Daniel 2:27

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

Daniel {H1841} answered {H6032} in the presence {H6925} of the king {H4430}, and said {H560}, The secret {H7328} which the king {H4430} hath demanded {H7593} cannot {H3202}{H3809} the wise {H2445} men, the astrologers {H826}, the magicians {H2749}, the soothsayers {H1505}, shew {H2324} unto the king {H4430};

Complete Jewish Bible

Dani'el answered the king, "No sage, exorcist, magician or astrologer can tell his majesty the secret he has asked about.

Berean Standard Bible

Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires.

American Standard Version

Daniel answered before the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded can neither wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, show unto the king;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:27 presents Daniel's initial declaration to King Nebuchadnezzar, firmly asserting the utter inability of all human wisdom, occult practices, and pagan diviners to reveal the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation. This pivotal statement not only highlights the profound limitations of worldly knowledge but also strategically prepares the monarch for the subsequent revelation that can only come from the one true God of heaven, setting the stage for divine glory to be manifested through Daniel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Nebuchadnezzar's furious decree to execute all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his companions, because they could not reveal his dream. Daniel, having heard of the decree, approached Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, and then requested time from the king to interpret the dream. After Daniel and his friends sought God in prayer and received the revelation, Daniel was brought before the king. Daniel 2:27 marks the beginning of Daniel's direct address to Nebuchadnezzar, serving as a crucial transition from the crisis of human inability to the promise of divine revelation. It sets up the contrast between the impotence of Babylonian wisdom and the omnipotence of God, which Daniel will elaborate on in the subsequent verses [Daniel 2:28-30](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28-30 - Daniel Attributes Revelation to God").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Babylon in the 6th century BCE was a flourishing empire, renowned for its advancements in astronomy, mathematics, and various forms of divination. King Nebuchadnezzar relied heavily on a class of "wise men" – including astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers – who were integral to his court, providing counsel, interpreting omens, and attempting to discern the future. These practitioners represented the pinnacle of human and occult knowledge of their time. The king's demand for them to not only interpret but also *recall* his dream was unprecedented, designed to test their true capabilities. Their collective failure, explicitly stated by Daniel in this verse, underscores the stark contrast between the prevalent pagan worldview, which sought knowledge through human means and spiritualistic practices, and the monotheistic faith of Daniel, who relied solely on the God of Israel for divine revelation.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 2:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it establishes the **limitations of human wisdom and pagan practices**, demonstrating that even the most esteemed human intellect and occult arts are utterly inadequate when confronted with divine mysteries. This theme is foundational, as the entire narrative hinges on the inability of the Chaldean wise men to interpret the dream, thus paving the way for God's intervention. Secondly, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's exclusive sovereignty in revelation**, implying that if human means cannot unveil the secret, then the source must be divine. This prepares the king for Daniel's subsequent declaration that "there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries" [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel 2:28 - God Reveals Mysteries"). Lastly, the verse highlights the **contrast between true divine power and false human power**, setting up a dramatic confrontation between the impotent gods and practices of Babylon and the living God of Israel, who alone holds the keys to all knowledge and the future, a theme echoed throughout the book, particularly in the accounts of the fiery furnace [Daniel 3](/daniel/3 "Daniel 3 - The Fiery Furnace") and the lions' den [Daniel 6](/daniel/6 "Daniel 6 - Daniel in the Lions' Den").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **secret (Aramaic, _râz'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to attenuate" or "hide," refers to a mystery or something concealed. In this context, it specifically denotes King Nebuchadnezzar's forgotten dream, which is a divine mystery beyond human comprehension. Daniel's use of this word emphasizes that the king's demand is not merely for an interpretation but for the unveiling of something divinely hidden, inaccessible through conventional or occult means.
* **cannot (Aramaic, _yᵉkêl_ + _lâʼ'_):** The combination of _yᵉkêl_ ("to be able") and _lâʼʼ_ ("not," the simple negation) creates a strong, unequivocal statement of absolute inability. It signifies that it is utterly impossible for the wise men to fulfill the king's demand, not merely difficult. This linguistic construction underscores the complete and total impotence of human wisdom and pagan practices when faced with a divinely concealed truth.
* **shew (Aramaic, _chăvâʼ'_):** This Aramaic verb means "to show" or "to make known." Daniel's declaration that the wise men "cannot shew" the secret directly addresses the king's demand for the dream to be revealed. It highlights that the very act of bringing this hidden truth to light is beyond their capacity, further emphasizing the need for a supernatural source of revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said,"**: This opening clause establishes the solemnity and significance of the moment. Daniel, a captive Israelite, stands directly before the most powerful monarch of his time, ready to deliver a message of profound consequence. His presence and direct address underscore his unique position as God's chosen vessel for revelation.
* **"The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;"**: This is the core declaration of the verse. Daniel emphatically states that the "secret" (the dream and its interpretation) that the king has "demanded" is utterly beyond the capabilities of all the recognized categories of Babylonian "wise men." He explicitly lists them: the general "wise men" (_chakkîym_), the "astrologers" (_ʼashshâph_), the "magicians" (_charṭôm_), and the "soothsayers" (_gᵉzar_). By naming each group, Daniel comprehensively dismisses every form of human and occult wisdom available in Babylon, asserting their collective impotence in the face of divine mystery. This sets the stage for the subsequent revelation, which will come from a source entirely outside their realm of knowledge.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:27 prominently employs **Contrast** and **Repetition** to underscore its central message. The entire verse functions as a stark contrast between the powerlessness of Babylonian wisdom and the implied omnipotence of the God of heaven. Daniel systematically lists the various categories of "wise men"—the astrologers, magicians, and soothsayers—highlighting their collective inability to "shew" the "secret." This serves to magnify the unique power of God, who alone can reveal such mysteries. The **Repetition** of "the king" (three times in this short verse) emphasizes Nebuchadnezzar's authority and the gravity of his demand, further intensifying the dramatic tension and the significance of Daniel's bold declaration that even the king's most trusted advisors are utterly helpless. This literary framing effectively sets the stage for God's glory to be revealed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:27 serves as a powerful theological statement on the limits of human autonomy and the exclusive sovereignty of God in matters of divine revelation. It asserts that true knowledge of God's plans and purposes cannot be attained through human intellect, occult practices, or any form of worldly wisdom. Instead, such profound truths are solely within the purview of the Almighty, who chooses to reveal them according to His will. This verse establishes a foundational principle: God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and understanding, especially concerning the mysteries of His kingdom and the unfolding of history. It highlights the vast chasm between finite human capacity and infinite divine knowledge, preparing the reader for the subsequent revelation of God's power and foresight.

