Daniel 2:10

KJV

The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.

KJV (with Strong's)

The Chaldeans {H3779} answered {H6032} before {H6925} the king {H4430}, and said {H560}, There is {H383} not {H3809} a man {H606} upon {H5922} the earth {H3007} that can {H3202} shew {H2324} the king's {H4430} matter {H4406}: therefore {H6903}{H1768} there is no {H3809} king {H4430}, lord {H7229}, nor ruler {H7990}, that asked {H7593} such {H1836} things {H4406} at any {H3606} magician {H2749}, or astrologer {H826}, or Chaldean {H3779}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The astrologers answered the king, "Your majesty, nobody in the world can do this! Never has a king, no matter how great and powerful, asked such a thing of any magician or exorcist or astrologer.

Berean Standard Bible

The 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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:10 captures the desperate admission of Babylon's most esteemed wise men, the Chaldeans, before King Nebuchadnezzar. Faced with the king's unprecedented demand to both recall and interpret his forgotten dream, they declare the task utterly impossible for any human being on earth. This verse serves as a crucial pivot, exposing the profound limitations of worldly wisdom and setting the stage for God's sovereign intervention through Daniel, thereby highlighting the unique power of divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Nebuchadnezzar's escalating frustration and his terrifying decree in [Daniel 2:5-9](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5-9 - Nebuchadnezzar's Decree and the Wise Men's Dilemma"). The king had not only demanded an interpretation of his troubling dream but also insisted that his wise men first reveal the dream itself, a test designed to expose their true capabilities. Their initial attempts to stall and persuade the king to disclose the dream had failed, leading to the king's furious command for their execution. Daniel 2:10 marks the Chaldeans' final, collective, and desperate confession of their utter helplessness, confirming that the king's request was beyond any human capacity. This declaration of impossibility is essential, as it clears the way for God's supernatural intervention through Daniel, emphasizing that only divine wisdom can solve such a profound mystery.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar's reign, was a superpower renowned for its advanced knowledge, particularly in astronomy, mathematics, and various forms of divination. The "Chaldeans" were not merely an ethnic group but a highly specialized, influential class of priests, astrologers, and scholars who served as royal advisors and interpreters of omens. They were considered the pinnacle of Babylonian wisdom and occult knowledge. Kings relied heavily on such figures for guidance and insight into the future. The king's absolute authority meant that his decrees, however unreasonable, were binding, and failure to comply resulted in severe, often fatal, consequences. The Chaldeans' admission in this verse underscores that even the most sophisticated human wisdom and occult practices of the ancient world were powerless when confronted with a truly divine secret, highlighting the unique nature of Nebuchadnezzar's demand.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 2:10 is foundational in developing several key themes within the book of Daniel. Primarily, it starkly contrasts **Human Limitation versus Divine Omniscience**. The Chaldeans' confession, "There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter," directly sets up the subsequent demonstration of God's unique ability to reveal "deep and hidden things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Hidden Things")). This verse also highlights the **Futility of Worldly Wisdom** when confronted with divine truth. Despite their esteemed position and extensive knowledge, the Babylonian wise men are exposed as utterly impotent, serving as a foil to the true wisdom that comes from God alone. Ultimately, this scene powerfully **Sets the Stage for God's Glory**, demonstrating that God orchestrates circumstances—even seemingly impossible ones—to reveal His unparalleled power and sovereignty through His chosen servants, as seen in Daniel's later success ([Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28 - God Reveals the Dream and Interpretation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chaldeans (Aramaic, _Kasday'_):** Refers to a specific, highly educated class of diviners, astrologers, and wise men in ancient Babylon, not merely an ethnic group. They were considered the elite practitioners of occult knowledge and interpretation, making their admission of failure particularly significant as it represented the highest human wisdom of the time.
* **shew (Aramaic, _chăvâʼ'_):** This Aramaic verb means "to show" or "to make known." In this context, it refers to the impossible task of revealing the forgotten dream to the king. The Chaldeans' inability to "shew" the matter highlights that the knowledge required was not merely interpretive but revelatory, demanding access to the king's subconscious memory, a feat beyond human capability.
* **man (Aramaic, _ʼĕnâsh'_):** This term emphasizes the universal human inability. By stating "There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter," the Chaldeans underscore that this is not a personal failing but a fundamental limitation of all humanity, regardless of their wisdom, skill, or magical prowess. It sets up the divine contrast, implying that only a non-human, supernatural source could fulfill such a request.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said,"**: This clause establishes the formal and collective response of the Babylonian wise men. Their answer is given directly "before the king," signifying their official and final declaration, made under immense pressure and with full awareness of the dire consequences of their failure.
* **"There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter:"**: This is the core admission of the Chaldeans. It is a sweeping, universal statement of human impotence. They declare that no human being, anywhere on the planet, possesses the ability to reveal the king's forgotten dream. This highlights the truly supernatural nature of Nebuchadnezzar's demand and the profound limitations of even the most advanced human wisdom and occult practices.
* **"therefore [there is] no king, lord, nor ruler, [that] asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean."**: This final clause serves as the Chaldeans' justification and lament. They argue that the king's request is unprecedented in all of history, so extraordinary that no monarch, no matter how powerful or demanding, has ever made such a demand of their wise men. This underscores the unique and impossible nature of Nebuchadnezzar's challenge, further emphasizing that their failure is not due to a lack of skill but to the sheer impossibility of the task for any mortal.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:10 employs several potent literary devices to underscore its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the Chaldeans' sweeping declaration, "There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter." This exaggerated statement emphasizes the absolute and universal impossibility of the task for any human, setting a dramatic stage for the divine intervention. The verse also contains a strong element of **Irony**. The very "wise men" of Babylon, who prided themselves on their esoteric knowledge and ability to interpret signs, are rendered utterly foolish and helpless by a simple, yet divinely orchestrated, request. Their inability to perform what they claim as their expertise serves to highlight the true source of wisdom. Furthermore, the verse functions as a crucial piece of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the entrance of Daniel, who, empowered by God, will succeed where all human wisdom has failed. This sets up the ultimate **Contrast** between the finite, fallible wisdom of humanity and the infinite, infallible wisdom and power of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:10 powerfully asserts the fundamental theological truth of God's absolute transcendence and humanity's inherent limitations. It reveals that true wisdom and knowledge of divine mysteries do not originate from human intellect, occult practices, or worldly power, but solely from God. The Chaldeans' confession of utter inability serves as a dramatic prelude to God's self-revelation through Daniel, demonstrating that God alone "reveals deep and hidden things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "God Reveals Deep and Hidden Things")). This passage underscores the principle that when human efforts and wisdom reach their absolute limit, it is then that God's unique power is most clearly displayed, bringing Him glory and establishing His sovereignty over all earthly rulers and their supposed wisdom.

