What does Daniel 2:5 mean?

As did most rulers in the ancient world, king Nebuchadnezzar held absolute and unlimited power. After being disturbed by a recurring dream (Daniel 2:1–4), the king demands his astrologers and magicians explain it. Not only does the king want to know what the dream means, but he also expects the advisors to tell him what the dream was about. This, it seems, was a way of testing their insight. If they couldn't divine the content of the dream, why think they could determine its meaning?

Nebuchadnezzar's threat is extreme, but almost certainly literal. Babylonian rulers were known for their cruelty. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, his men slaughtered Zedekiah's sons while Zedekiah looked on. It was the last thing Zedekiah would see, because Nebuchadnezzar's men gouged out Zedekiah's eyes, chained him, and transported him to Babylon (2 Kings 25:7). The same king demonstrated a violent temper when three advisors refused to worship his idol (Daniel 3:19–20).

What follows is a series of attempted delays and excuses from the Babylonian occultists. Eventually, they will admit that only a real god could know what the king had dreamed (Daniel 2:10–11). This creates an opportunity for Daniel (Daniel 1:17–20) to prove that the God of Israel is the only true God (Daniel 2:27–35).