And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.

DANIEL 2:11KJV
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Daniel 2:11 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:11 mean?

Daniel 2:11 describes how the king’s advisors tell him that his request is impossible—no human can reveal what he wants, and only the gods, who do not live among people, could provide such an answer. The verse highlights the limits of human wisdom and the belief that divine knowledge is beyond ordinary reach.

In this scene, Babylon’s wise men are speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar after he demands they tell him both his dream and its meaning. They admit they cannot do what the king asks, saying it is a “rare thing” and only supernatural beings—who do not dwell with flesh—could reveal it. This sets the stage for Daniel to show that the God he serves is different from the distant gods the advisors describe.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:11

  • “rare” (יְקָר/yᵉqār): This word means something precious, difficult, or extraordinary. The advisors are emphasizing that the king’s demand is not just hard, but almost unheard of.
  • “gods” (אֱלָהִין/ʾĕlāhīn): The word used here refers to divine beings in general, not specifically the God of Israel. The advisors are speaking from their own worldview, where gods are distant and do not interact closely with humans.
  • “dwelling” (מְדֹורֵיהוֹן/mᵉdōrēhôn): This word means a place of residence or habitation. The advisors stress that the gods’ “dwelling” is not with “flesh” (בְּשַׂר/bᵉsar), meaning not among mortal people, highlighting the separation between the divine and human realms in their thinking.

Why Daniel 2:11 matters

  • Daniel 2:11 clarifies that the Babylonian wise men saw a clear boundary between human and divine knowledge, which makes Daniel’s later revelation stand out as miraculous.
  • The verse shows the desperation and limitations of human wisdom when faced with impossible demands, preparing the reader for God’s intervention.
  • This moment emphasizes the difference between the gods of Babylon—seen as distant—and the God Daniel serves, who reveals mysteries and is present with His people.

Where else these words appear

“rare” Hebrew H3358 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 4:10 And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

“flesh” Hebrew H1321 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 4:12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.
  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

“dwelling” Hebrew H4070 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
  • Daniel 4:32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
  • Daniel 5:21 And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.

“other” Hebrew H321 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
  • Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
  • Daniel 5:17 Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.