Daniel 2:13 — Word Study
WLCוְדָתָ֣א נֶפְקַ֔ת וְחַכִּֽימַיָּ֖א מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין וּבְע֛וֹ דָּנִיֵּ֥אל וְחַבְר֖וֹהִי לְהִתְקְטָלָֽה׃ פ
BSASo the decreedâth [law, royal edict] went outnᵉphaq that the wise menchakkîym [intelligent, knowledgeable ones] were to be executedqᵉṭal [slain, put to death] and men went to look forbᵉʻâʼ■ DanielDânîyêʼl [the prophet, God's judge] and his friendschăbar [companions] to execute themqᵉṭal [slay, kill]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְדָתָ֣א | and decree the | Conjunction, noun common both singular determined, particle |
| נֶפְקַ֔ת | it went out | Verb, Qal, perfect third person feminine singular |
| וְחַכִּֽימַיָּ֖א | and wise men the | Conjunction, particle |
| מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין | [were] about to be killed | Verb masculine plural |
| וּבְע֛וֹ | and they sought | Conjunction, verb qal perfect third person masculine plural |
| דָּנִיֵּ֥אל | Daniel | Noun proper masculine |
| וְחַבְר֖וֹהִי | and companions his | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| לְהִתְקְטָלָֽה׃ פ | to be killed | Preposition, verb common common |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| 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. |
| KJV | And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain. |
| ASV | So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain. |
| 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. |
| WEB | So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain. |
| 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. |
Where they part company is מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main clause with several subordinate phrases detailing the subjects and actions involved.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנְפַק
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Daniel 2:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The King's Decreegenerated
Daniel 2:13 describes a critical moment when a decree went out for the execution of the wise men of Babylon. This decree was a response to the king's fury over the inability of his wise men to interpret his dream. Daniel and his friends were sought out as part of this decree, highlighting the urgency and gravity of the situation.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 6:9–15 | Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. |
| 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. |
| 3 | Psalm 94:20 | Can a corrupt throne be Your ally— one devising mischief by decree? |
| 4 | Proverbs 28:15–17 | Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. |
| 5 | Isaiah 10:1 | Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין, mit.ka.te.Lingenerated
The word מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין (mit.ka.te.Lin) is a verb in the masculine plural form, indicating that the wise men were about to be killed. It is derived from the root קְטַל (qtal), which means 'to slay' or 'to kill.' This word emphasizes the violent intent behind the decree, as it directly relates to the fate awaiting the wise men.
The use of this verb in the context of a royal decree underscores the seriousness of the situation. The wise men were not merely facing a threat; they were in imminent danger of execution, which reflects the king's extreme measures in response to his anger.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses were to be executed, which aligns with the gravity of the situation.
Where translations differ, they do so primarily in rendering מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין. The ASV, KJV, and others choose slain, while the BBE and others opt for put to death, reflecting the same underlying meaning but differing in phrasing.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb נֶפְקַ֔ת (it went out) governs the entire sentence, establishing the main action of the decree being issued. The structure includes multiple clauses that detail the subjects and actions involved, particularly focusing on the fate of the wise men.
The sentence structure emphasizes the decree's impact, with the subject of the execution being the wise men and the action being sought against Daniel and his companions. The order of the words highlights the urgency and seriousness of the king's command.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the word used for the decree is καὶ (kai), which serves as a conjunction rather than a direct translation of the Hebrew term. This choice reflects a different syntactical approach in Greek, focusing on the connection between clauses rather than the specific legal terminology present in the Hebrew.
The Greek word for being killed is ἀποκτεῖναι (apokteīnai), which carries a similar connotation of execution, indicating a consistent understanding of the severity of the decree.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Daniel 2:13 explains that a decree was issued for the execution of the wise men because they could not interpret the king's dream. This led to a search for Daniel and his companions, who were also in danger of being killed.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The decree ordered the execution of all the wise men in Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, due to their failure to interpret the king's dream.
They were sought out because they were among the wise men, and the king's decree included them in the order for execution.
The king was furious with his wise men for their inability to interpret his dream, prompting him to issue the harsh decree.
This event sets the stage for Daniel's later interpretations of dreams and his rise to prominence in Babylon, showcasing his faith and wisdom.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does this decree reveal about the king's character and leadership style?
- How might Daniel's response to the decree reflect his faith and trust in God?
- In what ways can we see parallels between this story and situations of injustice today?
- What lessons can we learn about standing firm in faith during times of crisis?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Daniel 2:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd 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
Read John Gill on Daniel 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Daniel 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThis 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Daniel 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDaniel 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.
Read John Trapp on Daniel 2 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 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.
Read AdamClarke on Daniel 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13–16. 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.
Read Cambridge on Daniel 2 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleAnd 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,
Read Albert Barnes on Daniel 2 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible10-13. 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
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Daniel 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
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.
