Daniel 2:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

NIV: But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.'

NASB: But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.'

CSB: But if you make the dream and its interpretation known to me, you'll receive gifts, a reward, and great honor from me. So make the dream and its interpretation known to me."

NLT: But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!'

KJV: But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

NKJV: However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

Nebuchadnezzar could apparently be both generous and cruel (Daniel 2:5). He promised lavish gifts to those who could tell him more about his disturbing dream (Daniel 2:1–4). His request is unusual, in that he wants to know more than the meaning of the dream. To test the insight of these advisors, Nebuchadnezzar wants them to tell him what he dreamt. If they can't discern what the dream was, he has no reason to think they have special understanding. In fact, it would suggest their previous claims were lies (Daniel 2:9). Eventually, the sorcerers will admit their limitations (Daniel 2:10–11), allowing Daniel to credit God with revealing the truth (Daniel 2:27–35). As promised, Nebuchadnezzar will reward Daniel for his role in solving his dream's mystery (Daniel 2:46–48).

Centuries earlier, another pagan ruler had a troubling dream: the Pharaoh of Egypt. Like Nebuchadnezzar, he summoned the magicians and all the wise men of his kingdom, but none of them could interpret his dream. Finally, Pharaoh's cupbearer told him about Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. Soon, Joseph stood before Pharaoh, who credited God with his ability to interpret dreams. When Pharaoh described his dream to Joseph, Joseph promptly provided the interpretation, and Pharaoh rewarded him. He gave Joseph material wealth, a wife, and great power within the kingdom (Genesis 41).

Daniel 2:1–16 builds on the introduction to Daniel and his three friends given in chapter 1. Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, is deeply disturbed by a recurring dream. He insists that his pagan advisors tell him what the dream contained, to prove they have genuine insight. When the Babylonian counselors say that only a god could do that, the king plans to have every advisor in Babylon killed. Daniel, however, claims he can meet Nebuchadnezzar's challenge. The text switches from Hebrew to Aramaic in verse 4 and will not revert until chapter 8.

King Nebuchadnezzar tests his magicians, demanding they tell him what he has dreamed, rather than merely inventing an interpretation. When they fail, he prepares to execute the entire department of wise men. Daniel promises he can meet the king's request and is given a special vision from God. The king dreamed of a massive statue shattered into powder by a supernatural rock. Daniel accurately describes this and interprets it as a prophecy about kingdoms which would come after Babylon. The king appoints Daniel and his friends to positions of power and influence over Babylon.

Chapter 1 introduced King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel—a captive youth from Jerusalem—and three other Jewish boys. After three years of education, the four Hebrew captives outperformed all the other trainees, even surpassing the wise men in Babylon. In chapter 2, Daniel describes and interprets Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream, though the court magicians could not. As a result, the king promotes Daniel and his three friends to high positions over the provinces of Babylon. This sets the stage for a severe test of faith in chapter 3.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.