Daniel 2:46 - Meaning and Application

We might expect Nebuchadnezzar to be angry with Daniel. The king was trying to make his own kingdom last forever, yet Daniel had told him it would fall and that another kingdom, unlike any earthly one, would be everlasting. Instead of treating that message as an insult, Nebuchadnezzar received it like a true word from God, and the rest of the passage shows how deeply it affected him.

First, he was ready to treat Daniel like a little god. He could see Daniel was a man, but Daniel had shown him something no ordinary man could know: the king’s secret thoughts and the meaning of the dream. That made Nebuchadnezzar think Daniel must have divine wisdom in him, worthy of worship, so he fell on his face and honored him (Daniel 2:46). In that culture, people often bowed before kings because kings were thought to have something of God’s authority in them, as in, “I said, You are gods” (Psalm 82:6).

So this proud king, who was used to receiving honor himself, now gave the same honor to Daniel. He was so amazed that he forgot Daniel was only a man, and he even forgot that he himself was a king. In this way, God made his revelation seem great and wonderful. A pagan ruler was forced to show deep respect for even a small glimpse of it.

Nebuchadnezzar also commanded that an offering be made to Daniel and that incense be burned. This was not right, though he may be partly excused because Cornelius was ready to worship Peter, and John once tried to worship an angel, even though both knew better (Acts 10:25-26; Revelation 22:8-9). Daniel likely refused these honors, just as Peter told Cornelius to stand up because he was only a man. The text does not say the offering was actually made, only that the king said, in his haste, that it should be offered. Daniel seems to have said something that turned the king’s thoughts away from himself, as the next verse says, “The king answered Daniel” (Daniel 2:47).

This shows that a person may show great respect for God’s servants and still have no real love for God’s word. Herod respected John the Baptist, listened to him gladly, and yet kept on sinning (Mark 6:20). Honor for a minister is good only if it leads to honor for the God he serves.

Second, Nebuchadnezzar openly confessed that Daniel’s God was the true and great God. If Daniel would not let himself be worshiped, then, as Daniel likely guided him, the king would worship God instead by saying, “Your God is the God of gods” (Daniel 2:47). That means he is above all other so-called gods in worth and power. He is also “a Lord of kings,” the One from whom rulers get their authority and to whom they must answer.

Nebuchadnezzar also called him a revealer of secrets. God sees what is most hidden, and he can make it known when he chooses. What God revealed through Daniel had been hidden from everyone else, and only God could have made it known (1 Corinthians 2:10). This was a great confession for a heathen king to make.

Third, the king greatly honored Daniel and made him a great man (Daniel 2:48). In truth, God had already made Daniel great by bringing him into close fellowship with himself, which made him greater than Nebuchadnezzar could ever make him. But because God had honored Daniel, the king also honored him. The king gave Daniel many valuable gifts, and Daniel had no reason to refuse them, since they could help him do more good for his fellow captives.

These gifts were a proper reward for faithful service. They were not the kind of wages Balaam chased after for divining, because Daniel had not bargained for them. Nebuchadnezzar also made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, which likely gave him influence over the other provinces as well. He made him chief over all the wise men of Babylon too, so the very men Daniel had surpassed would now be under his direction. If they could not do what the king wanted, they would now have to do what Daniel required. It is fitting that foolish people should serve those who are wise.

Since Daniel had shown that he could reveal this secret, the king raised him up in this way. Princes do well to promote and use people who know God’s revelation and stay close to it. Daniel was like Joseph, who was raised up in Egypt because he could interpret dreams, and Pharaoh gave him a name that meant “revealer of secrets” (Genesis 41:39-45).

Fourth, Nebuchadnezzar also promoted Daniel’s friends because of Daniel’s request (Daniel 2:49). Daniel himself sat in the king’s gate, meaning he held a high office, perhaps as a leading adviser, chief judge, or head officer in the court. Yet he did not forget his friends. He used his influence well and secured places in the government for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel’s three Jewish companions.

Those who had helped Daniel by their prayers shared in his honor, and Daniel had a thankful heart toward them. Their promotion would also help Daniel in his own work, since they could support him in his duties. And by being placed high in Babylon, these faithful Jews could help their fellow captives and serve them in many ways. Sometimes God prepares his people for trouble by first giving them help that will make the trouble easier to bear.