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Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/daniel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “Long live the king! Tell us the dream, and we will tell you what it means.” <a href="/esv/daniel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” <a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, “O king, may you live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.” <a href="/kjv/daniel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. <a href="/nkjv/daniel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.” <a href="/nasb_/daniel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” <a href="/nasb/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: &#8220O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” <a href="/lsb/daniel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Say the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” <a href="/amp/daniel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the Chaldeans said to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” <a href="/csb/daniel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The Chaldeans spoke to the king (Aramaic begins here): “May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.” <a href="/hcsb/daniel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The Chaldeans spoke to the king (Aramaic begins here): &#8220May the king live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.&#8221 <a href="/asv/daniel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in the Syrian language, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. <a href="/cev/daniel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They answered in Aramaic, "Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! We are your servants. Please tell us your dream, and we will explain what it means." <a href="/erv/daniel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in the Syrian language, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. <a href="/gwt/daniel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The astrologers spoke to the king in Aramaic, "Your Majesty, may you live forever! Tell us the dream, and we'll interpret it for you." <a href="/gnt/daniel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> They answered the king in Aramaic, "May Your Majesty live forever! Tell us your dream, and we will explain it to you." <a href="/isv/daniel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> The Chaldeans responded to the king in Aramaic: "May the king live forever. Tell the dream to your servants, and we'll reveal its meaning." <a href="/msb/daniel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the astrologers answered the king in Aramaic, ?O king, may you live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.? <a href="/net/daniel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> The wise men replied to the king: [What follows is in Aramaic] "O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will disclose its interpretation." <a href="/nheb/daniel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in the Aramaic language, "O king, live forever: tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation." <a href="/wbt/daniel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Syriac, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. <a href="/web/daniel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/daniel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the Chaldeans speak to the king [in] Aramaic, “O king, live for all ages, tell the dream to your servants, and we show the interpretation.” <a href="/ylt/daniel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the Chaldeans speak to the king in Aramaean, 'O king, to the ages live, tell the dream to thy servants, and the interpretation we do shew.' <a href="/slt/daniel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the Chaldeans will speak to the king Syriac: O king, live forever: say to thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/daniel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the Chaldeans answered the king in Syriac: O king, live for ever: tell to thy servants thy dream, and we will declare the interpretation thereof. <a href="/cpdv/daniel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And the Chaldeans answered the king in Syriac, “O king, live forever. Tell the dream to your servants, and we will reveal its interpretation.” <a href="/nabre/daniel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> The Chaldeans answered the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream and we will give its meaning.” <a href="/nrsvce/daniel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The Chaldeans said to the king (in Aramaic), “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will reveal the interpretation.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/daniel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then spoke the Chaldeans before the king in Aramaic, saying, O king, live for ever; tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. <a href="/hpbt/daniel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the Chaldeans spoke before the King in Aramaic, and they were saying: “King, live to eternity! Tell the dream to your Servants, and we shall show its interpretation!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/daniel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Aramaic: 'O king, live for ever! tell thy servants the dream, and we will declare the interpretation.' <a href="/sep/daniel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Chaldeans spoke to the king in the Syrian language, saying, O king, live for ever: do thou tell the dream to thy servants, and we will declare the interpretation. <a href="/parallel/daniel/2-4.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=250" 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> …3he said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand it.” 4<a href="/hebrew/3778.htm" title="3778: hak·kaś·dîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- A region of S. Bab. and its inhab. (occasionally with enclitic) Kasdiymah; towards the Kasdites.">Then the astrologers</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: lam·me·leḵ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/762.htm" title="762: ’ă·rā·mîṯ (N-proper-fs) -- The language of Aram (Syria). Feminine of 'Arammiy;in Aramean.">in Aramaic,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4430.htm" title="4430: mal·kā (N-msd) -- King. (Aramaic) corresponding to melek; a king.">“O king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2418.htm" title="2418: ḥĕ·yî (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To live. (Aramaic) or chayah (Aramaic); corresponding to chayah; to live.">may you live</a> <a href="/hebrew/5957.htm" title="5957: lə·‘ā·lə·mîn (Prep-l:: N-mp) -- (Aramaic) corresponding to owlam; remote time, i.e. The future or past indefinitely; often adverb, forever.">forever!