Discovery BoxDaniel 2:18-23 
Context2:18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he 1 and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 2:19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised 2 the God of heaven, 2:20 saying, 3
“Let the name of God 4 be praised 5 forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to him.
2:21 He changes times and seasons,
deposing some kings
and establishing others. 6
He gives wisdom to the wise;
he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; 7
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 8 requested from you.
For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.” 9
1 tn Aram “Daniel.” The proper name is redundant here in English, and has not been included in the translation.
2 tn Or “blessed.”
3 tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”
4 sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.
5 tn Or “blessed.”
6 tn Aram “kings.”
7 tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”
8 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.
9 tn Aram “the word of the king.”
