King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:28 Mean?

Daniel 2:28 in the King James Version says “But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the la...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; maketh: Cald. hath made known”

Daniel 2:28 · KJV

Context

26

The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?

27

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

28

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; maketh: Cald. hath made known

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. came: Cald. came up

30

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. but for: or, but for the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase "there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets" establishes a stark contrast between Babylon's impotent wise men and the living God. The Aramaic Elah bishemaya (אֱלָהּ בִּשְׁמַיָּא, "God in heaven") emphasizes divine transcendence—He dwells above earthly powers yet sovereignly reveals mysteries to whomever He chooses. The verb galeh (גָּלֵה, "reveals") means "to uncover" or "make bare," indicating God pulling back the veil on hidden truth that humans cannot discover independently.

"What shall be in the latter days" (mah di leheveh be'acharit yomaya, מָה דִי לֶהֱוֵא בְּאַחֲרִית יוֹמַיָּא) introduces the prophetic theme dominating Daniel—God's sovereign control over history's trajectory. The "latter days" refers both to the near future (successive empires) and ultimate eschatological fulfillment (Messiah's kingdom). This dual fulfillment pattern characterizes biblical prophecy, with immediate and ultimate realizations.

Crucially, Daniel disclaims personal wisdom: "as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have." This humility demonstrates that prophetic insight comes through divine gift, not human merit. Daniel points away from himself to God as the sole source of revelation. This anticipates Christ, who declared "I do nothing of myself" (John 8:28), constantly directing glory to the Father while perfectly revealing Him to humanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Daniel's declaration before Nebuchadnezzar occurred after God revealed the dream and interpretation through night vision (Daniel 2:19). Rather than claiming credit for this supernatural insight, Daniel immediately directed Nebuchadnezzar's attention to Yahweh as the revealer of mysteries. In ancient Near Eastern courts, wise men and magicians often cultivated mystique about their abilities to enhance personal prestige and power. Daniel's refusal to claim personal wisdom was countercultural and risky—it could have undermined his standing.

However, Daniel recognized that true wisdom required acknowledging God's sovereignty. His testimony introduced Nebuchadnezzar to monotheism's central claim: one God transcends all earthly powers and controls history's outcome. This established the theological foundation for subsequent chapters where Nebuchadnezzar gradually acknowledges Yahweh's supremacy, culminating in his confession in Daniel 4.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you maintain humility when God grants you insight, success, or abilities that distinguish you from others?
  2. What opportunities does God's sovereign revelation of mysteries create for witness to unbelievers in positions of authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
בְּרַ֡ם1 of 21

“But”

H1297

properly, highly, i.e., surely; but used adversatively, however

אִיתַ֞י2 of 21

“there is”

H383

properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is

אֱלָ֤הּ3 of 21

“a God”

H426

god

בִּשְׁמַיָּא֙4 of 21

“in heaven”

H8065

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

גָּלֵ֣א5 of 21

“that revealeth”

H1541

to reveal, to carry away

רָזִ֔ין6 of 21

“secrets”

H7328

to attenuate, i.e., (figuratively) hide; a mystery

וְהוֹדַ֗ע7 of 21

“and maketh known”

H3046

to inform

לְמַלְכָּא֙8 of 21

“to the king”

H4430

a king

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר9 of 21

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מָ֛ה10 of 21

“what”

H4101

what?, why?, how?

דִּ֥י11 of 21
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

לֶהֱוֵ֖א12 of 21

“shall be”

H1934

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית13 of 21

“in the latter”

H320

later

יוֹמַיָּ֑א14 of 21

“days”

H3118

a day

חֶלְמָ֨ךְ15 of 21

“Thy dream”

H2493

a dream

וְחֶזְוֵ֥י16 of 21

“and the visions”

H2376

a sight

רֵאשָׁ֛ךְ17 of 21

“of thy head”

H7217

the head; figuratively, the sum

עַֽל18 of 21

“upon”

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִשְׁכְּבָ֖ךְ19 of 21

“thy bed”

H4903

a bed

דְּנָ֥ה20 of 21

“are these”

H1836

this

הֽוּא׃21 of 21
H1932

he (she or it); self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 2:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 2:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 40:8Amos 4:13Daniel 10:14Daniel 2:22Genesis 49:1Genesis 41:16

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