Daniel 2:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The king answered and said, “I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm—

NIV: Then the king answered, 'I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided:

NASB: The king replied, 'I know for certain that you are trying to buy time, because you have perceived that the command from me is firm,

CSB: The king replied, "I know for certain you are trying to gain some time, because you see that my word is final.

NLT: The king replied, 'I know what you are doing! You’re stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say,

KJV: The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

NKJV: The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:

Pagan spiritual advisors of Nebuchadnezzar's court repeatedly ask the king to describe his dream (Daniel 2:1), so they can tell him what it means. Yet the king wants them to tell him what the dream was about (Daniel 2:2–7). If they cannot conjure the dream itself, why would the king believe their other claims were anything but lies (Daniel 2:9)? On the other hand, if the royal sorcerers can uncover his dream, they can probably untangle its meaning. The king's accusation is entirely accurate. The Babylonian diviners knew he would carry out his threat to execute them if they failed to fulfill his request.

Eventually, the occultists will admit their limitations (Daniel 2:10–11), giving Daniel the opportunity to glorify the God of Israel (Daniel 2:27–35).

Time is the most valuable commodity anyone has. It can be used wisely or unwisely. Therefore, Christians are called to spend our time towards good purposes (Ephesians 5:16). The apostle James compares a person's life span to "a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Believers who make the best use of their time can look forward to a reward (2 Timothy 4:8).

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.