Daniel 2:13

KJV

And the decree went forth that the wise [men] should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the decree {H1882} went forth {H5312} that the wise {H2445} men should be slain {H6992}; and they sought {H1156} Daniel {H1841} and his fellows {H2269} to be slain {H6992}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the decree was published that the sages were to be slain, they sought Dani'el and his companions in order to have them put to death.

Berean Standard Bible

So the decree went out that the wise men were to be executed, and men went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them.

American Standard Version

So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:13 vividly portrays the immediate and terrifying consequence of King Nebuchadnezzar's rage: a sweeping decree for the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. This verse underscores the absolute and arbitrary power of the monarch, as the deadly search extends even to Daniel and his companions, who, despite their relative youth and recent integration into the Babylonian intellectual class, are now caught in the king's furious purge, setting the stage for divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:13 immediately follows King Nebuchadnezzar's escalating frustration and ultimate death decree in [Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - Nebuchadnezzar's Fury and Decree"). The preceding verses ([Daniel 2:1-9](/daniel/2-1-9 "Daniel 2:1-9 - Nebuchadnezzar's Forgotten Dream and Demand")) establish the king's demand for his wise men to not only interpret a forgotten dream but also to reveal the dream itself—an impossible task they readily admit only the gods could accomplish ([Daniel 2:10-11](/daniel/2-10-11 "Daniel 2:10-11 - The Chaldeans' Inability and Confession")). The king's fury at their perceived deceit and inability culminates in the decree to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. Verse 13 marks the swift implementation of this decree, highlighting its widespread and indiscriminate nature, directly imperiling Daniel and his friends who were part of this esteemed, though now condemned, group.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern monarchs, particularly those of vast empires like Babylon, wielded absolute power, often exercising it with swift and brutal justice. King Nebuchadnezzar, as depicted throughout the book of Daniel, was a formidable and often volatile ruler. The "wise men" (Aramaic: _ḥakkimîn_) in Babylon constituted a diverse and influential class, including astrologers, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans—a specific caste renowned for their knowledge of divination and occult practices. These individuals served as royal advisors, interpreters of omens, and dream interpreters. Their lives, prestige, and influence were entirely dependent on the king's favor. The cultural expectation was that such wise men could provide supernatural insight, making their failure to meet Nebuchadnezzar's demand a direct challenge to their very profession and the king's authority, leading to the severe consequence of a mass execution, a common display of tyrannical power in that era.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Daniel chapter 2 and the broader book. Firstly, it underscores the **Peril of Human Wisdom** when confronted with divine mysteries. The most learned and influential men in the greatest empire of their time are utterly helpless before a divine revelation, emphasizing the inadequacy of worldly knowledge compared to God's ultimate wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:20](/1_corinthians/1-20 "1 Corinthians 1:20 - The Folly of Worldly Wisdom")). Secondly, it highlights the **Absolute Power and Tyranny** of earthly rulers, demonstrating how human life could be extinguished on a whim, setting a stark contrast to God's just and sovereign rule. Lastly, and most importantly, this moment of extreme peril sets the stage for **Divine Providence and Intervention**. The threat to Daniel's life is not an end but a catalyst, providing the perfect backdrop for God to display His supreme wisdom and power through His faithful servant, ultimately saving not only Daniel but also the other wise men, thereby demonstrating His control over all earthly powers, as seen in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Decree (Aramaic, _dâth'_):** This term (H1882) refers to a royal edict or statute, emphasizing its binding and authoritative nature. In this context, it signifies a formal, legally enacted command from the king, making its implementation immediate and unavoidable for those targeted. The "decree" here is not merely a suggestion but a law carrying the weight of the monarch's absolute authority, punishable by death.
* **Wise (Aramaic, _chakkîym'_):** The word (H2445) describes the learned class in Babylon, encompassing various specialists such as astrologers, enchanters, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans themselves. It refers to those considered knowledgeable and skilled in interpreting omens, dreams, and advising the king. The irony here is that their supposed "wisdom" proved utterly useless in the face of a divinely inspired mystery, leading directly to their condemnation.
* **Slain (Aramaic, _qᵉṭal'_):** This Aramaic verb (H6992) means "to kill" or "to slay." Its repetition in the verse ("should be slain" and "to be slain") emphasizes the deadly intent of the decree and the imminent danger faced by Daniel and his companions. It is a stark, unambiguous term that leaves no doubt about the severity of the king's command and the fate awaiting the wise men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the decree went forth":** This phrase indicates the immediate and active implementation of King Nebuchadnezzar's command, demonstrating the swiftness and absolute nature of his authority. The decree was not merely spoken but was now being put into effect, setting in motion a deadly chain of events.
* **"that the wise [men] should be slain":** This specifies the target and purpose of the decree: the execution of all the "wise men" of Babylon. The bracketed "men" in the KJV clarifies that the Aramaic term for "wise" refers to these specific individuals, highlighting the king's indiscriminate rage against the entire class of advisors who failed him.
* **"and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain":** This clause brings the broad decree into sharp, personal focus. It reveals that the search and intent to kill extended directly to Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah), who, having been trained in the king's court, were now counted among the wise men destined for execution. This specific mention heightens the dramatic tension and sets the stage for Daniel's intervention.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the imminent threat to Daniel's life immediately sets the stage for his divine intervention and the subsequent display of God's power and wisdom. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**; while Nebuchadnezzar believes he is eliminating a class of fraudulent advisors, he is unknowingly setting in motion the very events that will lead to the revelation of his dream and the glorification of the God of Daniel. The phrase "sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain" injects intense **Suspense**, creating a palpable sense of danger and urgency for the protagonists. The king's decree itself, encompassing all "wise men," can be seen as **Hyperbole** of his rage and absolute power, demonstrating an extreme reaction to a perceived slight or failure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:13 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine sovereignty in the face of human tyranny and the limitations of worldly wisdom. It underscores that even the most powerful earthly rulers, in their moments of greatest rage and seemingly absolute control, are ultimately subject to the overarching plan of God. The decree to slay the wise men highlights the futility of human knowledge and power when confronted with the mysteries of the divine, setting the stage for God alone to provide true revelation. This perilous situation is not an accident but a divinely orchestrated moment designed to magnify God's wisdom and power through His servant Daniel, demonstrating that God's purposes cannot be thwarted, even by a death sentence.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalms/37-32-33 "Psalm 37:32-33 - The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous")
* [1 Corinthians 1:25](/1_corinthians/1-25 "1 Corinthians 1:25 - God's Foolishness is Wiser than Human Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:13 confronts us with the stark reality of life in a fallen world, where human power can be arbitrary, unjust, and lethal. Yet, within this grim scenario, it presents a powerful testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and His ability to work through seemingly impossible circumstances. For believers, this verse is a potent reminder that even when facing overwhelming threats or when human solutions fail, our ultimate trust must rest in God's providential care. Daniel and his friends, though innocent and caught in a sweeping decree, were not abandoned. Their peril became the very platform for God to display His glory and wisdom. This encourages us to cultivate a deep reliance on divine wisdom, recognizing that true insight and deliverance come from God alone, not from worldly prowess or human ingenuity. It calls us to courageous faith, knowing that God can turn the gravest dangers into opportunities for His name to be glorified and for His people to be preserved.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king's decree in Daniel 2:13 challenge or reinforce your understanding of God's sovereignty over earthly rulers?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Babylonian wise men, sometimes rely too heavily on human wisdom or solutions instead of seeking divine guidance?**
* **When you face seemingly impossible or unjust circumstances, how does Daniel's situation encourage you to respond with faith rather than fear?**

