“Why is the decree from the king so harsh?”Daniel's question reflects his concern and surprise at the severity of King Nebuchadnezzar's decree. In the historical context, Nebuchadnezzar had demanded that his wise men not only interpret his dream but also recount it without being told its content, under penalty of death. This decree was harsh because it was humanly impossible to fulfill, highlighting the king's absolute power and the fear he instilled in his subjects. The decree's severity underscores the tension and danger faced by Daniel and his companions, who were among the wise men of Babylon. This situation sets the stage for God's intervention, demonstrating His sovereignty over earthly rulers.
he asked.
Daniel's approach to the situation is marked by wisdom and tact. By asking a question, Daniel seeks to understand the full scope of the crisis before taking action. This reflects a biblical principle of seeking understanding and wisdom in difficult situations, as seen inProverbs 4:7, which emphasizes the importance of wisdom. Daniel's inquiry also shows his calm demeanor and reliance on God, contrasting with the panic and fear of the other wise men.
Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.
Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, plays a crucial role as the intermediary between the king and Daniel. His willingness to explain the situation to Daniel suggests a level of respect or favor towards him, possibly due to Daniel's previous conduct and reputation. This interaction highlights the providence of God in placing Daniel in a position where he could gain the necessary information to act wisely. It also sets the stage for Daniel's subsequent actions, where he seeks God's revelation to interpret the king's dream, demonstrating God's power and wisdom. This moment foreshadows the greater revelation of God's kingdom, as Daniel later interprets the dream, pointing to the ultimate sovereignty of God over all earthly kingdoms.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
DanielA young Jewish exile in Babylon, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. He is a central figure in the Book of Daniel.
2.
AriochThe king's officer, tasked with carrying out King Nebuchadnezzar's decree to execute the wise men of Babylon because they could not interpret his dream.
3.
King NebuchadnezzarThe ruler of Babylon who had a troubling dream that none of his wise men could interpret, leading to his harsh decree.
4.
BabylonThe setting of the Book of Daniel, a powerful empire where the Jewish people were exiled.
5.
The DecreeA harsh order from King Nebuchadnezzar to execute all the wise men of Babylon due to their inability to interpret his dream.
Teaching Points
Wisdom in CrisisDaniel's approach to Arioch demonstrates the importance of responding with wisdom and calmness in the face of crisis. Believers are encouraged to seek understanding and clarity before reacting.
Seeking God's GuidanceDaniel's immediate response to seek God’s wisdom highlights the importance of prayer and reliance on God in difficult situations.
Courage to QuestionDaniel's courage to question the king's decree shows the importance of standing firm in faith and seeking truth, even when it involves risk.
God's SovereigntyThe unfolding events in
Daniel 2 remind us of God's control over earthly kingdoms and His ability to reveal mysteries to His people.
Community in PrayerDaniel later involves his friends in prayer, emphasizing the power and importance of communal prayer in seeking God's intervention.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Daniel 2:15?
2.How does Daniel 2:15 demonstrate the importance of seeking understanding before acting?
3.What can we learn from Daniel's approach to authority in Daniel 2:15?
4.How does Daniel 2:15 connect with James 1:5 about seeking wisdom?
5.How can we apply Daniel's example of calm inquiry in our daily challenges?
6.What role does patience play in Daniel's response in Daniel 2:15?
7.Why did Daniel question Arioch's urgency in Daniel 2:15?
8.How does Daniel 2:15 reflect on divine wisdom versus human authority?
9.What historical context surrounds Daniel's inquiry in Daniel 2:15?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 2?
11.How can Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy in 2 Chronicles 36:21 be reconciled with varying historical sources about the length of the exile?
12.2 Kings 15:12 references a prophecy fulfilled through Jehu's dynasty--how do we address claims that the text was written or edited post-event to appear prophetic?
13.In 1 Kings 15:2, why does Abijam's mother appear as 'Maachah,' while 2 Chronicles 13:2 identifies her differently?
14.How can Jeremiah 25:11's strict 70-year timeline for Babylonian captivity be reconciled with historical records showing different dates and durations?What Does Daniel 2:15 Mean
Why is the decree from the king so harsh?Nebuchadnezzar’s command to execute every wise man in Babylon (Daniel 2:12-13) was sweeping and immediate.
• Kings of the ancient Near East often acted with absolute, life-and-death authority (Ecclesiastes 8:4;Proverbs 16:14).
• Similar blanket judgments appear elsewhere—e.g., Pharaoh’s order against Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:22) and Haman’s edict against the Jews (Esther 3:13).
• The king’s severity highlights the urgency of divine intervention; without God’s revelation, all human wisdom was doomed (1 Corinthians 1:19).
• Scripture presents the decree as literal history, underscoring both the peril of trusting in worldly power and the reliability of God’s sovereign plan (Isaiah 40:23-24).
he asked.Daniel responds not with fear or anger but with a respectful inquiry.
• Verse 14 notes he “spoke with wisdom and tact”, embodyingProverbs 15:1 andJames 1:19.
