King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:10 Mean?

Daniel 2:10 in the King James Version says “The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: the...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.”

Daniel 2:10 · King James Version


Context

8

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

9

But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof.

10

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

11

And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

12

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
The Chaldeans answer desperately: "There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any wise man, or astrologer, or Chaldean." Their response reveals two truths: first, absolute human inability to know hidden things apart from divine revelation; second, the unprecedented nature of Nebuchadnezzar's demand. By claiming no king ever made such a request, they inadvertently admit their profession's fraudulent nature—previous kings accepted unverifiable interpretations, allowing deceptive manipulation.

This confession sets up Daniel's triumph beautifully. When Daniel reveals both dream and interpretation, it demonstrates conclusively that Israel's God surpasses all pagan alternatives. The Chaldeans are correct—no human can do this. But God can, and does, through His prophet. This contrast between human inability and divine capability runs throughout Scripture: humans cannot save themselves, but God saves; humans cannot know the future, but God reveals it; humans cannot conquer death, but God resurrects.

Theologically, this moment prefigures the gospel. Humanity stands helpless before divine requirements—we cannot satisfy God's justice, achieve righteousness, or overcome sin and death through human effort. Religious systems (like Babylonian divination) promise solutions but fail when tested. Only divine intervention saves—God accomplishing what humans cannot. Daniel's Spirit-enabled revelation points to Christ's Spirit-empowered redemption. Both demonstrate that salvation belongs to the Lord alone.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern divination relied on elaborate but ultimately fraudulent systems. Dream interpretation manuals (like those found at Nineveh) provided symbolic correspondences—snakes meant enemies, water meant prosperity, etc. Diviners consulted these texts, offering interpretations kings couldn't verify. Nebuchadnezzar's innovation—demanding dream content first—exposed this fraud. His unprecedented requirement inadvertently created conditions for God's glory. Daniel's success validated biblical revelation's superiority over pagan alternatives, a truth that sustained Jewish faith through centuries of exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Chaldeans' confession of human inability prepare for demonstrating God's supernatural power through Daniel?
  2. What does their admission that previous kings accepted unverifiable interpretations teach us about religious manipulation when accountability is absent?
  3. In what ways does this scene prefigure the gospel truth that humans cannot save themselves, but God saves what we cannot accomplish?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
עֲנ֨וֹ1 of 30

“answered”

H6032

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

וְכַשְׂדָּֽי׃2 of 30

“The Chaldeans”

H3779

a chaldaean or inhabitant of chaldaea; by implication, a magian or professional astrologer

קֳדָם3 of 30

“before”

H6925

before

מֶ֙לֶךְ֙4 of 30

“king”

H4430

a king

וְאָ֣מְרִ֔ין5 of 30

“and said”

H560

to speak, to command

לָ֣א6 of 30

“not”

H3809

no, not

אִיתַ֤י7 of 30

“There is”

H383

properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is

אֲנָשׁ֙8 of 30

“a man”

H606

a man

עַל9 of 30

“upon”

H5922

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יַבֶּשְׁתָּ֔א10 of 30

“the earth”

H3007

dry land

דִּ֚י11 of 30
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

מִלָּ֤ה12 of 30

“matter”

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

מֶ֙לֶךְ֙13 of 30

“king”

H4430

a king

יוּכַ֖ל14 of 30

“that can”

H3202

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְהַחֲוָיָ֑ה15 of 30

“shew”

H2324

to show

לְכָל16 of 30

“at any”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קֳבֵ֗ל17 of 30

“therefore”

H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דִּ֚י18 of 30
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

לְכָל19 of 30

“at any”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מֶ֙לֶךְ֙20 of 30

“king”

H4430

a king

רַ֣ב21 of 30

“lord”

H7229

abundant

וְשַׁלִּ֔יט22 of 30

“nor ruler”

H7990

mighty; abstractly, permission; concretely, a premier

מִלָּ֤ה23 of 30

“matter”

H4406

a word, command, discourse, or subject

כִדְנָה֙24 of 30

“such”

H1836

this

לָ֣א25 of 30

“not”

H3809

no, not

שְׁאֵ֔ל26 of 30

“that asked”

H7593

to ask

לְכָל27 of 30

“at any”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חַרְטֹּ֖ם28 of 30

“magician”

H2749

a horoscopist (as drawing magical lines or circles)

וְאָשַׁ֥ף29 of 30

“or astrologer”

H826

a conjurer

וְכַשְׂדָּֽי׃30 of 30

“The Chaldeans”

H3779

a chaldaean or inhabitant of chaldaea; by implication, a magian or professional astrologer


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 2:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 2:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study