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Daniel 2
Reina-Valera 1960

Daniel interpreta el sueño de Nabucodonosor

2 En el segundo año del reinado de Nabucodonosor, tuvo Nabucodonosor sueños, y se perturbó su espíritu, y se le fue el sueño. 2 Hizo llamar el rey a magos, astrólogos, encantadores y caldeos, para que le explicasen sus sueños. Vinieron, pues, y se presentaron delante del rey. 3 Y el rey les dijo: He tenido un sueño, y mi espíritu se ha turbado por saber el sueño. 4 Entonces hablaron los caldeos al rey en lengua aramea: Rey, para siempre vive; di el sueño a tus siervos, y te mostraremos la interpretación. 5 Respondió el rey y dijo a los caldeos: El asunto lo olvidé; si no me mostráis el sueño y su interpretación, seréis hechos pedazos, y vuestras casas serán convertidas en muladares. 6 Y si me mostrareis el sueño y su interpretación, recibiréis de mí dones y favores y gran honra. Decidme, pues, el sueño y su interpretación. 7 Respondieron por segunda vez, y dijeron: Diga el rey el sueño a sus siervos, y le mostraremos la interpretación. 8 El rey respondió y dijo: Yo conozco ciertamente que vosotros ponéis dilaciones, porque veis que el asunto se me ha ido. 9 Si no me mostráis el sueño, una sola sentencia hay para vosotros. Ciertamente preparáis respuesta mentirosa y perversa que decir delante de mí, entre tanto que pasa el tiempo. Decidme, pues, el sueño, para que yo sepa que me podéis dar su interpretación. 10 Los caldeos respondieron delante del rey, y dijeron: No hay hombre sobre la tierra que pueda declarar el asunto del rey; además de esto, ningún rey, príncipe ni señor preguntó cosa semejante a ningún mago ni astrólogo ni caldeo. 11 Porque el asunto que el rey demanda es difícil, y no hay quien lo pueda declarar al rey, salvo los dioses cuya morada no es con la carne.

12 Por esto el rey con ira y con gran enojo mandó que matasen a todos los sabios de Babilonia. 13 Y se publicó el edicto de que los sabios fueran llevados a la muerte; y buscaron a Daniel y a sus compañeros para matarlos. 14 Entonces Daniel habló sabia y prudentemente a Arioc, capitán de la guardia del rey, que había salido para matar a los sabios de Babilonia. 15 Habló y dijo a Arioc capitán del rey: ¿Cuál es la causa de que este edicto se publique de parte del rey tan apresuradamente? Entonces Arioc hizo saber a Daniel lo que había. 16 Y Daniel entró y pidió al rey que le diese tiempo, y que él mostraría la interpretación al rey.

17 Luego se fue Daniel a su casa e hizo saber lo que había a Ananías, Misael y Azarías, sus compañeros, 18 para que pidiesen misericordias del Dios del cielo sobre este misterio, a fin de que Daniel y sus compañeros no pereciesen con los otros sabios de Babilonia. 19 Entonces el secreto fue revelado a Daniel en visión de noche, por lo cual bendijo Daniel al Dios del cielo. 20 Y Daniel habló y dijo: Sea bendito el nombre de Dios de siglos en siglos, porque suyos son el poder y la sabiduría. 21 Él muda los tiempos y las edades; quita reyes, y pone reyes; da la sabiduría a los sabios, y la ciencia a los entendidos. 22 Él revela lo profundo y lo escondido; conoce lo que está en tinieblas, y con él mora la luz. 23 A ti, oh Dios de mis padres, te doy gracias y te alabo, porque me has dado sabiduría y fuerza, y ahora me has revelado lo que te pedimos; pues nos has dado a conocer el asunto del rey.

24 Después de esto fue Daniel a Arioc, al cual el rey había puesto para matar a los sabios de Babilonia, y le dijo así: No mates a los sabios de Babilonia; llévame a la presencia del rey, y yo le mostraré la interpretación.

25 Entonces Arioc llevó prontamente a Daniel ante el rey, y le dijo así: He hallado un varón de los deportados de Judá, el cual dará al rey la interpretación. 26 Respondió el rey y dijo a Daniel, al cual llamaban Beltsasar: ¿Podrás tú hacerme conocer el sueño que vi, y su interpretación? 27 Daniel respondió delante del rey, diciendo: El misterio que el rey demanda, ni sabios, ni astrólogos, ni magos ni adivinos lo pueden revelar al rey. 28 Pero hay un Dios en los cielos, el cual revela los misterios, y él ha hecho saber al rey Nabucodonosor lo que ha de acontecer en los postreros días. He aquí tu sueño, y las visiones que has tenido en tu cama: 29 Estando tú, oh rey, en tu cama, te vinieron pensamientos por saber lo que había de ser en lo por venir; y el que revela los misterios te mostró lo que ha de ser. 30 Y a mí me ha sido revelado este misterio, no porque en mí haya más sabiduría que en todos los vivientes, sino para que se dé a conocer al rey la interpretación, y para que entiendas los pensamientos de tu corazón.

