Daniel 2:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show its interpretation.”

NIV: Once more they replied, 'Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.'

NASB: They answered a second time and said, 'Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.'

CSB: They answered a second time, "May the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will make known the interpretation."

NLT: They said again, 'Please, Your Majesty. Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.'

KJV: They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it.

NKJV: They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.”

When king Nebuchadnezzar was deeply troubled by a dream, he brought a test to his royal magicians. Rather than telling them the dream and asking for interpretation, he insisted the spiritualists tell him what the dream was about. In this way, he puts their claims to a harsh test. If they claim supernatural power to discover the meaning of a dream, shouldn't they also have the power to know what someone had dreamed in the first place (Daniel 2:1–4)? Nebuchadnezzar is serious about this issue, promising either torture and death or great reward depending on how he is answered (Daniel 2:5–6). It's no surprise they are stalling for time (Daniel 2:8).

Had Nebuchadnezzar forgotten his dream, the sorcerers and mediums could have invented one. Had he told them the dream, they could have claimed almost any meaning (Daniel 2:9). Because he knows the dream, and they don't, Nebuchadnezzar can directly test the knowledge of his conjurers. Eventually, they will admit his challenge is beyond any mortal person: only a real god could know such things (Daniel 2:10–11). The wisdom of the wise always falls short of divine wisdom. Even the world's wisest men are incapable of understanding and accepting spiritual truth unless God opens their minds and hearts to receive it (1 Corinthians 1:20–21). Only through God's power will the king's request be granted (Daniel 2:27–35).

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.