Bible Strands
Ezekiel 28:3
Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you!
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord GOD speaks through Ezekiel to the ruler of Tyre during a prophetic confrontation regarding his prideful self-exaltation. This declaration directly addresses the ruler’s claim to divine status by contrasting it with acknowledged human wisdom.
The words — The phrase מִ/דָּֽנִיֵּ֑אל (mi./da.ni.'el) literally translates to "more than Daniel," while סָת֖וּם (sa.Tum) means "secret" or "hidden thing." The construction עֲמָמֽוּ/ךָ\׃ ('a.ma.Mu./kha) indicates that no such hidden matter is kept from the addressee.
The thread — The comparison to Daniel runs in Daniel 1:20, which records the king finding Daniel and his companions ten times wiser than all others, and in Daniel 2:22, which describes God revealing deep and hidden things. These references establish Daniel as the benchmark for exceptional human discernment in the biblical record.
Why it lands — The text states that the ruler’s wisdom, though exceptional, remains finite and does not grant divine authority. It requires the reader to acknowledge human limits and reject any claim to self-deification or omniscience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:
Cross-references
- Daniel 1:20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
- Daniel 2:22 He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.
- Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires.
- 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.
- 1 Kings 10:3 And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain.
- Job 15:8 Do you listen in on the council of God or limit wisdom to yourself?
- Daniel 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,
- Psalms 25:14 The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.
- Zechariah 9:2 and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
- Daniel 2:47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the God of gods and Lord of kings, the Revealer of Mysteries, since you were able to reveal this mystery.”