Page 61 - Daniel

Esther 6, which started the chain of events leading to Haman’s execution
and Israel’s deliverance. Nebuchadnezzar’s experience was obviously
orchestrated by God.

ALL THE WISE MEN SUMMONED (2:2–3)

2:2–3 Then the king commanded that the magicians, the enchanters,
the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his
dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said
to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is troubled to know the
dream.”

Because of the king’s agitation, he immediately summoned all four

classifications of wise men here described as “the magicians, the
enchanters, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans.” Numerous similar listings
occur throughout Daniel (1:20; 2:10, 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15). “Wise men,”
apparently a general description of all of them, are referred to frequently
(2:12, 13, 14, 18, 24, 48; 4:6, 18; 5:7, 8), and the “Chaldeans” are

mentioned elsewhere also (1:4; 2:4; 3:8; 5:11). Goldingay notes that the
words seemed to be used interchangeably. 4
“Magicians” is the translation of a Hebrew word with the root
meaning of “stylus” or a “pen,” and hence could refer to a scholar rather

than a magician in the ordinary sense. “Enchanters” refers to the power
5
of necromancy or communication with the dead, but can also be
6
7
understood as “astrologers.” This translation suggests the study of the
stars to predict the future. “Sorcerers” are those who practice sorcery or
incantations.

The most significant term, however, is “Chaldeans.” This is usually
interpreted as a reference to a group of astrologers. But the name
designates a people who lived in Southern Babylonia (cf. Gen. 11:28)
who eventually conquered the Assyrians when Nabopolassar, father of

Nebuchadnezzar, was their king. It would be only natural for the
conquerors to assert themselves at the level of wise men, and there is no
justification for seizing on this reference to Chaldeans as an inaccuracy. 8
The obvious purpose of the summoning of all four classes of wise men is
that the king hoped, through their various contributions, to be able to