Daniel 2:12

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Daniel 2:12 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

This response made the king so furious with anger that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

King James Version KJV

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

American Standard Version ASV

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Because of this the king was angry and full of wrath, and gave orders for the destruction of all the wise men of Babylon.

Free Bible Version FBV

This made the king extremely angry, and he ordered all the wise men of Babylon executed.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For this cause the king was angrie and in great furie, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Therefore the king hath been angry and very wroth, and hath said to destroy all the wise men of Babylon;

World English Bible WEB

Because of this, the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Upon hearing this, the king in fury, and in great wrath, commanded that all the wise men of Babylon should be put to death.

Translation for Translators T4T

The king was very angry when he heard that, so he commanded his soldiers that they execute all such wise men in Babylon.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:12

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Daniel 2:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB כָּ/ל קֳבֵ֣ל דְּנָ֔ה מַלְכָּ֕/א בְּנַ֖ס וּ/קְצַ֣ף שַׂגִּ֑יא וַ/אֲמַר֙ לְ/ה֣וֹבָדָ֔ה לְ/כֹ֖ל חַכִּימֵ֥י בָבֶֽל

כָּ/ל kôl H3606 all Adj | Conj

קֳבֵ֣ל qᵉbêl H6903 before Adj

דְּנָ֔ה dên H1836 this Adj

מַלְכָּ֕/א melek H4430 king Adj | Art

בְּנַ֖ס bᵉnaç H1149 be angry Adj

וּ/קְצַ֣ף qᵉtsaph H7108 be angry Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

שַׂגִּ֑יא saggîyʼ H7690 greatly Adj

וַ/אֲמַר֙ ʼămar H560 to say Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

לְ/ה֣וֹבָדָ֔ה ʼăbad H7 to destroy Adj | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

לְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3606 all Adj | N-ms

חַכִּימֵ֥י chakkîym H2445 wise Adj

בָבֶֽל Babel H895 Babylon Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:12

כָּ/ל kôl H3606 "all" Adj | Conj

The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.

Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where) -fore, + though, what (where, who) -soever, (the) whole. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 7:27.

קֳבֵ֣ל qᵉbêl H6903 "before" Adj

This Hebrew word is used to describe something that is in front of or before something else. It can also mean because of or on account of something. The word is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Genesis and Isaiah.

Definition: subst 1) front prep 2) in front of, before, because of, in view of, by reason of, because of this, therefore conj 3) because that, inasmuch as, although, according as, before adv 4) accordingly, then

Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] according to, [phrase] as, [phrase] because, before, [phrase] for this cause, [phrase] forasmuch as, [phrase] by this means, over against, by reason of, [phrase] that, [phrase] therefore, [phrase] though, [phrase] wherefore. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:7; Daniel 6:23.

דְּנָ֔ה dên H1836 "this" Adj

This Hebrew word means 'this' or 'therefore' and is used to point to something specific. It is often used in the Bible to connect ideas or explain a reason.

Definition: demons pron 1) this, on account of this adv 2) therefore

Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: (afore-) time, [phrase] after this manner, here (-after), one...another, such, there(-fore), these, this (matter), [phrase] thus, where(-fore), which. See also: Ezra 4:11; Daniel 2:29; Jeremiah 10:11.

מַלְכָּ֕/א melek H4430 "king" Adj | Art

Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.

Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king

Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.

בְּנַ֖ס bᵉnaç H1149 "be angry" Adj

This Hebrew word means to be very angry, like God's wrath in the Bible. It's used to describe strong emotions, often in response to wrongdoing. The KJV translates it as 'be angry'.

Definition: (P'al) to be angry

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: be angry. See also: Daniel 2:12.

וּ/קְצַ֣ף qᵉtsaph H7108 "be angry" Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This Aramaic word means to become enraged, used in Daniel 11:30 to describe a king's furious reaction. It's closely related to the Hebrew word for anger, highlighting the strong emotions involved. The Bible uses it to convey intense anger or fury.

Definition: (P'al) to be or become angry, be wroth Aramaic of qa.tsaph (קָצַף "be angry" H7107)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: be furious. See also: Daniel 2:12.

