Daniel 2:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Chaldeans, in flattering court language, ask the king to tell them the dream so they can interpret it.
What Does Daniel 2:4 Mean?
The Chaldeans answer with the polished etiquette of the court, opening with the standard royal greeting, "O king, live for ever." From this verse the book shifts into Aramaic, the common tongue of the empires, a fitting language for a vision about world kingdoms. They confidently ask only for the dream itself.
Their request exposes the limit of their craft: give us the facts, and we will spin an interpretation. Flattery and formula stand in for substance. True insight does not begin with information we control, but is given from above, as the verses ahead will show.
Daniel 2:4 in the Original Language
Syriack here renders Aramaya (אֲרָמִית), 'Aramaic' -- the international language of the ancient Near East, in which much of Daniel is written.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daniel 2:4
What does Daniel 2:4 mean?
The Chaldeans, in flattering court language, ask the king to tell them the dream so they can interpret it.