### FAQ
**Why were Daniel and his friends targeted if they weren't part of the initial group of Chaldeans who failed the king?**

Answer: Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego), had been brought to Babylon years earlier and trained in the language and literature of the Chaldeans, becoming skilled in all wisdom and knowledge ([Daniel 1:4-5](/daniel/1-4-5 "Daniel 1:4-5 - Training of Daniel and His Friends")). They were specifically noted to be "ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom" ([Daniel 1:20](/daniel/1-20 "Daniel 1:20 - Daniel's Superior Wisdom")). Therefore, they were counted among the "wise men" (Aramaic: _ḥakkimîn_) of Babylon, even if they weren't part of the specific group of Chaldean astrologers who initially stood before the king. Nebuchadnezzar's decree was a sweeping command to execute _all_ the wise men, making Daniel and his companions legitimate targets under the king's broad and furious edict.

**What does this verse tell us about King Nebuchadnezzar's character?**

Answer: Daniel 2:13, in conjunction with the preceding verses, paints a vivid picture of King Nebuchadnezzar's character as an absolute monarch. He is portrayed as immensely powerful, prone to fits of uncontrollable rage ("furious and very angry" in [Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - Nebuchadnezzar's Fury")). His decree to slay all the wise men, simply because they could not perform an impossible task, demonstrates his arbitrary and tyrannical nature, where human life held little value when it obstructed his will or failed to meet his demands. He expected immediate and complete subservience, and any perceived failure or deception was met with extreme, indiscriminate punishment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:13, with its depiction of an innocent man caught in a sweeping decree of death, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate human predicament and God's perfect solution in Christ. Just as Daniel, though righteous, was sought for execution alongside the unrighteous, humanity, though fallen, was subject to the decree of death due to sin ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")). Yet, in Christ, we find the true "wise man" and the ultimate deliverer. While the Babylonian wise men failed to provide the king's dream and its interpretation, Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge")). He alone could reveal the mysteries of God's kingdom and interpret the divine plan for humanity. Furthermore, just as God delivered Daniel from the decree of death, Christ Himself faced the ultimate decree of death on the cross, not because of His own sin, but to deliver us from the power of sin and death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Deliverance from Death")). His resurrection is the ultimate triumph over all earthly decrees and the final demonstration that God's purposes, revealed and fulfilled in Christ, cannot be thwarted, bringing life and salvation where only death was decreed ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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 1:19

And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

Daniel 1:20

And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

Isaiah 10:1

¶ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

Esther 3:12

Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

Esther 3:15

The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

Daniel 6:9

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Daniel 6:15

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians [is], That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.