Daniel 2:8

KJV

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4430} answered {H6032} and said {H560}, I {H576} know {H3046} of {H4481} certainty {H3330} that ye {H608} would gain {H2084} the time {H5732}, because {H6903}{H3606} ye see {H2370} the thing {H4406} is gone {H230} from {H4481} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king replied, "I see you're only trying to gain time, because you see that I've decided

Berean Standard Bible

The king replied, “I know for sure that you are stalling for time, because you see that my word is final.

American Standard Version

The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Daniel 2:8, King Nebuchadnezzar directly confronts his Babylonian wise men, expressing his absolute certainty that their repeated requests for him to reveal his forgotten dream are merely a ploy to "gain the time." He sees through their deceitful intentions, understanding that they are attempting to delay their inevitable failure because they themselves perceive that the dream has truly "gone" from his memory, rendering their human wisdom utterly impotent to fulfill his demand. This verse underscores the king's shrewdness, his frustration with his advisors' limitations, and the escalating tension of the narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in Daniel chapter 2, following King Nebuchadnezzar's profound disturbance over a dream he cannot recall, yet demands to be both revealed and interpreted by his wise men ([Daniel 2:1-3](/daniel/2-1 "Daniel 2:1-3 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and Demand")). The wise men's initial response was to ask the king to tell them the dream first, a standard practice for interpretation ([Daniel 2:4](/daniel/2-4 "Daniel 2:4 - The Chaldeans' Response")). However, the king's decree in [Daniel 2:5](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5 - The King's Harsh Decree") made it clear that failure to both recall and interpret the dream would result in their execution. Verse 8 is the king's sharp retort to their second attempt to gain time, revealing his full awareness of their manipulative tactics and his unwavering resolve. The immediate consequence of this exchange is the king's escalating rage and the decree to destroy all the wise men of Babylon ([Daniel 2:12](/daniel/2-12 "Daniel 2:12 - The Decree to Destroy the Wise Men")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern courts, including Babylon, heavily relied on various classes of "wise men"—magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers—to advise rulers, interpret omens, and provide spiritual guidance. These individuals often held significant power and prestige. Nebuchadnezzar, as the absolute monarch of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, wielded immense authority, and his word was law. The concept of a king's dream being a divine message was common, and its interpretation was considered vital for the kingdom's well-being. The king's demand in this passage, however, pushes beyond typical expectations, challenging the very foundation of the wise men's claims to supernatural insight. Their attempts to "gain the time" reflect a desperate strategy to preserve their lives and status within a culture where failure to appease the king often meant a swift and brutal end.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 2:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights the **limitations of human wisdom** when confronted with divine mysteries. The most learned and powerful men in Babylon are utterly helpless before a forgotten dream, setting a stark contrast with the divine wisdom that Daniel later demonstrates ([Daniel 2:27-28](/daniel/2-27 "Daniel 2:27-28 - Daniel's Declaration of God's Revelation")). Secondly, it underscores the **absolute sovereignty of God** over all earthly rulers and their supposed sources of knowledge. Nebuchadnezzar's frustration and the wise men's impotence serve to magnify the unique power of the one true God to reveal "deep and secret things" ([Daniel 2:22](/daniel/2-22 "Daniel 2:22 - God's Knowledge of Secrets")). Finally, the verse showcases the **king's shrewdness and discerning nature**, as he is not easily fooled by the wise men's attempts at deception, demonstrating his formidable character as a ruler.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Aramaic, _yᵉdaʻ'_):** (H3046) This Aramaic verb signifies a deep, certain, and experiential knowledge, not merely a guess or suspicion. When Nebuchadnezzar states, "I know of certainty," he is asserting an undeniable conviction that he has ascertained the truth of their intentions. This is a declarative statement of his insight into their manipulative ploy, rooted in his observation of their repeated, evasive responses.
* **gain (Aramaic, _zᵉban'_):** (H2084) This word, meaning "to acquire by purchase" or "to gain," is used here in the sense of "buying time" or "prolonging" the situation. The king accuses his wise men of attempting to illicitly acquire more time, not for genuine deliberation, but to concoct a false interpretation or to hope the king's memory returns. It implies a deliberate, calculated effort on their part to avoid immediate judgment.
* **gone (Aramaic, _ʼăzâd'_):** (H230) This Aramaic verb means "to be gone" or "to depart." Its use here emphasizes the complete and irreversible nature of the dream's disappearance from the king's memory. It underscores the king's genuine forgetfulness, which makes the wise men's task impossible by human means and highlights the futility of their stalling tactics, as they themselves "see" this reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king answered and said":** This phrase indicates a direct and forceful verbal response from Nebuchadnezzar, signaling his impatience and the shift from their pleading to his authoritative declaration. It marks a turning point in the confrontation.
* **"I know of certainty that ye would gain the time":** Here, Nebuchadnezzar asserts his absolute conviction regarding the wise men's motives. He is not speculating; he is stating a known fact. He understands that their request for him to recall the dream is a deliberate stalling tactic, an attempt to buy themselves more time to avoid the king's wrath.
* **"because ye see the thing is gone from me":** This clause provides the king's rationale for his accusation. He attributes their desire to "gain the time" to their own perception and understanding that he has genuinely forgotten the dream. They are aware of his amnesia, and thus, they know they cannot fulfill his demand by conventional means, leading them to resort to deception.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Irony** is prominent, as the "wise men" of Babylon, renowned for their knowledge and insight, are exposed as utterly foolish and deceitful when faced with a true test of their abilities. Their supposed wisdom is shown to be impotent without divine revelation. **Dramatic Tension** is built through the king's escalating frustration and the wise men's desperate attempts to evade his wrath, creating a palpable sense of impending doom. The king's sharp, accusatory tone contributes to this tension. Furthermore, the king's statement **foreshadows** the ultimate triumph of divine wisdom over human cunning, setting the stage for Daniel's entrance as the one who possesses true, God-given insight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:8 serves as a powerful theological statement about the limitations of human wisdom and the unique, unchallengeable nature of divine knowledge. The king's absolute certainty that his wise men are merely "gaining time" because they "see the thing is gone from me" highlights the futility of human effort and cunning when confronted with a divinely ordained mystery. This serves to magnify God's sovereignty, as He alone possesses the ability to reveal secrets and interpret the future, demonstrating His control over all earthly affairs and the minds of kings. This inability of Babylon's elite to solve the king's dilemma sets the stage for Daniel's God-given revelation, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from above, not from earthly sources or manipulative tactics.

