What does Daniel 2:12 Mean?

Context Summary

This was the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's sole reign. At first he was joint-governor with his father. From Daniel 2:4 b to Daniel 7:28 the Syriac language is employed, and as this was the vernacular tongue of the king and his court, it is possible that this part of Daniel's record is based upon documents of state. The king's argument throughout his discussion with the magicians and astrologers, was that if they could not recall the past, they certainly could not be trusted to foretell the future; and the failure of the wise-men provided the opportunity for the greater triumph of the servant of God. The wise-men of Babylon said truly that only the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh, could recover lost dreams. Daniel thought so, too, only he looked to the Lord God of his fathers. Irresponsible power is a temptation to the ruler, and perilous to the ruled. No mortal should have despotic power over life and death. But a movement is afoot in our times which is likely to give to all nations what Abraham Lincoln described as, "government of the people, by the people, and for the people." [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