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Daniel 2:13

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Daniel 2:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So 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.

King James Version KJV

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

American Standard Version ASV

So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So the order went out that the wise men were to be put to death; and they were looking for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

Free Bible Version FBV

The decree was issued. The wise men were about to be executed, and the king's men went looking for Daniel and his friends.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And when sentence was giuen, the wise men were slayne: and they sought Daniel and his fellowes to be put to death.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the sentence hath gone forth, and the wise men are being slain, and they have sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

World English Bible WEB

So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the decree being gone forth, the wise men were slain: and Daniel and his companions were sought for, to be put to death.

Translation for Translators T4T

And because of what the king commanded, they sent some men to find me and my three friends, to execute us also.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:13

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 2:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/דָתָ֣/א נֶפְקַ֔ת וְ/חַכִּֽימַיָּ֖/א מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין וּ/בְע֛וֹ דָּנִיֵּ֥אל וְ/חַבְר֖וֹ/הִי לְ/הִתְקְטָלָֽה
וְ/דָתָ֣/א dâth H1882 law Adj | N-fs | Art
נֶפְקַ֔ת nᵉphaq H5312 to go out Adj
וְ/חַכִּֽימַיָּ֖/א chakkîym H2445 wise Adj | N-mp | Art
מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין qᵉṭal H6992 to slay Adj
וּ/בְע֛וֹ bᵉʻâʼ H1156 to ask Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3mp
דָּנִיֵּ֥אל Dânîyêʼl H1841 Daniel Adj
וְ/חַבְר֖וֹ/הִי chăbar H2269 fellow Adj | N-mp | Suff
לְ/הִתְקְטָלָֽה qᵉṭal H6992 to slay Adj | V-M-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:13

וְ/דָתָ֣/א dâth H1882 "law" Adj | N-fs | Art
In the Bible, this word refers to a law or decree, like God's commandments or a king's edict, as seen in Ezra and Nehemiah. It emphasizes the importance of following rules and regulations, whether from God or a human authority.
Definition: 1) decree, law 1a) a decree (of the king) 1b) law 1c) law (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: decree, law. See also: Ezra 7:12; Daniel 2:13; Daniel 7:25.
נֶפְקַ֔ת nᵉphaq H5312 "to go out" Adj
This Hebrew word means to go out or bring something forth, often used in the Bible to describe movement or emergence. It can be translated as 'come forth' or 'go out' in the KJV. It is used in various contexts, including in the book of Exodus.
Definition: 1) to go or come out, bring or come forth 1a) (P'al) to go out or forth 1b) (Aphel) to bring forth
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: come (go, take) forth (out). See also: Ezra 5:14; Daniel 3:26; Daniel 7:10.
וְ/חַכִּֽימַיָּ֖/א chakkîym H2445 "wise" Adj | N-mp | Art
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.
מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין qᵉṭal H6992 "to slay" Adj
This word also means to slay or kill, and appears in Daniel 3:15 when the king threatens to kill those who refuse to worship the idol. It is similar to H6991 but has slightly different uses.
Definition: 1) to slay, kill 1a) (P'al) to be slain 1b) (Pael) to slay 1c) (Ithp'al) to be slain 1d) (Ithpael) to be slain
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: slay. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 5:19; Daniel 7:11.
וּ/בְע֛וֹ bᵉʻâʼ H1156 "to ask" Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3mp
This verb means to ask or seek something, often used in the context of prayer or requesting something from God. It can also mean to desire or make a petition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to ask, seek, request, desire, pray, make petition 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to ask, request 1a2) to seek (for favour)
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request, seek. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 6:5; Daniel 7:16.
דָּנִיֵּ֥אל Dânîyêʼl H1841 "Daniel" Adj
The prophet Daniel, also called Belteshazzar, lived during the Exile and Return, and his name means God is my judge.
Definition: A prophet living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezk.14.14; also called Belteshazzar at Dan.1.7; 2.26; 4.8,9,18,19; 5.12; 10.1; Aramaic of da.niy.yel (דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל "Daniel" H1840) § Daniel = "God is my judge" 1) the 4th of the greater prophets, taken as hostage in the first deportation to Babylon, because of the gift of God of the interpretation of dreams, he became the 2nd in command of the Babylon empire and lasted through the end of the Babylonian empire and into the Persian empire. His prophecies are the key to the understanding of end time events. Noted for his purity and holiness by contemporary prophet, Ezekiel 1a) also, 'Belteshazzar' (H01095 or H01096)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: Daniel. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 5:29; Daniel 7:28.
וְ/חַבְר֖וֹ/הִי chăbar H2269 "fellow" Adj | N-mp | Suff
This word means a companion, friend, or fellow, and refers to someone who is an associate or comrade. It appears in the Old Testament, including in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, often in the context of friendship or alliance. It can also refer to a business partner or colleague.
Definition: associate, companion, friend, comrade, fellow Aramaic of cha.ver (חָבֵר "companion" H2270)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: companion, fellow. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 2:17; Daniel 2:18.
לְ/הִתְקְטָלָֽה qᵉṭal H6992 "to slay" Adj | V-M-Inf-a
This word also means to slay or kill, and appears in Daniel 3:15 when the king threatens to kill those who refuse to worship the idol. It is similar to H6991 but has slightly different uses.
Definition: 1) to slay, kill 1a) (P'al) to be slain 1b) (Pael) to slay 1c) (Ithp'al) to be slain 1d) (Ithpael) to be slain
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: slay. See also: Daniel 2:13; Daniel 5:19; Daniel 7:11.

