Daniel 2:11

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.

And it is a rare {H3358} thing {H4406} that the king {H4430} requireth {H7593}, and there is {H383} none {H3809} other {H321} that can shew {H2324} it before {H6925} the king {H4430}, except {H3861} the gods {H426}, whose dwelling {H4070} is {H383} not {H3809} with {H5974} flesh {H1321}.

The king is asking a difficult thing; nobody but the gods could tell this to your majesty, and they don't live with mere mortals."

What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

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.

Daniel 2:11 captures the desperate confession of King Nebuchadnezzar's wise men, the Chaldeans, when confronted with an impossible demand: to not only interpret the king's disturbing dream but also to reveal the dream itself, which the king had forgotten. This verse highlights the profound limitations of human wisdom in contrast to divine knowledge.

Context

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, having been troubled by a dream, assembled his astrologers, magicians, and sorcerers. He demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed and then interpret it, threatening death if they failed and promising great rewards if they succeeded (Daniel 2:5-6). The Chaldeans, accustomed to interpreting known dreams, found this request unprecedented and impossible. Their plea in Daniel 2:11 serves as their final admission of defeat, setting the stage for God's intervention through Daniel.

Key Themes

  • Human Limitation vs. Divine Omniscience: The core message of this verse is the stark contrast between the finite, earthly wisdom of man and the infinite, transcendent knowledge of God. The Chaldeans, despite their renowned mystical arts, recognized that such a secret could only be known by beings beyond the human realm.
  • The Uniqueness of God's Revelation: The phrase "except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh" powerfully emphasizes that true, hidden knowledge originates from a divine source, a realm distinct from human experience. This prepares the reader for Daniel's subsequent success, which is attributed not to his own wisdom but to the God of heaven revealing mysteries (Daniel 2:28).
  • Setting the Stage for God's Glory: The Chaldeans' inability and their acknowledgment of a higher power serve to magnify the glory of the true God of Israel. Their declaration underscores that only a God who is not confined to the physical world can reveal such profound truths, thereby showcasing His sovereignty and power.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "whose dwelling is not with flesh" is a powerful translation of the Aramaic (דָּרְהוֹן עִם־בִּשְׂרָא לָא אִיתוֹהִי - darhon im-bisra la itoohi), meaning "whose dwelling is not with flesh." This highlights the fundamental difference between the divine and the human. "Flesh" (bisra) here refers to humanity in its mortal, limited, and earthly state. The statement asserts that the divine beings capable of such revelation are transcendent, existing beyond the limitations and perceptions of the physical world. This spiritual insight is crucial for understanding why God alone can reveal deep and hidden things (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Practical Application

Daniel 2:11 serves as a timeless reminder of human dependency on God. In a world that often prizes human intellect and scientific advancement, this verse humbly points to realms of knowledge and truth that remain inaccessible without divine revelation. It encourages us to:

  • Acknowledge Our Limitations: There are mysteries in life, both personal and universal, that human wisdom alone cannot unravel. This verse calls us to recognize our boundaries.
  • Seek Divine Wisdom: When faced with overwhelming challenges or profound questions, we are reminded to turn to God, who delights in revealing His plans and purposes. Daniel's example, praying for divine wisdom when all human avenues failed, is instructive (Daniel 2:19).
  • Glorify God: Just as the Chaldeans' failure ultimately glorified God through Daniel's success, our recognition of God's unique wisdom allows us to attribute true understanding and revelation to Him alone.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 5:11

    There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom [is] the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, [I say], thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, [and] soothsayers;

  • Genesis 41:39

    And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]:

  • Exodus 29:45

    And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

  • John 14:23

    Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  • Matthew 19:26

    But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

  • Isaiah 57:15

    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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