Daniel 2:9-10

9 that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only ¹one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until * the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, that I may ²know that you can declare to me its interpretation."

10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, "There is not a man on earth who could declare the matter for the king, inasmuch * * as no * great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any ³magician, conjurer or Chaldean.

Daniel 2:9-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIAL 2

The subject of this chapter is a dream which Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, but had forgot; upon which he calls his magicians and astrologers together, to tell him it, and the interpretation of it; threatening them with death if they did not, and promising them great rewards and honour if they did, Da 2:1-6, they urge the unreasonableness of the demand, and the impossibility of the thing; which so highly incensed the king, that he ordered their immediate destruction, Da 2:7-13, Daniel and his companions being in danger, he goes in to the king, and desires time, and he would show him what he had dreamed; which being granted, he spent it in prayer to God, Da 2:14-18, and the thing being revealed to him, he gave thanks to God, Da 2:19-23, and being introduced to the king, he both told him his dream, and the interpretation of it; which concerned the four monarchies of the world, and the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah, Da 2:24-45, upon which he was highly honoured, and greatly promoted by the king, Da 2:46-49.

Cross References

• 1. Esther 4:11; Daniel 3:15
• 2. Isaiah 41:23
• 3. Daniel 2:2, 27

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "law"
• [b]. Lit "word"
• [c]. Lit "time"
• [d]. Lit "before the"
• [e]. Lit "of"
• [f]. Or "soothsayer priest"