31 Tú, oh rey, veías, y he aquí una gran imagen. Esta imagen, que era muy grande, y cuya gloria era muy sublime, estaba en pie delante de ti, y su aspecto era terrible. 32 La cabeza de esta imagen era de oro fino; su pecho y sus brazos, de plata; su vientre y sus muslos, de bronce; 33 sus piernas, de hierro; sus pies, en parte de hierro y en parte de barro cocido. 34 Estabas mirando, hasta que una piedra fue cortada, no con mano, e hirió a la imagen en sus pies de hierro y de barro cocido, y los desmenuzó. 35 Entonces fueron desmenuzados también el hierro, el barro cocido, el bronce, la plata y el oro, y fueron como tamo de las eras del verano, y se los llevó el viento sin que de ellos quedara rastro alguno. Mas la piedra que hirió a la imagen fue hecha un gran monte que llenó toda la tierra.

36 Este es el sueño; también la interpretación de él diremos en presencia del rey. 37 Tú, oh rey, eres rey de reyes; porque el Dios del cielo te ha dado reino, poder, fuerza y majestad. 38 Y dondequiera que habitan hijos de hombres, bestias del campo y aves del cielo, él los ha entregado en tu mano, y te ha dado el dominio sobre todo; tú eres aquella cabeza de oro. 39 Y después de ti se levantará otro reino inferior al tuyo; y luego un tercer reino de bronce, el cual dominará sobre toda la tierra. 40 Y el cuarto reino será fuerte como hierro; y como el hierro desmenuza y rompe todas las cosas, desmenuzará y quebrantará todo. 41 Y lo que viste de los pies y los dedos, en parte de barro cocido de alfarero y en parte de hierro, será un reino dividido; mas habrá en él algo de la fuerza del hierro, así como viste hierro mezclado con barro cocido. 42 Y por ser los dedos de los pies en parte de hierro y en parte de barro cocido, el reino será en parte fuerte, y en parte frágil. 43 Así como viste el hierro mezclado con barro, se mezclarán por medio de alianzas humanas; pero no se unirán el uno con el otro, como el hierro no se mezcla con el barro. 44 Y en los días de estos reyes el Dios del cielo levantará un reino que no será jamás destruido, ni será el reino dejado a otro pueblo; desmenuzará y consumirá a todos estos reinos, pero él permanecerá para siempre, 45 de la manera que viste que del monte fue cortada una piedra, no con mano, la cual desmenuzó el hierro, el bronce, el barro, la plata y el oro. El gran Dios ha mostrado al rey lo que ha de acontecer en lo por venir; y el sueño es verdadero, y fiel su interpretación.

46 Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor se postró sobre su rostro y se humilló ante Daniel, y mandó que le ofreciesen presentes e incienso. 47 El rey habló a Daniel, y dijo: Ciertamente el Dios vuestro es Dios de dioses, y Señor de los reyes, y el que revela los misterios, pues pudiste revelar este misterio. 48 Entonces el rey engrandeció a Daniel, y le dio muchos honores y grandes dones, y le hizo gobernador de toda la provincia de Babilonia, y jefe supremo de todos los sabios de Babilonia. 49 Y Daniel solicitó del rey, y obtuvo que pusiera sobre los negocios de la provincia de Babilonia a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-nego; y Daniel estaba en la corte del rey.

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Daniel 2
Dios Habla Hoy

El sueño del rey Nabucodonosor

2 Durante el segundo año de su reinado, Nabucodonosor tuvo varios sueños, y por causa de ellos llegó a estar tan preocupado que no podía dormir. 2 Entonces mandó llamar a magos, adivinos, hechiceros y sabios, para que le explicaran aquellos sueños. Ellos fueron y se presentaron ante el rey, 3 el cual les dijo:

—He tenido un sueño y estoy muy preocupado tratando de comprenderlo.

4 Y los sabios dijeron al rey, en arameo:

—¡Que viva Su Majestad para siempre! Cuente Su Majestad a estos servidores suyos lo que ha soñado, y nosotros le explicaremos lo que significa.

