Daniel 2:5

KJV

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4430} answered {H6032} and said {H560} to the Chaldeans {H3779}, The thing {H4406} is gone {H230} from me {H4481}: if {H2006} ye will not {H3809} make known {H3046} unto me the dream {H2493}, with the interpretation {H6591} thereof, ye shall be cut {H5648} in pieces {H1917}, and your houses {H1005} shall be made {H7761} a dunghill {H5122}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king answered the astrologers, "Here is what I have decided: if you don't tell me both the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses reduced to rubble.

Berean Standard Bible

The king replied to the astrologers, “My word is final: If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces and your houses will be reduced to rubble.

American Standard Version

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye make not known unto me the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:5 captures the absolute and terrifying authority of King Nebuchadnezzar, who, having forgotten a disturbing dream, demands that his Chaldean wise men not only interpret it but first reveal the dream itself. This verse sets the stakes for the entire chapter, declaring a brutal decree: failure to comply will result in the wise men being dismembered and their homes reduced to a public refuse heap, underscoring the king's desperate need for divine revelation and the immense pressure placed upon his advisors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:5 is a pivotal statement within the opening narrative of Daniel chapter 2. The preceding verses (Daniel 2:1-4) establish King Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dream and his summoning of all the wise men of Babylon—magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans—to interpret it. The king's demand in verse 5, to both recount and interpret the dream, elevates the crisis beyond mere interpretation, revealing his test of their true supernatural abilities. This ultimatum immediately follows the Chaldeans' initial request for the king to tell them the dream (Daniel 2:4), setting up the dramatic tension that will lead to their confession of inability in [Daniel 2:10-11](/daniel/2-10 "Daniel 2:10-11 - Chaldeans' Confession of Inability") and ultimately pave the way for Daniel's divine intervention. The verse serves as the turning point, solidifying the impossibility of the task for human wisdom and preparing the reader for God's unique revelation through Daniel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, kings often relied on diviners and wise men for counsel, dream interpretation, and omens. However, Nebuchadnezzar's demand in Daniel 2:5 goes beyond typical royal practice. While dream interpretation was common, demanding the content of a forgotten dream was unprecedented and likely a test of genuine supernatural power, or perhaps a reflection of the king's paranoia and distrust. The punishments threatened—being "cut in pieces" and having houses "made a dunghill"—were extreme but not unheard of forms of retribution in ancient empires, designed to instill terror and demonstrate absolute power. Such public dismemberment and the desecration of family homes served as a stark warning and a profound dishonor, reflecting the ruthless nature of Babylonian justice and the king's unquestionable authority over life and death.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Daniel 2 and the broader book. Firstly, it highlights the **Absolute Sovereignty of Human Rulers**, showcasing Nebuchadnezzar's unchecked power and the terrifying consequences of displeasing him, which contrasts sharply with the ultimate, eternal sovereignty of God, a theme central to Daniel. Secondly, it underscores the **Limitations of Human Wisdom and Pagan Divination**; the Chaldeans, despite their esteemed positions, are utterly helpless before the king's demand, setting the stage for the revelation that true wisdom and knowledge come only from God (as seen later in [Daniel 2:20-23](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise")). Finally, the verse establishes the **High Stakes of Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that only a divine intervention can resolve the crisis, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's work through Daniel and validating the authenticity of the dream and its interpretation as truly from God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **gone (Aramaic, _ʼăzâd'_):** This Aramaic word, H230, means "to be gone" or "firm." In this context, it refers to the dream having vanished from the king's memory. The king's declaration, "The thing is gone from me," emphasizes his genuine inability to recall the dream, thereby making his demand of the Chaldeans an impossible test of their true prophetic or supernatural abilities, rather than a mere request for interpretation.
* **cut (Aramaic, _ʻăbad'_):** H5648, this Aramaic term corresponds to the Hebrew word for "to do, make, prepare, keep." While it has a broad range of meanings, in this specific context, it is used idiomatically to denote the action of "cutting" or "dismembering." This highlights the brutal and violent nature of the punishment, indicating a complete and horrifying physical destruction of the individuals.
* **dunghill (Aramaic, _nᵉvâlûw'_):** H5122, derived from a root meaning "to be foul," this word refers to a "sink" or "dunghill." Its use here signifies extreme public humiliation and complete desolation. To have one's house made a dunghill was not merely destruction but a profound act of disgrace, rendering the property unusable and a symbol of utter contempt, erasing any legacy or honor associated with the family.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king answered and said to the Chaldeans,"**: This clause establishes the speaker and the audience, emphasizing the king's direct and authoritative address to his most trusted, yet now challenged, advisors. It signifies the commencement of a critical decree.
* **"The thing is gone from me:"**: This is the king's crucial confession. He admits his inability to recall the dream, setting the impossible condition for his wise men. It frames the challenge not as a forgetfulness on his part, but as a test of their supposed supernatural insight.
* **"if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof,"**: This conditional statement lays out the precise demand. The Chaldeans are required to perform a dual task: first, reveal the forgotten dream, and second, provide its meaning. This order of operations makes their task uniquely difficult and serves as a true test of their spiritual discernment.
* **"ye shall be cut in pieces,"**: This specifies the first, horrific consequence of failure. "Cut in pieces" refers to dismemberment, a brutal form of execution common in ancient Near Eastern empires, designed to be a public and terrifying spectacle.
* **"and your houses shall be made a dunghill."**: This details the second, equally severe consequence. The homes of the failed wise men would be utterly destroyed and turned into a refuse heap, signifying complete disgrace, public shaming, and the eradication of their family's honor and legacy.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:5 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to heighten the drama and emphasize the king's authority. **Hyperbole** is evident in the extreme nature of the punishments ("cut in pieces," "made a dunghill"), which, while historically plausible, are presented to exaggerate the king's fury and the dire consequences of failure. This serves to underscore the absolute power of Nebuchadnezzar and the life-or-death stakes. The king's statement, "The thing is gone from me," functions as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows that only God can reveal such secrets, highlighting the futility of human wisdom against divine mystery. Furthermore, the vivid imagery of dismemberment and the desecration of homes creates a strong sense of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the ultimate destruction of human kingdoms in the face of God's eternal kingdom, a central theme of Daniel's interpretation later in the chapter. The stark contrast between the king's forgotten dream and his demand for its revelation also sets up a **Juxtaposition** between human limitation and the need for divine omniscience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:5 is a profound theological statement on the limitations of human wisdom and the absolute necessity of divine revelation. It underscores that even the most powerful human rulers and their most esteemed advisors are utterly helpless when confronted with mysteries that God alone holds. The king's demand, impossible for any human to fulfill, sets the stage for God to demonstrate His unique sovereignty and omnipotence through Daniel. This passage teaches us that true knowledge and understanding, especially concerning the future or hidden truths, do not originate from human intellect, pagan practices, or worldly power, but from the Creator of all things, who "reveals deep and secret things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things")). It highlights the stark contrast between the fleeting, tyrannical power of human empires and the eternal, all-knowing power of God, who ultimately controls the destinies of nations and individuals.

