, transcendent Ruler of the universe. It explicitly contrasts Him with the local, powerless deities of Babylon, emphasizing His ultimate sovereignty, omnipotence, and ability to know and act beyond human and earthly limitations. This title is frequent in Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, asserting the monotheistic truth against pagan polytheism and affirming His power over kings and all mysteries.

• "concerning this secret" (רָז דְּנָה - raz denah): "Secret" (raz) refers to something hidden or a mystery that can only be revealed through divine intervention. The "this" refers specifically to King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation, which was unobtainable by any human means. It highlights that the solution lies uniquely in God's domain, showcasing His singular knowledge and foresight, and preparing for His revelation as the only true source of wisdom.

• "that Daniel and his fellows": Refers specifically to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego). This points to the targeted group of faithful exiles who were immediately impacted by the decree, underscoring their shared faith and unity in approaching God for deliverance. It distinguishes them from the other wise men by their spiritual reliance.

• "should not perish" (לָא יְהוֹבְדוּן - la yehovdun): The verb avad means "to perish, destroy, be put to death, ruin." This phrase expresses the immediate, life-or-death stakes. Their prayer was urgently for physical preservation from execution, demonstrating the high personal cost involved and the severe nature of the king's decree, from which only divine intervention could save them.

• "with the rest of the wise men of Babylon": This clarifies that Daniel and his friends faced the same fatal decree as the Chaldean diviners, astrologers, and sorcerers. It contrasts their method of seeking knowledge (prayer to the true God) with the failed methods of the pagan wise men. It also implies a demonstration of God's particular care for His people, even within a broader context of judgment that affects others.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "desire mercies of the God of heaven": This phrase profoundly articulates their complete dependency and specific target of their petition. It is an act of humble, urgent pleading for compassionate divine intervention from the ultimate, sovereign authority of the universe, setting their reliance on God's character above human ingenuity.
  • "concerning this secret": This clearly identifies the impossible task at hand, framing it as a divinely-held mystery. It highlights that the resolution required revelation from God alone, not human intellect or magic, establishing God's unique knowledge and power in unveiling what is hidden.
  • "that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon": This specifies the desperate urgency and the personal stake for these faithful servants. It implicitly contrasts their outcome, if saved, with the demise of the pagan wise men, illustrating God's power to protect His own and elevate them even in a hostile foreign land, based on their faith.

Daniel 2 18 Bonus section

• The immediate, decisive action to pray indicates a well-established pattern of seeking God's will and intervention in Daniel's life and the lives of his companions, setting an example of faith under pressure.
• This specific prayer meeting initiates a narrative trajectory in which God consistently reveals Himself as the ultimate authority and source of wisdom, in stark contrast to the fallibility and spiritual void of the Babylonian religious system.
• The collective nature of the prayer ("they would desire") highlights the importance of community and unified supplication among believers in times of crisis, fostering mutual encouragement and a stronger appeal to God.

Daniel 2 18 Commentary

Daniel 2:18 serves as the fulcrum of the crisis presented in Daniel chapter 2. Faced with a king's irrational decree threatening collective execution, Daniel and his three faithful companions responded not with panic or a desperate search for human solutions, but by turning immediately and corporately to "the God of heaven." Their urgent "desire for mercies" reflects a profound understanding that their predicament transcended human capability, requiring the compassionate intervention of the transcendent God. The specificity of their plea for "this secret" — Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its interpretation — emphasized that the knowledge resided solely with the Almighty, distinct from the impotent divination of the Babylonian wise men. This corporate prayer for physical preservation underscored their absolute reliance on God's power to save them from perishing, ultimately preparing the way for God to magnificently display His supremacy over earthly kingdoms and His unique ability to reveal all mysteries, thereby preserving His servants and glorifying His name.