Daniel 2:11

What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The Babylonian astrologers speak to King Nebuchadnezzar during his tribunal, explaining why they cannot fulfill his demand to reveal and interpret his dream. They deliver this response immediately before the king orders the execution of all the wise men.

The words — The Aramaic term יַקִּירָ֔ה (ya.ki.Rah) literally means "difficult" or "precious," while לָ֣א (la') functions as a strict negation. Together they establish that the king’s request exceeds human capacity.

The thread — The passage contrasts mortal limitation with divine access, paralleling Daniel 5:11 where a man carries the spirit of the holy gods, Genesis 41:39 where Pharaoh acknowledges God’s discernment through Joseph, and Exodus 29:45 where God promises to dwell among His people rather than remain distant.

Why it lands — The text states that certain demands cannot be met by any human and require a realm that does not inhabit mortal spaces. It asks the reader to abandon reliance on earthly wisdom when confronted with tasks that only divine intervention can resolve.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

Cross-references

Daniel 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the days of your father he was found to have insight, intelligence, and wisdom like that of the gods. Your father, King Nebuchadnezzar, appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners. Your own father, the king,
Genesis 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
Exodus 29:45 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you.
John 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
Exodus 8:19 “This is the finger of God,” the magicians said to Pharaoh. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.