Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Daniel 2:29
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
29. came into thy mind] lit. came up, the corresponding Heb. word followed by ‘upon the heart,’ being a Heb. idiom for occur to, be thought of by: cf. 2Es 3:1; and see Isa 65:17; Jer 3:16; Jer 7:31; Jer 19:5; Jer 32:35; Jer 44:21; Jer 51:50; Act 7:23. The king, as he lay awake at night, was meditating on the future, speculating, it may be, upon the future destinies of his kingdom, or the success of his projects for the beautification of his capital; and the dream, it seems to be implied, was the form into which, under Providence, his thoughts gradually shaped themselves. In a dream, the images and impressions, which the mind, while in a waking state, has received, are recombined into new, and often fantastic forms; in the present case, a colossal and strangely constructed statue was the form which the recombination ultimately produced.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed – Margin, up; that is, thy thoughts ascended. The Chaldee is, thy thoughts ascended – selqu. So the Greek: Thy thoughts ascended ( anebesan) upon thy couch. There is, evidently, some allusion to the thoughts ascending, or going up; and perhaps the idea is, that they were employed on important subjects – an idea which we now express by saying that ones thoughts are elevated, as contrasted with those which are low and grovelling.
What should come to pass hereafter – It would seem most probable from this, that the thoughts of Nebuchadnezzar were occupied with this subject in his waking moments on his bed, and that the dream was grafted on this train of thought when he fell asleep. Nothing is more probable than that his thoughts might be thus occupied. The question respecting his successor; the changes which might occur; the possibility of revolutions in other kingdoms, or in the provinces of his own vast empire, all were topics on which his mind would probably be employed. As God designed, too, to fix his thoughts particularly on that general subjects the changes which were to occur in his empire – such an occasion, when his attention was greatly engrossed with the subject, would be very suitable to impart the knowledge which he did by this vision. Daniel refers to this, probably, because it would do much to confirm the monarch in the belief of his inspiration, if he referred to the train of thought which had preceded the dream; as it is not improbable that the king would remember his waking thoughts on the subject, though his dream was forgotten.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
29. God met with a revelationNebuchadnezzar, who had been meditating on the future destiny of hisvast empire.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
As for thee, O king,…. So far as thou hast any concern in this matter, or with respect to thee, the following was thy case; these the circumstances and situation in which thou wert:
thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, which should come to pass hereafter; as he lay on his bed, either sleeping or waking, very probably the latter, his thoughts were employed about this great monarchy he had erected, and what would be the issue of it; and was very desirous of knowing what successors he should have in it, and how long it would continue, and what would be the fate of it; when he fell asleep upon this, and had a dream agreeable to his waking thoughts:
and he that revealeth secrets: a periphrasis of the God of heaven, as in the preceding verse:
maketh known unto thee what shall come to pass; this he did by the dream he gave him, though he had forgot it; and now by restoring that, and the interpretation of it, by Daniel.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He again confirms what I have just touched upon, for he wished to impress this upon the king’s mind — that God was the author of the dream, to induce the king to prepare for its interpretation with becoming sobriety, modesty, and docility. For unless he had been seriously affected, he would have despised Daniel’s interpretation; just as we see men fail to profit through their own pride or carelessness even when God addresses. them familiarly. Hence we must observe this order, and be fully prepared to listen to God, and learn to put a bridle upon ourselves on hearing his sacred name, never rejecting whatever he proposes to us, but treating it with proper gravity. This is the true reason why Daniel repeats again that King Nebuchadnezzar was divinely instructed in future events. He says, in the first clause, The king’s thoughts ascended, — the phrase is Hebrew and. Chaldee. Thoughts are said to ascend when they are revolved in the brain or head, as we formerly saw — this vision was in thy head; since the seat of the reasoning faculty is in the head. Daniel therefore asserts the king to be anxious about futurity, as the greatest monarchs think of what shall happen after their death, and every one dreams about enjoying the empire of the whole world. So King Nebuchadnezzar was very probably indulging these thoughts. But it follows immediately, that his thoughts could non profit him unless God unveiled the future, because it was his peculiar office, says the Prophet, to reveal secrets, Here we see clearly how vainly men disturb themselves when they turn over and over again subjects which surpass their abilities. King Nebuchadnezzar might have fatigued himself for a, long time without profit if he had not been instructed by the oracle. Hence there is weight in these words — He who reveals secrets has explained to the king what shall happen; that is, thou canst not understand the dream by thine own thoughts, but God has deemed thee worthy of this peculiar favor when he wished to make thee conscious of mysteries which had been otherwise altogether hidden from thee, for thou couldst never have penetrated to such a depth.
He afterwards adds —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) Hereafteri.e., in the course of history, not only in the Messianic days.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“As for you, O king, your thoughts came into your mind on your bed, what should come about hereafter, and he who reveals secrets has made known to you what will come about. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.”