שַׂגִּ֑יא saggîyʼ H7690 "greatly" Adj

This word means greatly or exceedingly, describing something large in size or quantity. It's used to emphasize the magnitude of something, like a great multitude.

Definition: adj 1) great, much 1a) great 1b) much, many adv 2) exceedingly

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: exceeding, great(-ly); many, much, sore, very. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:9; Daniel 7:28.

וַ/אֲמַר֙ ʼămar H560 "to say" Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say or speak, often used when God commands or declares something, as seen in many KJV translations. It is used with great flexibility, including to command, declare, or tell. This word appears in various contexts, including Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: (P'al) to say, to speak, to command, to tell, to relate Aramaic of a.mar (אָמַר "to say" H0559)

Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: command, declare, say, speak, tell. See also: Ezra 5:3; Daniel 3:28; Jeremiah 10:11.

לְ/ה֣וֹבָדָ֔ה ʼăbad H7 "to destroy" Adj | V-Hiphil-Inf-a

This Hebrew word means to destroy or perish, and can describe something that is lost or wanderings away. It is often used in the Old Testament to convey a sense of causative destruction, and can be translated as 'destroy' or 'perish' in English Bibles.

Definition: 1) to perish, vanish 1a) (P'al) shall perish 1b) (Aphel) destroy 1c) (Hophal) be destroyed

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: destroy, perish. See also: Jeremiah 10:11; Daniel 2:24; Daniel 7:26.

לְ/כֹ֖ל kôl H3606 "all" Adj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none

חַכִּימֵ֥י chakkîym H2445 "wise" Adj

In the Bible, this word means wise or intelligent, describing someone with good judgment. It is used to describe a wise man, like a Magian. The word appears in various books, including Proverbs and Psalms.

Definition: wise man, wise

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: wise. See also: Daniel 2:12; Daniel 2:27; Daniel 5:15.

בָבֶֽל Babel H895 "Babylon" Adj

Babel is another term for Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It is found in Daniel 1:1-2, describing the Babylonian empire. The city was a major center of power.

Definition: Aramaic of ba.vel (בָּבֶ֫ל, בָּבֶל "Babylon" H0894) § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates

Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: Babylon. See also: Ezra 5:12; Daniel 2:24; Daniel 7:1.

Study Notes — Daniel 2:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Daniel 2:12 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:12
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:12
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:12
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:12
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:12
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:12
Sermons on Daniel 2:12

Context — Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream

10The astrologers answered the king, “No one on earth can do what the king requests! No king, however great and powerful, has ever asked anything like this of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer. 11What the king requests is so difficult that no one can tell it to him except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortals.”

12This response made the king so angry and furious that he gave orders to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

13So the decree went out that the wise men were to be executed, and men went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them. 14When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel responded with discretion and tact.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Daniel 3:13	Then Nebuchadnezzar, furious with rage, summoned Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
2	Matthew 2:16	When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.
3	Daniel 3:19	At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,
4	Psalms 76:10	Even the wrath of man shall praise You; with the survivors of wrath You will clothe Yourself.
5	Daniel 2:5	The king replied to the astrologers, “My word is final: If you do not tell me the dream and its interpretation, you will be cut into pieces and your houses will be reduced to rubble.
6	Proverbs 16:14	The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
7	Proverbs 20:2	The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.
8	Proverbs 29:22	An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
9	Job 5:2	For resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.
10	Proverbs 27:3–4	A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?

Daniel 2:12 Summary

[This verse shows how angry and furious King Nebuchadnezzar became when the wise men told him they couldn't reveal his dream and its meaning, which made him feel like his authority was being challenged, similar to the response of King Herod in Matthew 2:16-18. The king's anger led him to order the execution of all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, highlighting the severe consequences of his rage. This story teaches us about the dangers of unchecked pride and anger, and the importance of seeking wisdom and guidance from God, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5-8. By trusting in God and seeking His wisdom, we can respond wisely to challenging situations and avoid destructive reactions like the king's.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was King Nebuchadnezzar so angry with the wise men?

