Daniel 2:22

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Daniel 2:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Daniel 2:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Daniel 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He revealeth the deep and secret things, etc.] The purposes of his own heart, which are the deep things of God, and the secrets that belong to him, and which are opened in providence by the execution of them; the “arcana imperii”, or secrets of state, committed to men designed for government; the secrets or mysteries of grace, the deep things of the Gospel, made known to Gospel ministers; and particularly the deep and impenetrable secret of the king’s dream, and the interpretation of it, revealed to Daniel: he knoweth what is in the darkness; the actions of men committed in darkness; the schemes that are drawn in the privy councils and cabinets of princes; yea, the thoughts of men’s hearts,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“revealeth-- (Job 12:22). So spiritually (Eph 1:17-18). knoweth what is in . . . darkness-- (Psa 139:11-12; Heb 4:13). light . . . him-- (Jam 1:17; Jo1 1:4). Apocalypse (or "revelation") signifies a divine, prophecy a human, activity. Compare Co1 14:6, where the two are distinguished. The prophet is connected with the outer world, addressing to the congregation the words with which the Spirit of God supplies him; he speaks in the Spirit, but the apocalyptic seer is in the Spirit in his whole person (Rev 1:10; Rev 4:2). The form of the apocalyptic revelation (the very term meaning that the veil that hides the invisible world is taken off) is subjectively either the dream, or, higher, the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He revealeth the deep and secret things - Things which are too profound for man to fathom by his own power, and which are concealed or hidden until he makes them known. What is said here is an advance on what was affirmed in the previous verse, and relates to another kind of knowledge. “That” related to such knowledge as was not properly beyond the grasp of the human intellect when unaided in any supernatural manner, and affirmed that even then all discoveries and inventions are to be traced to God; “this” refers to a species of knowledge which lies beyond any natural compass of the human powers, and in which a supernatural influence is needed - such things as the Chaldeans and astrologers…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“revealeth: Dan 2:11, Dan 2:28, Dan 2:29; Gen 37:5-9, Gen 41:16, Gen 41:25-28; Job 12:22; Psa 25:14; Isa 41:22, Isa 41:26, Isa 42:9; Mat 13:13; Rom 16:25, Rom 16:26; Co1 2:9-11; Eph 3:5 he knoweth: Job 26:6; Psa 139:11, Psa 139:12; Jer 23:24; Luk 12:2, Luk 12:3; Joh 21:17; Co1 4:5; Heb 4:13 and the: Dan 5:11, Dan 5:14; Psa 36:9, Psa 104:2; Joh 1:9, Joh 8:12, Joh 12:45, Joh 12:46; Ti1 6:16; Jam 1:17; Jo1 1:5 Daniel 2:23”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification