Daniel 2:6

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.

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.

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."

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.”

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

Commentary on Daniel 2:6 (KJV)

Daniel 2:6 captures the immense pressure and the significant incentives offered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to his wise men. Having been troubled by a dream he could not recall, the king demanded not only its interpretation but first, that they reveal the dream itself. This verse presents the positive side of his ultimatum, contrasting sharply with the death sentence threatened in Daniel 2:5.

Context

This verse is set in the ancient Babylonian court, where King Nebuchadnezzar, a powerful and absolute monarch, is deeply disturbed by a dream. His demand that his advisors both recall and interpret his forgotten dream was extraordinary and seemingly impossible, designed to test the true capabilities of his wise men (magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans). The king's offer of "gifts and rewards and great honour" underscores the extreme value he placed on this hidden knowledge and his desperate need for insight into what he perceived as a divine message. This desperate situation sets the stage for God to demonstrate His supreme power and wisdom through His servant, Daniel.

Key Themes

  • The King's Absolute Authority and Desperation: Nebuchadnezzar's power allowed him to make such an unprecedented demand, and his offer of lavish rewards highlights how unsettling the forgotten dream was to him.
  • The Stakes of Revelation: For the wise men, it was a matter of life and death, or conversely, immense wealth and prestige. This emphasizes the gravity of the spiritual and political situation.
  • Divine Revelation vs. Human Wisdom: The king's challenge was beyond human capability, paving the way for God to reveal secrets that no man could know, thereby glorifying Himself.
  • Reward for True Service: The promise of "gifts and rewards and great honour" foreshadows the blessings that would later be bestowed upon Daniel for his faithfulness and God-given wisdom, as seen in Daniel 2:48.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "shew" comes from the Aramaic root αΈ₯awāh (Χ—Φ²Χ•ΦΈΧ”), which means "to declare, make known, explain, show." It implies revealing something that was hidden or unknown, perfectly capturing the king's demand for the precise details of his forgotten dream. The threefold promise of "gifts and rewards and great honour" (Hebrew/Aramaic: mattan, nezaq, yiqqar) emphasizes the king's overflowing generosity and the high esteem he would grant to anyone who could meet his impossible challenge.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that true wisdom and understanding often come from a source beyond human intellect. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's wise men were powerless without divine intervention, we too may face situations where human knowledge falls short. It encourages us to seek God for answers, trusting in His ability to reveal hidden things and provide wisdom in complex circumstances. It also highlights that God often uses faithful individuals to bring His truth to light, sometimes leading to unexpected recognition and influence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Daniel 5:7 (6 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.