Page 71 - Daniel

the world (1:9; 3:19; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46).
Having attributed to God these superlative qualities of wisdom, power,

sovereignty, and knowledge, Daniel directly expresses his thanks to God
for His revelation of the secret. Although no mention is made of Daniel’s
deliverance from death, obviously this is included. While Daniel does not
have the infinite wisdom and power of God, he has that which is derived
from God—wisdom and ability to interpret the vision.

The expression “God of my fathers” is a common one in the Old
Testament, here Elohim being used for God, rather than Yahweh (Gen.
31:42 also uses Elohim, the common name for God, rather than Yahweh,
the covenant name of the God of Israel). As Leupold notes, the reference

to “my Fathers” indicates that Daniel “is having an experience of God’s
mercy which is analogous to that to which the fathers of Old give
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testimony on the pages of the sacred story.” Notice should be made of
the pronouns, namely, that while the revelation was given to Daniel as
an individual, it was what “we asked for,” and through Daniel the king’s

secret was “made known to us,” that is, Daniel and his companions.
Daniel does not attribute to his own prayers any special efficacy.

DANIEL REPORTS THE REVELATION OF THE SECRET (2:24–28)

2:24–28 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had

appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus
to him, “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before
the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.” Then Arioch
brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I
have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known
to the king the interpretation.” The king said to Daniel, whose name
was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that

I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said,
“No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the
king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven
who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King
Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the

visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:”