Home › Bible Text › NET Bible › Daniel › Chapter 2

Old Testament

Daniel 2 (NET)

NET Bible® Scripture text without NET Bible notes. Verse anchors allow direct linking to exact verses.

Daniel 2:1¹In the second year of his reign Nebuchadnezzar had many dreams. His mind was disturbed and he suffered from insomnia.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 4:5 Esth 6:1 Dan 2:3 Gen 40:5-8 Job 33:15-17 Gen 41:1-36

Daniel 2:2²The king issued an order to summon the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and wise men in order to explain his dreams to him. So they came and awaited the king’s instructions.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:20 Dan 4:6 Exod 7:11 Gen 41:8 Dan 2:10 Dan 5:7 Isa 47:12-13 Deut 18:10-12 Isa 19:3 Isa 8:19

Daniel 2:3³The king told them, “I have had a dream, and I am anxious to understand the dream.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 40:8 Gen 41:15 Dan 2:1 Dan 4:5

Daniel 2:4⁴The wise men replied to the king: [What follows is in Aramaic ] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will disclose its interpretation.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 3:9 Dan 5:10 Ezra 4:7 Isa 36:11 1 Kgs 1:31 Dan 6:21 Dan 6:6 1 Kgs 1:25 1 Sam 10:24 Dan 4:19

Daniel 2:5⁵The king replied to the wise men, “My decision is firm. If you do not inform me of both the dream and its interpretation, you will be dismembered and your homes reduced to rubble!Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ezra 6:11 Dan 3:29 2 Kgs 10:27 Ps 50:22 1 Sam 15:33 Dan 2:12 Deut 13:16 Ps 58:7 Josh 6:26

Daniel 2:6⁶But if you can disclose the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, a reward, and considerable honor. So disclose to me the dream and its interpretation.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 5:7 Dan 2:48 Dan 5:29 Dan 5:16-17 Num 22:17 Num 22:37 Num 22:7 Num 24:11

Daniel 2:7⁷They again replied, “Let the king inform us of the dream; then we will disclose its interpretation.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:4 Dan 2:9 Eccl 10:4

Daniel 2:8⁸The king replied, “I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Col 4:5 Eph 5:16

Daniel 2:9⁹If you don’t inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you. For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence that you can disclose its interpretation.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:21 Dan 7:25 Esth 4:11 Isa 41:23 Dan 3:15 Dan 5:28 Ezek 13:6 Isa 44:25 1 Kgs 22:22 1 Kgs 22:6

Daniel 2:10¹⁰The wise men replied to the king, “There is no man on earth who is able to disclose the king’s secret, for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested such a thing from any magician, astrologer, or wise man.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:27

Daniel 2:11¹¹What the king is asking is too difficult, and no one exists who can disclose it to the king, except for the gods—but they don’t live among mortals!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 5:11 2 Cor 6:16 Exod 29:45 Gen 41:39 Isa 57:15 John 1:14 John 14:17 John 14:23 Matt 19:26 1 Kgs 8:27

Daniel 2:12¹²Because of this the king got furiously angry and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 3:13 Dan 3:19 Matt 2:16 Ps 76:10 Dan 2:5 Job 5:2 Prov 16:14 Prov 19:12 Prov 20:2 Prov 27:3-4

Daniel 2:13¹³So a decree went out, and the wise men were about to be executed. They also sought Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:19-20 Dan 6:9-15 Esth 3:12-15 Isa 10:1 Prov 28:15-17 Ps 94:20

Daniel 2:14¹⁴Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:24 2 Sam 20:16-22 Eccl 9:13-18 Gen 37:36 Jer 39:9 Jer 52:12 Jer 52:14

Daniel 2:15¹⁵He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?” Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Daniel 2:16¹⁶So Daniel went in and requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:18-19 Dan 2:9-11

Daniel 2:17¹⁷Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:11 Dan 1:6-7 Dan 3:12

Daniel 2:18¹⁸He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Jer 33:3 Matt 18:19 Matt 18:12 Ps 50:15 Ps 91:15 1 Sam 17:37 2 Tim 4:17-18 Esth 4:15-17 Gen 18:28 Isa 37:4

