Daniel 2:12

KJV

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise [men] of Babylon.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {H6903} this {H1836} cause {H3606} the king {H4430} was angry {H1149} and very {H7690} furious {H7108}, and commanded {H560} to destroy {H7} all {H3606} the wise {H2445} men of Babylon {H895}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this the king flew into a rage and ordered all the sages of Bavel put to death.

Berean Standard Bible

This response made the king so furious with anger that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

American Standard Version

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:12 vividly portrays King Nebuchadnezzar's explosive rage and immediate, draconian response to his wise men's failure to reveal and interpret his forgotten dream. His fury, born of frustration and the perceived challenge to his absolute authority, culminated in a chilling decree: the wholesale execution of all the wise men in Babylon. This pivotal moment underscores the volatile nature of despotic power and sets the stage for God's intervention through Daniel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the initial confrontation between King Nebuchadnezzar and his court of wise men in [Daniel chapter 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation"). Following a deeply disturbing dream that he could not recall, the king summoned his most trusted advisors—magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans—demanding not only an interpretation but also the dream's content itself ([Daniel 2:2-3](/daniel/2-2 "Daniel 2:2-3 - King's Demand for Dream and Interpretation")). The wise men, representing the pinnacle of human and occult knowledge in Babylon, repeatedly confessed their inability to meet such an unprecedented demand, stating that "there is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter" ([Daniel 2:10](/daniel/2-10 "Daniel 2:10 - Wise Men's Confession of Inability")) and that only gods could reveal such secrets. Their collective failure, coupled with their implicit challenge to the king's impossible demand, ignited Nebuchadnezzar's wrath, leading directly to the destructive command articulated in [Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - King's Decree to Destroy the Wise Men").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern monarchs, particularly powerful ones like Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, wielded absolute and often capricious power. Their decrees were law, and failure to obey or satisfy their demands could result in immediate and severe punishment, including death. The "wise men" (Aramaic: *ḥakkîmîn*) were not merely scholars but a distinct class of royal advisors, diviners, and interpreters of omens, deeply integrated into the state's administration and religious practices. Their lives were intrinsically linked to their ability to serve the king effectively. Nebuchadnezzar's demand, though extraordinary, was rooted in the cultural belief that dreams were divine communications, and the inability of his spiritual advisors to interpret them was a profound failure, potentially even a sign of disloyalty or incompetence that undermined the stability of his rule. The decree to destroy them all was a brutal display of power, intended to reassert his authority and eliminate perceived threats or failures within his court.

* **Key Themes:** [Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - King's Fury and Destructive Decree") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it starkly highlights the **limitations of human wisdom and power** when confronted with divine mysteries. The most learned and influential men in the greatest empire of their time were utterly helpless before a challenge that only God could answer, contrasting sharply with the divine wisdom later demonstrated by Daniel ([Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise")). Secondly, it underscores the **absolute, often tyrannical, nature of earthly kingdoms** and their rulers, setting the stage for the revelation of God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly powers ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings")). Finally, the decree creates an **imminent crisis** for Daniel and his three friends, who were among the wise men, thereby establishing the narrative tension that will lead to God's miraculous intervention and the exaltation of His servants, demonstrating His protective care and purpose even amidst great peril ([Daniel 2:17-19](/daniel/2-17 "Daniel 2:17-19 - Daniel and Friends Seek God's Help")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **angry (Aramaic, _bᵉnaç'_):** This term (H1149) signifies a state of being enraged or intensely provoked. In this context, it describes the king's internal emotional upheaval, a deep-seated fury that boiled over due to frustration and a perceived affront to his authority. It suggests a visceral, uncontrolled reaction rather than a measured response.
* **furious (Aramaic, _qᵉtsaph'_):** Closely related to "angry," this word (H7108) emphasizes the outward manifestation of rage, signifying a state of becoming enraged or highly indignant. The addition of "very" (H7690, _saggîy'_) intensifies this, indicating an extreme, explosive outburst of wrath that was palpable and terrifying to those around him.
* **destroy (Aramaic, _ʼăbad'_):** This powerful verb (H7) means "to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)." Here, it is used causatively, indicating the king's direct command to cause the wise men to perish or be annihilated. It denotes a complete and irreversible eradication, highlighting the severity and finality of Nebuchadnezzar's decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this cause":** This phrase directly links the king's extreme reaction to the wise men's preceding confession of inability to reveal and interpret his dream. Their failure to meet his impossible demand was the immediate trigger for his wrath.
* **"the king was angry and very furious":** This describes the king's emotional state, characterized by intense, uncontrolled rage. The repetition and intensification ("angry and very furious") underscore the depth and volatility of his wrath, typical of an absolute monarch whose will was challenged.
* **"and commanded to destroy all the wise [men] of Babylon":** This is the direct, chilling consequence of his fury. The command is not for imprisonment or banishment, but for total annihilation. "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the decree, encompassing every individual in that category, including Daniel and his companions. This demonstrates the king's absolute power and the dire stakes involved.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey the intensity of the moment. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in the phrase "angry and very furious," which emphasizes the extreme, almost excessive nature of Nebuchadnezzar's rage. While his anger was genuine, the language amplifies its magnitude, painting a picture of a monarch losing control. There is also an element of **Irony** at play: the very men who were supposed to possess ultimate wisdom and insight, the pillars of the kingdom's intellectual and spiritual life, are now deemed utterly useless and condemned to death by the king they serve. This sets up the greater irony of a young Hebrew exile, Daniel, who possesses true divine wisdom, ultimately saving them. The decree itself functions as a **Plot Device**, creating immediate, life-threatening stakes for Daniel and his friends, thereby propelling the narrative forward and necessitating divine intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:12 serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of human wisdom and power when confronted with divine truth. It highlights the profound chasm between the finite capabilities of humanity, even at its most learned, and the infinite knowledge of God. Nebuchadnezzar's decree, born of human frustration and rage, paradoxically sets the stage for God to reveal His sovereignty not only over dreams and mysteries but also over the hearts and actions of kings. This moment underscores that true wisdom and authority do not reside in earthly power structures or human intellect, but solely in the divine, preparing the reader for Daniel's demonstration of God's unique ability to reveal "deep and secret things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things")).

