Daniel 2:19-23

2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised ¹  the God of heaven, 2:20 saying, ² 

“Let the name of God ³  be praised ⁴  forever and ever,

for wisdom and power belong to him.

2:21 He changes times and seasons,

deposing some kings

and establishing others. ⁵ 

He gives wisdom to the wise;

he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; ⁶ 

2:22 he reveals deep and hidden things.

He knows what is in the darkness,

and light resides with him.

2:23 O 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 I ⁷  requested from you.

For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.” ⁸ 

Daniel 2:30

2:30 As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom ⁹  than any other living person, but so that the king may understand ¹⁰  the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind. ¹¹ 

[2:19]  ¹ tn Or “blessed.”

[2:20]  ² tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”

[2:20]  ³ sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.

[2:20]  ⁴ tn Or “blessed.”

[2:21]  ⁵ tn Aram “kings.”

[2:21]  ⁶ tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”

[2:23]  ⁷ tn Aram “we.” Various explanations have been offered for the plural, but it is probably best understood as the editorial plural; so also with “me” later in this verse.

[2:23]  ⁸ tn Aram “the word of the king.”

[2:30]  ⁹ tn Aram “not for any wisdom which is in me more than [in] any living man.”

[2:30]  ¹⁰ tn Aram “they might cause the king to know.” The impersonal plural is used here to refer to the role of God’s spirit in revealing the dream and its interpretation to the king. As J. A. Montgomery says, “it appropriately here veils the mysterious agency” (Daniel [ICC], 164-65).

[2:30]  ¹¹ tn Aram “heart.”