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Daniel 4:7
ESV Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
NIV When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners came, I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it for me.
NASB Then the soothsayer priests, the sorcerers, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in and I related the dream to them, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.
CSB When the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.
NLT When all the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and fortune-tellers came in, I told them the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant.
KJV Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.

What does Daniel 4:7 mean?

In ancient Babylon, the king employed various occultists and advisors to whom he could refer on various subjects. In this verse, these men are listed as magicians and enchanters. Likewise, the king's culture believed that stars and planets guided men's fates, so astrologers were kept on hand. The men designated "Chaldeans" were part of this team: the Chaldean culture was so associated with fortune-telling and astrology that the terms were nearly interchangeable. When, in the past, Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream, these were the men to whom he looked for answers (Daniel 2:1–2). As a combined group, the first men to whom the king speaks are involved in exorcisms, spells, and reading stars.

After the last incident (Daniel 2:8–11), one would expect the king to simply ask for Daniel. Yet Nebuchadnezzar has summoned all his wise men (Daniel 4:6), implying some who were not available immediately. Daniel was given great responsibility (Daniel 2:48), so he likely would not have been waiting by the king's side for such an event. While waiting for his Hebrew captive, the king seems to have let the court spiritists attempt to solve his problem. None of these men could give an answer.

The book of Ecclesiastes makes clear the folly of searching for the meaning of life anywhere but in God. Every search that excludes God is labeled "vanity." The Preacher in Ecclesiastes speaks of the importance of remembering our Creator when we are young (Ecclesiastes 12:1–8). The conclusion the writer of Ecclesiastes draws is that it is best to fear God and obey Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13–14).
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