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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Daniel 2:11 What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/2-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/27_Dan_02_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 2:11 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/daniel/2-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/daniel/2-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/daniel/">Daniel</a> > <a href="/daniel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/2-10.htm" title="Daniel 2:10">◄</a> Daniel 2:11 <a href="/daniel/2-12.htm" title="Daniel 2:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/daniel/2.htm">New International Version</a> What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/daniel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> The king’s demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people.” <a href="/esv/daniel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” <a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.” <a href="/kjv/daniel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/daniel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” <a href="/nasb_/daniel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.” <a href="/nasb/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.” <a href="/lsb/daniel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Moreover, the matter which the king asks is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with flesh.” <a href="/amp/daniel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Furthermore, what the king demands is an unusual and difficult thing indeed! No one except the gods can reveal it to the king, and their dwelling is not with [mortal] flesh.” <a href="/csb/daniel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.” <a href="/hcsb/daniel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What the king is asking is so difficult that no one can make it known to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.&#8221 <a href="/asv/daniel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is no other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. <a href="/cev/daniel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> It can't be done, except by the gods, and they don't live here on earth." <a href="/erv/daniel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/daniel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> What you ask is difficult, Your Majesty. No one can tell what you dreamed except the gods, and they don't live with humans." <a href="/gnt/daniel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> What Your Majesty is asking for is so difficult that no one can do it for you except the gods, and they do not live among human beings." <a href="/isv/daniel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> Furthermore, what the king is asking is so difficult that no one can reveal it except the gods—and they don't live with human beings." <a href="/msb/daniel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.? <a href="/net/daniel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> 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!" <a href="/nheb/daniel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh." <a href="/wbt/daniel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is no other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. <a href="/web/daniel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/daniel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the thing that the king is asking [is] precious, and there are no others that show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” <a href="/ylt/daniel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the thing that the king is asking is precious, and others are there not that do shew it before the king, save the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.' <a href="/slt/daniel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the word the king asked will be made rare, and there is not another that will show it before the king except the gods that their dwelling is not with flesh.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/daniel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For the thing that thou askest, O king, is difficult; nor can any one be found that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose conversation is not with men. <a href="/cpdv/daniel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For the answer that you seek, O king, is very difficult. Neither can anyone be found who can reveal it in the sight of the king, except the gods, whose conversation is not with men.” <a href="/nabre/daniel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> What you demand, O king, is too difficult; there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, who do not dwell among people of flesh.” <a href="/nrsvce/daniel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The thing that the king is asking is too difficult, and no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/daniel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For the thing that the king is asking is very difficult, and there is no man who can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with men born of flesh. <a href="/hpbt/daniel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the matter that the King asks is deep, and there is not a man to show it before the King, but only the gods, whose dwelling is not with children of flesh!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/daniel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it is a hard thing that the king asketh, and there is none other that can declare it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.' <a href="/sep/daniel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For the question which the king asks is difficult, and there is no one else who shall answer it before the king, but the gods, whose dwelling is not with any flesh. <a href="/parallel/daniel/2-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=340" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Nebuchadnezzar's Dream</a> …10The astrologers answered the king, “No one on earth can do what the king requests! No king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer. 11<a href="/hebrew/4406.htm" title="4406: ū·mil·lə·ṯā (Conj-w:: N-fsd) -- A word, thing. (Aramaic) corresponding to millah; a word, command, discourse, or subject."