Daniel 2:13

And the decree went forth that the wise [men] should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

And the decree {H1882} went forth {H5312} that the wise {H2445} men should be slain {H6992}; and they sought {H1156} Daniel {H1841} and his fellows {H2269} to be slain {H6992}.

When the decree was published that the sages were to be slain, they sought Dani'el and his companions in order to have them put to death.

So the decree went out that the wise men were to be executed, and men went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them.

So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

Commentary

Context

Daniel 2:13 immediately follows King Nebuchadnezzar's frustrated decree to execute all the "wise men" of Babylon. Despite the failure of the Chaldean wise men to discern the king's forgotten dream and its interpretation, they had confessed that only the gods could reveal such a thing. Enraged by their inability and what he perceived as deceit, the king issued a swift and deadly command. This verse highlights the immediate implementation of that decree, specifically naming Daniel and his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, also known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) as targets, since they were counted among the Babylonian wise men (astrologers, magicians, sorcerers, and Chaldeans).

Key Themes

  • Absolute Power and Tyranny: The verse vividly illustrates the unchecked, arbitrary, and deadly power of King Nebuchadnezzar. His decree is a testament to the brutal realities of ancient despotic rule, where human life could be extinguished on a whim.
  • Peril of Human Wisdom: The "wise men" of Babylon, despite their learning and influence, were utterly helpless before the king's impossible demand. Their inability to provide the dream and its interpretation led directly to their condemnation, emphasizing the limitations of human wisdom when confronted with divine mysteries.
  • Divine Providence and Protection: Though seemingly a moment of extreme peril, this decree sets the stage for God's dramatic intervention. The threat to Daniel's life becomes the catalyst for God to demonstrate His supreme wisdom and power through His servant, ultimately saving not only Daniel but also the other wise men. This immediate threat sets the stage for God's providential intervention, working all things for good for those who trust Him.

Linguistic Insights

The term "wise men" (Aramaic: ḥakkimîn) in this context refers broadly to the learned class in Babylon, encompassing various specialists like astrologers, enchanters, sorcerers, and Chaldeans (a specific caste known for their magical arts and divination). The KJV's inclusion of "[men]" in brackets signifies that it's implied in the original Aramaic, referring to these individuals who served as royal advisors and interpreters of omens and dreams.

Practical Application

Daniel 2:13 reminds us that even in the face of impossible circumstances and dire threats, God's purposes cannot be thwarted. For believers, it highlights:

  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Like Daniel, we may find ourselves in situations where human solutions fail and danger seems imminent. This verse encourages us to remember that God is in control, even when earthly powers rage.
  • The Need for Divine Wisdom: The failure of Babylon's "wise men" underscores the inadequacy of worldly wisdom compared to the wisdom that comes from God. True understanding and revelation are found in Him alone.
  • God's Protection: Though Daniel and his friends were sought for execution, God had a different plan. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability and willingness to protect and deliver His faithful servants, often turning perilous situations into opportunities to display His glory.
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Cross-References

  • Daniel 1:19 (3 votes)

    And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.

  • Daniel 1:20 (3 votes)

    And in all matters of wisdom [and] understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians [and] astrologers that [were] in all his realm.

  • Isaiah 10:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness [which] they have prescribed;

  • Esther 3:12 (2 votes)

    Then were the king's scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors that [were] over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and [to] every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

  • Esther 3:15 (2 votes)

    The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

  • Daniel 6:9 (2 votes)

    Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

  • Daniel 6:15 (2 votes)

    Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians [is], That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.