“No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about?”
The full verse · Daniel 2:27 · KJV
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Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThe question arose during a crisis when Nebuchadnezzar demanded his wise men interpret his dream, testing their wisdom and power. The king’s challenge exposed the limitations of human knowledge and sought to identify the true source of wisdom. Daniel’s response aimed to honor God as the ultimate revealer (Daniel 2:2-3, 11-12).
The Response
What Scripture recordsDaniel responded to King Nebuchadnezzar, explaining that no human wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner could reveal the king’s dream. Instead, Daniel declared that God in heaven reveals mysteries to His servants (Daniel 2:27-28), highlighting divine revelation over human wisdom.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyWiersbe emphasizes that Daniel’s answer exposes the futility of pagan wisdom and highlights God’s sovereign control over history and revelation. He notes the king’s frustration and Daniel’s faith in God’s ability to disclose mysteries. Matthew Henry points out the humility in Daniel’s response, acknowledging human limitations and God’s exclusive right to reveal secrets. Both agree that the passage teaches reliance on God rather than human wisdom. This narrative shows God’s faithful servants standing firm in truth amid opposition, encouraging believers to trust God’s wisdom in uncertain times (Daniel 2:27-28; Proverbs 3:5-6).
Believers today should trust God for wisdom rather than rely on human insight or occult practices (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6). Like Daniel, Christians are encouraged to seek God’s guidance in challenging circumstances and reject worldly methods that contradict biblical truth. This passage warns against reliance on false wisdom and encourages prayerful dependence on divine revelation (Colossians 2:2-3).
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Why is the decree so hasty from the king?”
“There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer?”
“Let the dream apply to your enemies and its meaning to your adversaries?”
“The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, Art thou able to make known unto me the dream which I have seen, and the interpretation thereof?”