Daniel 2:17 - Then Daniel went to his house and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

Generated Verse: Daniel 2:17

What does "Daniel 2:17" mean?


Daniel 2:17 is a key verse in the story of Daniel interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Let's break down what it means:

"Then Daniel went to his house..." After King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon because no one could tell him his dream and its interpretation, Daniel bravely approached the king and asked for time to interpret the dream. This verse tells us that after making that request, Daniel went home.

"...and made the thing known..." "The thing" refers to the king's decree and Daniel's urgent need to find the king's dream and its interpretation. Daniel shared the dire situation with his friends.

"...to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions..." These are Daniel's three close friends. They are better known by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (which are used later in the Book of Daniel). Daniel trusted them, and they shared his faith.

In essence, Daniel 2:17 means that Daniel went home and told his closest friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, about the king's decree to kill all the wise men, including himself, and that he needed to find and interpret the king's dream in order to save them all.

Significance:

Importance of Prayer and Community: This verse sets the stage for the friends to pray together for God's help. It highlights the importance of seeking God in times of crisis and the power of praying together.
Faith and Trust: Daniel trusted his friends enough to share his burden and seek their support. This demonstrates the strength of their bond and their shared faith in God.
Teamwork and Dependence on God: Daniel did not try to solve the problem alone. He knew he needed divine intervention and the support of his friends. They were a team, united in their faith.
Loyalty: Daniel and his friends were loyal to each other and to their faith, even in a foreign land under a powerful king.