Discovery BoxDaniel 2:16-23 
Context2:16 So Daniel went in and 1 requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king. 2:17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. 2:18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he 2 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 3 the God of heaven, 2:20 saying, 4
“Let the name of God 5 be praised 6 forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to him.
2:21 He changes times and seasons,
deposing some kings
and establishing others. 7
He gives wisdom to the wise;
he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; 8
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 9 requested from you.
For you have enabled me to understand the king’s dilemma.” 10
1 tc Theodotion and the Syriac lack the words “went in and.”
2 tn Aram “Daniel.” The proper name is redundant here in English, and has not been included in the translation.
3 tn Or “blessed.”
4 tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”
5 sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.
6 tn Or “blessed.”
7 tn Aram “kings.”
8 tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”
9 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.
10 tn Aram “the word of the king.”