The idea here is that while the king was lying in bed he had been thinking about the future, and what more great things lay before him. Had he also got in mind the erecting of the great image in chapter 3? The result was that God had given him the dream so that he would know exactly what was coming after.
Daniel is very concerned that Nebuchadnezzar should recognise that the God of heaven had deliberately made known to him what he was about to learn because of who he was, and how he had been thinking. The ‘revealer of secrets’ has chosen to reveal them to him. It should come as a warning.
But at the same time he speaks humbly of himself. He is only a channel used by God in bringing about Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding. He is really no different from others. The understanding was not given so as to magnify him. This was politically wise, but also evidence of the quality of the man. The focus must be on the message, and what it means for Nebuchadnezzar, rather than on the channel through which it comes.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
There are several interesting things in this relation of Daniel, which ought not to be passed by. Observe the modesty of the Prophet, in totally disclaiming all pretensions to merit in himself, and referring all glory to the Lord. Observe also, how boldly Daniel points out to the King the causes wherefore the King was led into this dream, and had his thoughts so deeply exercised about the meaning of it. Daniel plainly tells the monarch, that the whole event was for the Church’s good. Oh! precious Jesus! how hast thou watched over thy Church in all ages, and art watching over it still! The wakefulness of a Persian King laid the foundation for the safety of the whole empire where the Church then was. See Est 6:1-13 . And the dream of this King of Babylon, became the cause of promoting Daniel in a foreign Court, whereby the Church was protected, and the council of the Lord made known to it when in captivity. Blessed Lord! cause thy people always to keep such views of thy constant watching over them in remembrance. As to the dream of an image, of such brightness, and so compounded of gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, and clay; the figure was so unequal, as might well excite the astonishment of the monarch’s mind. And no less, when he beheld this great image destroyed, by a cause so apparently slender, and so apparently disproportioned, and also by means undiscovered, as a stone cut out without hands: yea, moreover, that this little stone should become a great mountain, and fill the earth! Here were wonders upon wonders!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Dan 2:29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came [into thy mind] upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Ver. 29. Thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed. ] Kingdoms have their cares, crowns are stuffed with thorns. These thoughts in the text were preparatory to the ensuing dream, Ecc 5:2 the chief efficient or author whereof was God.
And he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
came = came up.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Dan 2:29
Dan 2:29 As for thee,H607 O king,H4430 thy thoughtsH7476 cameH5559 into thy mind uponH5922 thy bed,H4903 whatH4101 H1768 should come to passH1934 hereafter:H311 H1836 and he that revealethH1541 secretsH7328 maketh knownH3046 to thee whatH4101 H1768 shall come to pass.H1934
Dan 2:29
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Daniel is here telling the king what prompted the dream in the first place. Nebuchadnezzar was lying in bed contemplating the future of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was no different in this regard than anybody who at a quiet time ponders their existence, purpose and the future of their endeavors. Nebuchadnezzar went down in history as a great master builder for the Babylonian Empire. His architectural achievements in both infrastructure and culture were widespread across the empire. It is said that over 90% if the bricks excavated from that time period of history bore the stamp of his name on them. Obviously Nebuchadnezzar was reflecting on what would come to pass in the future of this great empire he was building. Nebuchadnezzar doubtless got more than he was looking for. He received in his dream about 600 years of “what should come to pass hereafter” and he received a prophetic vision of the most powerful and glorious kingdom that will ever exist and its king.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
what should come
Times (of the Gentiles), Dan 2:29-45; Rev 16:19; Luk 21:24.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
came into thy mind: Chal, came up, Eze 38:10
he that: Dan 2:22, Dan 2:28, Dan 2:47, Amo 4:13
Reciprocal: Gen 41:25 – God Gen 49:1 – last days Job 4:13 – thoughts Jer 19:5 – neither Dan 2:23 – and hast Dan 4:5 – and the thoughts Dan 7:1 – Daniel Zec 9:11 – As 1Pe 1:12 – it Rev 1:1 – Revelation
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Dan 2:29. Thy thoughts came upon thy ted signifies that Nebuchadnezzar had not seen some image or statue somewhere among the works of men. It was all a mental picture that came to him while asleep and hence was not a material one.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Daniel then related the king’s dream and its interpretation. He proceeded to remind Nebuchadnezzar that before he had fallen asleep, he had been thinking about the future. The dream that God had given him was a divine revelation of what that future would hold.
"No dream [recorded or referred to in the Bible], before this or since, has ever revealed so much of world history." [Note: Feinberg, pp. 34-35.]
Daniel then assured the king again, that it was the true God who was responsible for this revelation, rather than Daniel himself, who was no greater than any other man. Thus Daniel gave all the glory to God (cf. Joseph in Gen 41:16). It was important for Nebuchadnezzar to receive this revelation, since he was to be the first Gentile king in a significant period of history, namely: the times of the Gentiles. As mentioned earlier, "the times of the Gentiles" refers to the period during which Gentile nations would dominate Israel, lasting until Messiah subjugates Gentile power under His reign.