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: ḏî- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">What</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kāh (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/7593.htm" title="7593: šā·’êl (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To ask. (Aramaic) corresponding to sha'al.">requests</a> <a href="/hebrew/3358.htm" title="3358: yaq·qî·rāh (Adj-fs) -- Honorable, difficult. (Aramaic) corresponding to yaqqiyr.">is so difficult</a> <a href="/hebrew/3809.htm" title="3809: lā (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. (Aramaic) or lah (Aramaic) (Dan. 4:32); corresponding to lo'.">that no</a> <a href="/hebrew/321.htm" title="321: wə·’ā·ḥo·rān (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Another. (Aramaic) from 'achar; the same as 'ochoriy; other.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/383.htm" title="383: ’î·ṯay (Adv) -- There is, are. (Aramaic) corresponding to yesh; properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2324.htm" title="2324: yə·ḥaw·win·nah (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms:: 3fse) -- To show. (Aramaic) corresponding to chavah; to show.">can tell it</a> <a href="/hebrew/6925.htm" title="6925: qo·ḏām (Prep) -- Before. (Aramaic) or qdam (Aramaic) (Daniel 7:13); corresponding to qedem; before.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kā (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/3861.htm" title="3861: lā·hên (Conj) -- Therefore, except. (Aramaic) corresponding to lahen; therefore; also except.">except</a> <a href="/hebrew/426.htm" title="426: ’ĕ·lā·hîn (N-mp) -- God, god. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'elowahh; God.">the gods,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. ">whose</a> <a href="/hebrew/4070.htm" title="4070: mə·ḏā·rə·hō·wn (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A dwelling place. (Aramaic) or mdor (Aramaic); or mdar (Aramaic); from duwr; a dwelling.">dwelling</a> <a href="/hebrew/383.htm" title="383: ’î·ṯō·w·hî (Adv:: 3ms) -- There is, are. (Aramaic) corresponding to yesh; properly, entity; used only as a particle of affirmation, there is.">is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3809.htm" title="3809: lā (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. (Aramaic) or lah (Aramaic) (Dan. 4:32); corresponding to lo'.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5974.htm" title="5974: ‘im- (Prep) -- With. (Aramaic) corresponding to im.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/1321.htm" title="1321: biś·rā (N-msd) -- Flesh. (Aramaic) corresponding to basar.">mortals.”</a> 12This response made the king so furious with anger that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/41-16.htm">Genesis 41:16</a> “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” <a href="/1_kings/8-39.htm">1 Kings 8:39</a> be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart—for You alone know the hearts of all men— <a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Isaiah 41:23</a> Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. <a href="/isaiah/47-13.htm">Isaiah 47:13-14</a> You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. / Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. <a href="/jeremiah/10-7.htm">Jeremiah 10:7</a> Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. <a href="/ezekiel/28-3.htm">Ezekiel 28:3</a> Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! <a href="/amos/3-7.htm">Amos 3:7</a> Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. <a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7</a> Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? <a href="/job/28-12.htm">Job 28:12-13</a> But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. <a href="/psalms/139-6.htm">Psalm 139:6</a> Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. <a href="/matthew/19-26.htm">Matthew 19:26</a> Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” <a href="/mark/10-27.htm">Mark 10:27</a> Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” <a href="/luke/1-37.htm">Luke 1:37</a> For no word from God will ever fail.” <a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a> No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. <a href="/john/6-46.htm">John 6:46</a> not that anyone has seen the Father except the One who is from God; only He has seen the Father.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.no references for this verse <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/47-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/daniel/2-7.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-23.htm">Demands</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-6.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-15.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-14.htm">Except</a> <a href="/daniel/1-15.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-21.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-20.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">King's</a> <a href="/daniel/2-4.htm">Live</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-22.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-39.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-12.htm">Rare</a> <a href="/daniel/1-8.htm">Request</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-12.htm">Requires</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm">Requireth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/33-6.htm">Reveal</a> <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">Show</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/2-26.htm">Able</a> <a href="/daniel/2-16.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/daniel/2-16.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/micah/7-3.htm">Demands</a> <a href="/daniel/5-16.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/daniel/2-38.htm">Dwelling</a> <a href="/daniel/3-28.htm">Except</a> <a href="/daniel/4-12.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/daniel/2-47.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/daniel/4-9.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/daniel/2-14.htm">King's</a> <a href="/daniel/3-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/daniel/2-49.