Daniel 2:19¹⁹Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised the God of heaven,Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Num 12:6 Amos 3:7 Dan 1:17 Dan 7:7 Job 33:15-16 Ps 25:14 1 Cor 2:9-10 Dan 2:22 Job 4:13 2 Kgs 6:8-12

Daniel 2:20²⁰saying: “Let the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ps 113:2 Ps 145:1-2 Job 12:13 Rev 5:12 Jer 32:19 Ps 147:5 Dan 2:21-23 Job 12:16-22 Jude 1:24 1 Chr 29:10-12

Daniel 2:21²¹He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ps 75:5-7 Ps 31:14-15 Ps 113:7-8 Dan 4:17 Dan 7:25 Jas 3:15-17 Dan 4:32 Job 34:24-29 Prov 8:15-16 2 Chr 1:10-12

Daniel 2:22²²he reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what is in the darkness, and light resides with him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Job 12:22 1 John 1:5 Jer 23:24 Jas 1:17 Heb 4:13 Ps 139:11-12 Ps 25:14 Dan 5:11 1 Cor 2:9-11 1 Tim 6:16

Daniel 2:23²³O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you, for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me. Now you have enabled me to understand what we requested from you. For you have enabled us to understand the king’s dilemma.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:18 Exod 3:15 Amos 3:7 Dan 2:20-21 Dan 2:29-30 Luke 10:21 Ps 25:14 1 Chr 29:10 1 Kgs 18:36 1 Kgs 8:57

Daniel 2:24²⁴Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). He came and said to him, “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Escort me to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Acts 27:24 Dan 2:12-14

Daniel 2:25²⁵So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel into the king’s presence, saying to him, “I have found a man from the captives of Judah who can make known the interpretation to the king.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:1 Cor 1:27-28 Dan 1:6 Dan 5:13 Dan 6:13 Eccl 9:10 Neh 7:6 Prov 24:11

Daniel 2:26²⁶The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation?”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:7 Dan 4:8 Dan 5:12 Dan 5:16 1 Sam 17:33 Dan 2:3-7 Dan 4:18-19 Gen 41:15

Daniel 2:27²⁷Daniel replied to the king, “The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, astrologers, magicians, or diviners can possibly disclose it to the king.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:10-11 Dan 2:2 Dan 5:7-8 Isa 44:25 Isa 47:12-14 Isa 19:3 Job 5:12-13

Daniel 2:28²⁸However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the times to come. The dream and the visions you had while lying on your bed are as follows:Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 40:8 Amos 4:13 Dan 10:14 Dan 2:22 Gen 49:1 Gen 41:16 2 Pet 3:3 Dan 2:18 Dan 4:5 Hos 3:5

Daniel 2:29²⁹“As for you, O king, while you were in your bed your thoughts turned to future things. The revealer of mysteries has made known to you what will take place.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:28 Amos 4:13 Dan 2:47 Dan 2:22 Ezek 38:10

Daniel 2:30³⁰As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom than any other living person, but so that the king may understand the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Gen 41:16 Acts 3:12 2 Cor 4:15 Dan 2:17-18 1 Cor 15:8-12 1 Cor 3:21-23 Amos 4:13 Dan 1:17 Dan 2:49 Isa 43:3-4

Daniel 2:31³¹“You, O king, were watching as a great statue—one of impressive size and extraordinary brightness—was standing before you. Its appearance caused alarm.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Hab 1:7 Dan 7:3-17 Ezek 28:7 Isa 13:11 Isa 25:3-5 Luke 4:5 Matt 4:8

Daniel 2:32³²As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 11:2-20 Dan 2:37-39 Dan 4:22 Dan 4:30 Dan 7:4-6 Isa 14:4 Jer 51:7 Rev 17:4 Dan 8:3-8

Daniel 2:33³³Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 7:19-26 Dan 7:7-8 Dan 2:40-43

Daniel 2:34³⁴You were watching as a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:44-45 Dan 8:25 Zech 12:3 Dan 7:13-14 Dan 7:27 Isa 60:12 Zech 4:6 1 Pet 2:7 2 Cor 5:1 Acts 4:11

Daniel 2:35³⁵Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces without distinction and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 2:2-3 Ps 37:10 Hos 13:3 Rev 20:11 Isa 11:9 Isa 41:15-16 Job 6:17 1 Cor 15:25 Isa 17:13-14 Mic 4:1-2

