Daniel 2 6

Daniel 2:6 kjv

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.

Daniel 2:6 nkjv

However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation."

Daniel 2:6 niv

But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me."

Daniel 2:6 esv

But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. Therefore show me the dream and its interpretation."

Daniel 2:6 nlt

But if you tell me what I dreamed and what the dream means, I will give you many wonderful gifts and honors. Just tell me the dream and what it means!"

Daniel 2 verses

Daniel 2 6 Meaning

King Nebuchadnezzar promises lavish recompense—gifts, substantial rewards, and high social standing—to his wise men if they can reveal both his forgotten dream and its true interpretation. This offer stands in stark contrast to the death penalty for failure mentioned in the preceding verse. The verse highlights the king's desperation for genuine insight and the extraordinary value he places on such a revelation.

Daniel 2 6 Context

Daniel chapter 2 opens with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon having a deeply disturbing dream, which he subsequently forgets. Troubled, he summons his wise men (magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, Chaldeans) and demands that they not only interpret the dream but also reveal the dream itself, to prove their true divine connection and not simply offer a convenient fabrication. Verse 6 directly states the immense reward promised to these wise men if they succeed in this seemingly impossible task. This promise stands in direct contrast to the grim fate (being cut in pieces, having their houses made a dunghill) awaiting them if they fail (Dan 2:5). The king’s decree creates an intense dilemma that exposes the limitations of all human and pagan wisdom systems, setting the stage for the true God of Israel to display His sovereign power and unique ability to reveal mysteries through Daniel. Historically, this occurs during the early years of the Jewish exile in Babylon (around 604 BC), emphasizing the supremacy of God over worldly empires and their supposed spiritual authorities.

Daniel 2 6 Word analysis

• "But if ye shew" (Aramaic: הֵן תְּהַחֲוֹן֙ - hen tᵉḥawôn): The opening "But if" signals the vital alternative to the severe penalty stated in the previous verse (Dan 2:5). tᵉḥawôn means "you will declare" or "make known," emphasizing clarity and certainty. This implies a demanding standard of proof beyond simple conjecture.
• "the dream, and the interpretation thereof": This dual requirement is crucial. The king insists on both the revelation of the dream itself and its accurate meaning. This prevents any fabricated interpretation and serves as an ultimate test for authentic, supernaturally revealed truth, distinguishing it from human trickery.
• "ye shall receive of me": This highlights the king's absolute authority and personal capacity to fulfill his promises. It underscores royal patronage and a direct relationship of favor and reward stemming from his sovereign decree.
• "gifts" (Aramaic: מַתְּנָ֤ן - mattᵉnân): Refers to presents, gratuities, or donations. These are given out of favor or appreciation, distinct from earned wages.
• "rewards" (Aramaic: וּנְבִזְבָּ֥ה - unĕbizbâ): Signifies payment, remuneration, or an extensive financial grant. It denotes a substantial recompense or stipend, indicating significant material wealth.
• "and great honour" (Aramaic: וְאִיקָ֣ר שַׂגִּ֗יא - wᵉʾîqār śaggî): Iqar means honor, glory, splendor, or dignity; saggiy means great, much, or abundant. This phrase indicates significant elevation in social status, public recognition, and a position of considerable power and prestige within the kingdom, extending beyond mere material gain.
• "therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof": This repetition underscores the King's unyielding demand. The "therefore" connects the promised reward directly to the performance of the task, reinforcing the singular, critical condition for their favor and the immediate urgency for revelation.

Daniel 2 6 Bonus section

• This verse provides crucial foreshadowing of God's later faithful response to Daniel, who ultimately reveals the dream and interpretation (Dan 2:19-23), subsequently receiving these very honors from Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:48).
• The extreme nature of Nebuchadnezzar's promises and threats emphasizes the magnitude of his distress and the supernatural nature of his dream, preparing the reader for a genuinely divine intervention.
• The king's challenge, though harsh, effectively filters out fraudulent claims and paves the way for the one true God to manifest His unique power and wisdom in Babylon.

Daniel 2 6 Commentary

Daniel 2:6 vividly portrays King Nebuchadnezzar's high stakes and desperate search for supernatural truth. The verse is pivotal, laying out a profound dilemma for the wise men of Babylon. Their inability to discern the king's dream and its interpretation, despite their boasted access to occult knowledge, would ultimately expose the futility of their pagan wisdom. The king's extravagant offer of "gifts and rewards and great honour" highlights the extraordinary value he placed on authentic revelation and the deep perturbation he felt from his forgotten dream. This contrasts sharply with the judgment he pronounces for failure, establishing an absolute "do or die" scenario. The verse sets the stage for God alone to prove His omnipotence and omni-knowledge through Daniel, demonstrating that only the true God of heaven can truly reveal the mysteries of the heart and the future.