Daniel 2:7-12

2:7 They again replied, “Let the king inform us ¹  of the dream; then we will disclose its ²  interpretation.” 2:8 The king replied, “I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm. 2:9 If you don’t inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you. ³  For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful ⁴  until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence ⁵  that you can disclose its interpretation.”

2:10 The wise men replied to the king, “There is no man on earth who is able to disclose the king’s secret, ⁶  for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested such a thing from any magician, astrologer, or wise man. 2:11 What the king is asking is too difficult, and no one exists who can disclose it to the king, except for the gods – but they don’t live among mortals!” ⁷ 

2:12 Because of this the king got furiously angry ⁸  and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

[2:7]  ¹ tn Aram “his servants.”

[2:7]  ² tn Or “the.”

[2:9]  ³ tn Aram “one is your law,” i.e., only one thing is applicable to you.

[2:9]  ⁴ tn Aram “a lying and corrupt word.”

[2:9]  ⁵ tn Aram “I will know.”

[2:10]  ⁶ tn Aram “matter, thing.”

[2:11]  ⁷ tn Aram “whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

[2:12]  ⁸ tn Aram “was angry and very furious.” The expression is a hendiadys (two words or phrases expressing a single idea).