Daniel 2:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →They admit only the gods could reveal this, and the gods do not dwell among mortals.
What Does Daniel 2:11 Mean?
The Chaldeans push their confession to its conclusion: only the gods could disclose such a thing, and those gods, they say, do not dwell with flesh. In their theology, heaven is distant and unreachable, leaving humanity helpless before the unknown.
Here their despair and the gospel meet head-on. They imagine a divine that keeps no company with mortals, yet the true God hears the prayers of His servants and reveals His secrets to them. The very gap they call uncrossable is the gap God delights to cross, drawing near to those who seek Him.
Daniel 2:11 in the Original Language
Elahin (אֱלָהִין), 'gods' -- the Aramaic plural the Chaldeans use; the same root, in the singular, names the one true God of heaven throughout the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 2:11
What does Daniel 2:11 mean?
They admit only the gods could reveal this, and the gods do not dwell among mortals.