The Church Fathers on this verse

Daniel 2:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To the end that they should ask mercy at the face of the God of heaven, concerning this secret, and that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

Douay-Rheims

וְרַחֲמִ֗ין לְמִבְעֵא֙ מִן־קֳדָם֙ אֱלָ֣הּ שְׁמַיָּ֔א עַל־רָזָ֖ה דְּנָ֑ה דִּ֣י לָ֤א יְהֹֽבְדוּן֙ דָּנִיֵּ֣אל וְחַבְר֔וֹהִי עִם־שְׁאָ֖ר חַכִּימֵ֥י בָבֶֽל׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

There exists a significant divide between truth and falsehood. Those who propagate falsehood are cut off from divine assistance, driven solely by human reasoning that is foreign to righteousness. They resort to various means to mislead others. In contrast, those who cultivate truth refrain from acting or speaking without divine guidance. They entrust the answer to their petitions to the watchful Divine Providence, remaining steadfast and unshakable, free from the turbulence of human reasoning. The faithful Daniel exemplifies this, as he did not seek a mere moment to gather his thoughts but instead devoted himself to prayer and supplication. He did not rely solely on his own understanding but invited his companions to join him in prayer. In this, he was not let down in his expectations.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.