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/micah/1-9.htm">Mortal</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-23.htm">Rare</a> <a href="/daniel/2-16.htm">Request</a> <a href="/luke/11-8.htm">Requires</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-15.htm">Requireth</a> <a href="/daniel/2-47.htm">Reveal</a> <a href="/daniel/2-16.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/daniel/2-16.htm">Show</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 2</div>1. <a href="/daniel/2-1.htm">Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, </a> 5. <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats.</a> 10. <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">They acknowledging their inability are judged to die.</a> 14. <a href="/daniel/2-14.htm">Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream.</a> 19. <a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">He blesses God.</a> 24. <a href="/daniel/2-24.htm">He staying the decree is brought to the king.</a> 31. <a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">The dream.</a> 36. <a href="/daniel/2-36.htm">The interpretation.</a> 46. <a href="/daniel/2-46.htm">Daniel's advancement.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/daniel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/daniel/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What the king requests is so difficult The context here is King Nebuchadnezzar's demand for his wise men to not only interpret his dream but also to recount the dream itself. This request is unprecedented and highlights the king's suspicion and desire for genuine insight. It underscores the limitations of human wisdom and the futility of relying solely on human understanding, a theme echoed in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>.that no one can tell it to him The wise men of Babylon, despite their esteemed positions, confess their inability to fulfill the king's demand. This admission reveals the limitations of pagan wisdom and the impotence of Babylonian gods. It sets the stage for Daniel, a servant of the true God, to demonstrate divine wisdom and power, as seen in <a href="/daniel/2-27.htm">Daniel 2:27-28</a>.except the gods In the polytheistic culture of Babylon, the wise men believed that only divine beings could possess such knowledge. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief in a pantheon of gods who were thought to be distant and uninterested in human affairs. This contrasts with the biblical portrayal of God as both transcendent and immanent, involved in the lives of His people.whose dwelling is not with mortals The wise men's statement highlights their belief in the separation between the divine and human realms. This belief is challenged by the biblical narrative, where God is depicted as dwelling among His people, as seen in the tabernacle and temple (<a href="/exodus/25-8.htm">Exodus 25:8</a>, <a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a>). Ultimately, this foreshadows the incarnation of Jesus Christ, "Immanuel," meaning "God with us" (<a href="/matthew/1-23.htm">Matthew 1:23</a>), who bridges the gap between God and humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_nebuchadnezzar.htm">King Nebuchadnezzar</a> The ruler of Babylon who had a troubling dream and demanded its interpretation without revealing the dream itself. 2. <a href="/topical/c/chaldeans.htm">Chaldeans</a> A group of wise men, astrologers, and magicians in Babylon tasked with interpreting the king's dream. 3. <a href="/topical/d/daniel.htm">Daniel</a> A Hebrew prophet and wise man in Babylon who later interprets the king's dream through divine revelation. 4. <a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a> The empire where these events take place, known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gods.htm">Gods</a> Referenced by the Chaldeans as beings whose dwelling is not with mortals, highlighting their belief in distant deities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_limitations_of_human_wisdom.htm">The Limitations of Human Wisdom</a> The Chaldeans' admission of their inability to fulfill the king's request highlights the limitations of human wisdom and the need for divine intervention. <a href="/topical/t/the_nearness_of_god.htm">The Nearness of God</a> Unlike the distant gods of the Chaldeans, the God of the Bible is near to His people and desires a relationship with them, as seen in His interactions with Daniel. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_revelation.htm">Dependence on God for Revelation</a> True understanding and wisdom come from God. Believers are encouraged to seek His guidance through prayer and Scripture. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a> The unfolding events in <a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Daniel 2</a> demonstrate God's control over kingdoms and His ability to reveal His plans to His servants. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a> Daniel's faithfulness and reliance on God in a foreign land serve as an example for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in challenging circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 2</a> <a href="/q/what_did_jesus_mean_by_'rest'.htm">What distinguishes angels from humans?</a> <a href="/q/is_finding_a_wife_a_good_thing.htm">Is the Antichrist's sexual orientation homosexual?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_daniel_11_2_list_only_4_persian_kings.htm">How does Daniel 11:2 reconcile with history when it only mentions four Persian kings, despite records of more?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_daniel_11_3-4_differ_from_history.htm">Why does Daniel 11:3-4 describe the rapid rise and division of a Greek empire that historical sources suggest lasted longer and split differently?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) A rare thing--i.e., a difficult matter. The difficulty is so great, that the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh are alone able to solve it. Here the reference is to a doctrine of Babylonian theology, according to which every man from his birth onward had a special deity attached to him as his protector. It lived in him, or "dwelt with flesh," as the wise men here remark. The deity, being united to the man, became a partaker of human infirmities. For instance, it was subject to the action of evil spirits, and to the influence of the spirits of sickness to such an extent that it might injure the person whom it was bound to protect. Even these deities, the wise men urge, cannot do what the king requires. Such wisdom belongs only to the gods whose dwelling is apart from man. (See Lenormant, La Magie, pp. 181-183.