* [1 Corinthians 1:19](/1_corinthians/1-19 "1 Corinthians 1:19 - God Destroys the Wisdom of the Wise")
* [Isaiah 44:25](/isaiah/44-25 "Isaiah 44:25 - God Frustrates the Omens of Liars")
* [James 1:5](/james/1-5 "James 1:5 - Asking God for Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in Daniel 2:8 offers profound insights into the nature of truth, wisdom, and human limitations. Just as King Nebuchadnezzar discerned the deceitful intentions of his wise men, we are called to cultivate spiritual discernment in our own lives, recognizing when others (or even our own hearts) attempt to "gain time" or evade accountability rather than confronting truth. This verse also powerfully reminds us of the inherent futility of relying solely on human intellect, cunning, or worldly strategies when faced with challenges that demand divine intervention or insight. It beckons us to humility, acknowledging that true wisdom and revelation ultimately come from God, not from our own cleverness or the collective knowledge of humanity. When we encounter situations where "the thing is gone from us"—where human solutions fail, and our understanding is limited—it is precisely then that we are invited to turn to the One who knows all things and reveals mysteries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "gain time" or avoid confronting difficult truths, rather than seeking genuine resolution?**
* **How does the inability of the Babylonian wise men to recall or interpret the dream challenge my own reliance on human wisdom and intellectual prowess?**
* **What "things" feel "gone from me" in my life, where I lack understanding or control, and how can this verse encourage me to seek God's revelation?**

### FAQ

**Why was Nebuchadnezzar so certain that the wise men were trying to "gain the time"?**

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar's certainty stemmed from the wise men's repeated and identical responses. After his initial demand and threat in [Daniel 2:5](/daniel/2-5 "Daniel 2:5 - The King's Harsh Decree"), they reiterated their request for him to reveal the dream first ([Daniel 2:7](/daniel/2-7 "Daniel 2:7 - The Wise Men's Second Plea")). This consistent refusal to even attempt to provide the dream, coupled with their insistence on a prerequisite they knew he could not fulfill, convinced the king that they were merely stalling. He understood that if they truly possessed the supernatural insight they claimed, they would not need him to recall the dream. Their tactics revealed their lack of genuine ability and their desperate attempt to buy time, hoping for a change in the king's mood or for him to miraculously remember.

**What does "the thing is gone from me" tell us about Nebuchadnezzar's state of mind?**

Answer: This phrase confirms that Nebuchadnezzar genuinely could not recall the dream. His memory was truly blank regarding its details. This is crucial because it elevates the challenge from merely interpreting a dream to *divining* a forgotten dream, a task far beyond human capability. His statement is not a trick; it's an honest admission of his amnesia, which ironically makes his demand an even greater test of the wise men's supposed supernatural powers. His frustration is rooted in this genuine forgetfulness and the wise men's inability to compensate for it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound inability of the Babylonian wise men to discern the king's forgotten dream in Daniel 2:8 powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to comprehend divine mysteries or to bridge the chasm of sin through human wisdom alone. Just as the dream was "gone" from Nebuchadnezzar, so too was true knowledge of God and His redemptive plan "gone" from a fallen humanity, lost in the darkness of sin and spiritual amnesia. The wise men's futile attempts to "gain the time" mirror humanity's endless efforts to find salvation or meaning through self-effort, philosophy, or religious rituals, all of which ultimately fall short. The "certainty" Nebuchadnezzar possessed about their deceit finds its ultimate parallel in God's perfect knowledge of humanity's true condition and our desperate need for a divine revelation. This revelation comes definitively in Jesus Christ, who is not merely an interpreter of mysteries but the very embodiment of God's wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). He is the one who reveals the Father ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Father Except the Son")), brings light to what was lost ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), and provides the ultimate "certainty" of salvation and truth, not through human cunning, but through His divine sacrifice and resurrection ([Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Faith as the Assurance of Things Hoped For")). In Christ, the "thing" that was "gone" from us—intimate knowledge of God and eternal life—is fully restored and revealed.

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

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 4:5

¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.