He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.
Parallel translations
- WEB he reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
- KJV He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
- BSB He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
- NKJV He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.
- NASB “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God reveals deep and secret things and knows what lies in darkness, for light dwells with Him. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Overview
Daniel praises God's omniscience: He alone uncovers mysteries beyond human reach. The imagery of light dwelling with God contrasts His clarity with the darkness of human ignorance. This is the God who can make known the king's dream when no one else can.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 32
- Job 12:22He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.
- 1 Jn 1:5This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
- Jer 23:24Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says Yahweh. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says Yahweh.
- Jas 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
- Heb 4:13There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
- Ps 25:14The friendship of Yahweh is with those who fear him. He will show them his covenant.
- Ps 139:11–12If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me; the light around me will be night”;
- Dan 5:11There is a man in your kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, were found in him; and the king Nebuchadnezzar your father, the king, your father, made him master of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans, and soothsayers;
- 1 Tim 6:16who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and eternal power. Amen.
- Ps 36:9For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.
- 1 Cor 2:9–11But as it is written, “Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear, which didn’t enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him.”
- Isa 45:7I form the light, and create darkness. I make peace, and create calamity. I am Yahweh, who does all these things.
- Luke 12:2–3But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known.
- Dan 2:11It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
- Gen 41:25–28Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. What God is about to do he has declared to Pharaoh.
- Eph 3:5which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
- Isa 41:22“Let them announce, and declare to us what shall happen. Declare the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.
- Dan 2:28–29but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from God.
- Job 26:6Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.
- Ps 104:2He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
- John 8:12Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- Dan 5:14I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.
- John 21:17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
- Isa 41:26Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know? And before, that we may say, ‘He is right?’ Surely, there is no one who declares. Surely, there is no one who shows. Surely, there is no one who hears your words.
- Matt 13:13Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.
- John 1:9The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
- Rom 16:25–26—
- Gen 37:5–9Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more.
- Gen 41:16Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It isn’t in me. God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
- John 12:45–46He who sees me sees him who sent me.
- Isa 42:9Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things. I tell you about them before they come up.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Daniel sees the stone cut without hands that shatters the kingdoms, and 'one like a son of man' given everlasting dominion — titles and visions Jesus claims as his own.
How Daniel 2:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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