13 I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.77 14 And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. Dan. As the boasting horn of Daniel 7 seems to be getting away with his blasphemies and his oppression of the saints, it seems to him he can do whatever he wishes, including the changing of times and law. Dan. While God tells neither Daniel nor us that this beast represents Nebuchadnezzar, He does reveal that the head of gold in the vision of the great statue was Nebuchadnezzar (2:36-38). (3) This chapter contains the major segment of Daniel, which is primarily prophetic, although it does not contain the first prophecy in the Book of Daniel. A night vision is given to king Nebuchadnezzar, apparently early in his reign as king of Babylon. Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. It may have been a physical manifestation, a dream, or merely a thought. The process of having a baby involves the pains of childbirth. He ran to the king, bringing Daniel with him, and said, Ive found a man from the exiles of Judah who can interpret the kings dream!, 26 The king asked Daniel (renamed in Babylonian, Belteshazzar), Are you sure you can do thistell me the dream I had and interpret it for me?. Nebuchadnezzar became distressed when he received his first night vision (2:1) because he did understand some of his dream. Abraham and Sarah were elderly and childless. In many of the verses, Daniel refers to we instead of I and us instead of me. Escort me to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him!. Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a huge tree. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them,81 and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands. He ordered the offering of sacrifices and burning of incense in Daniels honor. (13) In some sense, the last kingdom is still on-going. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. These kingdoms go from bad to worse. Earlier in Daniel, we are told how Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had besieged Jerusalem, took their king Jehoiakim captive and scuttled precious religious artifacts from the Great Temple. The events seen by Daniel in chapter seven would signal the establishment of the everlasting kingdom which Daniel described in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. God answered Daniels prayer, and Daniel praised the Lord (Dan 2:19-23). 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong like iron. This great image, whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. His thoughts alarm him, and his face pales. The ruler changed [19], The overall theme of the Book of Daniel is God's sovereignty over history,[5] and the theme of the tales in chapters 16 is that God is sovereign over all earthly kings. "[32], The traditional interpretation of the dream identifies the four empires as the Babylonian (the head), Medo-Persian (arms and shoulders), Greek (thighs and legs), and Roman (the feet) empires.[33]. However, this peaceful state was broken when in his sleep he had a troubling dream. Law and Gospel Nebuchadnezzars dream concerned the latter days (the days of the future or the end). True. [4] The lack of linguistic continuity (the switch from Hebrew to Aramaic at verse 4), and of continuity with other parts of Daniel (e.g., the king needs an introduction to Daniel despite having interviewed him at the completion of his training in Daniel 1:18), as well as various instances of repetitiveness (see verses 2830), are sometimes cited as evidence that later hands have edited the story, or as signs that the author was working from multiple sources. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock cut out of a mountain, but not by human handsa rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces. You are that head of gold. Having gained an appreciation for Daniel and his three Hebrew friends, over a period he came to faith in their God. The first recorded vision comes to Daniel in the form of a night vision, like those of Nebuchadnezzar (2:1; 4:5) during the first year of the reign of Belshazzar. The saints should expect to suffer because of their faith, especially as the last days for the kingdoms of men draw near. Dan. This designation refers to God the Father in a way that stresses His eternality, dignity, and power. The second scene portrays the establishment of the thrones on which the Ancient of Days and those holding court are to be seated to pronounce judgment. Daniel 2 I have heard a number of attempts to explain the gaps in Old Testament prophecy. 11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. 43 And 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. The rock that smashes the feet of the iron kingdom represents God. The fulfillment of the prophecy of Belshazzars demise underscores the certainty of the fulfillment of Daniels vision in the last days. WebNebuchadnezzar was shocked by Daniels telling and explaining his dream. 2:35 Then 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. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay. His mouth is used to speak boastfully. The inter-relationship between the prophecies of chapters 2 and 7 is demonstrated on the following page: Deterioration: Gold to iron mixed with clay, Deterioration: Nearly human to blaspheming beast. This is the dream you had when you were lying on your bed, the vision that filled your mind: 2930 While you were stretched out on your bed, O king, thoughts came to you regarding what is coming in the days ahead. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. We will deal with the meaning and application of Daniels vision later on in our questions and answers. He questioned His disciples so that they could confess that He, the Son of Man, was the Messiah (16:13f.). Where it has not caused distress, it should have. The first thing Daniel does when the Kings dream is revealed to him is to acknowledge that God revealed the dream and thank God for giving him insight. 10 A river of fire was flowing And coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; The court sat, and the books were opened. However, the iron and clay feet represent an iron kingdom that will be partly strong and partly brittle. The Son of Man was also Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8). If Daniel had been shaken by the dark side of his vision, he is reminded in the interpretation of the outcome of these eventsthe establish- ment of Gods eternal kingdom. Nebuchadnezzar then acknowledges the supremacy of Daniel's God and raises him to high office in Babylon. The Roman view holds that the silver chest/arms represent the Medo-Persian Empire, belly/thighs the Greek Empire, and legs of iron/clay the Roman empire. Daniels first inner turmoil occurs in chapter 7. 4:1617, 2426). He would rise from the dead (12:40). Daniels Interpretation of Nebuchadnezzars Dream Character The second is bear-like. Indeed, after giving his interpretation, Daniel begs the king to repent of his sins and to show mercy to the poor (cf. We do not walk by sight, but by faith. Daniel was one of the many Jews who were taken into captivity by Babylon. Finally, Nebuchadnezzars dream may not be a literal, complete history of the world but rather, a synopsis representing a series of earthly civilizations who will ultimately fall before being assimilated under the rule of God. Now that Daniel has told Nebuchadnezzar the dream he had, he now begins to interpret the dream. The horn continues to sound off while the court is being set up for judgment. 145:13. He distinguishes himself by his ability to overcome the whole earth, crushing it under foot. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. What the vision refers to is not specified. You have things to do. We dare not ignore that which is revealed nor do we dare go too far afield in speculating about what is concealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 2:23). Humanly speaking, it was impossible for them to have a child. 44 In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. Propitiation A more broad look at the verses however, indicates Arioch is simply excited and is not making a move to impress the king. Daniel was given wisdom and the ability to interpret the dream by God. The vision plays on before Daniel, almost as though in answer to his desire to know more. [10] The first three verses of chapter 2 and part of verse 4 are in Hebrew. 4:8). Its appearance caused alarm. 2:14; 1 John 4:56)? Daniels action was a very Christlike gesture. Fasting The Skilled Migrant Category is a points system based on factors such as age, work experience, your qualifications, and an offer of skilled employment. The visions explanation was not thorough enough to satisfy Daniel. He went and said thus to him: Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation., 25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation., 26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?. Developed by. 13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: 17 These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. First is a great tree that filled the earth. [20] On the human level Daniel is set against the Babylonian magicians who fail to interpret the king's dream, but the cosmic conflict is between the God of Israel and the false Babylonian gods. Suffering and glory are a part of one work. What is its message to Daniel, to the Jews, and to us? You must also be aged 55 or under, and meet English language, health, and character requirements. 45 Forasmuch 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. Daniels vision ends here, but its impact on him does not end. The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the kings demand., 24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. "Nebuchadnezzar's dreams in the Old English Daniel." Unusually, the feet are an odd combination of solid iron and brittle clay. The particular variety of this disease that struck Nebuchadnezzar was boanthropy, where a person believes themselves to be an ox. 4143 But then the feet and toes that ended up as a mixture of ceramic and iron will deteriorate into a mongrel kingdom with some remains of iron in it. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. Print. For you have enabled me to understand the kings dilemma., 2:24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). From the context, it would seem that Daniels distress is the result of the wickedness and oppression of the world kingdoms which are represented by the beasts, and by the knowledge that the saints will be oppressed and even overcome for a period of time. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy., King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered than an offering and incense be presented to him. But your rule will be taken over by another kingdom, inferior to yours, and that one by a third, a bronze kingdom, but still ruling the whole land, and after that by a fourth kingdom, ironlike in strength. Repentance This also underscores that these four kingdoms go from reasonably good to unbelievably bad. Given Nebuchadnezzars repeated interaction with Daniel and his friends, why do you think he did not become a believer earlier (cf. Privacy Policy Encouraged to do so, it savagely devours. Wisdom (2) While the timing of the fulfillment of divine prophecy may seem remote to the recipient, it still has relevance for him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors. It therefore seems that the two prophecies speak of the same four kingdoms by means of different imagery. These horns are also kings, from whom kingdoms arise (verse 24). When that day comes for them, it is too late to repent. First is a great tree that filled 48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. In our passage, Daniel asks for and receives an explanation. 2:38 Wherever human beings, wild animals, and birds of the sky livehe has given them into your power. There are conflicting views of which countries are represented by the enormous statues remaining components silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, and iron legs. In Dan. 2345 Charles Ave. It is a testimony to his faithfulness to God that over a decade into Daniels court service to the king, Nebuchadnezzar still knew his real name (cf. The Cross And Our Response to Trials (1 Peter 4:12-19), 8. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed them. When Arioch approaches the king to tell him that Daniel can interpret his dream, he tells the king, I have found a man among the exiles who can interpret the kings dream. The statement sounds like Arioch is taking credit for finding the solution to the kings dilemma. Nebuchadnezzars polytheist beliefs left room for many gods, including Daniel. For the remainder of Nebuchadnezzars life, it seems that religion in the kingdom of Babylon was at least favorable to the worship of the God of the Jews.
how old was daniel when he interpreted nebuchadnezzar's first dream