God’s Word for You
Daniel 2:46-47 The King of lords
by Pastor Timothy Smith on Wednesday, September 17, 2025
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell down upon his face before Daniel and paid him honor and commanded that an offering be presented to him and incense be poured out. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”
Did the king worship Daniel? Throwing himself facedown to do him honor was something that could be done to an ordinary man, as the Persians did before Haman (Esther 3:2), or as Bathsheba did when she paid a visit to her crowned son, Solomon (1 Kings 1:16). But Nebuchadnezzar also ordered a grain offering (minha, Exodus 30:9; Malachi 1:10) and incense be presented to Daniel. Perhaps the king felt that honoring the servant of God would honor God.
Some of the older Lutheran commentators (such as Calov) felt that perhaps the king simply worshiped God “in the presence of Daniel,” but this does not follow the text. It would seem that Daniel simply did not object to being honored by the king, since he had already protested that there was nothing special about himself and that he had no supernatural powers (2:27-28). So while Paul strongly objected to being mistaken for the god Hermes at Lystra (Acts 14:14-15), Daniel permitted Nebuchadnezzar to honor him without worshiping him, although some of the things the king did seem to come close to an act of worship (especially the incense). However, it also might be that the young prophet’s objection is simply not recorded because Daniel, the author, felt it was perhaps obvious that he would not permit such a thing. And here there is another parallel with the account of Joseph in Egypt, since Joseph wanted his father to know “about all the honor accorded me in Egypt” (Genesis 45:13).
Another point about the incense. This “sweet, savory incense” (not the usual Hebrew word at all) was “poured out” on Daniel rather than burned as the incense in the Lord’s tabernacle was burned. This might reflect something more like an anointing, although not as a priest. Xenophon reports that like many kings, Cyrus the Persian poured out a drink offering when he prayed. Just what significance such a pouring out of aromatic oil might have had in Babylon is something I cannot comment about any further. One of my Catechism students thinks that this “other kind of (secular anointing) might have had something to do with Daniel’s promotion.” I cannot fault her reasoning. There are times when it is wise to listen to our young people and to let their faith shine.
There is no reason to expect Nebuchadnezzar to know any of the usual titles for the true God, but he calls him “God of gods.” This is a superlative, stacking the one true God above all others. It is the beginning of this heathen king recognizing the true power and authority of the Lord, God of Israel.
He also calls him “Lord of kings.” This is a rare title. The word for “lord” here is “marey,” an element of the word (really a phrase) “Marantha” (1 Corinthians 16:22). The master or ruler of kings is God indeed.
Finally, he calls God “a revealer of mysteries,” referring to what had just happened. Nobody else could do what the king had asked, but Daniel brought the king before the Lord himself and the Lord, the revealer of mysteries, revealed this mystery.
The larger mysteries are those of God’s plan for each one of us, not just for kingdoms, but for every man, woman and child in God’s creation. He cares for us (Nahum 1:7). He watches over us (Psalm 121:4). He loves us (Deuteronomy 23:5). You already know that he is the God of gods and King of lords. He is the Almighty One; the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier. Bless his holy name forever.
I might have said more, but this evening I am tired.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minnesota. To receive God’s Word for You via e-mail, please visit the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website.