So the decree went out, and the wise men were to be slain. They sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
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.
So a decree went out, and the wise men were about to be executed. They also sought Daniel and his friends so that they could be executed.
Tyndale line
And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
And when sentence was giuen, the wise men were slayne: and they sought Daniel and his fellowes to be put to death.
Strictly literal
And the decree went forth that the wise men were to be slain; and they sought Daniel and his companions to slay them.
And the sentence hath gone forth, and the wise men are being slain, and they have sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
And the sentence has gone forth, and the wise men are being slain, and they have sought Daniel and his companions to be slain.
And the law went forth and [some of] the wise men were slain: and they sought Daniel and his companions to slay them.
So the decree went out that all those who were known for their wisdom were to be put to death. Because of this decree, they searched for Daniel and his friends so they could be put to death.
From the Latin
And the decree being gone forth, the wise men were slain: and Daniel and his companions were sought for, to be put to death.
Simplified
The decree was issued. The wise men were about to be executed, and the king's men went looking for Daniel and his friends.
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.
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states that a decree was issued for the wise men to be executed, and that men went to find Daniel and his friends for execution. The Septuagint, while it matches five of the eight words from the Masoretic Text, presents a different word order and structure, which indicates a divergence in how the message is conveyed. The specific details of the decree and the execution of Daniel and his friends are consistent between the two texts, but the Septuagint's wording reflects its own interpretive style rather than a direct correspondence.
וְדָתָ֣א נֶפְקַ֔ת וְחַכִּֽימַיָּ֖א מִֽתְקַטְּלִ֑ין וּבְע֛וֹ דָּנִיֵּ֥אל וְחַבְר֖וֹהִי לְהִתְקְטָלָֽה׃ פ
5 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Daniel 2:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דָּת (dath) is an Aramaic word meaning 'decree' or 'law.' It encompasses various types of laws, including those decreed by a king and divine laws. The entries consistently emphasize its legal connotations without significant disagreement.
דָּת n.f. decree, law
base
H1882 דָּת
1882 dath dawth
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1881; decree, law.
see HEBREW for 01881
דָּת (dat) — law.
1) decree, law
1a) a decree (of the king)
1b) law
1c) law (of God)
Adj | N-fs | Art — Conjunction · noun common both singular determined · particleAC/Ncbsd/Ta
נְפַק (nephaq) is a Hebrew verb meaning to go or come out, with a causative sense of bringing forth. It covers actions of issuing or going forth, as seen in various forms such as P'al and Aphel. The entries indicate its use in both a general and causative context, but do not specify particular verses.
נְפַק vb. go, or come, out, forth
Pe. he went out
Haph. bring forth
base
H5312 נְפַק
5312 nphaq nef-ak'
(Aramaic) a primitive root; to issue; causatively, to bring
out:--come (go, take) forth (out).
נְפַק (ne.phaq) — to go out.
1) to go or come out, bring or come forth
1a) (P'al) to go out or forth
1b) (Aphel) to bring forth
Adj — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singularAVqp3fs
חַכִּים (chakkiym) means 'wise' and refers to a wise man or a Magian. It is derived from a root associated with wisdom, specifically noted in Strong's H2449. The term appears in contexts that emphasize wisdom.
[חַכִּים] 14 n.m. wise man
base
H2445 חַכִּים
2445 chakkiym khak-keem'
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 2449; wise, i.e. a
Magian:--wise.
see HEBREW for 02449
חַכִּים (chak.kim) — wise.
wise man, wise
Adj | N-mp | Art — Conjunction · particleAC/Aampd/Ta
קְטַל (qtal) primarily means 'to slay' or 'to kill.' It appears in various forms, indicating actions like being slain or slaying in different grammatical aspects. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to death and violence, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[קְטַל] vb. slay
Pe.
Pe‛îl be slain
Pa. slay
Hithpe. be slain
base
H6992 קְטַל
6992 qtal ket-al'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6991; to kill:--slay.
see HEBREW for 06991
קְטַל (qe.tal) — to slay.
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
Adj — Verb masculine pluralAVMrmpa
בְּעָא (b`a') is an Aramaic verb meaning to ask, seek, or request. It covers a range of actions including making a petition or praying. This word appears only in the book of Daniel, where it is used in contexts related to seeking favor or making requests.
בְּעָא vb. ask, seek, only Dn
Pe.
ask, request
seek
Pa. resort (for favours)
base
H1156 בְּעָא
1156 b`a' beh-aw'
(Aramaic) or b ah (Aramaic) {beh-aw'}; corresponding to 1158;
to seek or ask:--ask, desire, make (petition), pray, request,
seek.
see HEBREW for 01158
בְּעָא (be.a) — to ask.
