Daniel 2:25
Arioch hastily brought Daniel before the king and said to him, "I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who will tell the king the interpretation."
Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king
The name "Arioch" is of Babylonian origin, meaning "servant of the moon god." Arioch was the captain of the king's guard, tasked with executing the wise men of Babylon. His swift action in bringing Daniel to the king demonstrates urgency and perhaps a sense of hope or desperation. Historically, this reflects the high stakes in the Babylonian court, where the king's dreams were considered divine messages. Arioch's role underscores the tension and the potential for divine intervention through Daniel.

and said to him
This phrase indicates Arioch's direct communication with King Nebuchadnezzar. In the ancient Near Eastern courts, such direct speech was significant, as it showed the chain of command and the importance of the message. Arioch's words are carefully chosen, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the potential solution that Daniel represents.

I have found a man among the exiles from Judah
The phrase "exiles from Judah" highlights Daniel's status as a captive, yet it also points to the providential hand of God in placing him in Babylon. The term "exiles" reminds us of the broader narrative of Israel's disobedience and God's sovereign plan. Daniel's identity as a Judean exile is crucial, as it sets the stage for God's power to be displayed through him, a foreigner in a pagan land. This also emphasizes the theme of God using the humble and the displaced to fulfill His purposes.

who will tell the king the interpretation
The word "interpretation" is key in this context, as it signifies the revelation of divine mysteries. In the ancient world, dreams were often seen as omens or messages from the gods, and their interpretation was a highly valued skill. Daniel's ability to interpret the king's dream is not due to human wisdom but is a gift from God, showcasing His sovereignty over earthly kingdoms. This phrase foreshadows the unfolding of God's plan and the revelation of His wisdom through Daniel, a theme that resonates throughout the book.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A young Hebrew man of noble lineage, taken into Babylonian captivity. Known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams, Daniel is a central figure in this account.

2. Arioch
The captain of the king's guard, tasked with executing the wise men of Babylon. He plays a role in bringing Daniel before King Nebuchadnezzar.

3. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon who has a troubling dream that none of his wise men can interpret, leading to a decree to execute them.

4. Babylon
The setting of the account, a powerful empire known for its wealth and influence, where Daniel and his friends are held captive.

5. The Dream
A mysterious vision given to Nebuchadnezzar, which none of his advisors can interpret, setting the stage for Daniel's intervention.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Revelation
God reveals mysteries to whom He chooses, demonstrating His control over human affairs and His ability to communicate His will.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Daniel's faithfulness and reliance on God in a foreign land serve as a model for believers facing trials and challenges.

The Role of Intercessory Prayer
Daniel's request for prayer from his friends before interpreting the dream underscores the power and importance of communal prayer.

Courage to Stand for Truth
Daniel's boldness in approaching the king and declaring God's revelation encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and convictions.

God's Provision of Wisdom
Just as God granted Daniel wisdom, He provides wisdom to those who earnestly seek it, equipping them for His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's approach to Arioch demonstrate wisdom and tact, and how can we apply this in our interactions with authority figures today?

2. In what ways does Daniel's reliance on prayer before interpreting the dream serve as a model for us when facing difficult situations?

3. How does the account of Daniel 2:25 illustrate the theme of God's sovereignty, and where else in Scripture do we see this theme?

4. What can we learn from Daniel's courage in speaking truth to power, and how can we apply this in our own lives when faced with challenging circumstances?

5. How does the account of Daniel 2 encourage us to seek God's wisdom, and what practical steps can we take to cultivate a heart that seeks understanding from God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 41
Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams parallels Daniel's situation, highlighting God's sovereignty in revealing mysteries to His chosen servants.

Acts 2
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, where believers are given understanding and the ability to speak in different tongues, reflects God's power to reveal and communicate divine truths.

James 1:5
This verse encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously, much like Daniel sought wisdom to interpret the king's dream.
The Dream FoundH.T. Robjohns Daniel 2:14-30
Needful Preparations to Receive Divine RevelationJ.D. Davies Daniel 2:25-30
People
Abednego, Arioch, Azariah, Belteshazzar, Daniel, Hananiah, Meshach, Mishael, Nebuchadnezzar, Shadrach
Places
Babylon, Shinar
Topics
Arioch, Ar'i-och, Captives, Captivity, Clear, Daniel, Dream, Exiles, Follows, Haste, Hurriedly, Interpretation, Judah, King's, Presence, Prisoners, Quickly, Removed, Sense, Sons, Spoke, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 2:17-49

