Bible Strands
Daniel 2:6
But if you tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and its interpretation.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King Nebuchadnezzar addresses his court astrologers after issuing a death sentence for their failure to reveal his dream. He pauses to offer them a conditional reprieve: state the dream and its meaning, and he will grant them wealth and high status.
The words — The text employs תְּֽהַחֲוֹ֔ן (te.ha.cha.Von), meaning “you will declare,” alongside מַתְּנָ֤ן (ma.te.Nan) for “gifts” and שַׂגִּ֔יא (sa.Gi') for “great.” These terms structure the king’s transactional offer, tying supernatural revelation directly to material reward and political elevation.
The thread — The pattern of royal gifts and promotion resurfaces when the king rewards Daniel with authority over Babylon and its wise men (Daniel 2:48). A parallel sequence of royal bestowal appears in Daniel 5:7 and Daniel 5:29, where purple garments and gold chains are promised to those who can interpret the divine writing.
Why it lands — The verse forces a direct confrontation between human wisdom and divine revelation. It requires the reader to acknowledge that royal power cannot manufacture or extract hidden knowledge, but only God can supply what the text demands.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Daniel 5:7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to be brought in, and he said to these wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this inscription and tells me its interpretation will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
- Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many generous gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.
- Daniel 5:29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
- Numbers 22:7 The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.
- Numbers 22:17 for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’”
- Numbers 22:37 And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to reward you richly?”
- Numbers 24:11 Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
- Daniel 5:16 But I have heard about you, that you are able to give interpretations and solve difficult problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”