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - And it is a rare thing that the king requireth. The Septuagint Version of this passage is, "The thing which thou requirest, O king, is hard and strange." The last two winds are most likely a case of doublet - two different renderings of the same Aramaic wind, yakkirah. The primary meaning of this word is "heavy," and by transference it becomes "difficult," and then, "strange" or "rare." There may have been a slight difference of reading to account for the sentence taking the vocative term it does. It may be due to reading הדר instead of אחר in the following clause. Theodotion agrees with the Massoretic text. and translates yakkirah, βαρύς. The Peshitta does not differ here from the Massoretic text. The soothsayers still pursue their line of defence, which they had adopted in the preceding verse. The king cannot get the answer he demands - his demand is so difficult and strange. And there is none ether that can show it before the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh. The Septuagint rendering (lifters somewhat, though slightly, from the Massoretic text: "And there is no one who will show these things to the king, unless some (τις) angel, whose dwelling is not at all with flesh." The omission of ahoran, "other," gives some slight confirmation of the suggestion that ἐπίδοξος, "strange" or "peculiar," represents it. It is very characteristic of the time when the Septuagint translation was made, and of the opinions then current, that the, word אלחין (elohin), "gods," should be rendered ἄγγελος, "angels" By this time there was an avoidance of the use of the Divine name, and anything that suggested it; further, there was an avoidance of the names of heathen deities. The same feeling that makes the historian of the Book of Samuel represent (<a href="/1_samuel/29-6.htm">1 Samuel 29:6</a>) Achish swearing by Jehovah rather than by his own gods, as would certainly be the case, makes the translator here represent the soothsayers referring to "angels." The idea of angels of the nations, which we find later in this book, was generally adopted by the Jews in Egypt (as e.g. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-8.htm">Deuteronomy 32:8</a>, LXX.). A question has been raised here as to whether the statement, "whose dwelling is not with flesh," is to be regarded as distinguishing all gods from human beings, or as distinguishing certain of the higher gods from the others. The first view is that of Hitzig, Kranichfeld, Bevan, and others; Professor Fuller and Von Lengerke and others maintain the latter opinion. There is one thing certain - that the soothsayers and interpreters of dreams and auguries believed, or, at all events, pretended they believed, themselves each under the guidance of a special genius or subordinate god. Such a god had his dwelling with flesh - that is to say, with humanity; but there were in their pantheon higher gods, whose dwelling was not with flesh. In some of the incantations and magical formulas which Lenormant has collected in his 'La Magie,' we find (p. 21) Selek-Moulou-ki coming to Ea his father for information as to the causes of disease, etc. Marduk is the Babylonian name for Selek-Moulou-ki, and Marduk was the great revealer; but by this his dwelling was with flesh. As we see, however, there were gods whose dwelling was not with flesh, who knew secrets hid even from Marduk. This excuse of the wise men is a preparation for Daniel's claim to raveal the secret of the king by the power of a higher God than any that communicated with the Babylonian soothsayers. Hitzig regards this as an artistic device of the author. We regard it as the providential intervention of God himself, that raise heathen soothsayers should shelter themselves under an excuse that forced into clearer light the supremacy of Jehovah. It indicates a special knowledge of Babylonian worship thus to lay stress on this distinction between higher and lower gods. <a href="/commentaries/daniel/2-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>What דִֽי־ (ḏî-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> Who, which, that, because the king מַלְכָּ֤ה (mal·kāh) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> A king requests שָׁאֵל֙ (šā·’êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7593.htm">Strong's 7593: </a> To inquire, to request, to demand is so difficult יַקִּירָ֔ה (yaq·qî·rāh) Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3358.htm">Strong's 3358: </a> Honorable, difficult that no לָ֣א (lā) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3809.htm">Strong's 3809: </a> Not, no one וְאָחֳרָן֙ (wə·’ā·ḥo·rān) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_321.htm">Strong's 321: </a> Another can tell it יְחַוִּנַּ֖הּ (yə·ḥaw·win·nah) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2324.htm">Strong's 2324: </a> To show to קֳדָ֣ם (qo·ḏām) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6925.htm">Strong's 6925: </a> Before him מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> A king except לָהֵ֣ן (lā·hên) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3861.htm">Strong's 3861: </a> Therefore, except the gods, אֱלָהִ֔ין (’ĕ·lā·hîn) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_426.htm">Strong's 426: </a> God whose דִּ֥י (dî) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1768.htm">Strong's 1768: </a> Who, which, that, because dwelling מְדָ֣רְה֔וֹן (mə·ḏā·rə·hō·wn) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4070.htm">Strong's 4070: </a> A dwelling place is אִיתַ֔י (’î·ṯay) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_383.htm">Strong's 383: </a> Entity, as a, particle of affirmation, there is not לָ֥א (lā) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3809.htm">Strong's 3809: </a> Not, no with עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5974.htm">Strong's 5974: </a> With, equally with mortals.” בִּשְׂרָ֖א (biś·rā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1321.htm">Strong's 1321: </a> Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/daniel/2-11.htm">Daniel 2:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/daniel/2-11.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 2:11 It is a rare thing that (Dan. 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