Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, July 27th, 2025
the Week of Proper 12 / Ordinary 17
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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Daniel 4:7

When the men of magic and the Chaldeans came, I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Astrology;   Chaldeans;   Converts;   Heathen;   Magician;   Testimony;   Wicked (People);   Thompson Chain Reference - Chaldeans;   Magic;   Magicians;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Divination;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Chaldea;   Dream;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Astrologer;   Azariah;   Daniel, Book of;   Magi;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Baltasar;   Medicine;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Magi ;   Soothsaying;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Astrologer;   Divination;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Magi;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Babylonish Captivity, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Chaldea;   Dream;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Heart;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for January 23;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
When the magicians, mediums, Chaldeans, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.
Hebrew Names Version
Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Kasdim, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation of it.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
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.
New American Standard Bible
"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.
New Century Version
The fortune-tellers, magicians, and wise men came, and I told them about the dream. But they could not tell me what it meant.
Amplified Bible
"Then the magicians, the enchanters (Magi), the Chaldeans [who were the master astrologers] and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not interpret it and make known its meaning to me.
Geneva Bible (1587)
So came the inchanters, the astrologians, the Caldeans and the sothsayers, to whom I tolde the dreame, but they could not shew me the interpretation thereof,
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Then the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans and the diviners came in and I related the dream to them, but they could not make its interpretation known to me.
Berean Standard Bible
When the magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and diviners came in, I told them the dream, and they could not interpret it for me.
Contemporary English Version
After they arrived, I told them my dream, but they were not able to say what it meant.
Complete Jewish Bible
Here are the visions I had in my head as I lay on my bed: I looked, and there before me was a tree at the center of the earth; it was very tall.
Darby Translation
Then came in the scribes, the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation of it.
George Lamsa Translation
Then came in before me the magicians, the astrologers, the soothsayers, and the Chaldeans; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation thereof;
Good News Translation
Then all the fortunetellers, magicians, wizards, and astrologers were brought in, and I told them my dream, but they could not explain it to me.
Lexham English Bible
Then the magicians, the conjurers, the astrologers and the diviners came in and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its explanation.
Literal Translation
Then the magicians, the conjurers, the Chaldeans, and the star-gazing ones came in. And I told the dream before them, but they did not make its meaning known to me.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
So there came the soythsayers, charmers, Caldees and coniurers of deuels: to whom I tolde the dreame, but what it betokened, they coude not shewe me:
American Standard Version
Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
Bible in Basic English
Then the wonder-workers, the users of secret arts, the Chaldaeans, and the readers of signs came in to me: and I put the dream before them but they did not make clear the sense of it to me.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
King James Version (1611)
Then came in the Magicians, the Astrologers, the Caldeans, and the Southsayers: and I tolde the dreame before them; but they did not make knowen vnto mee the interpretation thereof.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
So came the wyse men, the soothsayers, the Chaldeans, and wisardes: to whom I tolde the dreame, but they coulde not shewe me the interpretation therof.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
I had a vision upon my bed; and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and its height was great.
English Revised Version
Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the interpretation thereof.
World English Bible
Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation of it.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Than false dyuynours, astronomyens, Caldeis, and biholderis of auteris entriden; and Y telde the dreem in the siyt of hem, and thei schewiden not to me the soilyng therof, til the felowe in office,
Update Bible Version
Then the sacred scholars, the psychics, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation thereof.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the sooth-sayers: and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation of it.
New English Translation
When the magicians, astrologers, wise men, and diviners entered, I recounted the dream for them. But they were unable to make known its interpretation to me.
New King James Version
Then the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they did not make known to me its interpretation.
New Living Translation
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.
New Life Bible
Then the wonder-workers, those who learn from stars, and those who use their secret ways, came in. I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant.
New Revised Standard
Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the diviners came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not tell me its interpretation.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then came in the sacred scribes, the magicians, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers, - and, the dream, told I before them, but, the interpretation, could they not make known to me.
Douay-Rheims Bible
7 [4] [fn] Then came in the diviners, the wise men, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers, and I told the dream before them: but they did not shew me the interpretation thereof:
Revised Standard Version
Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chalde'ans, and the astrologers came in; and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
Young's Literal Translation
Then coming up are the scribes, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers, and the dream I have told before them, and its interpretation they are not making known to me.

