The king replied
This phrase introduces us to the response of King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon. In the historical context, Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful monarch known for his military conquests and the grandeur of his empire. His reply here is authoritative, reflecting his position as a sovereign ruler. The Hebrew root for "replied" (עָנָה, 'anah) often implies a response to a question or situation, indicating that the king is addressing a matter of great importance and urgency.

I know for certain
The phrase underscores the king's confidence in his judgment. The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע, yada) conveys a deep, intimate understanding, suggesting that Nebuchadnezzar is not merely guessing but is convinced of the motives of his advisors. This certainty reflects the king's perception of his own wisdom and discernment, which is a recurring theme in the narrative of Daniel, where human wisdom is often contrasted with divine insight.

that you are stalling for time
Here, the king accuses his advisors of delaying tactics. The phrase "stalling for time" indicates a strategic attempt to avoid immediate action or decision. In the context of ancient Near Eastern courts, advisors and wise men were expected to provide counsel and solutions promptly. The king's accusation reveals his impatience and suspicion, highlighting the tension between the king and his counselors. This tension sets the stage for Daniel's later intervention, where divine wisdom will be shown to surpass human cunning.

because you see
This phrase suggests that the advisors are aware of the king's determination. The Hebrew root for "see" (רָאָה, ra'ah) implies perception and understanding. The advisors recognize the seriousness of the situation and the king's resolve. This acknowledgment of the king's authority and finality is crucial, as it demonstrates the power dynamics at play in the royal court.

that my word is final
The king's declaration of the finality of his word emphasizes his absolute authority. In the ancient world, a king's word was law, and to defy it was to risk severe consequences. The phrase reflects the irrevocable nature of royal decrees, which were often seen as binding and unchangeable. This assertion of finality also foreshadows the unfolding of God's ultimate authority, as revealed through Daniel's interpretation of the king's dream, which will demonstrate that while earthly kings may have power, it is God who holds the ultimate authority over history and kingdoms.

1. King Nebuchadnezzar
The ruler of Babylon who had a troubling dream that he demanded to be interpreted without revealing its content.

2. The Chaldeans
A group of wise men, astrologers, and magicians in Babylon tasked with interpreting dreams and advising the king.

3. Daniel
A young Hebrew captive in Babylon, known for his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams through God's revelation.

4. Babylon
The empire where these events take place, known for its grandeur and as a center of power and culture during this period.

5. The Dream
A mysterious vision given to Nebuchadnezzar, which none of the king's wise men could interpret without knowing the dream itself.God's Sovereignty in Revelation
God alone reveals mysteries and holds the ultimate knowledge of all things. We must seek His wisdom in our lives.

Human Limitations
The inability of the Chaldeans to interpret the dream without divine revelation highlights human limitations and the need for reliance on God.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Daniel's faithfulness and reliance on God in a foreign land serve as a model for believers to remain steadfast in their faith regardless of circumstances.

The Role of Prayer
Daniel's response to seek God in prayer for the interpretation emphasizes the importance of prayer in seeking divine guidance and wisdom.

God's Purpose in Trials
The situation with Nebuchadnezzar's dream shows that God can use trials and challenges to reveal His power and purpose, both to believers and non-believers.(8) Gain time.--They hoped that by continual postponement they would induce the king to let the matter pass over; or, if not, that they might be able to wheedle the dream out of him,

Verse 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. The versions here do not differ in any essential point. The king now becomes certain of the treasonable purpose of the soothsayers. The word zeban means not so much "gain" as "purchase," "barter." To the king the meaning of their obstinate refusal to submit to his requirements is that they know that some great advantage may be gained by the king, or some great disaster forefended, if he only knows the meaning of this dream, and that if the king does not submit to them and yield up his decree, and, putting his pride under his feet, tell them the dream, the time when its revelation may be taken advantage of may be passed. In these matters everything was supposed to depend on the thing to be done being done precisely at the right conjunction of the planets. His last utterance seems almost to rise to agony, "Because ye see the thing is fixed away from me!" We have the same word (azda) translated here, as in the fifth verse, "gone." As we saw above, its real meaning is rather "fixed," "settled," "determined." His decree had gone out, and he would not - nay, so strongly had he willed at that it was as it' he could not - alter his decision. It has been regarded as bearing on this passage that St. Paul (Ephesians 5:16) uses the same word as that by which the Greek versions translate zeban, "redeeming the time, because the days are evil." The meaning of the apostle is to some extent in contrast to that here. Believers are, as it were, to purchase the time from the evil days. Nebuchadnezzar thought the astrologers were, as it were, meaning by their delays to buy the auspicious moment for the kingdom from under his feet. It is a mistaken idea that he thought they merely wished to gain time. It would I seem, from what we read further of his treatment of Daniel's request lot time, that, had they merely asked for time, Nebuchadnezzar would have granted their request. He had staked his faith in their ability to unfold any mystery on this one test, and they seemed to him obstinately to refuse to submit to it. To believe them unable to reveal the truth that he wished, would be to overturn all the fabric of his faith in the religion of his fathers; therefore, with all the strength of a strong man. and all the blind faith of a fanatic, he will not acknowledge the inability of the soothsayers to tell him his dream; it must be obstinacy, he thinks, that prevents the soothsayers telling him, and that obstinacy must have a sinister purpose. There is a clause in the Septuagint completing this verse, but it is not parallel with any clause in the Massoretic text: "Then just as I have ordered, thus shall it be." This probably is an alternative rendering. Azda is taken in what is now regarded as its meaning - "that which is fixed," or "decreed," in which case this final clause might be rendered, "What is fixed from me is a decree;" and of this the above-mentioned clause is a somewhat free rendering. This interpretation of the clause confirms our view of the situation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


The king
מַלְכָּא֙ (mal·kā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 4430: A king

replied,
עָנֵ֤ה (‘ā·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6032: To answer

“I
אֲנָ֔ה (’ă·nāh)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 576: I

know
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3046: To know

for
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

sure
יַצִּיב֙ (yaṣ·ṣîḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 3330: Fixed, sure, certainty

you
אַנְתּ֣וּן (’an·tūn)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 608: You

are stalling
זָבְנִ֑ין (zā·ḇə·nîn)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2084: To acquire by purchase

for time,
עִדָּנָ֖א (‘id·dā·nā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5732: A set time, technically, a year

because
קֳבֵל֙ (qo·ḇêl)
Preposition
Strong's 6903: In front of, before, because of, because that

you see
חֲזֵית֔וֹן (ḥă·zê·ṯō·wn)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2370: To gaze upon, mentally to dream, be usual

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

my
מִנִּ֥י (min·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

word
מִלְּתָֽא׃ (mil·lə·ṯā)
Noun - feminine singular determinate
Strong's 4406: A word, command, discourse, subject

is final.
אַזְדָּ֖א (’az·dā)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 230: Sure, assured


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OT Prophets: Daniel 2:8 The king answered I know (Dan. Da Dn)