Daniel 2:36³⁶This was the dream. Now we will set forth before the king its interpretation.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:23-24

Daniel 2:37³⁷“You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Ezek 26:7 Jer 27:6-7 Dan 5:18 Ezra 1:2 Ezra 7:12 Isa 47:5 Ps 62:11 1 Kgs 4:24 2 Chr 36:23 Dan 4:25

Daniel 2:38³⁸Wherever human beings, wild animals, and birds of the sky live—he has given them into your power. He has given you authority over them all. You are the head of gold.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 4:21-22 Ps 50:10-11 Jer 27:5-7

Daniel 2:39³⁹Now after you another kingdom will arise, one inferior to yours. Then a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule in all the earth.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:32 Dan 5:28-31 Isa 44:28-45:5 Dan 10:20 Dan 8:20 Dan 8:3-14 Dan 11:2-20 Dan 7:23 Dan 7:5-7 Zech 6:3

Daniel 2:40⁴⁰Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong like iron. Just like iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything, and as iron breaks in pieces all these metals, so it will break in pieces and crush the others.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 7:7 Dan 11:36-45 Dan 7:19-26 Amos 1:3 Dan 2:33 Dan 8:24 Dan 9:26 Jer 15:12 John 11:48

Daniel 2:41⁴¹In that you were seeing feet and toes partly of wet clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron mixed with wet clay.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Rev 17:12 Dan 2:33-35 Dan 7:24 Dan 7:7 Rev 12:3 Rev 13:1

Daniel 2:42⁴²In that the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, the latter stages of this kingdom will be partly strong and partly fragile.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 7:24 Rev 13:1

Daniel 2:43⁴³And in that you saw iron mixed with wet clay, so people will be mixed with one another without adhering to one another, just as iron does not mix with clay.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AI

Daniel 2:44⁴⁴In the days of those kings the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will not be destroyed and a kingdom that will not be left to another people. It will break in pieces and bring about the demise of all these kingdoms. But it will stand forever.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Luke 1:32-33 Matt 28:18 Dan 6:26 Ps 145:13 Rev 11:15 Mic 4:7 1 Cor 15:24-25 Eph 1:20-22 Isa 60:12 Dan 4:34

Daniel 2:45⁴⁵You saw that a stone was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands; it smashed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to the king what will occur in the future. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is reliable.”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Isa 28:16 Gen 41:32 2 Sam 7:22 Deut 10:17 Gen 41:28 Jer 32:18-19 Mal 1:11 Ps 48:1 1 Chr 16:25 2 Cor 10:4-5

Daniel 2:46⁴⁶Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed down with his face to the ground and paid homage to Daniel. He gave orders to offer sacrifice and incense to him.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Acts 10:25 Acts 14:13 Ezra 6:10 Lev 26:31 Acts 28:6 Luke 17:16 Rev 11:16 Rev 19:10 Rev 22:8

Daniel 2:47⁴⁷The king replied to Daniel, “Certainly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery!”Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:22 Dan 2:28 Amos 3:7 Dan 11:36 Deut 10:17 1 Tim 6:15 Dan 2:37 Dan 4:8-9 Gen 41:39 Ps 136:2

Daniel 2:48⁴⁸Then the king elevated Daniel to high position and bestowed on him many marvelous gifts. He granted him authority over the entire province of Babylon and made him the main prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 2:6 Dan 4:9 Dan 5:11 Dan 5:16 Dan 5:29 Gen 41:39-43 1 Sam 17:25 1 Sam 25:2 2 Kgs 5:1 2 Sam 19:32

Daniel 2:49⁴⁹And at Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Daniel himself served in the king’s court.Copy Link KJV+Strong’s Many Bible Versions Ask AICross Refs:Dan 1:7 Esth 2:19 Amos 5:15 Dan 3:12-30 Esth 2:21 Dan 1:17 Dan 2:17 Esth 3:2 Jer 39:3 Prov 28:12

Study Daniel 2

Full Commentary

Open the full commentary stream for Daniel.

Lite Commentary

Open the concise commentary stream for Daniel.

Simple Commentary

Open the simple commentary for Daniel 2:1-49.

Book Overview

Read the book-level overview and orientation.