Daniel 4:6

Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise [men] of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

Therefore {H4481} made {H7761} I {H4481} a decree {H2942} to bring {H5954} in all {H3606} the wise {H2445} men of Babylon {H895} before {H6925} me, that they might make known {H3046} unto me the interpretation {H6591} of the dream {H2493}.

So I ordered all the sages of Bavel to present themselves to me, so that they could tell me the interpretation of the dream.

So I issued a decree that all the wise men of Babylon be brought before me to interpret the dream for me.

Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.

Commentary

Daniel 4:6 captures King Nebuchadnezzar's immediate response to a disturbing dream, highlighting his reliance on the traditional sources of wisdom within his vast empire. Having been greatly troubled by the vision, he issues a royal decree to assemble all the most learned and skilled individuals in Babylon, hoping they could provide the much-needed interpretation.

Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of King Nebuchadnezzar's second significant dream recorded in the book of Daniel. Unlike his first dream in Daniel Chapter 2, which he forgot and demanded both the dream and its interpretation, this time he clearly remembers the dream itself (as stated in Daniel 4:5) but is desperate for its meaning. The powerful Babylonian king, despite his immense authority and resources, finds himself at a loss, underscoring the limitations of human wisdom when confronted with divine revelation. His decree mobilizes the entire intellectual and spiritual apparatus of the kingdom to solve his personal crisis.

Key Themes

  • Royal Authority and Desperation: Nebuchadnezzar's decree demonstrates his absolute power as king of Babylon, able to summon anyone at will. Yet, it also reveals his deep personal distress and urgent need for understanding.
  • Human Limitations vs. Divine Revelation: The summoning of the "wise men" sets the stage for the inevitable failure of human wisdom to interpret a divinely sent message. This reinforces a central theme of Daniel: God alone reveals mysteries.
  • Setting the Stage for Daniel: The inability of these conventional wise men to provide answers will ultimately highlight the unique position and God-given wisdom of Daniel, who is revealed to possess the Spirit of the holy gods (Daniel 4:8).

Linguistic Insights

The term "wise men" (KJV) in this context refers to the various classes of diviners, astrologers, sorcerers, and Chaldeans who served in the Babylonian court. These individuals were the intellectual and spiritual elite of the empire, expected to interpret signs, dreams, and omens. Their inability to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream in this chapter, as in Daniel 2:10-11, serves to emphasize that true wisdom and prophetic insight come only from God, not from human study or occult practices.

Practical Application

Daniel 4:6 offers a timeless lesson about where we seek answers to life's profound questions. Just as Nebuchadnezzar turned to the most respected human sources for an interpretation only they could not provide, we too can often rely on worldly wisdom, human logic, or popular opinion for guidance. This verse reminds us that while human knowledge has its place, there are mysteries and truths that only God can reveal. It encourages us to seek divine wisdom through prayer, the study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, recognizing that God is the ultimate source of understanding and insight, especially in matters of spiritual significance and the future.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 2:2 (4 votes)

    Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

  • Genesis 41:7 (2 votes)

    And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

  • Genesis 41:8 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

  • Isaiah 8:19 (2 votes)

    And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

  • Isaiah 47:12 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.