Daniel 2:22

22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Daniel 2:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 He opens up the depths, tells secrets, sees in the dark - light spills out of him!
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 He reveals deeply hidden things. He knows what is in the dark, and light lives with him.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 He explains deep and hidden things. He knows what happens in the darkest places. And where he is, everything is light.

Daniel 2:22 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 2:22

He revealeth the deep and secret things
The purposes of his own heart, which are the deep things of God, and the secrets that belong to him, and which are opened in providence by the execution of them; the "arcana imperii", or secrets of state, committed to men designed for government; the secrets or mysteries of grace, the deep things of the Gospel, made known to Gospel ministers; and particularly the deep and impenetrable secret of the king's dream, and the interpretation of it, revealed to Daniel: he knoweth what is in the darkness;
the actions of men committed in darkness; the schemes that are drawn in the privy councils and cabinets of princes; yea, the thoughts of men's hearts, which he in the utmost recesses of them, as well as their dreams in the night season; and particularly this of the king's, and which must have been buried in darkness, had he not revealed it: and the light dwelleth with him;
he is light itself, and the Father of lights; the light of nature, grace, and glory, is with him, and from him; the light of the word, the light of prophecy, and the light of the glorious Gospel; and also the Light of the world, the sun of righteousness, the Messiah; and of him some of the ancient Jews interpret this passage. R. Aba Serungia F16, mentioning this passage, "and the light dwelleth with him", adds, this is the King Messiah, as it is said, "arise, shine"; and his commentator F17 observes, that the sense of it is, he (God) retains the Messiah with himself, and does not send him forth unto us; see ( Psalms 43:3 ) , and elsewhere F18, in answer to the question, what is the name of the Messiah? among others, this is said, his name is Light, as it is said, "and the light dwelleth with him": and this is a name that is often given to Christ, and he takes to himself in the New Testament; see ( John 1:7-9 ) ( 3:19 ) ( 8:12 ) ( 9:5 ) ( John 12:35 John 12:46 ) where he is called the "Light", that Light, the true Light, and the Light of the world; as he is both of Jews and Gentiles, even of all his people throughout the world: indeed, the light of nature, which every man has, is from him, as the Creator of all; and the light of grace, and the increase of it, which any are favoured with, is given by him; and all the light of knowledge in divine things, and of spiritual joy and comfort, beams from him the sun of righteousness: the light of the latter day, which will be so very great, as to be as the light of seven days, and to make the sun and moon unnecessary in a figurative sense, will be owing to him; as well as all that light of life and glory, the saints shall possess to all eternity, will be communicated through him: and Christ, who is this light, "dwells" with God; he who is the same with the divine Word, was with God, and dwells with him to all eternity; in the fulness of time this Word or Light was made flesh, or was clothed with it, and dwelt with men; when it was, that be came a light into the world, of which he often speaks; and having done his work, ascended to heaven, and now dwells with God in human nature; and will come again, and dwell with men on earth a thousand years, when he will be the light of the New Jerusalem state; and, after that, will take his people with him to heavens, and dwell with God, and they with him, for evermore. This shows that this Light, or the divine "Logos", is a person distinct from God the Father, with whom he dwells; that he is an eternal one, God never being without this Light and Word; and that he is all abiding light to his saints, and will be for evermore.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 In Bereshit Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 1, 3.
F17 Auctor. Yade Moseh in ib.
F18 Echa Rabbati, fol. 50. 2.

Daniel 2:22 In-Context

20 and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”
24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Genesis 40:8; S Job 12:22; Psalms 25:14; Daniel 5:11; 1 Corinthians 2:10
  • 2. Job 12:22; Psalms 139:11-12; Jeremiah 23:24; S Hebrews 4:13
  • 3. Isaiah 45:7; James 1:17
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