• Asking questions can open doors God intends—compare Joseph’s gentle words to Pharaoh’s officials (Genesis 40:7-8) and Nehemiah’s careful request of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:2-4).
• Daniel’s demeanor shows that courage and courtesy can coexist; believers are urged to “give an answer…with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
• His question exposes the irrational fury behind the decree, inviting reflection on the contrast between earthly rage and heavenly peace (Psalm 2:1-4;Philippians 4:7).
Then Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.God grants Daniel favor with Arioch, the captain of the guard (Daniel 2:14).
• The captain could have silenced Daniel, yet God “turns the hearts of kings like streams of water” (Proverbs 21:1).
• Parallel examples of divine favor:
– Joseph with Potiphar and the prison warden (Genesis 39:21-23)
– Esther with Hegai and King Xerxes (Esther 2:15-17)
– Paul with Julius the centurion (Acts 27:3)
• Arioch’s explanation equips Daniel to act decisively—he goes to the king, requests time, gathers his friends, and seeks God’s mercy (Daniel 2:16-18).
• The scene illustrates how the Lord provides information, opportunity, and allies to those who trust Him (Psalm 84:11;Romans 8:28).
summaryDaniel 2:15 captures a pivotal moment: a brutal royal decree meets a man of faith who responds with calm inquiry. Daniel’s respectful question exposes the harshness of human authority while God quietly opens a pathway to reveal His superior wisdom. The passage invites believers to trust God’s sovereignty, approach crises with gracious courage, and watch for the doors He chooses to open.
(15)
So hasty.--Literally,
why is this severe decree of the king? By this question Daniel wished Arioch to understand that after all the matter was not impossible, as the wise men had stated it to be.
Verse 15. -
He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel. The opening clause in this verse is doubtful. In the Septuagint the verse is rendered, "And he asked him saying, Ruler, why is it decreed so bitterly by the king? And he showed him the warrant." Theodotion is yet briefer, "Ruler of the king, why has so harsh a sentence come forth from the king? And he declared (
ἐγνώρισε) to him his orders." But briefest of all is the Peshitta. It begins at once without any address, "Why is this harsh decree from the king? And Arioch showed the matter (
miltha) to Daniel." As a rule, the shorter a reading is the better it is. Therefore we are inclined to prefer the Peshitta rendering. "Answered and said" is a formula that might easily be stuck in where anything of the kind seemed needed. Here it is not suitable, as Daniel is already said to have "answered Arioch with counsel and prudence." The addition of the Septuagint is more reasonable, "He asked him saying, Ruler." Theodotion feels some title is necessary, so he calls Arioch "ruler of the king." It appears to us that the brief Peshitta represents the best text.
Hasty repesents to some extent, though not fully, the clement of blame implied in the word
mehahetzpah in greater degree than our English word would indicate. It means" rough," "raging," "shameless;" it might be too strong to say that "scandalous" represents Daniel's meaning. Some commentators cannot imagine a man thus criticizing a royal decree to one of the court officials. Much, however, is permitted to a man speaking about a decree which has condemned him to death without his having an opportunity to defend himself It is possible that he might be able to use all the more freedom by seeing that Arioch had no favour for the business to which he was ordered. The Greek versions represent that Arioch showed the warrant, the king's order for the execution. As that would not be considered an answer to Daniel's question, on the one hand, so on the other, it would not be an occasion for the step Daniel immediately thereafter took. We think, on the whole, that the Massoretic reading amended here by the Peshitta is the better. As leader of the royal bodyguard, the place of Arioch would be beside Nebuchadnezzar, even in the council-chamber. He would thus be quite cognizant of everything that took place the demands of the king, the arguments of the wise men. All this scene he could portray for the information of Daniel. The mere exhibition of a warrant would tell nothing more than the fact that the action of Arioch was in obedience to orders.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
“Whyעַל־(‘al-)Interrogative
Strong's 5922:Above, over, upon, againstis the decreeדָתָ֛א(ḏā·ṯā)Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 1882:A royal edict, statutefromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4481:From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more thanthe kingמַלְכָּ֑א(mal·kā)Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430:A kingso harsh?”מְהַחְצְפָ֖ה(mə·haḥ·ṣə·p̄āh)Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2685:To shear, cut close, to be severehe asked.עָנֵ֣ה(‘ā·nêh)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6032:To answerAt this timeאֱדַ֣יִן(’ĕ·ḏa·yin)Adverb
Strong's 116:Then, thereuponAriochאַרְי֖וֹךְ(’ar·yō·wḵ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 746:Arioch -- king of Ellasarexplainedהוֹדַ֥ע(hō·w·ḏa‘)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3046:To knowthe situationמִלְּתָ֔א(mil·lə·ṯā)Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4406:A word, command, discourse, subjectto Daniel.לְדָנִיֵּֽאל׃(lə·ḏā·nî·yêl)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1841:Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon
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OT Prophets: Daniel 2:15 He answered Arioch the king's captain Why (Dan. Da Dn) 