Study Notes — Daniel 2:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Daniel 1:19–20 And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
2 Esther 3:12–15 On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued in every province and published to all the people, so that they would be ready on that day. The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
3 Isaiah 10:1 Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees,
4 Psalms 94:20 Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree?
5 Daniel 6:9–15 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. So they approached the king and asked about his royal decree: “Did you not sign a decree that for thirty days any man who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions?” The king replied, “According to the law of the Medes and Persians the order stands, and it cannot be repealed.” Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.” As soon as the king heard this, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel, and he labored until sundown to rescue him. Then the men approached the king together and said to him, “Remember, O king, that by the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or ordinance established by the king can be changed.”
6 Proverbs 28:15–17 Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A leader who lacks judgment is also a great oppressor, but he who hates dishonest profit will prolong his days. A man burdened by bloodguilt will flee into the Pit; let no one support him.

Daniel 2:13 Summary

This verse tells us that the king ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon because they could not tell him his dream and its interpretation. The king's men went to look for Daniel and his friends to kill them, but Daniel responded calmly and wisely, as seen in Daniel 2:14. This shows us that even in difficult situations, we can trust in God's plan and respond with faith and wisdom, just like Daniel did, and as encouraged in Psalm 37:3-7 or Isaiah 26:3-4. We can learn from Daniel's example and apply it to our own lives, trusting in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6 or Matthew 28:20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the king order the execution of all the wise men of Babylon?

The king was furious because the wise men were unable to tell him his dream and its interpretation, as stated in Daniel 2:12, which made him realize that they were not as wise as they claimed to be, similar to the situation in Isaiah 47:10 where the Babylonians thought they were wise but were actually deceived.

Who were the men that went to look for Daniel and his friends to execute them?

The men who went to look for Daniel and his friends were likely the king's guard or soldiers, as they were the ones responsible for carrying out the king's decrees, similar to the guards in Acts 12:6 who were responsible for keeping Peter in prison.

What was the situation that led to the decree to execute the wise men?

The situation that led to the decree was the king's request for the wise men to tell him his dream and its interpretation, which they were unable to do, as stated in Daniel 2:11, and this inability made the king furious with anger, similar to the anger of King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:13 when the three Hebrews refused to worship his idol.

How did Daniel and his friends respond to the news of the decree?

Daniel and his friends responded with discretion and tact, as seen in Daniel 2:14, where Daniel asked Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, why the decree from the king was so harsh, showing that they were calm and wise in the face of danger, similar to the response of Jesus in John 11:33-35 when He faced the death of Lazarus.

Reflection Questions

  1. What would you do if you were in Daniel's shoes and faced with the possibility of execution, and how would you respond to the situation?
  2. How can you apply the lesson of Daniel's calm and wise response to your own life when faced with difficult situations, and what Bible verses can you use to guide your response, such as Proverbs 1:7 or Psalm 23:4?
  3. What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's sovereignty and the king's power, and how can we trust in God's plan, as seen in Romans 8:28 or Jeremiah 29:11?
  4. How does this verse relate to the overall theme of the book of Daniel, which is about God's sovereignty and the faithfulness of His people, and what can we learn from the examples of Daniel and his friends, as seen in Hebrews 11:33-34?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:13

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain,.... Or, "and the wise men were slain" (h), as the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions render it; and so Saadiah: orders were

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:13

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. No JFB commentary on this verse.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:13

This was unjust, that Daniel and his fellows should have their share in the punishment, and yet be excluded from the other part which was the reward; the reason why they were not called was because of their youth, which the Chaldeans despised, wherein we have these three things observable. 1. The magicians confessed this, that knowledge and revelation must come from God, and therefore what Daniel did was not by any human strength, but Divine only. 2. That the Lord held the governor’ s hands, so that he did not slay Daniel presently with the first. 3. That Daniel, by his prudence and piety, saved all the magicians’ lives.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:13

Daniel 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise [men] should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.Ver. 13. And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain.] And the wise men were slain, saith the Vulgate; some of them likely were cut off. The end of worldly wisdom is certain destruction. And they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.] Wicked decrees are wrested to the butchery of the saints; as was that of the six articles here in Henry VIII’ s days.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:13

Verse 13. They sought Daniel and his fellows] As the decree stated that all the wise men of Babylon should be slain, the four young Hebrews, being reputed among the wisest, were considered as sentenced to death also.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:13

13–16. Daniel and his three companions, being regarded now (cf. Daniel 1:17-20) as belonging to the class of ‘wise men,’ and being consequently involved in the condemnation, are in danger of their lives; but Daniel, through Arioch’s intervention, obtains an audience of the king, and promising to tell him his dream, gets execution of the sentence deferred.

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:13

And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain - The original here will bear a somewhat different translation, meaning, “the decree went forth, “and” the wise men were slain;” that is,

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:13

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 2:13

SermonDescription
David Guzik (Isaiah) the Glory of the Messiah’s Reign by David Guzik In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of unfairness and exploitation in society. He condemns those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, such as the poor, widow
Ian Paisley The Inquisition by Ian Paisley Ian Paisley delivers a sermon reflecting on the horrors of the Inquisition, describing it as a system born out of prodigious iniquity and cruelty, incompatible with freedom and hum
John Gill The Character of a Ruler Over Men: Just, Ruling in the Fear of God; Found With Christ. by John Gill John Gill emphasizes the essential qualities of a ruler over men, highlighting the need for justice and the fear of God in leadership. He explains that rulers should treat their su
Harriet N. Cook The Bear by Harriet N. Cook Harriet N. Cook emphasizes the importance of kindness and compassion, drawing parallels between the behavior of bears and human interactions. She highlights the sacrificial love of
George Fox Epistle 367 by George Fox George Fox emphasizes the necessity of living a life of righteousness and holiness, as it is essential for seeing God and maintaining peace within a community. He warns that unholi
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