* [Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise for God's Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")
* [Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God Brings Princes to Nothing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:12, while depicting a tyrannical act, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that human power, no matter how absolute, is ultimately limited and often driven by volatile emotions. When faced with situations beyond our control, or when "wise men" of the world offer no solutions, our ultimate trust must be in God alone. This verse sets the stage for Daniel's courageous and faith-filled response, demonstrating that true wisdom comes from seeking God in prayer and trusting in His ability to reveal hidden truths and provide solutions where human efforts fail. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of dependence on God, especially when facing seemingly impossible challenges, knowing that He is sovereign even over the most furious of human decrees.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I react when faced with situations beyond my control or understanding?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to rely on human wisdom or power rather than seeking divine guidance?**
* **How does Nebuchadnezzar's rage in this verse highlight the importance of self-control and humility for those in positions of authority?**

### FAQ
**Why was King Nebuchadnezzar so angry and furious?**

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar was "angry and very furious" because his wise men, who were supposed to possess profound insight and knowledge, confessed their inability to both tell him his forgotten dream and interpret it ([Daniel 2:10-11](/daniel/2-10 "Daniel 2:10-11 - Wise Men's Inability to Reveal Dream")). This unprecedented demand was designed to test their true capabilities, and their failure was seen as a challenge to his absolute authority and a sign of their incompetence, leading to his explosive rage and the drastic decree to destroy them all.

**Did the king really intend to destroy *all* the wise men, or was this an empty threat?**

Answer: The text indicates that the king's command was indeed to "destroy all the wise [men] of Babylon." This was not an empty threat but a genuine, albeit extreme, decree born of his fury. The immediate danger to Daniel and his companions, who were also part of this group, underscores the seriousness of the command. It was only through Daniel's divine intervention and God's revelation that the decree was halted and the lives of the wise men spared ([Daniel 2:24](/daniel/2-24 "Daniel 2:24 - Daniel Stops the Execution")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:12, with its depiction of human power's limitations and the king's destructive decree, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph of divine wisdom and authority, perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ. The wise men of Babylon, representing the pinnacle of human intellect and occult knowledge, were utterly helpless before a divine mystery, leading to a decree of death. This contrasts sharply with Christ, who is the "wisdom of God and the power of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom and Power of God")). While Nebuchadnezzar's fury led to a command of destruction, Christ's authority is exercised not in wrath against the innocent, but in life-giving power, revealing the deepest mysteries of God's kingdom to those who believe ([Matthew 13:11](/matthew/13-11 "Matthew 13:11 - Secrets of the Kingdom Revealed")). The crisis in Daniel 2, where human wisdom fails and only divine revelation can save, points to the ultimate "mystery of Christ" ([Ephesians 3:4](/ephesians/3-4 "Ephesians 3:4 - The Mystery of Christ")), which was hidden for ages but now revealed through the gospel. Just as Daniel, a righteous servant, intervened to save the wise men, Christ, the ultimate righteous servant, intervened to deliver humanity from the decree of death brought about by sin, offering eternal life through His sacrifice ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). He is the true interpreter of all divine mysteries, the one in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")).

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 3:13

Then Nebuchadnezzar in [his] rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

Psalms 76:10

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.

Matthew 2:16

¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Daniel 3:19

¶ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: [therefore] he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

Proverbs 16:14

¶ The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

Proverbs 29:22

¶ An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Job 5:2

For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.