DAN 2:30 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) As for me, this mystery was revealed to me, not because I’m wiser than anyone else, but so that the interpretation could be revealed to the king, and so that you can understand what you saw in your mind.

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT As for me, this mystery was revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and so that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

UST And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else on earth that I know the meaning of this mysterious dream. It is because God wanted you to understand what you were thinking.

OEB No OEB DAN book available

WEBBE But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET As for me, this mystery was revealed to me not because I possess more wisdom than any other living person, but so that the king may understand the interpretation and comprehend the thoughts of your mind.

LSV As for me—not for [any] wisdom that is in me above any living has this secret been revealed to me; but for the intent that the interpretation to the king they make known, and the thoughts of your heart you know.

FBV It's not because I have any more wisdom than anyone else that this mystery has been revealed to me, but to explain to Your Majesty what you were thinking about so you could understand.

T4T And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else on earth that I know the meaning of this mysterious dream. It is because God wanted you to understand what you were thinking.

LEB And as for me, it is not because of wisdom that is in me more than _⌊any other living person_⌋[fn] that this mystery is revealed to me, but _⌊in order that_⌋[fn] the explanation[fn] may be made known to the king and you will _⌊understand_⌋[fn] the thoughts of your _⌊mind_⌋.[fn]

2:30 Literally “all of living beings”

2:30 Literally “concerning the matter of”

2:30 Or “interpretation”

2:30 Literally “know”

2:30 Literally “heart”

BBE As for me, this secret is not made clear to me because of any wisdom which I have more than any living man, but in order that the sense of the dream may be made clear to the king, and that you may have knowledge of the thoughts of your heart.

Moff For myself, I have not had this mystery revealed to me on account of any wisdom that I possess, more than the rest of men, but simply in order that the meaning of the dream may be told to the king, and that you may understand what your thoughts meant.

JPS But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.

ASV But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.

DRA To me also this secret is revealed, not by any wisdom that I have more than all men alive: but that the interpretation might be made manifest to the king, and thou mightest know the thoughts of thy mind.

YLT As to me — not for [any] wisdom that is in me above any living hath this secret been revealed to me; but for the intent that the interpretation to the king they make known, and the thoughts of thy heart thou dost know.

Drby And as for me, this secret is revealed to me, not by [any] wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation should be made known to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.

RV But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.
(But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that thou/you mayest/may know the thoughts of thy/your heart. )

SLT And I not for wisdom that is in me more than all living is this secret revealed to me, but for the reason that they shall make known the interpretation to the king, and thou shalt know the thoughts of thy heart.

Wbstr But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mayest know the thoughts of thy heart.

KJB-1769 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.[fn]
(But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou/you mightest/might know the thoughts of thy/your heart. )

2.30 but for…: or, but for the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king

KJB-1611 But as for me, this secret is not reuealed to me, for any wisdome that I haue more then any liuing, but for their sakes that shall make knowen the interpretation to the King, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
(But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me, for any wisdom that I have more then any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the King, and that thou/you mightest/might know the thoughts of thy/your heart.)

Bshps As for me, this secrete is not shewed me for any wysdome that I haue more then any other liuing: but onely that I might shew the king the interpretation, and that thou mightest knowe the thoughtes of thyne owne heart.
(As for me, this secret is not showed me for any wisdom that I have more then any other living: but only that I might show the king the interpretation, and that thou/you mightest/might know the thoughts of thine/your own heart.)

Gnva As for me, this secret is not shewed mee for any wisedome that I haue, more then any other liuing, but onely to shewe the King the interpretation, and that thou mightest knowe the thoughts of thine heart.
(As for me, this secret is not showed me for any wisdom that I have, more then any other living, but only to show the King the interpretation, and that thou/you mightest/might know the thoughts of thine/your heart. )

Cvdl As for me, this secrete is not shewed me, for eny wi?dome that I haue, more then eny other lyuynge: but only that I might shewe the kynge the interpretacion, & that he might knowe the thoughtes off his owne herte.
(As for me, this secret is not showed me, for any wi?dome that I have, more then any other living: but only that I might show the king the interpretation, and that he might know the thoughts off his own heart.)

