For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

DANIEL 2:12KJV
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Daniel 2:12 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:12 mean?

Daniel 2:12 describes how King Nebuchadnezzar became extremely angry and ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be put to death. The king’s fury was a direct response to his advisors’ inability to tell him his dream and its meaning.

In this scene, Nebuchadnezzar is speaking as the ruler of Babylon, reacting to the failure of his wise men to meet his impossible demand. The verse highlights the seriousness of the king’s anger and the danger faced by everyone considered a wise man in the royal court, setting up the urgent crisis that Daniel and his friends will soon face.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:12

  • "angry" (זְעֵף, ze‘ēph): This word means more than just irritation; it often carries the sense of deep agitation or rage, showing how intensely the king reacted.
  • "very" (שַׂגִּיא, saggi): This word adds emphasis, showing that the king’s anger was not mild but extremely strong.
  • "commanded" (אֲמַר, amar): This word is often used for royal decrees, underlining the authority and seriousness of Nebuchadnezzar’s order.
  • "destroy" (אֲבַד, ’avad): This word means to completely wipe out or exterminate, making clear that the king’s command was for total destruction, not just punishment.

Why Daniel 2:12 matters

  • Daniel 2:12 shows the high stakes for Daniel and his friends, explaining why their lives were in danger even though they had not yet spoken to the king.
  • The verse highlights Nebuchadnezzar’s absolute power and impulsive nature, which shapes the rest of the story and the challenges Daniel will face.
  • Understanding the king’s extreme reaction helps explain the urgency and seriousness of Daniel’s later actions to seek God’s help and intervene.

Where else these words appear

“destroy” Hebrew H7 · used in 6 verses

  • Jeremiah 10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
  • Daniel 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
  • Daniel 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

“very” Hebrew H7690 · used in 13 verses

  • Ezra 5:11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
  • Daniel 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
  • Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

“wise” Hebrew H2445 · used in 13 verses

  • Daniel 2:13 And the decree went forth that the wise men should be slain; and they sought Daniel and his fellows to be slain.
  • Daniel 2:24 Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.
  • Daniel 4:18 This dream I king Nebuchadnezzar have seen. Now thou, O Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation thereof, forasmuch as all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known unto me the interpretation: but thou art able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in thee.

“Babylon” Hebrew H895 · used in 21 verses

  • Ezra 5:12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
  • Ezra 7:16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:
  • Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.