Contextual Overview

4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at my palace. I was happy and successful. 5 I had a dream that made me afraid. I was lying on my bed, and I saw pictures and visions in my mind. These things made me very afraid. 6 So I gave an order that all the wise men of Babylon be brought to me to tell me what my dream meant. 7 When the men of magic and the Chaldeans came, I told them about the dream, but they could not tell me what it meant. 8 Finally, Daniel came to me. (I gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar to honor my god. The spirit of the holy gods is in him.) I told him about my dream. 9 I said, "Belteshazzar, you are the most important of all the men of magic. I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you. I know there is no secret that is too hard for you to understand. This was what I dreamed. Tell me what it means. 10 These are the visions I saw while I was lying in my bed: I looked, and there in front of me was a tree standing in the middle of the earth. The tree was very tall. 11 The tree grew large and strong. The top of the tree touched the sky. It could be seen from anywhere on earth. 12 The leaves of the tree were beautiful. It had much good fruit on it. And on the tree was plenty of food for everyone. The wild animals found shelter under the tree, and the birds lived in its branches. Every animal ate from the tree. 13 "I was looking at those things in the vision while lying on my bed. And then I saw a holy angel coming down from heaven.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Then came: Daniel 2:1, Daniel 2:2

but: Daniel 2:7, Isaiah 44:25, Jeremiah 27:9, Jeremiah 27:10, 2 Timothy 3:8, 2 Timothy 3:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:8 - the magicians of Egypt Genesis 41:24 - I told this Exodus 7:11 - wise men Exodus 8:18 - they could 1 Kings 4:30 - the children Esther 1:13 - the wise Isaiah 19:3 - and they Isaiah 41:28 - I beheld Isaiah 47:9 - for the multitude Daniel 1:20 - the magicians Daniel 2:4 - tell Daniel 4:18 - forasmuch Daniel 5:8 - but

Cross-References

Genesis 3:16
Then God said to the woman, "I will cause you to have much trouble when you are pregnant. And when you give birth to children, you will have much pain. You will want your husband very much, but he will rule over you."
Genesis 4:6
The Lord asked Cain, "Why are you angry? Why does your face look sad?
Genesis 4:8
Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." So they went to the field. Then Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9
Later, the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" Cain answered, "I don't know. Is it my job to watch over my brother?"
Genesis 4:10
Then the Lord said, "What have you done? You killed your brother and the ground opened up to take his blood from your hands. Now his blood is shouting to me from the ground. So you will be cursed from this ground.
Genesis 4:12
Now when you work the soil, the ground will not help your plants grow. You will not have a home in this land. You will wander from place to place."
Genesis 4:13
Then Cain said to the Lord , "This punishment is more than I can bear!
Genesis 19:21
The angel said to Lot, "Very well, I'll let you do that. I will not destroy that town.
Numbers 32:23
But if you don't do these things, you will be sinning against the Lord . And know for sure that you will be punished for your sin.
2 Samuel 24:23
O King, I give everything to you!" Araunah also said to the king, "May the Lord your God be pleased with you."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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; because they could not; before they pretended, if the dream was told, they could give the interpretation of it; but now, though it was told, they could not do it; which shows the vanity of their art, the falsehood of their pretensions, and that they were but jugglers and impostors.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then came in the magicians ... - All the words occurring here are found in Daniel 2:2, and are explained in the note at that verse, except the word rendered “soothsayers.” This occurs in Daniel 2:27. See it explained in the note at that verse. All these words refer to the same general class of persons - those who were regarded as endued with eminent wisdom; who were supposed to be qualified to explain remarkable occurrences, to foretell the future, and to declare the will of heaven from portents and wonders. At a time when there was yet a limited revelation; when the boundaries of science were not determined with accuracy; when it was not certain but that some way might be ascertained of lifting the mysterious veil from the future, and when it was an open question whether that might not be by dreams or by communication with departed spirits, or by some undisclosed secrets of nature, it was not unnatural that persons should be found who claimed that this knowledge was under their control. Such claimants to preternatural knowledge are found indeed in every age; and though a large portion of them are undoubted deceivers, yet the existence of such an order of persons should be regarded as merely the exponent of the deep and earnest desire existing in the human bosom to penetrate the mysterious future; to find something that shall disclose to man, all whose great interests lie in the future, what is yet to be. Compare the remarks at the close of Daniel 2:0.

And I told the dream before them ... - In their presence. In this instance he did not lay on them so hard a requisition as he did on a former occasion, when he required them not only to interpret the dream, but to tell him what it was, Daniel 2:0. But their pretended power here was equally vain. Whether they attempted an interpretation of this dream does not appear; but if they did, it was wholly unsatisfactory to the king himself. It would seem more probable that they supposed that the dream might have some reference to the proud monarch himself, and that, as it indicated some awful calamity, they did not dare to hazard a conjecture in regard to its meaning.


 
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