Background: The account of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream is found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 2. This event takes place during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel, a young Hebrew of noble lineage, was among those exiled and was chosen to serve in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar due to his wisdom and understanding.

The Dream: King Nebuchadnezzar experienced a troubling dream that none of his wise men, enchanters, or magicians could interpret. The king demanded not only the interpretation but also that the dream itself be recounted to him, under penalty of death for failure. This decree led to a crisis among the wise men of Babylon, as they declared that no one could fulfill such a request except the gods, who do not dwell among men (Daniel 2:11).

Daniel's Response: Upon hearing of the king's decree, Daniel approached Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, and requested time to provide the interpretation. Daniel then sought the Lord in prayer, along with his companions Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, asking for mercy and revelation concerning the mystery. God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel in a night vision (Daniel 2:19).

The Dream and Its Interpretation: Daniel was brought before Nebuchadnezzar and credited God with the revelation, emphasizing that no human wisdom could unveil such mysteries. He recounted the dream: a great statue with a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay. A stone, not cut by human hands, struck the statue on its feet, causing the entire structure to crumble and be swept away, while the stone became a great mountain filling the whole earth (Daniel 2:31-35).

Daniel explained that the statue represented a succession of kingdoms. The head of gold symbolized Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian empire, a kingdom of great power and glory. The subsequent parts of the statue represented future kingdoms: the Medo-Persian Empire (silver), the Greek Empire (bronze), and the Roman Empire (iron). The feet of iron and clay indicated a divided kingdom, partly strong and partly brittle. The stone represented a divine kingdom established by God, which would crush all these earthly kingdoms and endure forever (Daniel 2:36-45).

Theological Significance: Daniel's interpretation underscores the sovereignty of God over human history and kingdoms. It reveals the transient nature of earthly powers and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This prophecy is seen as a foretelling of the coming of Christ and the establishment of His everlasting dominion. Daniel's faithfulness and reliance on God in the face of humanly impossible demands serve as a testament to the power of prayer and divine revelation.

Impact on Nebuchadnezzar: The king was profoundly affected by Daniel's interpretation, acknowledging the supremacy of Daniel's God as "the God of gods and the Lord of kings" (Daniel 2:47). Nebuchadnezzar promoted Daniel to a high position, making him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief of the wise men. Daniel's companions were also elevated to positions of authority, demonstrating God's favor and the influence of godly wisdom in a pagan court.