1) to ask, seek, request, desire, pray, make petition
1a) (P'al)
1a1) to ask, request
1a2) to seek (for favour)
Adj | V-Qal-Perf-3mp — Conjunction · verb qal perfect third person masculine pluralAC/Vqp3mp
דָּנִיֵּאל (Daniye'l) refers to the biblical figure Daniel, a prophet known for his interpretations of dreams during the Babylonian exile. His name means 'God is my judge.' Daniel is recognized as the fourth of the major prophets and is also called Belteshazzar. He is first mentioned in Ezra 8:2 and noted for his holiness, as acknowledged by Ezekiel.
דָּנִיֵּאל n.pr.m. Daniel (BH id.)
base
H1841 דָּנִיֵּאל
1841 Daniye'l daw-nee-yale'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 1840; Danijel, the Heb.
prophet:--Daniel.
see HEBREW for 01840
דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל (da.niy.yel) — Daniel.
A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.8.2
§ 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)
דָּנִיֵּאל, דָּנִאֵל (da.niy.yel) — Daniel.
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;
Adj — Noun proper masculineANpm
dan'-yel (daniye'l, dani'-el, "God is my judge"; Daniel):
(1) One of the sons of David (1Ch 3:1).
(2) A Levite of the family of Ithamar (Ezr 8:2; Ne 10:6).
(3) A prophet of the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, the hero and author of the Book of Daniel.
1. Early Life:
We know nothing of the early life of Daniel, except what is recorded in the book bearing his name. Here it is said that he was one of the youths of royal or noble seed, who were carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. These youths were without blemish, well-favored, skillful in all wisdom, endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king's palace. The king commanded to teach them the…
Daniel
God is my judge, or judge of God. (1.) David’s second son, “born unto him in Hebron, of Abigail the Carmelitess” (1 Chr. 3:1). He is called also Chileab (2 Sam. 3:3).
(2.) One of the four great prophets, although he is not once spoken of in the Old Testament as a prophet. His life and prophecies are recorded in the Book of Daniel. He was descended from one of the noble families of Judah (Dan. 1:3), and was probably born in Jerusalem about B.C. 623, during the reign of Josiah. At the first deportation of the Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (the kingdom of Israel had come to an end nearly a century before), or immediately after his victory over the Egyptians at the second battle of Carchemish, in the fourth year of the reign of…
(judgment of God). The second son of David, by Abigail the Carmelitess. (1 Chronicles 3:1) In (2 Samuel 3:3) he is called Chileab. (B.C. about 1051.) The fourth of ’the greater prophets." Nothing is known of his parentage or family. He appears, however, to have been of royal or noble descent, (Daniel 1:3) and to have possessed considerable personal endowments. (Daniel 1:4) He was taken to Babylon in "the third year of Jehoiakim" (B.C. 604), and trained for the king’s service. He was divinely supported in his resolve to abstain from the "king’s meat" for fear of defilement. (Daniel 1:8-16) At the close of his three years…
1. Called Belteshazzar by the Chaldeans, a prophet descended from the royal family of David, who was carried captive to Babylon, when very young, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim king of Judah, B. C. 606. He was chosen, with his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to reside at Nebuchadnezzar’s court, where he received a suitable education, and made great progress in all the sciences of the Chaldeans, but declined to pollute himself by eating provisions from the king’s table, which would often be ceremonially unclean to a Jew, or defiled by some connection with idol-worship. At the end of their three years’ education, Daniel and his companions excelled all others, and received honorable appointments in the royal service. Here Daniel soon displayed his prophetic gifts in interpreting a dream of Nebuchadnezzar, by whom he was made governor of Babylon, and head of the learned…
חֲבַר (chabar) means 'fellow' or 'companion' and is derived from a root related to another word for 'associate.' It covers meanings related to companionship and camaraderie. The term appears in an Aramaic context, indicating its use in social relationships.
[חֲבַר] n.m. fellow, comrade
base
H2269 חֲבַר
2269 chabar khab-ar'
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to 2266; an
associate:--companion, fellow.
see HEBREW for 02266
חֲבַר (cha.var) — fellow.
associate, companion, friend, comrade, fellow
Aramaic of cha.ver (חָבֵר "companion" H2270)
Adj | N-mp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixAC/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
קְטַל (qtal) primarily means 'to slay' or 'to kill.' It appears in various forms, indicating actions like being slain or slaying in different grammatical aspects. The entries consistently emphasize its connection to death and violence, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[קְטַל] vb. slay
Pe.
Pe‛îl be slain
Pa. slay
Hithpe. be slain
base
H6992 קְטַל
6992 qtal ket-al'
(Aramaic) corresponding to 6991; to kill:--slay.
see HEBREW for 06991
קְטַל (qe.tal) — to slay.
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
Adj | V-M-Inf-a — Preposition · verb common commonAR/Vucc