Daniel 2:47-48
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Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges Daniel's God as "God of gods" and "Lord of kings," but the phrase "revealer of mysteries" is the ultimate reason for his awe. This isn't just about knowing secrets; it's a recognition that only a divine being, who orchestrates all of history and reality, could truly unveil such profound mysteries.
The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Daniel miraculously revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its meaning, the king declared that Daniel's God is supreme over all other gods and rulers. This confession, while acknowledging the power demonstrated, places God within Nebuchadnezzar's polytheistic framework rather than indicating full monotheistic conversion. The king then lavishes Daniel with honors and authority, appointing him over Babylon's wise men, but the narrative quickly shifts to the king's future decree in chapter 3, revealing the superficiality of his acknowledgement.
Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful king, declared a profound truth about Daniel's God. What does it mean for God to be 'God of gods' and 'Lord of kings'?
Nebuchadnezzar's declaration isn't just a casual compliment; it's a recognition of supreme authority. When he calls God 'God of gods,' he's acknowledging that there is no higher deity, no other power that rivals the God of Israel. Even within the Babylonian pantheon, with its many gods, this God is acknowledged as supreme.
Similarly, 'Lord of kings' means God's sovereignty extends over all earthly rulers. Kings derive their authority from Him, and He ultimately controls their reigns. This isn't about God managing kings like puppets, but about His ultimate authority and right to rule over all. It’s a staggering confession from a pagan king who himself held immense power.
Daniel's ability to reveal a secret dream and its meaning stunned the king. What does this reveal about God's unique power?
Nebuchadnezzar explicitly links Daniel's success to his God, calling Him a 'revealer of mysteries.' This is a pivotal moment because, in the ancient world, dreams were often seen as messages from the divine, but they were notoriously difficult to interpret. The wisest men in Babylon failed where Daniel, through God's power, succeeded.
This highlights a key attribute of God: He is the source of all true knowledge and can unveil what is hidden. It wasn't Daniel's wisdom alone, but God working through Daniel, that brought the mystery to light. This demonstrates God's ability to intervene in human affairs, impart understanding, and reveal His purposes, even to those who don't yet know Him.
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Nebuchadnezzar's confession is amazing, but was it a complete conversion? Understanding his worldview helps us grasp the limits of his praise.
It’s crucial to understand that Nebuchadnezzar was a polytheist. His world was filled with numerous gods, and he believed in appeasing them all. When he declares Daniel's God is 'God of gods' and 'Lord of kings,' it doesn't necessarily mean he abandoned his other gods. Instead, he's acknowledging the God of Israel as a supreme deity within his existing religious framework, perhaps the most powerful one he’s encountered.
Commentaries note that he likely placed Jehovah in his pantheon as a particularly potent deity. His worship of Daniel (v. 46) and his later actions (like the golden image in chapter 3) show that his acknowledgment was not a full, saving faith. This reveals a common human tendency: to recognize God's power in specific moments of need or awe, without fully submitting to His lordship. It's a powerful lesson about the difference between acknowledging God's attributes and truly surrendering to Him.
Understand the original words
'elah 'elahin u-mare' malkin · Aramaic Noun phrase
A title of ultimate authority over all other spiritual powers or earthly sovereigns. It acknowledges the Lord God of Israel as the supreme, sovereign, and incomparable ruler of the universe.
raz · Aramaic Noun
A truth, secret, or purpose that is hidden from human understanding and can only be disclosed by divine revelation. It relates to God's sovereign plan or supernatural knowledge that remains obscured until He chooses to unveil it.
sholtan · Aramaic Noun
A position of high administrative or civil authority, often involving the governance of a territory or the oversight of major state affairs. It signifies status, responsibility, and delegated power from a sovereign.
rab signin · Aramaic Noun
A leading official, overseer, or administrator of high rank. It denotes a person in a position of primary responsibility, particularly in the context of government or specialized advisory roles.
Nebuchadnezzar's stunning declaration isn't just a personal compliment; it's a public acknowledgment by the most powerful king on earth that the God of a captive people is sovereign over all.
c. 605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar becomes King
Nebuchadnezzar II ascends to the throne of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, beginning a significant period of Babylonian power and expansion.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports a group of Judean captives, including Daniel and his friends, to Babylon following a victory over Egypt. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 605 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image
Nebuchadnezzar has a profound dream that deeply troubles him. He demands his wise men interpret it, but forgets the dream itself, setting the stage for Daniel's divine revelation.
c. 605 BC
Daniel Interprets the Dream
Through divine revelation, Daniel reveals the forgotten dream to Nebuchadnezzar and interprets its meaning, foretelling future kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
c. 605 BC
Daniel is Exalted
Impressed and convinced by Daniel's God, Nebuchadnezzar promotes Daniel and his friends to positions of authority throughout the Babylonian province.
This passage echoes Nebuchadnezzar's confession by explicitly naming Jesus Christ as 'the King of kings and Lord of lords,' highlighting the supreme sovereignty over earthly rulers that the king acknowledged in Daniel's God.
Revelation 17:14Similar to Daniel's God being 'Lord of kings,' this verse describes the Lamb (Christ) as 'Lord of lords and King of kings,' reinforcing the divine authority over all human governments.
Isaiah 45:3This verse directly states that God will give 'the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places' to Cyrus, paralleling Nebuchadnezzar's recognition of Daniel's God as the one who reveals mysteries and secrets.
Psalm 139:1-4This psalm explores God's intimate knowledge of every thought and word, reflecting the attribute of 'revealer of mysteries' that Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged, as God knows all things, even those hidden from human sight.
Exodus 18:11Jethro's confession, 'Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods,' mirrors Nebuchadnezzar's realization that Daniel's God surpasses all other deities, acknowledging His supreme power.
bensonDaniel 2:47: "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."
Daniel 2:47-48 . Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods — Such a God as there is no other; above all gods in dignity, over all gods in dominion. And a Lord of kings — From whom they derive their power, and to whom they are accountable: the supreme Governor of the world, and Ruler of all the ki…
clarkeDaniel 2:47: "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."
Your God is a God of gods - He is greater than all others. And a Lord of kings - He governs both in heaven and earth.
Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges Daniel's God as "God of gods" and "Lord of kings," but the phrase "revealer of mysteries" is the ultimate reason for his awe. This isn't just about knowing secrets; it's a recognition that only a divine being, who orchestrates all of history and reality, could truly unveil such profound mysteries.
After Daniel miraculously revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its meaning, the king declared that Daniel's God is supreme over all other gods and rulers. This confession, while acknowledging the power demonstrated, places God within Nebuchadnezzar's polytheistic framework rather than indicating full monotheistic conversion. The king then lavishes Daniel with honors and authority, appointing him over Babylon's wise men, but the narrative quickly shifts to the king's future decree in chapter 3, revealing the superficiality of his acknowledgement.
After Daniel miraculously revealed King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream and its meaning, the king declared that Daniel's God is supreme over all other gods and rulers. This confession, while acknowledging the power demonstrated, places God within Nebuchadnezzar's polytheistic framework rather than indicating full monotheistic conversion. The king then lavishes Daniel with honors and authority, appointing him over Babylon's wise men, but the narrative quickly shifts to the king's future decree in chapter 3, revealing the superficiality of his acknowledgement.
"The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him…" — Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges Daniel's God as "God of gods" and "Lord of kings," but the phrase "revealer of mysteries" is the ultimate reason for his awe. This isn't just about knowing secrets; it's a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