Wycl And this sacrament is schewid to me, not bi wisdom which is in me more than in alle lyuynge men, but that the interpretyng schulde be maad opyn to the kyng, and thou schuldist knowe the thouytis of thi soule.
(And this sacrament is showed to me, not by wisdom which is in me more than in all living men, but that the interpreting should be made open to the king, and thou/you shouldest/should know the thoughts of thy/your soul.)

Luth So ist mir solch verborgen Ding offenbaret, nicht durch meine Weisheit, als wäre sie größer denn aller, die da leben, sondern darum, daß dem Könige die Deutung angezeiget würde, und du deines Herzens Gedanken erführest.
(So is to_me such hidden/concealed thing revealed, not through my wise_(people), as were they/she/them bigger because/than all, the there life, rather therefore, that to_him king(s) the interpretation angezeiget would, and you(sg) your(s) heart mind/thoughts erführest.)

ClVg Mihi quoque non in sapientia, quæ est in me plus quam in cunctis viventibus, sacramentum hoc revelatum est: sed ut interpretatio regi manifesta fieret, et cogitationes mentis tuæ scires.
(Mihi too not/no in/into/on wisdom, which it_is in/into/on me plus how in/into/on to_all to_the_living, sacrament this revelatum it_is: but as interpretation to_rule obvious would_be_done, and thoughts of_the_mind yours to_knows. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 2:1–49: Daniel explained the king’s dream

These Notes interpret Daniel 2:1–49 as a complete narrative unit. However, in some languages it may be helpful to divide this chapter into more than one section and to give each section a separate heading. For example:

The BSB has four sections.
1. Nebuchadnezzar’s Troubling Dream (2:1–13)
2. The Dream Revealed to Daniel (2:14–23)
3. Daniel Interprets the Dream (2:24–45)
4. Nebuchadnezzar Promotes Daniel (2:46–49)
The GNT has three sections:

(a) Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:1–13)

(b) God shows Daniel what the dream means (2:14–23)

This section tells how Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing dream. He asked his advisers to tell him what he had dreamed and its meaning. They were unable to do so, and the king threatened them with death. But God revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel. Daniel then told the king what he had dreamed and what it meant. The king honored Daniel and Daniel’s God.

The climax of this narrative occurs in 2:47. There the king declared that the God whom Daniel worshiped was the greatest of all gods.

Special Translation Problems:

1. Lists: The author of the book of Daniel liked to use lists (2:2, 10). However, the author did not intend for these lists to be complete or exact. The lists usually provide examples of the types of people or things that belong in a certain group or category. The Notes will suggest options on how to translate these lists.

2. Synonyms: The text often uses different terms for similar ideas. For example, there are several verbs that mean “to reveal” or “to make known.” There are three different Aramaic verbs in 2:40 that mean “crush, break to pieces.” In some languages it may be difficult or confusing to use several different words for similar ideas. The Notes will suggest how you might translate these similar words and terms.

3. Poetry: You will need to think carefully about how you will translate the poetic section in this chapter (2:20–23). Authors of Hebrew poetry usually wrote using matching pairs of lines. The relationship between these parallel lines differs. Sometimes the second line repeats the information in the first line using different words. Sometimes the second line contrasts with the first line. Hebrew poetry also has word plays, figurative speech, and alliteration. It may not always be easy to translate these literary features into your language. The Notes will suggest ways of translating the different features of Hebrew poetry. For more information about how to translate Hebrew poetry, see the Bible Translation Handbook of the Psalms. The poetry in 2:20–23 is a song of praise or thanksgiving. If your language has a special poetic form that fits this song, you can use it here.

4. Ambiguity: In the section where Daniel interpreted the last part of the king’s dream, there are a number of ambiguous references. For example, in 2:44a Daniel referred to “those kings” without identifying who those kings were. In 2:44b Daniel spoke of “all these kingdoms.” The ambiguity may be deliberate, since the dream itself is a mystery. It will be important not to over-interpret these passages by assuming a particular historical context. The Notes will suggest several options for how to translate these verses.

