Daniel 2:4
Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְדַבְּר֧וּ
Then spake
H1696
וַֽיְדַבְּר֧וּ
Then spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֛ים
the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֛ים
the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
2 of 12
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
לְעָלְמִ֣ין
for ever
H5957
לְעָלְמִ֣ין
for ever
Strong's:
H5957
Word #:
6 of 12
remote time, i.e., the future or past indefinitely; often adverb, forever
Cross References
Daniel 5:10Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed:Daniel 3:9They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.Ezra 4:7And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.Isaiah 36:11Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews' language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.1 Kings 1:31Then Bath-sheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.Daniel 6:21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.Daniel 6:6Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.
Historical Context
Aramaic served as the lingua franca of the ancient Near East, used for international diplomacy and commerce. Its use here reflects historical authenticity—Babylonian court officials would have addressed the king in Aramaic for formal proceedings. The Chaldeans were an elite priestly caste specializing in astronomy, mathematics, and divination, not just ethnic Chaldeans from southern Mesopotamia. Their professional confidence will soon be shattered.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the language shift to Aramaic suggest about God's message extending beyond Israel to encompass all nations?
- How does the Chaldeans' confident request to hear the dream reveal their dependence on human interpretive systems rather than divine revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Chaldeans' response in 'Syriack' (Aramaic) marks a literary shift—Daniel 2:4b-7:28 is written in Aramaic rather than Hebrew. This language change signals focus on Gentile kingdoms and God's sovereignty over world empires. The formal address 'O king, live forever' was standard court protocol (cf. 1 Kings 1:31; Nehemiah 2:3). 'Tell thy servants the dream' assumes normal procedure: the king recounts his dream, and interpreters provide meaning. This reasonable request sets up the coming impossible demand that will expose pagan wisdom's bankruptcy.