Daniel 2:10

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 2:10-11

Daniel 2:10-11. The Chaldeans answered, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king’s matter Here the wise men are driven to acknowledge their inability, and their excuse is, that they could indeed tell what dreams signified, if the dreams were told them; but as to telling what a person had dreamed, it was above the power of any art or knowledge but that of the gods, who knew all things. But this reasoning was weak, and showed the king’s accusation to be just, namely, that... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:1-23

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1-23)Soon after completing their early training, Daniel and his friends were faced with a severe test. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and wanted his wise men to tell him its meaning. However, he would not, or could not, tell them the dream. He insisted that they first describe the dream to him accurately, and then he could be sure that their interpretation also was accurate (2:1-6). The wise men replied that the king’s demand was unreasonable. No person anywhere had such... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:10

earth. Chaldee. beshta' = dry ground. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Daniel 2:10

"The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can show the king's matter, forasmuch as no king, lord, or ruler, hath asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean. 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."THE WISE MEN ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR INABILITYHere was a full admission by the Chaldeans and their associates of their utter... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:10

10. There is not a man . . . that can show—God makes the heathen out of their own mouth, condemn their impotent pretensions to supernatural knowledge, in order to bring out in brighter contrast His power to reveal secrets to His servants, though but "men upon the earth" (compare Daniel 2:22; Daniel 2:23). therefore, c.—that is, If such things could be done by men, other absolute princes would have required them from their magicians as they have not, it is proof such things cannot be done and... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:4-13

2. The failure of the king’s wise men 2:4-13 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:10-11

The Chaldeans proceeded to explain with profuse courtesy and flattery that what the king requested was humanly impossible. No one could tell what the king had dreamed. Furthermore, no king had ever asked his counselors to do such a thing before. Only the immortal gods could provide this information, and the implication was that even these men could not get information from the gods. Yet that is precisely what they claimed to be able to provide: supernatural information. Their confession sets... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 2:1-49

Nebuchandezzar’s Dream-ImageNebuchadnezzar in his second year had a dream, which he required the wise men of his court to describe and interpret on pain of death. They said this was beyond their power, but professed their readiness to explain the dream if the king would tell them its nature. Nebuchadnezzar persisted in his first demand, and as the wise men could not satisfy him he gave orders that they should be slain (Daniel 2:1-13). Daniel, however, interposed and asked that the execution of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Daniel 2:10

(10) No king.—A further argument of the wise men, offering a delicate flattery to the king, and, at the same time, assuming as a proof of their wisdom, that all possibilities had been already submitted to them. “Because no king,” they say, “has left any precedent for such a request, therefore the thing is impossible.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Daniel 2:1-49

Daniel 2-3 See Keble's lines on 'Monday in Whitsunweek '. Successive Monarchies Daniel 2:1-30 Nebuchadnezzar has a dream sent him by God. I. Strange as the vision had been it had left no clear impression upon his mind, but only a vague sense of great terror. He sent for the wise men of the kingdom, but for such a dilemma their art provided them with no expedient. The king threatens them and their families with death unless they make known to him his dream as well as its interpretation. II.... read more