* [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 Folly of Worldly Wisdom")
* [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Wisdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that increasingly trusts in human ingenuity, scientific advancement, and various forms of self-help or spiritualistic practices, Daniel 2:27 offers a sobering and essential reminder. It challenges us to recognize that there are profound "secrets" – divine truths, ultimate purposes, and spiritual realities – that remain utterly inaccessible to even the most brilliant human minds or sophisticated technologies. This verse calls believers to cultivate a deep humility, acknowledging the limitations of our own wisdom and the wisdom of the world. It encourages a radical dependence on God as the sole revealer of truth, urging us to seek Him through prayer, His Word, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit for understanding life's deepest mysteries and navigating its complexities. When faced with challenges that seem insurmountable or questions that defy human logic, Daniel's declaration points us to the God who delights in revealing His wisdom to those who humbly seek Him, reminding us that true insight comes not from within ourselves or from worldly sources, but from above.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "secrets" or mysteries in your life are you trying to solve through human wisdom or worldly means, rather than seeking God's revelation?**
* **How does Daniel's statement about the limitations of the "wise men" challenge your own reliance on human intellect or popular philosophies?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender your own understanding and humbly ask God to "shew" you His truth?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Nebuchadnezzar demand that his wise men tell him the dream itself, not just the interpretation?**

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar's demand, as presented in [Daniel 2:5](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5 - Nebuchadnezzar's Demand"), was a test of authenticity. He had forgotten the dream, but he knew he had dreamed something significant. By requiring his wise men to first tell him the dream, he ensured that any interpretation they offered would be genuinely divine and not merely a clever guess or manipulation. This impossible demand exposed the fraudulent nature of their claims to supernatural insight, setting the stage for Daniel, empowered by the true God, to demonstrate genuine divine revelation.

**What was the significance of Daniel specifically naming the different types of "wise men" in Babylon?**

Answer: Daniel's detailed listing of "the wise [men], the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers" serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of their failure. These were the most esteemed and diverse practitioners of wisdom and occult arts in the Babylonian Empire, representing the full spectrum of human and demonic attempts to gain supernatural knowledge. By naming each category, Daniel emphasizes that *no* human or pagan method, regardless of its specialization, could access the divine secret, thereby magnifying the unique power and authority of the God of Israel who would ultimately reveal it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:27, by highlighting the utter inability of human wisdom to comprehend divine mysteries, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's "secret" in the person of Jesus Christ. The "secret" that the Babylonian wise men could not "shew" finds its ultimate parallel in the "mystery of Christ" [Ephesians 3:4](/ephesians/3-4 "Ephesians 3:4 - The Mystery of Christ"), which was "hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to his saints" [Colossians 1:26](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26 - The Mystery Revealed"). Just as Daniel, empowered by God, alone could reveal Nebuchadnezzar's dream, so too is Jesus Christ the sole revealer of God's redemptive plan. He is the "wisdom of God" [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Wisdom of God") in whom "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, the Treasure of Wisdom"). The world, with all its philosophies and intellectual prowess, could not discern God's plan for salvation, but Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, made it known. He is the ultimate "secret" revealed, the one through whom humanity can truly know God and His will, fulfilling the truth that only God can "shew" the deepest mysteries.

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

Isaiah 47:12

Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.

Isaiah 47:14

Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: [there shall] not [be] a coal to warm at, [nor] fire to sit before it.

Isaiah 44:25

That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise [men] backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

Daniel 5:7

The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. [And] the king spake, and said to the wise [men] of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:8

Then came in all the king's wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.

Daniel 2:10

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.

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.