5 —Ésta es mi decisión —contestó el rey—: Si no me dicen ustedes qué es lo que soñé y lo que significa, serán hechos pedazos y sus casas serán convertidas en un montón de escombros. 6 Pero si me dicen lo que soñé y lo que mi sueño significa, recibirán regalos de mi parte, y favores y grandes honores. Así pues, díganme qué fue lo que soñé, y explíquenme su significado.

7 Los sabios respondieron por segunda vez:

—Cuéntenos Su Majestad lo que soñó, y nosotros le explicaremos el significado.

8 —Sé muy bien —contestó el rey— que ustedes quieren ganar tiempo, porque han oído mi decisión. 9 Por lo tanto, si no me dicen lo que soñé, todos ustedes sufrirán la misma sentencia, pues se han puesto de acuerdo para darme como respuesta mentiras y falsedades, en espera de que cambie la situación. Díganme, pues, el sueño, y así sabré que también pueden explicarme su significado.

10 —No hay nadie en el mundo —respondieron los sabios— que pueda decir lo que Su Majestad desea saber. Por otra parte, jamás ningún rey, por grande y poderoso que haya sido, ha pedido semejante cosa a ningún mago, adivino o sabio. 11 Lo que Su Majestad pide es tan difícil que no hay nadie que se lo pueda decir, a no ser los dioses; ¡pero ellos no viven entre los hombres!

12 Al oír esto, el rey se puso furioso y ordenó matar a todos los sabios de Babilonia. 13 Una vez publicada la orden, buscaron también a Daniel y a sus compañeros para quitarles la vida.

Daniel interpreta el sueño del rey

14 Entonces Daniel habló de manera discreta y sensata con Arioc, el jefe de la guardia real, que ya se disponía a matar a los sabios. 15 Y le preguntó:

—¿Por qué ha dado el rey esta orden tan terminante?

Arioc le explicó el motivo. 16 Entonces Daniel fue a ver al rey y le suplicó que le concediera algún tiempo para poder explicarle el sueño y su significado. 17 Luego se fue a su casa e informó de todo a sus compañeros Ananías, Misael y Azarías, 18 para que pidieran ayuda del Dios del cielo sobre aquel misterio, a fin de que no los mataran junto con los otros sabios de Babilonia. 19 Aquella noche el misterio le fue revelado a Daniel en una visión, por lo cual Daniel bendijo al Dios del cielo 20 con estas palabras:

«Bendito sea por siempre el nombre de Dios,
porque suyos son la sabiduría y el poder.
21 Él cambia los tiempos y las épocas;
quita y pone reyes,
da sabiduría a los sabios
e inteligencia a los inteligentes.
22 Él revela las cosas profundas y secretas;
conoce lo que está en la oscuridad,
pues la luz está con él.
23 A ti, Dios de mis padres,
te doy gracias y te alabo,
porque me has hecho sabio y fuerte;
y ahora me has hecho saber lo que te pedimos:
nos has dado a conocer lo que preocupaba al rey.»

24 Después de esto, Daniel fue a ver a Arioc, a quien el rey había ordenado matar a los sabios de Babilonia, y le dijo:

—No mates a los sabios. Llévame ante el rey, y yo le explicaré todo su sueño.

25 En seguida Arioc llevó a Daniel ante el rey Nabucodonosor, y le dijo al rey:

—Entre los judíos desterrados he hallado un hombre que explicará a Su Majestad el significado de su sueño.

26 Entonces el rey le dijo a Daniel, a quien llamaban Beltsasar:

—¿Puedes tú decirme lo que soñé, y lo que mi sueño significa?

27 Daniel respondió:

—No hay ningún sabio ni adivino, ni mago ni astrólogo, que pueda explicar a Su Majestad el misterio que desea conocer. 28 Pero hay un Dios en el cielo que revela los misterios, y él ha hecho saber a Su Majestad lo que va a pasar en el futuro. Voy a explicarle a Su Majestad el sueño y las visiones que ha tenido mientras dormía: 29 Su Majestad se hallaba en su cama; se puso a pensar en lo que va a pasar en el futuro, y el que revela los misterios se lo ha dado a conocer. 30 También a mí me ha sido revelado este misterio, pero no porque yo sea más sabio que todos los hombres, sino para que yo explique a Su Majestad lo que el sueño significa, y que así Su Majestad pueda comprender los pensamientos que han venido a su mente.

