Daniel 2:6

KJV

But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

But if {H2006} ye shew {H2324} the dream {H2493}, and the interpretation {H6591} thereof, ye shall receive {H6902} of {H4481} me {H6925} gifts {H4978} and rewards {H5023} and great {H7690} honour {H3367}: therefore {H3861} shew {H2324} me the dream {H2493}, and the interpretation {H6591} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you do state the dream and its interpretation, I will give you presents, rewards and great honor. Just tell me the dream and its interpretation."

Berean Standard Bible

But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.”

American Standard Version

But if ye show the dream and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream and the interpretation thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:6 presents King Nebuchadnezzar's lavish promise of "gifts and rewards and great honour" to his wise men, contingent upon their ability to reveal both the forgotten dream and its interpretation. This verse serves as the positive reinforcement of the king's desperate ultimatum, contrasting sharply with the dire consequences threatened for failure, and highlights the immense value he placed on uncovering the hidden divine message he believed his dream contained.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:6 is an integral part of King Nebuchadnezzar's extraordinary challenge to his court magicians, astrologers, and Chaldeans. It immediately follows the king's decree in [Daniel 2:5](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5 - The King's Decree of Death"), which threatened death and destruction for their inability to recall and interpret his dream. Verse 6 offers the inverse: immense reward for success. This creates a high-stakes scenario, emphasizing the king's absolute authority and his profound disturbance over the dream, setting the stage for God to reveal His sovereignty through Daniel, a true prophet, as opposed to the empty claims of the pagan wise men. The narrative then progresses to the wise men's despair and Daniel's divine intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the opulent and absolute monarchy of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC), who had recently conquered Judah. In ancient Near Eastern courts, dreams were often considered divine omens, and their interpretation was a specialized, highly valued skill, typically performed by a class of "wise men" or diviners. However, Nebuchadnezzar's demand to *recall* a forgotten dream, in addition to interpreting it, was unprecedented. This challenge exposed the limitations of human wisdom and pagan divination, demonstrating the king's unbridled power and his conviction that the dream held profound significance, likely concerning the future of his kingdom, as seen in the later interpretation of [Daniel 2:36-45](/daniel/2-36 "Daniel 2:36-45 - Interpretation of the Statue").
* **Key Themes:** This verse underscores several critical themes within the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights **The Supremacy of Divine Revelation over Human Wisdom**. The king's impossible demand demonstrates the futility of human wisdom and occult practices in discerning divine truth without God's direct intervention, a theme echoed throughout [Daniel chapter 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Daniel's Interpretation"). Secondly, it emphasizes **The Stakes of Prophetic Truth**. The contrast between the promised rewards and the threatened death underscores the gravity of the situation and the immense value placed on true insight, which ultimately only God can provide. Thirdly, it foreshadows **God's Exaltation of His Faithful Servants**. The promise of "gifts and rewards and great honour" anticipates the promotion and blessings bestowed upon Daniel (and his companions) later in the chapter, specifically in [Daniel 2:48](/daniel/2-48 "Daniel 2:48 - Daniel's Promotion"), for his faithfulness and God-given wisdom, demonstrating that God honors those who honor Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shew (Aramaic, _chăvâʼ_):** This Aramaic verb means "to show, declare, make known, explain." In this context, it carries the weight of revealing something hidden or unknown. The king demands not just an explanation of the dream's meaning but the prior, more impossible task of bringing the forgotten dream itself into the open. It signifies a complete and accurate disclosure of a secret.
* **dream (Aramaic, _chêlem_):** Derived from a root meaning "to dream," this term refers to the nocturnal vision that troubled King Nebuchadnezzar. In biblical and ancient Near Eastern contexts, dreams were often perceived as significant channels of divine communication, requiring expert interpretation to unlock their hidden messages. The king's inability to recall his dream, yet his conviction of its importance, intensifies the demand for its revelation.
* **interpretation (Aramaic, _pᵉshar_):** This noun refers to the explanation or meaning of a dream or vision. It implies unlocking the symbolic or prophetic significance of the dream's content. The king's dual demand for both the dream's content and its interpretation highlights his desire for complete understanding and certainty regarding the divine message.
* **honour (Aramaic, _yᵉqâr_):** This word signifies "value, wealth, costliness, dignity, glory." It speaks to the high esteem, prestige, and public recognition that would be bestowed upon those who could meet the king's challenge. This is not merely a monetary reward but an elevation in status and influence within the royal court, reflecting the supreme importance the king attached to the dream's revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof,"**: This clause sets the condition for the king's favor. The conjunction "But if" (H2006, *hên*) introduces the alternative to the death sentence of [Daniel 2:5](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5 - The King's Decree"). The demand is two-fold and sequential: first, to reveal the forgotten dream itself, and second, to provide its correct meaning. This order emphasizes the king's conviction that only someone with true divine insight could accomplish both.
* **"ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour:"**: This clause outlines the generous compensation for success. The king promises a triad of benefits: "gifts" (H4978, *mattᵉnâʼ*, a present or offering), "rewards" (H5023, *nᵉbizbâh*, a largess or bounty), and "great honour" (H7690, *saggîyʼ* for "great" and H3367, *yᵉqâr* for "honour," signifying immense prestige and dignity). This demonstrates the king's desperation and the extraordinary value he placed on the information, willing to grant immense material wealth and social standing.
* **"therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof."**: This concluding clause reiterates the king's urgent and non-negotiable demand. The repetition underscores his insistence and the critical nature of the task. The word "therefore" (H3861, *lâhên*) links the promised rewards directly to the fulfillment of the condition, reinforcing the ultimatum and the high stakes involved.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:6 employs several potent literary devices to heighten the drama and emphasize the king's absolute authority. **Ultimatum** is central, as the verse presents the positive pole of a binary choice: immense reward for success versus certain death for failure, creating extreme tension. **Repetition** is evident in the king's insistence, "shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof," which appears twice in this short verse and repeatedly throughout the chapter. This repetition underscores the king's unwavering demand and the impossibility of the task for human wisdom. Furthermore, the phrase "gifts and rewards and great honour" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and overflowing generosity of the king's promise. This exaggeration highlights the king's desperation and the perceived value of the hidden knowledge, setting the stage for a divine intervention that transcends all human capabilities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:6 powerfully illustrates the contrast between human limitation and divine omnipotence. Nebuchadnezzar's offer of immense rewards underscores the desperate human need for truth and understanding, particularly when faced with the unknown or the seemingly supernatural. Yet, the very nature of his demand—to recall a forgotten dream—reveals the inherent inability of even the most esteemed human wisdom (the wise men) to access divine secrets without God's direct revelation. This sets the stage for God to demonstrate His unique sovereignty, His knowledge of "deep and secret things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things")), and His power to reveal them through His chosen servants. The promise of reward for true revelation also foreshadows the principle that God honors those who faithfully serve Him and proclaim His truth.