</a> <a href="/hebrew/560.htm" title="560: ’ĕ·mar (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To say, tell, command. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'amar.">Tell</a> <a href="/hebrew/5649.htm" title="5649: lə·ʿaḇ·da·yiḵ (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. (Aramaic) from abad; a servant.">your servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/2493.htm" title="2493: ḥel·mā (N-msd) -- A dream. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to chalam; a dream.">the dream,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2324.htm" title="2324: nə·ḥaw·wê (V-Piel-Imperf-1cp) -- To show. (Aramaic) corresponding to chavah; to show.">and we will give</a> <a href="/hebrew/6591.htm" title="6591: ū·p̄iš·rā (Conj-w:: N-msd) -- Interpretation. (Aramaic) from pshar; an interpretation.">the interpretation.”</a> 5The king replied to the astrologers, “My word is final: If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces and your houses will be reduced to rubble.…<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/41-15.htm">Genesis 41:15-16</a> Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” / “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” <a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4-11</a> And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. / Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. / And when this sound rang out, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking his own language. ... <a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a> to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1-2</a> After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a> At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ... <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Acts 17:28</a> ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’ <a href="/isaiah/47-12.htm">Isaiah 47:12-13</a> So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / 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. <a href="/1_corinthians/14-27.htm">1 Corinthians 14:27-28</a> If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. / But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. <a href="/jeremiah/10-11.htm">Jeremiah 10:11</a> Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.” <a href="/acts/7-22.htm">Acts 7:22</a> So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. <a href="/2_kings/5-7.htm">2 Kings 5:7-8</a> When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life, that this man expects me to cure a leper? Surely you can see that he is seeking a quarrel with me!” / Now when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king: “Why have you torn your clothes? Please let the man come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” <a href="/1_corinthians/1-20.htm">1 Corinthians 1:20</a> Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? <a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a> Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a> One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment. <a href="/ezekiel/28-3.htm">Ezekiel 28:3</a> Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.in.<a href="/genesis/31-47.htm">Genesis 31:47</a> And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.<a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Ezra 4:7</a> And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.<a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Isaiah 36:11</a> Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.Syriack.O king.<a href="/daniel/3-9.htm">Daniel 3:9</a> They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.<a href="/daniel/4-19.htm">Daniel 4:19</a> Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.<a href="/daniel/5-10.htm">Daniel 5:10</a> Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:tell.<a href="/daniel/4-7.htm">Daniel 4:7</a> Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.<a href="/daniel/5-8.htm">Daniel 5:8</a> Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.<a href="/genesis/41-8.htm">Genesis 41:8</a> And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/43-10.htm">Account</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-14.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Aramaic</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Astrologers</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Chaldaeans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Chaldeans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Chalde'ans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-3.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/daniel/2-3.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-9.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Interpret</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/8-1.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-6.htm">Language</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-9.htm">Live</a> <a href="/daniel/1-18.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/daniel/2-2.htm">Show</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-17.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/isaiah/36-11.htm">Syrian</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/2-7.htm">Account</a> <a href="/daniel/3-9.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/genesis/25-20.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/john/5-2.htm">Aramaic</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Astrologers</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Chaldaeans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Chaldeans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Chalde'ans</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/daniel/2-6.htm">Declare</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/daniel/2-20.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/daniel/2-6.htm">Interpret</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Interpretation</a> <a href="/daniel/3-29.htm">Language</a> <a href="/daniel/2-11.htm">Live</a> <a href="/daniel/2-7.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/daniel/2-6.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/daniel/2-6.htm">Show</a> <a href="/daniel/2-9.