King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:47 Mean?

Daniel 2:47 in the King James Version says “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 re...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Daniel 2:47 · KJV

Truth

Context

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.

49

Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.

Read Daniel 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nebuchadnezzar's declaration "Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods" represents significant theological progress for a pagan polytheist, though it falls short of full monotheistic conversion. The Aramaic Elah elahin (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין, "God of gods") and Mare malkin (מָרֵא מַלְכִין, "Lord of kings") acknowledge Yahweh's supremacy within Nebuchadnezzar's polytheistic framework—he recognizes God as supreme among many deities rather than as the only God.

The phrase "revealer of secrets" directly responds to Daniel's earlier testimony (verse 28). Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that Daniel's God accomplishes what Babylon's entire class of wise men could not—supernatural revelation of mysteries. This confession demonstrates God's power to testify to His reality through His servants' faithfulness. Though incomplete, Nebuchadnezzar's acknowledgment represents genuine progress toward recognizing Yahweh's uniqueness.

This partial revelation anticipates fuller disclosure in subsequent chapters. Nebuchadnezzar's theological journey spans the entire book's narrative section (chapters 1-6), progressing from polytheistic assumptions toward acknowledging the Most High God's sovereignty. His confession illustrates how God gradually reveals Himself to unbelievers through His people's faithful witness. This points to Christ, the ultimate revealer who makes the Father known (John 1:18) and through whom all nations will acknowledge God's sovereignty (Philippians 2:10-11).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern kings regularly acknowledged powerful foreign deities while maintaining loyalty to national gods. Nebuchadnezzar's statement reflects this syncretistic approach—adding Yahweh to Babylon's pantheon rather than recognizing Him as the exclusive God. However, even this limited acknowledgment was significant, publicly elevating Daniel and validating Jewish monotheism before the empire's court.

Archaeological evidence reveals that Babylonian kings sometimes honored foreign deities to consolidate conquered territories and gain divine favor. Nebuchadnezzar's subsequent actions (particularly erecting a golden image in chapter 3) demonstrate his incomplete conversion. Nevertheless, his public testimony prepared the way for Daniel's continued influence and eventual fuller acknowledgment of Yahweh's sovereignty in chapter 4.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use believers' faithfulness in pagan contexts to gradually reveal Himself to unbelievers in authority?
  2. What is the difference between acknowledging God's power and submitting to His exclusive lordship, and how can you discern this distinction in evangelistic contexts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עָנֵה֩1 of 20

“answered”

H6032

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

מַלְכִ֖ין2 of 20

“The king”

H4430

a king

לְדָנִיֵּ֜אל3 of 20

“unto Daniel”

H1841

danijel, the hebrew prophet

וְאָמַ֗ר4 of 20

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

מִן5 of 20

“Of”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

קְשֹׁט֙6 of 20

“a truth”

H7187

fidelity

דִּ֣י7 of 20

“it is that”

H1768

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

אֱלָהִ֛ין8 of 20

“is a God”

H426

god

ה֣וּא9 of 20
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

אֱלָהִ֛ין10 of 20

“is a God”

H426

god

אֱלָהִ֛ין11 of 20

“is a God”

H426

god

וּמָרֵ֥א12 of 20

“and a Lord”

H4756

a master

מַלְכִ֖ין13 of 20

“The king”

H4430

a king

לְמִגְלֵ֖א14 of 20

“and a revealer”

H1541

to reveal, to carry away

רָזָ֥א15 of 20

“of secrets”

H7328

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

דִּ֣י16 of 20

“it is that”

H1768

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

יְכֵ֔לְתָּ17 of 20

“seeing thou couldest”

H3202

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְמִגְלֵ֖א18 of 20

“and a revealer”

H1541

to reveal, to carry away

רָזָ֥א19 of 20

“of secrets”

H7328

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

דְנָֽה׃20 of 20

“this”

H1836

this

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 2:47 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 2:47 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 2:22Daniel 2:28Amos 3:7Daniel 11:36Deuteronomy 10:17Daniel 4:8-9

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