31 »En el sueño, Su Majestad veía que en su presencia se levantaba una estatua muy grande y brillante, y de aspecto terrible. 32 La cabeza de la estatua era de oro puro; el pecho y los brazos, de plata; el vientre y los muslos, de bronce; 33 las piernas, de hierro; y una parte de los pies era de hierro, y la otra de barro. 34 Mientras Su Majestad la estaba mirando, de un monte se desprendió una piedra, sin que nadie la empujara, y vino a dar contra los pies de la estatua y los destrozó. 35 En un momento, el hierro, el barro, el bronce, la plata y el oro quedaron todos convertidos en polvo, como el que se ve en verano cuando se trilla el trigo, y el viento se lo llevó sin dejar el menor rastro. Pero la piedra que dio contra la estatua se convirtió en una gran montaña que ocupó toda la tierra.

36 »Éste es el sueño. Y ahora voy a explicar a Su Majestad lo que el sueño significa. 37 Su Majestad es el más grande de todos los reyes, porque el Dios del cielo le ha dado el reino, el poder, la fuerza, el honor 38 y el dominio sobre todos los lugares habitados por hombres, animales y aves; él lo ha puesto todo bajo el poder de Su Majestad, que es la cabeza de oro. 39 Después del reino de Su Majestad habrá otro reino inferior al suyo, y luego un tercer reino de bronce, que dominará sobre toda la tierra. 40 Vendrá después un cuarto reino, fuerte como el hierro; y así como el hierro lo destroza todo y lo destruye, así ese reino destrozará y destruirá a todos los otros reinos.

41 »Su Majestad vio también que una parte de los pies y de los dedos era de barro, y la otra, de hierro; esto quiere decir que será un reino dividido, aunque con algo de la fortaleza del hierro, pues Su Majestad vio que el hierro estaba mezclado con el barro. 42 Los dedos de los pies eran en parte de hierro y en parte de barro, y eso significa que el reino será fuerte y débil al mismo tiempo. 43 Y así como Su Majestad vio el hierro mezclado con el barro, así los gobernantes de este reino se unirán por medio de alianzas matrimoniales; pero no podrán formar un solo cuerpo entre sí, como tampoco puede el hierro mezclarse con el barro. 44 Durante el gobierno de estos reyes, el Dios del cielo establecerá un reino que jamás será destruido ni dominado por ninguna otra nación, sino que acabará por completo con todos los demás reinos, y durará para siempre. 45 Eso es lo que significa la piedra que Su Majestad vio desprenderse del monte, sin que nadie la hubiera empujado; piedra que convirtió en polvo el hierro, el bronce, el barro, la plata y el oro. El gran Dios ha revelado a Su Majestad lo que va a pasar en el futuro. El sueño es verdadero, y su interpretación, cierta.»

46 Entonces el rey Nabucodonosor se puso de rodillas delante de Daniel, inclinó la cabeza hasta el suelo y mandó que le ofrecieran sacrificios e incienso. 47 Después le dijo a Daniel:

—Verdaderamente el Dios de ustedes es el más grande de todos los dioses; es el Señor de los reyes y el que revela los misterios, pues tú has podido descubrir este misterio.

48 Luego el rey puso a Daniel en un alto puesto y le hizo muchos y espléndidos regalos; además lo nombró gobernador de la provincia de Babilonia y jefe supremo de todos los sabios de aquella nación.

49 A petición de Daniel, el rey puso a Sadrac, Mesac y Abed-negó en importantes cargos de la administración de la provincia de Babilonia. Daniel mismo se quedó en la corte del rey.

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Daniel 2
New International Version

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams;(A) his mind was troubled(B) and he could not sleep.(C) 2 So the king summoned the magicians,(D) enchanters, sorcerers(E) and astrologers[a](F) to tell him what he had dreamed.(G) When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, “I have had a dream that troubles(H) me and I want to know what it means.[b]”

4 Then the astrologers answered the king,[c](I) “May the king live forever!(J) Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

5 The king replied to the astrologers, “This is what I have firmly decided:(K) If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces(L) and your houses turned into piles of rubble.(M) 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor.(N) So tell me the dream and interpret it for me.”

7 Once more they replied, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it.”

8 Then the king answered, “I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty(O) for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me.”(P)

10 The astrologers(Q) answered the king, “There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer.(R) 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods,(S) and they do not live among humans.”

12 This made the king so angry and furious(T) that he ordered the execution(U) of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.(V)

14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.