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/mark/7-26.htm">Syrian</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'; 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Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Neo-Babylonian and Persian empires, reflecting the international context of the narrative. The use of Aramaic here underscores the universal nature of the message and the events that follow. The astrologers, also known as Chaldeans, were part of the king's advisory council, skilled in interpreting dreams and omens, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures.“O king, may you live forever! This phrase is a customary greeting for royalty, expressing loyalty and respect. It reflects the cultural norms of addressing a monarch in ancient times, emphasizing the king's authority and the subjects' subservience. Similar expressions are found throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/1_kings/1-31.htm">1 Kings 1:31</a> and <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Nehemiah 2:3</a>, indicating a standard protocol in royal courts.Tell your servants the dream, The astrologers request the king to disclose the dream, which was a typical procedure for interpretation. In ancient Mesopotamian culture, dreams were considered messages from the gods, requiring skilled interpreters to unravel their meanings. This request highlights the astrologers' reliance on the dream's details to provide an interpretation, contrasting with Daniel's later divine insight.and we will give the interpretation.” The astrologers' confidence in providing an interpretation reflects their role and expertise in the Babylonian court. However, this sets the stage for the unfolding drama where human wisdom is contrasted with divine revelation. The inability of the astrologers to interpret the dream without knowing it first foreshadows the limitations of human understanding and the supremacy of God's wisdom, as demonstrated through Daniel. This theme resonates with other biblical narratives where God's wisdom surpasses human knowledge, such as in Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams in <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Genesis 41</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/c/chaldeans.htm">Chaldeans</a> A group of wise men, astrologers, and magicians in Babylon, often consulted by the king for their supposed wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and signs. 2. <a href="/topical/k/king_nebuchadnezzar.htm">King Nebuchadnezzar</a> The ruler of Babylon during Daniel's time, known for his powerful reign and the significant role he plays in the Book of Daniel. 3. <a href="/topical/a/aramaic_language.htm">Aramaic Language</a> The language used by the Chaldeans to address the king, marking a shift in the text from Hebrew to Aramaic, which continues until <a href="/daniel/7-28.htm">Daniel 7:28</a>. 4. <a href="/topical/d/dream_interpretation.htm">Dream Interpretation</a> A significant theme in the Book of Daniel, where God reveals His plans and purposes through dreams, which Daniel, empowered by God, interprets. 5. <a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a> The setting of the Book of Daniel, a powerful empire known for its wealth, culture, and influence, as well as its opposition to the God of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_revelation.htm">God's Sovereignty in Revelation</a> God reveals His plans through dreams and visions, demonstrating His control over history and His desire to communicate with humanity. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_language_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Language in God's Plan</a> The shift to Aramaic signifies the universality of God's message, reaching beyond the Jewish people to the broader world. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_a_foreign_land.htm">Faithfulness in a Foreign Land</a> Daniel's account encourages believers to remain faithful and reliant on God, even in environments that are hostile to their faith. <a href="/topical/w/wisdom_and_discernment.htm">Wisdom and Discernment</a> Like Daniel, Christians are called to seek God's wisdom and discernment in interpreting the events and challenges of life.<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/how_are_daniel_11's_predictions_explained.htm">How can the precise predictions of kings and battles in Daniel 11 be explained without presupposing supernatural insight or retroactive authorship? </a> <a href="/q/original_bible_languages.htm">What languages was the Bible originally written in?</a> <a href="/q/why_were_some_biblical_books_dated_later.htm">Why does the historical context suggest that some biblical books were written much later than claimed?</a> <a href="/q/main_themes_in_book_of_daniel.htm">What are the main themes in the Book of Daniel?</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>(4) In Syriack.--Probably a fresh title, indicating to the copyist that the Chaldee portion of the book begins here. It has been conjectured that this portion of the book (<a href="/context/daniel/2-4.htm" title="Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.">Daniel 2:4-7</a>) is a Chaldee translation of an original Hebrew work, but there is no authority for the conjecture. God is about to reveal facts connected with the Gentile world, and therefore a Gentile language is used as the vehicle of the revelation. (See <a href="/context/1_timothy/2-3.htm" title="For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;">1Timothy 2:3-4</a>; <a href="/context/matthew/2-1.htm" title="Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,">Matthew 2:1-2</a>).Live for ever.--For this common form of salutation, comp. <a href="/daniel/3-9.htm" title="They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.">Daniel 3:9</a>; <a href="/daniel/5-10.htm" title="Now the queen by reason of the words of the king and his lords came into the banquet house: and the queen spoke and said, O king, live for ever: let not your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance be changed:">Daniel 5:10</a>, &c. