What does Daniel 2:5 mean?
As did most rulers in the ancient world, king Nebuchadnezzar held absolute and unlimited power. After being disturbed by a recurring dream (Daniel 2:1–4), the king demands his astrologers and magicians explain it. Not only does the king want to know what the dream means, but he also expects the advisors to tell him what the dream was about. This, it seems, was a way of testing their insight. If they couldn't divine the content of the dream, why think they could determine its meaning?Nebuchadnezzar's threat is extreme, but almost certainly literal. Babylonian rulers were known for their cruelty. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, his men slaughtered Zedekiah's sons while Zedekiah looked on. It was the last thing Zedekiah would see, because Nebuchadnezzar's men gouged out Zedekiah's eyes, chained him, and transported him to Babylon (2 Kings 25:7). The same king demonstrated a violent temper when three advisors refused to worship his idol (Daniel 3:19–20).
What follows is a series of attempted delays and excuses from the Babylonian occultists. Eventually, they will admit that only a real god could know what the king had dreamed (Daniel 2:10–11). This creates an opportunity for Daniel (Daniel 1:17–20) to prove that the God of Israel is the only true God (Daniel 2:27–35).
Daniel 2:1–16 builds on the introduction to Daniel and his three friends given in chapter 1. Babylon's king, Nebuchadnezzar, is deeply disturbed by a recurring dream. He insists that his pagan advisors tell him what the dream contained, to prove they have genuine insight. When the Babylonian counselors say that only a god could do that, the king plans to have every advisor in Babylon killed. Daniel, however, claims he can meet Nebuchadnezzar's challenge. The text switches from Hebrew to Aramaic in verse 4 and will not revert until chapter 8.
King Nebuchadnezzar tests his magicians, demanding they tell him what he has dreamed, rather than merely inventing an interpretation. When they fail, he prepares to execute the entire department of wise men. Daniel promises he can meet the king's request and is given a special vision from God. The king dreamed of a massive statue shattered into powder by a supernatural rock. Daniel accurately describes this and interprets it as a prophecy about kingdoms which would come after Babylon. The king appoints Daniel and his friends to positions of power and influence over Babylon.