* [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom") - "For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding."
* [Job 12:22](/job/12-22 "Job 12:22 - God Reveals Deep Things") - "He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death."
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals Secrets to His Servants") - "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:6 serves as a profound reminder that there are mysteries and challenges in life that transcend human intellect and capability. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's wise men were utterly powerless to meet the king's demand, we too will encounter situations where our own wisdom, resources, or connections fall short. This verse encourages us to recognize the limits of human understanding and to cultivate a posture of dependence on God, who alone possesses "all wisdom and might" ([Daniel 2:20](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20 - Daniel's Praise to God")). It calls us to seek His divine revelation through His Word and prayer when faced with the unknown, trusting that He is able to disclose hidden truths and provide solutions beyond our comprehension. Furthermore, it highlights that God often chooses to work through faithful individuals, using them as instruments to reveal His truth to the world, sometimes leading to unexpected recognition and influence for His glory, not their own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I relying solely on human wisdom or effort, when God might be calling me to seek His divine revelation?**
* **How does the king's desperate search for truth in this verse mirror humanity's innate longing for meaning and understanding?**
* **What "impossible" situations am I facing where I need to trust God to reveal hidden things or provide wisdom beyond my own?**

### FAQ

**Why was Nebuchadnezzar so insistent on the wise men telling him the dream, not just the interpretation?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's insistence on the wise men first revealing the dream itself, rather than just its interpretation, was a critical test of their true capabilities and honesty. He had forgotten the dream, and he likely suspected that his advisors might fabricate an interpretation if they didn't know the dream's content. By demanding both, he aimed to verify the authenticity of any proposed interpretation. This impossible demand also served to highlight the limitations of pagan divination and set the stage for God to demonstrate His unique power through Daniel, proving that only the true God could reveal such hidden knowledge, as seen in [Daniel 2:27-28](/daniel/2-27 "Daniel 2:27-28 - Daniel's Declaration to the King").

**What kind of "gifts and rewards and great honour" were promised?**

Answer: The "gifts" (Aramaic *mattᵉnâʼ*) would have been valuable presents, possibly gold, silver, or precious garments. "Rewards" (Aramaic *nᵉbizbâh*) refers to a largess or bounty, signifying a generous payment. "Great honour" (Aramaic *saggîyʼ yᵉqâr*) implies a significant elevation in status, prestige, and influence within the royal court. This would have included positions of power, access to the king, and a life of luxury and respect. This promise was fulfilled for Daniel and his companions in [Daniel 2:48-49](/daniel/2-48 "Daniel 2:48-49 - Daniel's Promotion and Authority").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:6, with its desperate demand for hidden truth and the promise of immense reward for its revelation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Nebuchadnezzar sought a revealer of secrets, and Daniel, by God's grace, became that revealer, pointing to a God who "reveals deep and secret things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God Reveals Deep and Secret Things")). This foreshadows Christ, who is the ultimate revealer of God's mysteries, the very Word made flesh who "has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). The "great honour" promised to Daniel for revealing the king's dream pales in comparison to the eternal glory and salvation offered through Christ, who reveals the ultimate mystery of God's redemptive plan for humanity. He is the one who unveils the path to life, light, and truth, providing not just temporary rewards but eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Just as Daniel's wisdom came from God, Christ Himself is the "wisdom of God" ([1_corinthians/1-24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), through whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden ([colossians/2-3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ Are Hidden All Treasures")). He is the one who truly "shows" us the Father and the interpretation of God's grand plan for history and salvation.

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 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 2:48

Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise [men] of Babylon.

Daniel 5:29

Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and [put] a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

Numbers 22:17

For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.

Numbers 24:11

Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour.

Numbers 22:7

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.

Daniel 5:16

And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.