Daniel 2:3

Authorized King James Version

And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֧אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
לָהֶ֛ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#3
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ
And the king
a king
#4
הַחֲלֽוֹם׃
a dream
a dream
#5
חָלָ֑מְתִּי
unto them I have dreamed
properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream
#6
וַתִּפָּ֣עֶם
was troubled
to tap, i.e., beat regularly; hence (generally) to impel or agitate
#7
רוּחִ֔י
and my spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#8
לָדַ֖עַת
to know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#9
אֶֽת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
הַחֲלֽוֹם׃
a dream
a dream

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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