17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.(W) 18 He urged them to plead for mercy(X) from the God of heaven(Y) concerning this mystery,(Z) so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery(AA) was revealed to Daniel in a vision.(AB) Then Daniel praised the God of heaven(AC) 20 and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;(AD)
    wisdom and power(AE) are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;(AF)
    he deposes(AG) kings and raises up others.(AH)
He gives wisdom(AI) to the wise
    and knowledge to the discerning.(AJ)
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;(AK)
    he knows what lies in darkness,(AL)
    and light(AM) dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:(AN)
    You have given me wisdom(AO) and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
    you have made known to us the dream of the king.(AP)”

Daniel Interprets the Dream

24 Then Daniel went to Arioch,(AQ) whom the king had appointed to execute the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon. Take me to the king, and I will interpret his dream for him.”

25 Arioch took Daniel to the king at once and said, “I have found a man among the exiles(AR) from Judah(AS) who can tell the king what his dream means.”

26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar),(AT) “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?”

27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,(AU) 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.(AV) He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.(AW) Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind(AX) as you were lying in bed(AY) are these:(AZ)

29 “As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.(BA) 30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed(BB) to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

31 “Your Majesty looked, and there before you stood a large statue—an enormous, dazzling statue,(BC) awesome(BD) in appearance. 32 The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. 34 While you were watching, a rock was cut out, but not by human hands.(BE) It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and smashed(BF) them.(BG) 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away(BH) without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain(BI) and filled the whole earth.(BJ)

36 “This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king.(BK) 37 Your Majesty, you are the king of kings.(BL) The God of heaven has given you dominion(BM) and power and might and glory; 38 in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all.(BN) You are that head of gold.

39 “After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.(BO) 40 Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.(BP) 41 Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42 As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.

44 “In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush(BQ) all those kingdoms(BR) and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.(BS) 45 This is the meaning of the vision of the rock(BT) cut out of a mountain, but not by human hands(BU)—a rock that broke the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold to pieces.

“The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future.(BV) The dream is true(BW) and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate(BX) before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering(BY) and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods(BZ) and the Lord of kings(CA) and a revealer of mysteries,(CB) for you were able to reveal this mystery.(CC)”

48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high(CD) position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.(CE) 49 Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon,(CF) while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.(CG)

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 2:2 Or Chaldeans; also in verses 4, 5 and 10
  2. Daniel 2:3 Or was
  3. Daniel 2:4 At this point the Hebrew text has in Aramaic, indicating that the text from here through the end of chapter 7 is in Aramaic.
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Daniel 2
New English Translation

Nebuchadnezzar Has a Disturbing Dream

2 In the second year of his[a] reign Nebuchadnezzar had many dreams.[b] His mind[c] was disturbed and he suffered from insomnia.[d] 2 The king issued an order[e] to summon the magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and wise men[f] in order to explain his dreams to him.[g] So they came and awaited the king’s instructions.[h]

3 The king told them, “I have had a dream,[i] and I[j] am anxious to understand the dream.” 4 The wise men replied to the king: [What follows is in Aramaic[k]] “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will disclose its[l] interpretation.” 5 The king replied[m] to the wise men, “My decision is firm.[n] If you do not inform me of both the dream and its interpretation, you will be dismembered[o] and your homes reduced to rubble! 6 But if you can disclose the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts, a reward, and considerable honor. So disclose to me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They again replied, “Let the king inform us[p] of the dream; then we will disclose its[q] interpretation.” 8 The king replied, “I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm. 9 If you don’t inform me of the dream, there is only one thing that is going to happen to you.[r] For you have agreed among yourselves to report to me something false and deceitful[s] until such time as things might change. So tell me the dream, and I will have confidence[t] that you can disclose its interpretation.”

10 The wise men replied to the king, “There is no man on earth who is able to disclose the king’s secret,[u] for no king, regardless of his position and power, has ever requested such a thing from any magician, astrologer, or wise man. 11 What the king is asking is too difficult, and no one exists who can disclose it to the king, except for the gods—but they don’t live among mortals!”[v]

12 Because of this the king got furiously angry[w] and gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So a decree went out, and the wise men were about[x] to be executed. They also sought[y] Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.