* [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28 - God Reveals Secrets")
* [Isaiah 44:25](/isaiah/44-25 "Isaiah 44:25 - God Frustrates False Prophets")
* [1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - The Foolishness of Worldly Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:10 offers a profound lesson in humility and dependence on God. In our own lives, we often encounter situations that seem utterly impossible, problems that defy human logic, scientific solutions, or even the most astute counsel. Whether these are complex personal dilemmas, overwhelming societal challenges, or deep spiritual questions, this verse reminds us that there are indeed limits to what human wisdom and effort can achieve. It calls us to recognize our own finite capacities and to resist the temptation to rely solely on our intellect, resources, or the wisdom of the world. Instead, it directs our gaze upward, encouraging us to seek the God who "knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "God Reveals Deep and Hidden Things")). When all human avenues are exhausted, it is precisely then that the stage is set for divine intervention, inviting us to pray, trust, and wait for God to reveal His perfect wisdom and power, often in ways we could never anticipate.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situations are you currently facing that might be an invitation to rely more fully on God's wisdom rather than your own?**
* **How does this verse challenge our modern-day reliance on scientific advancement, technology, or human expertise as ultimate problem-solvers?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Chaldeans, sometimes overestimate our own abilities or the world's wisdom, only to find ourselves utterly stumped?**
* **How can recognizing our limitations lead to a deeper and more profound trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to reveal hidden truths?**

### FAQ
**Why was King Nebuchadnezzar's demand considered so impossible by the Chaldeans?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's demand was impossible because he required his wise men not only to interpret his dream but, crucially, to first **reveal the dream itself**, which he had forgotten. This was an unprecedented request. Typically, wise men would interpret a dream *after* the dreamer recounted it. By demanding they recall the dream from his subconscious, the king was asking for supernatural knowledge—a direct insight into his mind and memory. This went beyond their skills in astrology, divination, or interpreting omens, which relied on observable phenomena or known narratives. Their admission in [Daniel 2:10](/daniel/2-10 "Daniel 2:10 - The Chaldeans' Admission of Impossibility") highlights that no human, regardless of their claimed wisdom or magical ability, could genuinely access such hidden information, setting the stage for God alone to demonstrate His unique revelatory power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:10, with its stark portrayal of human wisdom's utter failure to comprehend divine mysteries, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's truth in Jesus Christ. Just as no "man upon the earth" could reveal Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream, so too was humanity utterly incapable of fully knowing God or discerning His ultimate plan for salvation through human effort or wisdom. The Chaldeans' impotence mirrors humanity's spiritual blindness without divine intervention. Jesus, however, is presented in the New Testament as the very **wisdom of God** ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")) and the ultimate revealer of the Father. He is the one "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in Whom are All Treasures of Wisdom")). Unlike the limited Chaldeans, Jesus perfectly "made Him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God, But the Son Has Revealed Him")), revealing God's character, His kingdom, and His redemptive plan through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Where human wisdom failed to recall a dream, Christ reveals the very heart of God and the mystery of the ages, providing the ultimate solution to humanity's deepest spiritual dilemmas.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 2:27

Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;