Daniel 2:5

Authorized King James Version

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
עָנֵ֤ה
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
מַלְכָּא֙
The king
a king
#3
וְאָמַ֣ר
and said
to speak, to command
#4
לְכַשְׂדָּיֵ֔א
to the Chaldeans
a chaldaean or inhabitant of chaldaea; by implication, a magian or professional astrologer
#5
מִלְּתָ֖ה
The thing
a word, command, discourse, or subject
#6
מִנִּ֣י
from me
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
#7
אַזְדָּ֑א
is gone
firm
#8
הֵ֣ן
if
lo! also there(-fore), (un-)less, whether, but, if
#9
לָ֤א
ye will not
no, not
#10
תְהֽוֹדְעוּנַּ֙נִי֙
make known
to inform
#11
חֶלְמָ֣א
unto me the dream
a dream
#12
וּפִשְׁרֵ֔הּ
with the interpretation
an interpretation
#13
הַדָּמִין֙
in pieces
something stamped to pieces, i.e., a bit
#14
תִּתְעַבְד֔וּן
thereof ye shall be cut
to do, make, prepare, keep, etc
#15
וּבָתֵּיכ֖וֹן
and your houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
נְוָלִ֥י
a dunghill
a sink
#17
יִתְּשָׂמֽוּן׃
shall be made
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Daniel, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Daniel.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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