Daniel Chapter 2 · Verse 6
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.
Original Language Analysis
מַתְּנָ֤ן
gifts
H4978
מַתְּנָ֤ן
gifts
Strong's:
H4978
Word #:
5 of 15
a present; specifically (in a good sense), a sacrificial offering, (in a bad sense) a bribe
וִיקָ֣ר
honour
H3367
וִיקָ֣ר
honour
Strong's:
H3367
Word #:
7 of 15
value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity
שַׂגִּ֔יא
and great
H7690
שַׂגִּ֔יא
and great
Strong's:
H7690
Word #:
8 of 15
large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)
מִן
of me
H4481
מִן
of me
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
Cross References
Daniel 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.Daniel 2:48Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.Daniel 5:29Then commanded Belshazzar, and they clothed Daniel with scarlet, and put a chain of gold about his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern kings regularly rewarded advisors who provided satisfactory guidance through omens, dreams, and divination. Royal favor meant immense wealth—purple robes, gold chains, estates, political power. Nebuchadnezzar's court included extensive wise men classes competing for patronage. His offer was genuine; later Daniel received exactly these rewards (2:48). Yet the requirement that wise men know the dream without being told was unprecedented, exposing pagan divination's fraudulent nature. True revelation from God surpasses human pretense.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the world today offer 'gifts, rewards, and great honour' in exchange for compromising biblical convictions?
- What does God's superior revelation through Daniel teach us about the futility of human wisdom apart from divine illumination?
- In what ways does Christ's rejection of Satan's offer of earthly kingdoms model proper response to worldly enticements?
Analysis & Commentary
King Nebuchadnezzar's offer—"gifts and rewards and great honour"—contrasts sharply with his threat of destruction (verse 5). This carrot-and-stick approach reveals how earthly powers manipulate: terror for disobedience, lavish rewards for compliance. The Hebrew mattanan (מַתְּנָן, "gifts") suggests ongoing benefits, nebizebah (נְבִזְבָּה, "rewards") implies financial compensation, and yeqar (יְקָר, "honour") means social elevation. Nebuchadnezzar offers comprehensive enticement—material wealth and social status.
The king's insistence "therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation" reveals his desperation. He needs validation that interpretation will be genuine—only someone truly accessing supernatural knowledge could know both dream content and meaning. This unwittingly sets the stage for God's glory through Daniel. When Daniel reveals what no human wisdom could know, God's superiority over pagan divination becomes undeniable. Human inducements pale before divine revelation's authentication.
Spiritually, this models the world's offers: compromise biblical convictions, receive wealth and status. Satan tempted Christ similarly (Matthew 4:8-9). Yet true reward comes from God, not human kings. Daniel's later refusal of Belshazzar's gifts (5:17) shows mature faith values divine approval over earthly compensation. This points to Christ, who rejected earthly kingdom for redemptive suffering, gaining ultimate exaltation (Philippians 2:8-11).