* [Daniel 2:10-11](/daniel/2-10 "The Chaldeans' Admission of Inability")
* [Daniel 2:28](/daniel/2-28 "Daniel Attributes Revelation to God")
* [Job 12:22](/job/12-22 "God Reveals Deep Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:5 serves as a powerful reminder of the limits of human wisdom and control, particularly when faced with challenges that transcend our natural abilities. In our own lives, we often encounter "forgotten dreams"—situations, problems, or future uncertainties that seem utterly beyond our comprehension or solution. This verse challenges us to recognize the futility of relying solely on our own intellect, resources, or worldly experts when confronted with divinely ordained mysteries or insurmountable obstacles. It encourages a posture of humility, prompting us to turn to God, who alone possesses all wisdom and reveals deep and secret things. Just as Daniel's God provided the answer where human wisdom failed, so too can we trust in God's ability to provide insight, guidance, and solutions for the impossible situations in our lives. This passage calls us to cultivate a dependence on divine revelation, seeking God's wisdom through His Word and prayer, rather than succumbing to the anxiety or despair that arises from human limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible demands" or seemingly unanswerable questions are you facing in your life right now?**
* **How does the Chaldeans' inability to meet the king's demand challenge your own tendency to rely on human wisdom or self-sufficiency?**
* **In what ways can you actively seek God's divine revelation and wisdom when confronted with life's mysteries or challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Nebuchadnezzar demand that the Chaldeans tell him the dream first, before interpreting it?**

Answer: King Nebuchadnezzar's demand in Daniel 2:5 was likely a test of the Chaldeans' genuine supernatural abilities. If they truly possessed divine insight or could communicate with the gods, they should be able to discern the dream itself, even if he had forgotten it. This served as a critical filter: if they couldn't even tell him the dream, their subsequent interpretation would be worthless and untrustworthy. It was a strategic move to expose charlatans and ensure that any interpretation offered was truly from a supernatural source, setting the stage for God's true revelation through Daniel later in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 2:5 speaks directly to the limitations of human wisdom and the necessity of divine revelation in the Old Testament, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God's wisdom and the ultimate revealer of divine truth. Just as Daniel was God's chosen vessel to reveal the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation, Jesus is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), through whom God has fully revealed Himself and His plan of salvation. The Chaldeans' inability to discern the king's dream highlights humanity's spiritual blindness and inability to comprehend divine mysteries apart from God's intervention. In Christ, however, the "mystery hidden for ages and generations" has been made manifest ([Colossians 1:26-27](/colossians/1-26 "Colossians 1:26-27 - The Mystery Revealed")). 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, the Treasure of Wisdom")). The severe judgment threatened by Nebuchadnezzar for failure to reveal truth foreshadows the ultimate judgment on those who reject God's revealed truth in Christ, but also magnifies the grace of God who, through Jesus, provides not a terrifying decree, but a gracious invitation to know Him and receive the [Spirit of truth](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth"), who guides us into all truth.

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

Ezra 6:11

Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

Daniel 3:29

Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

2 Kings 10:27

And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

Psalms 50:22

Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.

Deuteronomy 13:16

And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.

1 Samuel 15:33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Daniel 2:12

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