John Calvin Commentary Daniel 2:1

"And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him." — Daniel 2:1 (ASV)

Daniel here says: King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in the second year of his reign. This seems contrary to the opinion expressed in the first chapter. For if Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in the first year of his reign, how could Daniel be already counted among the wise men and astrologers, while he was still only a disciple?

Thus, it is easily understood from the context that he and his companions were already brought forward to serve the king. At first glance, these things do not align, because in the first year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Daniel and his companions were put into training; and in the second, he was in danger of death because he was counted among the Magi.

Some, as we have mentioned elsewhere, count the second year from the capture and destruction of the city, for they say Nebuchadnezzar was called king from the time when he obtained the monarchy in peace. Before he had overthrown the City, Temple, and Nation, his Monarchy could not be considered unified; therefore, they refer this to the capture of the city, as I have said.

But I am more inclined to another, more probable conjecture: that of his reigning with his father. I have shown that when he besieged Jerusalem in the time of Jehoiakim, he was sent by his father. He next returned to Chaldea from the Egyptian expedition because he wished to suppress revolts, if anyone dared to rebel.

In this, therefore, there is nothing out of place. Nebuchadnezzar reigned before the death of his father because he had already shared supreme power with him; then he reigned alone, and the present narrative happened in the second year of his reign. In this explanation, there is nothing forced, and as the history agrees with it, I adopt it as the best.

He says he dreamt dreams, and yet only one dream is recounted; but since many things were involved in this dream, the use of the plural number is not surprising. It is now added, his spirit was contrite, to show us how uncommon the dream really was. For Nebuchadnezzar was not new to dreaming and was not previously so frightened every night as to send for all the Magi.

Therefore, in this dream, there was something extraordinary, which Daniel wished to express in these words.

The clause at the end of the verse, which they usually translate as his sleep was interrupted, does not seem to have this meaning. Another explanation, which our brother D. Antonius gave you, fits it better: namely, his sleep was upon him, meaning he began to sleep again.

The genuine and simple sense of the words seems to me to be his spirit was confused; that is, very great terror had seized his mind. He knew, indeed, that the dream was sent from heaven.

Next, being astonished, he slept again and became like a dead man. When he considered the interpretation of the dream, he became stupefied, returned to sleep, and forgot the vision, as we will see later.