Daniel 2:19

Then was the secret reuealed vnto Daniel in a night vision: then Daniel blessed the God of heauen. Daniel 2:19 (KJV)

Let’s dive into a Bible study on Daniel 2, using the King James Version (KJV) translation. Daniel 2:19 is a verse within the story of Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and to grasp its significance we first explore the background and the events leading up to it. In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that deeply troubled him. He summoned his magicians, sorcerers, and wise men, demanding not only an interpretation but also the revelation of the dream itself—a test that seemed impossible because the king did not disclose the dream’s details.

Amidst this dilemma, the secret of the dream and its interpretation was revealed to Daniel through a night vision from God. Daniel acknowledged that the understanding was not due to his own wisdom or intellect, but because God chose to reveal it to him. As Daniel later declares, “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.” (This declaration of humility appears in Daniel 2:30, not in verse 19.)

The passage highlights Daniel’s humility and his recognition of God’s sovereignty. He does not claim credit for the insight; instead, he attributes it solely to divine intervention. The purpose of the revelation, as Daniel explains, is to make known the interpretation to the king and to reveal the thoughts of the king’s heart, thereby benefiting others rather than serving personal ambition.

The broader message reminds us of the importance of humility and of acknowledging that all wisdom and understanding ultimately come from God. It teaches us to depend on God for knowledge and insight and to use the wisdom we receive for the benefit of others, fulfilling God’s purposes in our lives.