14 Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel[z] to Arioch, who was in charge of the king’s executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. 15 He inquired of Arioch the king’s deputy, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?”[aa] Then Arioch informed Daniel about the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and[ab] requested the king to grant him time, that he might disclose the interpretation to the king. 17 Then Daniel went to his home and informed his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the matter. 18 He asked them to pray for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that he[ac] and his friends would not be destroyed along with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 Then in a night vision the mystery was revealed to Daniel. So Daniel praised[ad] the God of heaven, 20 saying:[ae]

“Let the name of God[af] be praised[ag] forever and ever,
for wisdom and power belong to him.
21 He changes times and seasons,
deposing some kings
and establishing others.[ah]
He gives wisdom to the wise;
he imparts knowledge to those with understanding;[ai]
22 he reveals deep and hidden things.
He knows what is in the darkness,
and light resides with him.
23 O God of my fathers, I acknowledge and glorify you,
for you have bestowed wisdom and power on me.
Now you have enabled me to understand what we[aj] requested from you.
For you have enabled us to understand the king’s dilemma.”[ak]

24 Then Daniel went in to see[al] Arioch (whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon). He came[am] and said to him, “Don’t destroy the wise men of Babylon! Escort me[an] to the king, and I will disclose the interpretation to him.”[ao]

25 So Arioch quickly ushered Daniel into the king’s presence, saying to him, “I[ap] have found a man from the captives of Judah who can make known the interpretation to the king.” 26 The king then asked Daniel (whose name was also Belteshazzar), “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I saw, as well as its interpretation?” 27 Daniel replied to the king, “The mystery that the king is asking about is such that no wise men, astrologers, magicians, or diviners can possibly disclose it to the king. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries,[aq] and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the times to come.[ar] The dream and the visions you had while lying on your bed[as] are as follows:

29 “As for you, O king, while you were in your bed your thoughts turned to future things.[at] The revealer of mysteries has made known to you what will take place. 30 As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom[au] than any other living person, but so that the king may understand[av] the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.[aw]

31 “You, O king, were watching as a great statue—one[ax] of impressive size and extraordinary brightness—was standing before you. Its appearance caused alarm. 32 As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. 33 Its legs were of iron; its feet were partly of iron and partly of clay.[ay] 34 You were watching as[az] a stone was cut out,[ba] but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its iron and clay feet, breaking them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces without distinction[bb] and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth. 36 This was the dream. Now we[bc] will set forth before the king its interpretation.

Daniel Interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

37 “You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has granted you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor. 38 Wherever human beings,[bd] wild animals,[be] and birds of the sky live—he has given them into your power.[bf] He has given you authority over them all. You are the head of gold. 39 Now after you another kingdom[bg] will arise, one inferior to yours. Then a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule in all the earth. 40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom, one strong like iron. Just like iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything, and as iron breaks in pieces[bh] all these metals,[bi] so it will break in pieces and crush the others.[bj] 41 In that you were seeing feet and toes[bk] partly of wet clay[bl] and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom. Some of the strength of iron will be in it, for you saw iron mixed with wet clay.[bm] 42 In that the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, the latter stages of this kingdom will be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 And[bn] in that you saw iron mixed with wet clay, so people will be mixed[bo] with one another[bp] without adhering to one another, just as[bq] iron does not mix with clay. 44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will not be destroyed and a kingdom that will not be left to another people. It will break in pieces and bring about the demise of all these kingdoms. But it will stand forever. 45 You saw that a stone was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands; it smashed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold into pieces. The great God has made known to the king what will occur in the future.[br] The dream is certain, and its interpretation is reliable.”

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar bowed down with his face to the ground[bs] and paid homage to Daniel. He gave orders to offer sacrifice and incense to him. 47 The king replied to Daniel, “Certainly your God is a God of gods and Lord of kings and revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery!” 48 Then the king elevated Daniel to high position and bestowed on him many marvelous gifts. He granted him authority over the entire province of Babylon and made him the main prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And at Daniel’s request, the king[bt] appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the administration of the province of Babylon. Daniel himself served in the king’s court.[bu]

