King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:46 Mean?

Daniel 2:46 in the King James Version says “Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.”

Daniel 2:46 · KJV

Context

44

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. the days: Cald. their days the kingdom: Cald the kingdom thereof

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. without: or, which was not in hands hereafter: Cald. after this

46

Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

47

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

48

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him. This verse presents a striking—and troubling—response to God's revelation. Nebuchadnezzar's prostration and worship represent a misplaced reaction: awed by the message, he inappropriately directs worship toward the messenger rather than the divine Message-Giver. The king's action reveals both spiritual insight (recognizing supernatural revelation) and spiritual confusion (failing to direct worship properly).

The Aramaic verb סְגִד (seged, worship/prostrate) is the same term used for worship of God or idols throughout Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar's command to offer מִנְחָה (minchah, grain/meal offering) and נִיחוֹחִין (nichochin, incense/sweet odors)—terms for ritual worship in Israel—indicates he treated Daniel with divine honors. This represents fundamental category confusion: honoring God's servant with worship reserved for God alone.

Daniel's response goes unrecorded, but we can infer from his consistent character (chapters 1, 6, 10) that he redirected glory to God. Later, when Cornelius prostrated before Peter, Peter explicitly refused worship: 'Stand up; I myself also am a man' (Acts 10:26). Similarly, Revelation 19:10 records an angel refusing John's worship: 'See thou do it not...worship God.' True servants of God refuse misdirected worship.

From a Reformed perspective, this incident illustrates humanity's fallen tendency toward idolatry—we readily worship the creature rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). Even when confronted with divine truth, our default impulse is to direct reverence toward tangible, visible mediators rather than the invisible God. This underscores the need for biblical revelation to correct our worship instincts.

Theologically, this foreshadows Christ's unique mediatorial role. Unlike prophets who refused worship, Jesus accepted it—because He is God incarnate. When Thomas worshiped Christ as 'My Lord and my God' (John 20:28), Jesus didn't refuse but commended faith. This distinction proves Christ's deity: He alone is worthy of worship as both God and man.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern culture, prostration before rulers was customary—subjects regularly 'fell on their faces' before kings as a sign of submission and respect. However, Nebuchadnezzar's actions exceeded political homage. Commanding oblations and incense indicated religious worship, treatment reserved for deities. This wasn't merely honoring a court official but ascribing divine status.

Mesopotamian polytheism readily deified humans. Kings claimed divine descent or status; successful administrators were sometimes venerated as semi-divine. Nebuchadnezzar likely operated within this worldview—perceiving Daniel as possessing divine essence or being an avatar of the gods. His declaration in verse 47 ('your God is a God of gods') shows emerging recognition of Yahweh's supremacy, yet his worship of Daniel reveals incomplete understanding.

For Jewish exiles witnessing this scene, the moment was fraught with tension. God's prophetic interpreter received honors that might compromise monotheistic witness. Yet Daniel's consistent faithfulness throughout the book suggests he immediately redirected glory to God, perhaps educating the king about proper worship (though Scripture doesn't record this explicitly).

Church history records parallel moments. Throughout centuries, Christians have faced temptations to accept inappropriate honors or allow personality cults. The medieval veneration of saints sometimes blurred lines between honor and worship. Reformation emphasis on 'soli Deo gloria' (glory to God alone) sought to correct this, insisting all honor flow ultimately to God.

In the Roman world of the early church, imperial cult worship was mandatory—citizens were required to burn incense to the emperor's genius (divine essence). Christians' refusal sparked persecution: they honored emperors appropriately but refused worship belonging to God alone. Daniel's precedent encouraged this faithful witness.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do humans so readily direct worship toward visible mediators rather than the invisible God?
  2. How do we distinguish between appropriate honor/respect for spiritual leaders and inappropriate veneration that crosses into idolatry?
  3. What does Daniel's likely refusal of worship teach us about handling praise, recognition, or success in ministry?
  4. In what subtle ways might contemporary Christians allow 'worship' of leaders, celebrities, or influencers rather than God alone?
  5. How does this incident foreshadow Christ's unique role as the one mediator worthy of worship (being both God and man)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בֵּ֠אדַיִן1 of 13

“Then”

H116

then (of time)

מַלְכָּ֤א2 of 13

“the king”

H4430

a king

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙3 of 13

“Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

נְפַ֣ל4 of 13

“fell”

H5308

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל5 of 13

“upon”

H5922

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

אַנְפּ֔וֹהִי6 of 13

“his face”

H600

the face

וּלְדָנִיֵּ֖אל7 of 13

“Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

סְגִ֑ד8 of 13

“and worshipped”

H5457

to worship

וּמִנְחָה֙9 of 13

“an oblation”

H4504

a sacrificial offering

וְנִ֣יחֹחִ֔ין10 of 13

“and sweet odours”

H5208

pleasure

אֲמַ֖ר11 of 13

“and commanded”

H560

to speak, to command

לְנַסָּ֥כָה12 of 13

“that they should offer”

H5260

to pour out a libation

לֵֽהּ׃13 of 13
H0

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 2:46 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 2:46 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 10:25Acts 14:13Ezra 6:10Leviticus 26:31Acts 28:6Revelation 22:8

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