The king was furious because the wise men told him that no one on earth could reveal the dream and its interpretation, implying that only the gods could provide such knowledge, as stated in Daniel 2:10-11, which made him feel like his authority was being challenged, similar to the response of King Herod in Matthew 2:16-18 when he felt threatened by the birth of Jesus.

What was the consequence of the king's anger?

The king ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, as seen in Daniel 2:12-13, highlighting the severe consequences of the king's rage and the danger that Daniel and his friends faced.

How does this verse relate to the concept of pride and anger in the Bible?

This verse illustrates the destructive nature of unchecked pride and anger, as seen in the king's reaction, which is also warned against in Proverbs 16:18 and James 1:20, emphasizing the importance of humility and self-control.

What can we learn from the king's response to the wise men's answer?

We can learn that our response to difficult or challenging situations can have significant consequences, and it is essential to seek wisdom and guidance from God, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and James 1:5-8, to navigate such situations wisely and avoid destructive reactions like the king's.

Reflection Questions

What are some situations in my life where I have reacted in anger or pride, and what were the consequences?
How can I apply the lesson of humility and self-control from this verse to my daily life and relationships?
What role does faith and trust in God play in helping me respond wisely to challenging situations, and how can I cultivate this faith?
In what ways can I seek wisdom and guidance from God, as encouraged in the Bible, to navigate difficult situations and avoid destructive reactions?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:12

For this cause the king was angry, and very furious,.... Not only because they could not tell his dream, and the interpretation of it; but because they represented him as requiring a thing

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:12

For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:12

Tyrants are inexorable, and they rule according to their will, and being crossed they are furious, and that brings forth death; the wrath of such is the roaring of a lion.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:12

Daniel 2:12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise [men] of Babylon.Ver. 12. For this cause the king was angry and very furious.] A cutting answer may mar a good cause. See on Daniel 2:9. And commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.] So rash is rage, it is no better than a short madness. Sed de vita hominis nulls potest esse satis diuturna cunctatio, saith the orator. In case of life and death nothing should be determined without mature deliberation; for, like as Saturn, the highest of the planets, hath the slowest motion of them all; so, saith one, should princess which sit in their high thrones of majesty, be most considerate in their actions. Cicero. Willet.

Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:12

(12) This order to massacre the wise men extended apparently only to those who were resident in the city of Babylon, where they had a fixed habitation. Though Daniel had been already trained in their schools, he had not as yet been appointed “a wise man.” However, being a student, his death was implied in the general order, which, as appears from Daniel 2:13, had already begun to be executed.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:12

12. wise men] of those versed in occult arts, as Genesis 41:8; Jeremiah 50:35 (of Babylon), and several times in the sequel (cf. p. 15). Similarly wisdom, Isaiah 47:10 (of Babylon), and ch. Daniel 1:17; Daniel 1:20.

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:12

For this cause the king was angry - Because they failed in explaining the subject which had been referred to them.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:12

10-13. The magicians in utter desperation now appeal to the king’s sense of justice and to the lack of precedent, “forasmuch as no king, be he never so great and powerful” (R.V., margin) had ever

Sermons on Daniel 2:12

	Sermon	Description
	The Birth of the Infant Lord by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the three disasters that have engulfed the human race: total, moral, and spiritual disaster. He emphasizes the importance of understanding th
	At His Feet by Erlo Stegen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and sharing one's personal testimony of how they became a Christian. He expresses concern that many Christian
	(Revelation) Part 2 the Desolation in Isreal by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the battle between good and evil as described in the book of Revelation. He focuses on the imagery of a woman clothed with the sun and a great
	Wait Upon the Lord by Erlo Stegen	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of Jesus shedding his blood as a proof of his commitment to his words. The sermon references the story of Rachel weeping fo
	(Following the Footsteps of Christ) Into Egypt in Egypt Out of Egypt by Willie Mullan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands and listening to His guidance. He references the story of Joseph and Mary being told by God to aris
	Herod by Edwin Fesche	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of our actions leading up to making important decisions. He urges the listeners to reflect on their past actions and allow th
	Hypocrites in the Bible by Bill McLeod	In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal experience of being invited to call on a couple living together without being married. Despite the man's bad reputation, the preacher