The big picture
Daniel 2 opens in verse 1 with “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 25 with “Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have…”, and closes in verse 49 with “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the…” Repeated or prominent terms include king, Daniel, iron, dream, interpretation. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Daniel · King James Version · 49Daniel 2:1-7
1–7: In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed…
Daniel 2:1–7 opens with “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith…” and reaches “They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by king, dream, interpretation.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was…” Naming Nebuchadnezzar keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dream, dreamed, king. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Daniel 2:1-7
King James Version1And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.
2Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
3And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.
4Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
5The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.
6But 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.
7They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.
Daniel 2:8-14
8–14: The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the…
Daniel 2:8–14 opens with “The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the…” and reaches “Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by king, shew, wise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.” The line’s distinctive content terms include certainty, gain, gone. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.
“But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter…” Naming Chaldean and Chaldeans keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Daniel 2:8-14
King James Version8The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.
9But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.
10The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
11And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
12For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
13And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
14Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
Daniel 2:15-21
15–21: He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so…
Daniel 2:15–21 opens with “He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king…” and reaches “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by Daniel, king, Arioch.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Daniel 2:15-21
King James Version15He answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.
16Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.
17Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18That 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.
19Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Daniel 2:22-28
22–28: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the…
Daniel 2:22–28 opens with “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light…” and reaches “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by king, known, Daniel.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” The line’s distinctive content terms include darkness, deep, dwelleth. Its relationship to verses 23 shows what work it does in this passage.
“I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Daniel 2:22-28
King James Version22He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter.
24Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
25Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.
26The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?
27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
28But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Daniel 2:29-35
29–35: As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what…
Daniel 2:29–35 opens with “As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass…” and reaches “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by image, iron, clay.
Context that brings the passage to life
“As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Daniel 2:29-35
King James Version29As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
30But 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.
31Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
32This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
33His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.
34Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
35Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Daniel 2:36-42
36–42: This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before…
Daniel 2:36–42 opens with “This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.” and reaches “And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by iron, kingdom, clay.
Context that brings the passage to life
“This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dream, interpretation, king. Its relationship to verses 37 shows what work it does in this passage.
“Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Daniel 2:36-42
King James Version36This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.
37Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
38And 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.
39And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.
40And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
41And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
42And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
Daniel 2:43-49
43–49: Whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle…
Daniel 2:43–49 opens with “And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of…” and reaches “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Daniel praying with his friends, explaining the king’s statue dream, and the stone filling the earth, with particular weight carried by king, Daniel, Babylon.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Daniel 2:43-49
King James Version43And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.
47The 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.
48Then 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.
49Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Daniel 2:1 begins with “And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.”
Where the chapter turns
Daniel 2:25 forms a natural hinge: “Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the…”
The final note
Daniel 2:49 leaves the reader with “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words king, Daniel, iron, dream, interpretation, known help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which gifts come before the prohibition?
Life, the garden, food and meaningful work. The command occurs inside generosity.
How does chapter 2 deepen chapter 1?
It concentrates on dependence, partnership and responsibility within the shared human calling.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.