     6694   mystery

Library
The Image and the Stone
'This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king. 37. Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. 38. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. 39. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Book and Tract Catalogue.
THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION. BY I. C. WELLCOME AND C. GOUD. "The Plan of Redemption is an earnest book, evidently prepared after no little study, and with a conscientious desire to advance the cause of Christ. The Bible is made the basis of argument; it contains many fresh and well considered suggestions. The careful reader will find much that is valuable."--Watchman and Reflector. "This treatise aims to serve up the gospel scheme in a compact form. It states the plan and work well, and usually correctly.
Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

Editor's Preface
Professor Maspero does not need to be introduced to us. His name is well known in England and America as that of one of the chief masters of Egyptian science as well as of ancient Oriental history and archaeology. Alike as a philologist, a historian, and an archaeologist, he occupies a foremost place in the annals of modern knowledge and research. He possesses that quick apprehension and fertility of resource without which the decipherment of ancient texts is impossible, and he also possesses a sympathy
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1

The Scattering of the People
[Illustration: (drop cap A) The Fish-god of Assyria and Babylonia] At last the full punishment for their many sins fell upon God's chosen people. The words of warning written in the fifth book of Moses had told them plainly that if they turned aside and worshipped the wicked idol-gods of Canaan, the Lord would take their country from them and drive them out into strange lands. Yet again and again they had yielded to temptation. And now the day of reckoning had come. Nebuchadnezzar, the great king
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
In 2 Timothy, 3:16, Paul declares: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there are some people who tell us when we take up prophecy that it is all very well to be believed, but that there is no use in one trying to understand it; these future events are things that the church does not agree about, and it is better to let them alone, and deal only with those prophecies which have already been
Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

Epistle Xliii. To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops.
To Eulogius and Anastasius, Bishops. Gregory to Eulogius, Bishop of Alexandria, and Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch. When the excellent preacher says, As long as I am the apostle of the Gentiles I will honour my ministry (Rom. xi. 13); saying again in another place, We became as babes among you (1 Thess. ii. 7), he undoubtedly shews an example to us who come after him, that we should retain humility in our minds, and yet keep in honour the dignity of our order, so that neither should our humility be
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

A Description of Heart-Purity
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 The holy God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatifical vision of himself: they shall see God'. Two things are to be explained the nature of purity; the subject of purity. 1 The nature of purity. Purity is a sacred refined thing. It stands diametrically opposed to whatsoever defiles. We must distinguish the various kinds
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Wicked Husbandmen.
"Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: and when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

The First Great Group of Parables.
(Beside the Sea of Galilee.) Subdivision B. Parable of the Sower. ^A Matt. XIII. 3-23; ^B Mark IV. 3-25; ^C Luke VIII. 5-18. ^a Behold, ^c 5 The sower went forth to sow his seed [Orientals live in cities and towns. Isolated farmhouses are practically unknown. A farmer may therefore live several miles from his field, in which case he literally "goes forth" to it]: ^b 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some seed { ^a seeds } fell by the way side, ^c and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable Constitution of God.
John III. 3. John III. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. WHILE the ministers of Christ are discoursing of such a subject, as I have before me in the course of these Lectures, and particularly in this branch of them which I am now entering upon, we may surely, with the utmost reason, address our hearers in those words of Moses to Israel, in the conclusion of his dying discourse: Set your hearts unto all
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Letters of St. Bernard
I To Malachy. 1141.[924] (Epistle 341.) To the venerable lord and most blessed father, Malachy, by the grace of God archbishop of the Irish, legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [desiring] to find grace with the Lord. 1. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his Approaching Passion.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke XII. 1-59. ^c 1 In the meantime [that is, while these things were occurring in the Pharisee's house], when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another [in their eagerness to get near enough to Jesus to see and hear] , he began to say unto his disciples first of all [that is, as the first or most appropriate lesson], Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. [This admonition is the key to the understanding
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a Pure Religion --First Disciples.
Joseph died before his son had taken any public part. Mary remained, in a manner, the head of the family, and this explains why her son, when it was wished to distinguish him from others of the same name, was most frequently called the "son of Mary."[1] It seems that having, by the death of her husband, been left friendless at Nazareth, she withdrew to Cana,[2] from which she may have come originally. Cana[3] was a little town at from two to two and a half hours' journey from Nazareth, at the foot
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Gospel of the Kingdom.
"This is He whom Seers in old time Chanted of with one accord; Whom the voices of the Prophets Promised in their faithful word." We have seen that, in the providence of God, John the Baptist was sent to proclaim to the world that "The Kingdom of Heaven" was at hand, and to point out the King. And as soon as the Herald had raised the expectation of men by the proclamation of the coming Kingdom, our Lord began His public ministry, the great object of which was the founding of His Kingdom for the salvation
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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