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 2:1 tn Heb “Nebuchadnezzar’s.” The possessive pronoun is substituted in the translation for stylistic reasons.
  2. Daniel 2:1 tn Heb “dreamed dreams.” The plural is used here and in v. 2, but the singular in v. 3. The plural “dreams” has been variously explained. Some interpreters take the plural as denoting an indefinite singular (so GKC 400 §124.o). But it may be that it is describing a stream of related dreams, or a dream state. In the latter case, one might translate: “Nebuchadnezzar was in a trance.” See further, J. A. Montgomery, Daniel (ICC), 142.
  3. Daniel 2:1 tn Heb “his spirit.”
  4. Daniel 2:1 tn Heb “his sleep left (?) him.” The use of the verb הָיָה (hayah, “to be”) here is unusual. The context suggests a meaning such as “to be finished” or “gone” (cf. Dan 8:27). Some scholars emend the verb to read נָדְדָה (nadedah, “fled”); cf. Dan 6:19. See further, DCH 2:540 s.v. היה I Ni.3; HALOT 244 s.v. היה nif; BDB 227-28 s.v. הָיָה Niph.2.
  5. Daniel 2:2 tn Heb “said.” So also in v. 12.
  6. Daniel 2:2 tn Heb “Chaldeans.” The term Chaldeans (Hebrew כַּשְׂדִּים, kasdim) is used in the book of Daniel both in an ethnic sense and, as here, to refer to a caste of Babylonian wise men and astrologers.
  7. Daniel 2:2 tn Heb “to explain to the king his dreams.”
  8. Daniel 2:2 tn Heb “stood before the king.”
  9. Daniel 2:3 tn Heb “I have dreamed a dream” (so KJV, ASV).
  10. Daniel 2:3 tn Heb “my spirit.”
  11. Daniel 2:4 sn Contrary to common belief, the point here is not that the wise men (Chaldeans) replied to the king in the Aramaic language, or that this language was uniquely the language of the Chaldeans. It was this view that led in the past to Aramaic being referred to as “Chaldee.” Aramaic was used as a lingua franca during this period; its origins and usage were not restricted to the Babylonians. Rather, this phrase is better understood as an editorial note (cf. NAB) marking the fact that from 2:4b through 7:28 the language of the book shifts from Hebrew to Aramaic. In 8:1, and for the remainder of the book, the language returns to Hebrew. Various views have been advanced to account for this change of language, most of which are unconvincing. The change in language likely reflects stages in the transmission history of the book of Daniel or factors in its composition history.
  12. Daniel 2:4 tn Or “the.”
  13. Daniel 2:5 tn Aram “answered and said,” a common idiom to indicate a reply, but redundant in contemporary English.
  14. Daniel 2:5 tn It seems clear from what follows that Nebuchadnezzar clearly recalls the content of the dream, although obviously he does not know what to make of it. By not divulging the dream itself to the would-be interpreters, he intends to find out whether they are simply leading him on. If they can tell him the dream’s content, which he is able to verify, he then can have confidence in their interpretation, which is what eludes him. The translation “the matter is gone from me” (cf. KJV, ASV), suggesting that the king had simply forgotten the dream, is incorrect. The Aramaic word used here (אַזְדָּא, ʾazdaʾ) is probably of Persian origin; it occurs in the OT only here and in v. 8. There are two main possibilities for the meaning of the word: “the matter is promulgated by me” (see KBL 1048 s.v.) and therefore “publicly known” (cf. NRSV; F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 62-63, §189), or “the matter is irrevocable” (cf. NAB, NIV, TEV, CEV, NLT; HALOT 1808 s.v. אזד; cf. also BDB 1079 s.v.). The present translation reflects this latter option. See further E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 3.
  15. Daniel 2:5 tn Aram “made limbs” (cf. 3:29).
  16. Daniel 2:7 tn Aram “his servants.”
  17. Daniel 2:7 tn Or “the.”
  18. Daniel 2:9 tn Aram “one is your law,” i.e., only one thing is applicable to you.
  19. Daniel 2:9 tn Aram “a lying and corrupt word.”
  20. Daniel 2:9 tn Aram “I will know.”
  21. Daniel 2:10 tn Aram “matter, thing.”
  22. Daniel 2:11 tn Aram “whose dwelling is not with flesh.”
  23. Daniel 2:12 tn Aram “was angry and very furious.” The expression is a hendiadys (two words or phrases expressing a single idea).
  24. Daniel 2:13 tn The Aramaic participle is used here to express the imminent future.
  25. Daniel 2:13 tn The impersonal active plural (“they sought”) of the Aramaic verb could also be translated as an English passive: “Daniel and his friends were sought” (cf. NAB).
  26. Daniel 2:14 tn Aram “returned prudence and counsel.” The expression is a hendiadys.
  27. Daniel 2:15 tn The Aramaic word מְהַחְצְפָה (mehakhtsefah) may refer to the severity of the king’s decree (i.e., “harsh”; so HALOT 1879 s.v. חצף; BDB 1093 s.v. חֲצַף), although it would seem that in a delicate situation such as this Daniel would avoid this kind of criticism of the king’s actions. The translation above understands the word to refer to the immediacy, not harshness, of the decree. See further, F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 50, §116; E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 67.
