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Book of Daniel - Chapter 2 - Verse 5

2:5
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.

Meaning

In this verse from the Book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar expresses his frustration with the Chaldeans who were unable to tell him his dream and its interpretation. The king's demand for the dream to be revealed without him having to recount it himself shows the severity of his expectations. Threatening to punish the Chaldeans by cutting them to pieces and turning their houses into dunghills, Nebuchadnezzar demonstrates his absolute power and authority over his kingdom. This verse highlights the king's ruthless nature and his willingness to use extreme measures to achieve his goals. It also sets the stage for the miraculous intervention of God through Daniel, who ultimately reveals and interprets the dream, showcasing God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of defying a king's command and of the importance of divine intervention in fulfilling God's plan.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Daniel, we see King Nebuchadnezzar making a harsh demand of the Chaldeans, threatening them with a gruesome punishment if they fail to interpret his dream. The word "interpretation" in this context can be understood as the act of explaining the meaning or significance of the dream. In the theological interpretation of this verse, we can see elements of power dynamics and fear at play. The king holds all the power and is using it to control and manipulate the Chaldeans into providing him with the interpretation he desires. The threat of being cut in pieces and having their houses turned into a dunghill illustrates the extreme measures the king is willing to take to assert his authority and maintain control over his subjects. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobeying those in positions of power and the importance of obedience in ancient societies.

American Standard Version

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