Daniel 2:8

Myles Coverdale Bible

Then the kynge answerde, sayenge: I perceaue off a treuth, that ye do but prologe ye tyme: for so moch as ye se, that the thinge is gone fro me.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
The king replied, “I know for certain you are trying to gain some time, because you see that my word is final.

Hebrew Names Version
The king answered, I know of a certainty that you would gain time, because you see the thing is gone from me.

King James Version
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

English Standard Version
The king answered and said, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is firm—

New American Standard Bible
The king replied, "I know for certain that you are trying to buy time, because you have perceived that the command from me is firm,

New Century Version
King Nebuchadnezzar answered, "I know you are trying to get more time, because you know that I meant what I said.

Amplified Bible
The king replied, "I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, because you have seen that my command [to you] is firm and irrevocable.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Then the King answered, and sayd, I knowe certeinly that ye would gaine the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
The king replied, "I know for certain that you are bargaining for time, inasmuch as you have seen that the command from me is firm,

Berean Standard Bible
The king replied, "I know for sure you are stalling for time, because you see that my word is final.

Contemporary English Version
The king replied, "You're just stalling for time,

Complete Jewish Bible
The king replied, "I see you're only trying to gain time, because you see that I've decided

Darby Translation
The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the word is gone forth from me;

Easy-to-Read Version
Then King Nebuchadnezzar answered, "I know that you are trying to get more time. You know that I meant what I said.

George Lamsa Translation
The king answered and said, Truly I know that what you want is time, because you see that my word is true.

Good News Translation
At that, the king exclaimed, "Just as I thought! You are trying to gain time, because you see that I have made up my mind

Lexham English Bible
The king answered and said, "Certainly I know that you are trying to gain time because you have seen that this matter is firmly decreed by me,

Literal Translation
The king answered and said, For I know that you buy time, that on account of all, you see the thing is certainly gone from me.

American Standard Version
The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

Bible in Basic English
The king made answer and said, I am certain that you are attempting to get more time, because you see that my decision is fixed;

JPS Old Testament (1917)
The king answered and said: 'I know of a truth that ye would gain time, inasmuch as ye see the thing is certain with me,

King James Version (1611)
The King answered, and said, I know of certeinty that ye would gaine the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then the king aunswered, saying: I perceaue of a trueth that ye would redeeme the time, for so much as ye see the thing is gone fro me.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the king answered and said, I verily know that ye are trying to gain time, because ye see that the thing has gone from me.

English Revised Version
The king answered and said, I know of a certain that ye would gain time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

World English Bible
The king answered, I know of a certainty that you would gain time, because you see the thing is gone from me.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
The kyng answeride, and seide, Certis Y woot, that ye ayenbien the tyme, and witen that the word is goen awei fro me.

Update Bible Version
The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that you would gain time, because you see the thing has gone from me.

Webster's Bible Translation
The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

New English Translation
The king replied, "I know for sure that you are attempting to gain time, because you see that my decision is firm.

New King James Version
The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm:

New Living Translation
The king replied, "I know what you are doing! You're stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say,

New Life Bible
The king said, "I am sure that you are trying to get more time, because you see that my word is sure.

New Revised Standard
The king answered, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see I have firmly decreed:

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
The king answered and said, Of a certainty, I know, that, time, ye, would gain, - merely because ye see that, unalterable, from me, is the word:

Douay-Rheims Bible
The king answered and said: I know for certain, that you seek to gain time, since you know that the thing is gone from me.

Revised Standard Version
The king answered, "I know with certainty that you are trying to gain time, because you see that the word from me is sure

Young's Literal Translation
The king hath answered and said, `Of a truth I know that time ye are gaining, because that ye have seen that the thing is gone from me,

THE MESSAGE
But the king said, "I know what you're up to—you're just playing for time. You know you're up a tree. You know that if you can't tell me my dream, you're doomed. I see right through you—you're going to cook up some fancy stories and confuse the issue until I change my mind. Nothing doing! First tell me the dream, then I'll know that you're on the up and up with the interpretation and not just blowing smoke in my eyes."

Contextual Overview

¹ In the secode yeare off the raigne of Nabuchodonosor, had Nabuchodonosor a dreame, where thorow his sprete was vexed, and his slepe brake from him. ² Then the kynge comaunded to call together all ye soythsayers, charmers, witches and Caldees, for to shewe the kynge his dreame. So they came, and stode before the kynge. ³ And the kynge sayde vnto them: I haue dreamed a dreame, & my sprete was so troubled therwith, yt I haue clene forgotten, what I dreamed. ⁴ Vpon this, the Caldees answered the kynge in the Syrians speach: O kynge, God saue thy life for euer. Shewe thy seruauntes the dreame, and we shal shewe the, what it meaneth. ⁵ The kynge gaue the Caldees their answere, ad sayde: It is gone fro me: Yf ye wil not make me vnderstonde the dreame with the interpretacion theroff, ye shal dye, and youre houses shal be prysed. ⁶ But yff ye tell me the dreame and the meanynge therof, ye shall haue off me giftes, rewardes and greate honoure: only, shewe me the dreame and the significacion of it. ⁷ They answered agayne, and sayde: the kynge must shewe his seruauntes the dreame, and so shal we declare, what it meaneth. ⁸ Then the kynge answerde, sayenge: I perceaue off a treuth, that ye do but prologe ye tyme: for so moch as ye se, that the thinge is gone fro me. ⁹ Therfore, yff ye wil not tell me the dreame, ye shal all haue one iudgment. But ye fayne and dyssemble with vayne wordes, which ye speake before me, to put off the tyme. Therfore tell me the dreame, ad so shall I knowe, yff ye can shewe me, what it meaneth. ¹⁰ Vpon this, the Caldees gaue answere before the kynge, and sayde: there is no man vpon earth, that can tell the thinge, which ye kynge speaketh of: Yee there is nether kynge prynce ner LORDE, that euer axed soch thinges at a soythsayer, charmer or Caldeer:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

gain: Chal, buy, Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:41 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 2:8
The LORDE God also planted a garde of pleasure in Eden, towarde ye east, and set man therin whom he had made.

