Daniel 2 47

Daniel 2:47 kjv

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Daniel 2:47 nkjv

The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret."

Daniel 2:47 niv

The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."

Daniel 2:47 esv

The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."

Daniel 2:47 nlt

The king said to Daniel, "Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this secret."

Daniel 2 verses

Daniel 2 47 meaning

Nebuchadnezzar's declaration in Daniel 2:47 is a profound acknowledgment of the absolute supremacy of Daniel's God (Yahweh). After Daniel successfully revealed and interpreted the king's forgotten dream, Nebuchadnezzar was compelled by irrefutable evidence to confess that Yahweh is the ultimate sovereign over all other supposed deities ("God of gods") and over all earthly rulers ("Lord of kings"). Furthermore, he recognized Yahweh as the unique source of hidden knowledge and revelation ("revealer of mysteries"), a capability unequivocally demonstrated through Daniel's God-given wisdom. This confession, while not yet a complete personal conversion, establishes the divine authority behind Daniel's message and marks a significant victory for the one true God over the powerful pagan empire of Babylon, forcing even its most dominant ruler to bow in spiritual awe.

Daniel 2 47 Context

Daniel chapter 2 chronicles the terrifying and perplexing ordeal faced by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The king had a dream which greatly disturbed him, yet he had forgotten its details. He summoned all his wise men – magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers – demanding they not only interpret the dream but first reveal what the dream itself was. This was an impossible request for any human, and the wise men truthfully admitted their inability, stating that "no one can show the king what he asks except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar decreed the execution of all the wise men in Babylon, a decree that included Daniel and his three companions. In this desperate situation, Daniel sought and received divine intervention; God, in a night vision, revealed both the forgotten dream and its interpretation to him. Daniel then boldly appeared before the king, not taking personal credit but clearly stating that his ability came from the "God of heaven," who is the "revealer of mysteries." Daniel recounted the vivid dream of the colossal statue representing a succession of world empires culminating in God's eternal kingdom. Overwhelmed by this precise revelation of something only he could have known, and the profound interpretation of history's course, Nebuchadnezzar's response in Daniel 2:47 is one of astonished and humbled worship. This moment represents the pinnacle of the king's initial acknowledgement of Yahweh's unparalleled power, unique wisdom, and sovereign control over all human affairs.

Daniel 2 47 Word analysis

• The king answered Daniel and said, "Truly (מִן־קְשֹׁט - min qəšôṭ),

  • The king answered: This indicates a dramatic shift from his previous rage and frustration. The king's authority, which seemed absolute, is now seen bowing to a higher truth.
  • "Truly" (מִן־קְשֹׁט): This Aramaic phrase denotes absolute certainty and sincerity. It signifies a confession born out of undeniable, objective truth rather than mere conjecture or religious platitude. It highlights the profound conviction that now gripped the king, emphasizing that this declaration is an authentic admission of what he has experienced.

• your God (אֱלָהָךְ - ʾĕlāhāḵ) is the God of gods (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין - ʾělāh ʾělāhîn) and the Lord of kings (וּמָרֵא מַלְכִין - ûmārê malḵîn) and a revealer of mysteries (וְגָלֵא רָזִין - wəḡālê rāzîn),

  • "your God": While acknowledging the overwhelming power, Nebuchadnezzar's language ("your God") suggests he recognizes YHWH's power specifically as Daniel's God, rather than a full, exclusive personal devotion. It highlights the source of Daniel's power.
  • "is the God of gods" (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין): This is a superlative expression common in biblical Aramaic and Hebrew, asserting absolute supremacy. It declares YHWH as the supreme divine being, towering above and exercising authority over all other deities, real or imagined, including the vast Babylonian pantheon. This is a direct polemic against the polytheism and idol worship central to the Babylonian state religion.
  • "and the Lord of kings" (וּמָרֵא מַלְכִין): This attribute directly challenges the conventional understanding of human monarchy in the ancient world, especially that of an absolute ruler like Nebuchadnezzar. It elevates YHWH's sovereignty above all human rulers, proclaiming Him as the ultimate power orchestrating events and determining the fates of nations and their kings. It signifies that even the most formidable human authority is subject to divine rule.
  • "and a revealer of mysteries" (וְגָלֵא רָזִין): This emphasizes God's omniscience and unique ability to disclose what is hidden from human understanding. The term "rāzîn" (mysteries) speaks to divine secrets and cosmic knowledge. This specific attribute directly validates Daniel's feat, proving that only such a God could reveal the king's forgotten dream and its future implications, a task that baffled all the king's own wise men.

• for you have been able to reveal this mystery (דִּי יְכֵלְתָּ לְמִגְלֵא רָזָא דְנָה - dî yəḵeltā ləmīḡlê rāzâ dənh)."

  • "for you have been able to reveal this mystery": This concluding phrase provides the direct, undeniable evidence that compels Nebuchadnezzar's preceding declarations. It grounds his confession not in abstract theology but in the empirical, supernatural demonstration of power and knowledge that Daniel manifested through his God. This specific act—revealing the king's own forgotten dream—was the unchallengeable proof that forced the king's acknowledgment of YHWH's extraordinary capabilities.

Daniel 2 47 Bonus section

• Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of YHWH here is a significant moment but represents an acknowledgment of a powerful God rather than a full conversion to monotheistic worship. His journey of understanding God continues through chapters 3 and 4, demonstrating a progressive, yet often challenging, spiritual development marked by relapses into paganism before a more complete submission.
• The three attributes Nebuchadnezzar applies to YHWH – "God of gods," "Lord of kings," and "revealer of mysteries" – create a comprehensive declaration of divine preeminence. They cover theological supremacy, political sovereignty, and epistemic (knowledge) uniqueness, leaving no aspect of power unchallenged by YHWH.
• The emphasis on God as the "revealer of mysteries" directly prefigures the rest of the book of Daniel, which is largely comprised of God's future revelations to Daniel concerning the ages. This moment establishes the prophetic credibility and divine origin of the subsequent visions.
• This Gentile acknowledgment of YHWH parallels similar instances in the Old Testament, such as Pharaoh's interactions with Moses or Cyrus's decree, showcasing a consistent theme: God works through all nations and people, even those who initially oppose Him, to declare His glory and achieve His purposes.
• Daniel's humble and consistent redirection of glory to God throughout chapter 2 (Dan 2:18-23, 27-30) leads directly to Nebuchadnezzar's powerful confession in verse 47. This illustrates the principle that when God's people act in faith and give Him the credit, He receives the ultimate honor and renown from surprising sources.

Daniel 2 47 Commentary

Daniel 2:47 stands as a powerful testament to the sovereign power and unique knowledge of the one true God, YHWH. Nebuchadnezzar's confession is not merely an act of political expediency but a genuine, awe-struck acknowledgment, extracted by the irrefutable evidence of a divine revelation no human could have performed. By declaring YHWH the "God of gods" and "Lord of kings," the monarch elevates Daniel's God above his own pagan deities and asserts His supremacy over all human rulers, effectively conceding his own ultimate authority. Furthermore, recognizing YHWH as the "revealer of mysteries" directly links this divine attribute to the immediate crisis and its miraculous resolution, proving God's unparalleled insight into history's past, present, and future. This verse forms a critical foundation for the book of Daniel, repeatedly illustrating God's overarching control of human affairs and validating the divine source of Daniel's prophecies, offering hope and certainty to God's people living in exile. It showcases that even the most powerful pagan empire cannot withstand the truth of God's word or conceal itself from His pervasive revelation.