What is the meaning of Daniel 2:23?

To You, O God of my fathers

• Daniel speaks directly to the Lord who has guided his ancestors—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the faithful line through exile (Exodus 3:6; Genesis 28:13).

• By recalling that heritage, he affirms that the same covenant-keeping God is still at work in Babylon (Psalm 100:5).

• This opening phrase roots Daniel’s confidence not in circumstance but in God’s unchanging character passed down through generations (Malachi 3:6).

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I give thanks and praise

• “Thanks” acknowledges specific gifts received; “praise” exalts who God is. Daniel blends both (Psalm 92:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

• Gratitude flows first, even before he shares the revelation with the king—worship precedes service (Psalm 50:23).

• Praise redirects attention away from human ingenuity to the One who deserves center stage (Ephesians 5:20).

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because You have given me wisdom and power

• Daniel instantly confesses that any insight or authority he possesses is bestowed, not earned (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5).

• “Wisdom” allowed him to interpret the dream; “power” (or might) emboldened him to stand before Nebuchadnezzar (Psalm 62:11).

• God equips His servants fully for the tasks He assigns (Ephesians 1:17-19).

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And now You have made known to me what we have requested

• The plural “we” recalls Daniel’s prayer meeting with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 2:17-18).

• Their united plea is answered, illustrating the promise that God hears collective, earnest petitions (Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 18:19).

• Daniel recognizes answered prayer as a personal, timely gift from God, not coincidence (1 John 5:14-15).

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for You have made known to us the dream of the king

• The revelation saved their lives and validated the supremacy of Israel’s God over Babylon’s magicians (Amos 3:7).

• Dreams were a common medium for divine communication (Job 33:14-16; Acts 2:17).

• By sharing the honor—“to us”—Daniel stresses community over individual acclaim and prepares to witness to the pagan court (Daniel 2:28).

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summary

Daniel 2:23 is a model of immediate, wholehearted worship in response to God’s faithfulness. He anchors his praise in God’s historic covenant, expresses gratitude before acting, acknowledges that wisdom and power are gifts, celebrates answered prayer shared with friends, and marvels at revelation that glorifies God before a watching world.