The Meaning of Daniel 2:36 Explained

Daniel 2:36

KJV: This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

YLT: This is the dream, and its interpretation we do tell before the king.

Darby: This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation of it before the king.

ASV: This is the dream; and we will tell the interpretation thereof before the king.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

This  [is] the dream;  and we will tell  the interpretation  thereof before  the king. 

What does Daniel 2:36 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Daniel carefully distinguished the dream ( Daniel 2:31-35) from its interpretation ( Daniel 2:36-45) for the sake of clarity. His reference to "we" telling the interpretation is probably an editorial plural. This form of speech allowed Daniel to present himself humbly to the king and at the same time remind him that God had given the dream and its interpretation (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:6).

Context Summary

Daniel 2:36-49 - God's Kingdom Triumphant
Our Lord probably refers to these five empires when He speaks of "the times of the Gentiles." The empire of Babylon was followed by that of Medo-Persia under Cyrus; that by Greece under Alexander the Great; and that in turn by Rome led by the Caesars. Since the dissolution of the Roman Empire, the vast dominions of the East and the West have fallen, generally speaking, into some ten main divisions. There is, therefore, now nothing between us and the final setting up of the kingdom that is not made by human hands and shall never be destroyed. Note the striking anticipation of the outcome of Gentile dominion, in the prostration of supreme human power at the feet of a Jew. Evidently Daniel refused the king's homage, because we are told that Nebuchadnezzar "answered" him. Those who have shared our anxieties and prayers must not be forgotten in our hour of triumph, Daniel 2:49. The heart of man may not be able to recall its forgotten dreams of innocence and truth, but it will recognize them when presented by the servant of God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 2

1  Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream,
5  requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats
10  They acknowledging their inability are judged to die
14  Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream
19  He blesses God
24  He staying the decree is brought to the king
31  The dream
36  The interpretation
46  Daniel's advancement

What do the individual words in Daniel 2:36 mean?

This [is] dream the and the interpretation of it we will tell before king the
דְּנָ֣ה חֶלְמָ֔א וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ נֵאמַ֥ר קֳדָם־ מַלְכָּֽא

דְּנָ֣ה  This  [is] 
Parse: Pronoun, masculine singular
Root: דְּנָה  
Sense: this, on account of this adv.
חֶלְמָ֔א  dream  the 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular determinate
Root: חֵלֶם  
Sense: dream.
וּפִשְׁרֵ֖הּ  and  the  interpretation  of  it 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: פְּשַׁר  
Sense: interpretation (of dream).
נֵאמַ֥ר  we  will  tell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common plural
Root: אֲמַר  
Sense: (P’al) to say, to speak, to command, to tell, to relate.
קֳדָם־  before 
Parse: Preposition
Root: קֳדָם  
Sense: before, in front of.
מַלְכָּֽא  king  the 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular determinate
Root: מֶלֶךְ  
Sense: king.

What are the major concepts related to Daniel 2:36?

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