Genesis 2:9
And the LORDE God caused to sprynge out of the earth all maner trees, pleasaut to loke vpo, and good to eate: and the tre of life in the myddest of the garden, and the tre of knowlege of good and euell.

Genesis 3:24
And he cast Adam out. And before the garden of Eden he set Cherubes, and a naked fyrie swerde, to kepe ye waye vnto the tre of life.

Genesis 4:16
So Cain wente out from ye face of the LORDE, and dwelt in the lande Nod, vpon the east syde of Eden.

Genesis 13:10
Then Lot lift vp his eyes, and behelde all the countre rounde aboute Iorda, that it was a plenteous countre of water. For before the LORDE destroyed Sodoma and Gomorra, it was rounde aboute Zoar, euen as the pleasaunt garden of the LORDE, and as the londe of Egipte.

2 Kings 19:12
Haue ye goddes of ye Heithen delyuered the, whom my father destroyed, as Gosan, Haran, Reseph, & the childre of Eden which were at Thalassar?

Isaiah 51:3
how the LORDE conforted Sio, and repayred all hir decaye: makinge hir deserte as a Paradise, and hir wildernesse as the garden of the LORDE. Myrth and ioye was there, thankesgeuynge and ye voyce of prayse.

Ezekiel 27:23
Haran, Chene and Eden, the marchauntes off Saba, Assiria and Chelmad, were all doers with ye

Ezekiel 28:13
Thou hast bene in ye pleasaut garde off God: thou art decte with all maner of precious stones: with Ruby, Topas, Christall, Iacyncte, Onyx, Iaspis, Saphir, Smaragde, Carbucle, & golde. Thy beuty & ye holes yt be in ye were set forth in the daye of yi creacion.

Ezekiel 31:16
I wil make the Heithen shake at the sounde of his fall, when I cast him downe to hell, with them yt descende in to the pytte. All the trees of Eden, wt all the chosen and best trees of Libanus, yee and all they that are planted vpon the waters, shal mourne with him also in the lower habitacios:

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The king answered and said, I know of certainty,.... I see plainly and clearly what you are at, and am fully assured you mean nothing, but that

ye would gain the time: or buy f, or redeem time, as in Ephesians 5:16, prolong time, put off the answer to longer time; spin out time, as people do in buying and selling; or have it in their possession and power when to answer; and so by gaining time, or being master of it, might hope something would turn up to their advantage, and extricate them out of their present difficulties:

because ye see the thing is gone from me; the dream he could not remember; or because the decree was certain which he had determined concerning them; Ephesians 5:16- :.

f די עדנא אנתון זבנין "quod tempus vos emitis", Pagninus, Munster; "ementes", Montanus; "vos tempus redimere", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time - Margin, “buy.” The Chaldee word זבנין zâb^enı̂yn (from זבן z^eban) means, to get for oneself, buy, gain, procure. Greek, ἐξαγοράζετε exagorazete - “that ye redeem time;” and so the Vulgate - quod tempus redimitis. The idea is, that they saw that they could not comply with his requisition, and that their asking him Daniel 2:7 to state the dream was only a pretext for delay, in the hope that in the interval some device might be hit on by them to appease him, or to avert his threatened indignation. It would be natural to suppose that they might hope that on reflection he would become more calm, and that, although they “might” not be able to recal the dream and explain it, yet it would be seen to be unreasonable to expect or demand it. The king seems to have supposed that some such thoughts were passing through their minds, and he charges on them such a project. The argument of the king seems to have been something like this: “They who can explain a dream correctly can as well tell what it is as what its interpretation is, for the one is as much the result of Divine influence as the other; and if men can hope for Divine help in the one case, why not in the other? As you cannot, therefore, recal the dream, it is plain that you cannot interpret it; and your only object in demanding to know it is, that you may ward off as long as possible the execution of the threatened sentence, and, if practicable, escape it altogether.” It is not improbable that what they said was more than the simple request recorded in Daniel 2:7. They would naturally enlarge on it, by attempting to show how unreasonable was the demand of the king in the case, and their arguments would give a fair pretext for what he here charges on them.

Because ye see the thing is gone from me - According to the interpretation proposed in Daniel 2:5, the “dream.” The meaning is, “You see that I have forgotten it. I have made a positive statement on that point. There can be no hope, therefore, that it can be recalled, and it is clear that your only object must be to gain time. Nothing can be gained by delay, and the matter may therefore be determined at once, and your conduct be construed as a confession that you cannot perform what is required, and the sentence proceed without delay.” This makes better sense, it seems to me, than to suppose that he means that a sentence had gone forth from him that if they could not recal and interpret it they should be put to death.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Daniel 2:8. That ye would gain the time — The king means either that they wished to prolong the time that he might recollect it, or get indifferent about it; or that they might invent something in the place of it; or make their escape to save their lives, after having packed up their valuables. See Daniel 2:9.