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. The versions do not imply any important difference Then... the Chaldeans. This does not mean merely that cue class of soothsayers - a class the existence of which is doubtful - nor that the whole baud of soothsayers bore the name "Chaldeans." The name is simply the name of the nation, but is here used of this small portion of it that were soothsayers, in the same way as in <a href="/john/9-22.htm">John 9:22</a> "Jews," the name of the nation, is used for the rulers: "For the Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." Hence it is needless to speak of' the Chaldeans being the principal class, and therefore "for the sake of breviloquence" (Moses Stuart) "put for the whole." So also Kliefoth ('Kom.,' p. 79), "Because the Chaldeans were the first class, they alone are named." The Chaldeans were not the inhabitants of Babylonia, but belonged to several cantons south and east of Babylon. Spake. The word yedabberu is usually followed by the verb amar in the infinitive. In <a href="/ezekiel/40-4.htm">Ezekiel 40:4</a> we have the verb dibber used without arnar, to introduce the thing said. It is not improbable that in this instance Aramith, "in the Syriac tongue," helped to the omission of amar. In the Syriack (Aramith). All scholars know now that there are two leading dialects of the Aramaean or Aramaic - the Eastern or Syriac, and the Western or Chaldee. The terms are very confusing; as Syria was certainly to the west of Chaldea, it seems strange that the usage should ever have sprung up to call the Western variety Chaldee, and the Eastern variety Syriac. The usage having been established, it has a certain convenience to be able to name all the Western, or, as they may be called, Palestinian dialects of Aramaic Chaldee, and all the Eastern varieties Syriac. While the English version uses the term "Syriac," as the portion of Daniel which follows has come down to us, it is not written in Syriac, but in Chaldee. We shall, however, endeavour to show that this is due to changes introduced by transcribers. As to the word Aramith occurring here, there is great force in the view maintained by Lenormant, that it is to be regarded as a note to the reader, indicating that st this point the Hebrew ceases and the Aramaic begins. The reason of the change from one language to another has been already dealt with in considering the question of the structure of Daniel. In the mean time it is sufficient to say that our theory is that the Hebrew in the beginning of Daniel is due to the editor, who collected the scattered fly-leaves. In the first chapter and in the three opening verses of that before us, we have the results of translation and condensation. As the previous sacred books had been written in Hebrew - the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, not to speak of other books - it was natural that the editor, especially if he were under the influence of Ezra, would desire to see a book that had so much of holy hope and aspiration about it, in the sacred language of the patriarchs and prophets. There would be probably a considerable mass of irregular material to be gone over before a connected account could be given of the early days of Daniel. These sources would be necessarily in the main Aramaic, and hence the translation and condensation. It was formerly one of the objections urged against Daniel that the author regarded Aramaic as the language spoken in Babylon. By this time the language engraved on the tablets had been discovered not to be any previously known toungue. It is now found that, although the inhabitants of Babylon used the cuneiform for inscriptions, the language of ordinary business and social intercourse was Aramaic. and had been for several centuries. Dr. Hugo Winckler says, in his 'History of Babylonia and Assyria,' p. 179, "Aramaic soon became the language of social intercourse (ungangsprache) in nearly the whole of Mesopotamia, and. expelled the Assyro-Babylonian, which continued only as a literary tongue (schriftsprache)." Bronze weights have been found dating back to the Sargo-nids, with the weight marked on the one side in Aramaic, while on the other the titles of the king are given in Assyrian, When Sennacherib sent Rabshakeh to Jerusalem, Eliakim and Shebna wished the conversation to be carried on in Aramaic, implying that by this time Aramaic had become the ordinary language of diplomacy. The single Aramaic verse in Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/10-11.htm">Jeremiah 10:11</a>) implies that the Jewish captives would be dwelling among a people who ordinarily spoke Aramaic. Some have deduced from the phrase, "then spake," etc., that Aramaic was not the ordinary language of the speakers - a deduction that would be plausible if it had not been that from this point till the end. of the seventh chapter the book is in Aramaic. Jephet-ibn-Ali thinks that Nebuchadnezzar had first addressed the wise men in some other language, and then betook him to Aramaic. O king, live for ever: tell thy servaats the dream, andl we will show the interpretation. The soothsayers address the king in terms of Oriental adulation. Similar phrases are found in despatches to Asshurbanipal. In the Septuagint Version the phrase is accommodated more to the Hellenic usage, and the king is addressed as κύριε βασιλεῦ. Their language implies that they expected to be told the dream, and then, having been told the dream, they would apply the rules of their art to it, and declare to the king the interpretation. <a href="/commentaries/daniel/2-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the astrologers הַכַּשְׂדִּ֛ים (hak·kaś·dîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab answered וַֽיְדַבְּר֧וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue the king לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king in Aramaic, אֲרָמִ֑ית (’ă·rā·mîṯ) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_762.htm">Strong's 762: </a> The language of Aram (Syria) “O king, מַלְכָּא֙ (mal·kā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4430.htm">Strong's 4430: </a> A king may you live חֱיִ֔י (ḥĕ·yî) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2418.htm">Strong's 2418: </a> To live forever! לְעָלְמִ֣ין (lə·‘ā·lə·mîn) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5957.htm">Strong's 5957: </a> Remote time, the future, past, forever Tell אֱמַ֥ר (’ĕ·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_560.htm">Strong's 560: </a> To say, tell, command your servants לְעַבְדָ֖ךְ (lə·‘aḇ·ḏāḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5649.htm">Strong's 5649: </a> Slave, servant the dream, חֶלְמָ֛א (ḥel·mā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2493.htm">Strong's 2493: </a> A dream and we will give נְחַוֵּֽא׃ (nə·ḥaw·wê) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2324.htm">Strong's 2324: </a> To show the interpretation.” וּפִשְׁרָ֥א (ū·p̄iš·rā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6591.htm">Strong's 6591: </a> An interpretation <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/daniel/2-4.htm">Daniel 2:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/daniel/2-4.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 2:4 Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 2:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>