What does Daniel 2:10 mean?
The men labeled "Chaldeans" here are court astronomers, sorcerers, and magicians employed by the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. The king has demanded they describe his troubling dream (Daniel 2:1–3). He suspects they may lie about knowing what the dream means, so he tests them by requiring them to say what the dream was about. They stall for time (Daniel 2:4–9), before saying something which is both a startling admission and potentially offensive to the king.First, the men admit that what the king wants to know cannot be known by any person. They will go on to say that only a real god could have such knowledge (Daniel 2:11). When Daniel hears about this and addresses the king, he will point out that it is the One True God, the God of Israel, who gives the meaning of the king's dream (Daniel 2:27–35).
Second, the royal advisors criticize Nebuchadnezzar's request as unprecedented. This is not how they are used to working. They claim that no king, regardless of power, has ever made such an unreasonable demand of his seers.