  28. Daniel 2:16 tc Theodotion and the Syriac lack the words “went in and.”
  29. Daniel 2:18 tn Aram “Daniel.” The proper name is redundant here in English and has not been included in the translation.
  30. Daniel 2:19 tn Or “blessed.”
  31. Daniel 2:20 tn Aram “Daniel answered and said.”
  32. Daniel 2:20 sn As is often the case in the Bible, here the name represents the person.
  33. Daniel 2:20 tn Or “blessed.”
  34. Daniel 2:21 tn Aram “kings.”
  35. Daniel 2:21 tn Aram “the knowers of understanding.”
  36. Daniel 2:23 tn Various explanations have been offered for the plurals we and us. They could be editorial plurals, or refer to Daniel and his three friends who were also praying about the matter.
  37. Daniel 2:23 tn Aram “the word of the king.”
  38. Daniel 2:24 tc The MT has עַל עַל (ʿal ʿal, “he entered upon”). Several medieval Hebrew mss lack the verb, although this may be due to haplography.
  39. Daniel 2:24 tc The LXX and Vulgate, along with one medieval Hebrew ms, lack this verb.
  40. Daniel 2:24 tn Aram “cause me to enter,” as also in v. 25.
  41. Daniel 2:24 tn Aram “the king.”
  42. Daniel 2:25 sn Arioch’s claim is self-serving and exaggerated. It is Daniel who came to him, and not the other way around. By claiming to have found one capable of solving the king’s dilemma, Arioch probably hoped to ingratiate himself to the king.
  43. Daniel 2:28 tn Aram “a revealer of mysteries.” The phrase serves as a quasi-title for God in Daniel.
  44. Daniel 2:28 tn Aram “in the latter days.”
  45. Daniel 2:28 tn Aram “your dream and the visions of your head upon your bed.”
  46. Daniel 2:29 tn Aram “your thoughts upon your bed went up to what will be after this.”
  47. Daniel 2:30 tn Aram “not for any wisdom which is in me more than [in] any living man.”
  48. Daniel 2:30 tn Aram “they might cause the king to know.” The impersonal plural is used here to refer to the role of God’s spirit in revealing the dream and its interpretation to the king. As J. A. Montgomery says, “it appropriately here veils the mysterious agency” (Daniel [ICC], 164-65). Subsequent narratives show both God and angels involved with Nebuchadnezzar, so “they” can be appropriate.
  49. Daniel 2:30 tn Aram “heart.”
  50. Daniel 2:31 tn Aram “an image.”
  51. Daniel 2:33 sn Clay refers to baked clay, which despite being hard was also fragile. Compare the reference in v. 41 to “wet clay.”
  52. Daniel 2:34 tn Aram “until.”
  53. Daniel 2:34 tc The LXX, Theodotion, and the Vulgate have “from a mountain,” though this is probably a harmonization with v. 45.
  54. Daniel 2:35 tn Aram “as one.” For the meaning “without distinction” see the following: F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 36, §64, and p. 93; E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 60.
  55. Daniel 2:36 tn Various suggestions have been made concerning the plural “we.” It could be an editorial plural translatable as “I.” However, Daniel has portrayed himself as an agent of God, who revealed the matter (vv. 28, 30), so we can express that reality.
  56. Daniel 2:38 tn Aram “the sons of man.”
  57. Daniel 2:38 tn Aram “the beasts of the field.”
  58. Daniel 2:38 tn Aram “hand.”
  59. Daniel 2:39 sn The identity of the first kingdom is clearly Babylon. The identification of the following three kingdoms is disputed. The common view is that they represent Media, Persia, and Greece. Most conservative scholars identify them as Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
  60. Daniel 2:40 tc Theodotion and the Vulgate lack the phrase “and as iron breaks in pieces.”
  61. Daniel 2:40 tn The Aramaic text does not have this word, but it has been added in the translation for clarity.
  62. Daniel 2:40 tn The words “the others” are supplied from the context.
  63. Daniel 2:41 tc The LXX lacks “and toes.”
  64. Daniel 2:41 tn Aram “potter’s clay.”
  65. Daniel 2:41 tn Aram “clay of clay” (also in v. 43).
  66. Daniel 2:43 tc The present translation reads the conjunction, with most medieval Hebrew mss, LXX, Vulgate, and the Qere. The Kethib lacks the conjunction.
  67. Daniel 2:43 sn The reference to people being mixed is usually understood to refer to intermarriage.
  68. Daniel 2:43 tn Aram “with the seed of men.”
  69. Daniel 2:43 tc The present translation reads הֵיךְ דִּי (hekh di) rather than the MT הֵא־כְדִי (heʾ khedi, “even as which”). It is a case of wrong word division.
  70. Daniel 2:45 tn Aram “after this.”
  71. Daniel 2:46 tn Aram “fell on his face.”
  72. Daniel 2:49 tn Aram “and Daniel sought from the king and he appointed.”
  73. Daniel 2:49 tn Aram “was at the gate of the king.”
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