5. Repetition: Daniel interpreted the meaning of the first three kingdoms in a very brief way. He used many more words to describe the fourth kingdom (2:36–45). In this section he also repeated much of what was described before. In this way, Daniel emphasized the fourth kingdom as the most important. Some of the repetition in this section emphasizes specific ideas. Sometimes the repetition has another function. You will need to evaluate if this kind of repetition is natural in your language. If not, you will need to find another way to emphasize these ideas.

Paragraph 2:29–2:30

Daniel 2:29–30 repeats much of the information that was in 2:27–28. The repetition emphasizes one of the main themes of this narrative: Only God can reveal the events that will happen in the future.

2:30a

And to me this mystery has been revealed,

The reason why I have come to know this mystery
And he has shown me this mystery

And to me: In Aramaic this verse part connects with the previous verse part with a common conjunction that the BSB translates as And. Most English versions translate it as “But.” A few versions do not explicitly translate it. Connect this verse part to the previous verse part in a way that is natural in your language.

In the Aramaic text, the pronoun me comes at the start of this sentence. It indicates a contrast. Daniel is contrasting the way that God is the “Revealer of Mysteries” (2:29b) with the way that he himself does not have “more wisdom than any man alive” (2:30b). Another way to translate this phrase is:

But as for me (ESV)

Some translations do not translate this phrase, since the contrast is implied by the context. Introduce the contrast in a way that is natural in your language.

this mystery has been revealed: This is a passive clause. If it is more natural to use an active clause in your language you may supply the implied subject (God). For example:

God has allowed me to understand this mystery

God also told this secret to me… (NCV)

mystery: See the Notes at 2:18a. The mystery was something that only God could reveal. Be careful not to use a word that is related to local pagan religions.

2:30b

not because I have more wisdom than any man alive,

is not because I am wiser than everyone else,
not on account of my unique wisdom

not because I have more wisdom than any man alive: This clause indicates what was not the cause of the previous verse part. It was not because Daniel was wiser than anyone else that he was able to understand the mystery. Other ways to translate this include:

not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living (RSV)

not because I possess more wisdom than any other living person (NET)

I have more wisdom: To have…wisdom means to be wise. The Aramaic phrase is more literally “the wisdom that is in me.” In some languages, wisdom is not something that is “in” a person or that can be had/possessed by a person. It may be more natural to translate this idea using an adjective. For example:

I am wiser (NLT)

I am smarter (CEV)

I am very wise compared to everyone else

than any man alive: The phrase any man alive here refers to any other human being alive at that time. There is no implied contrast to dead human beings. Other ways to translate this include:

more than any other living being (NRSV)

than anyone else (GNT)

General Comment on 2:30a–b

In some languages it may be natural to have the negative verb in 2:30a. For example:

these mysteries weren’t explained to me because I am smarter than anyone else (CEV)

This secret wasn’t revealed to me because I’m wiser than anyone else. (GW)

In other languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 2:30a–b. For example:

^30bAnd it is not because I am wiser than anyone else ^30athat I know the secret of your dream (NLT)

2:30c

but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king,

but because God wants/intends you^(sing) to learn what your dream means
but in order that you^(sing) may understand the meaning/interpretation

but: The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as but here introduces a clause that contrasts with 2:30b. It tells the real reason why God revealed the dream to Daniel. God’s intention was to inform the king about future events.

in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king: This is a purpose clause. The Aramaic connector that the BSB translates as in order that introduces the purpose for which God revealed the dream to Daniel. God’s purpose was the reason why the dream was revealed to Daniel. Other ways to translate this include:

so that (NIV)

for this sole purpose (NJB)

but because God wants you to understand (NLT)

the interpretation might be made known to the king: In the Aramaic this is literally “that they might cause the king to know.” It is an indefinite plural pronoun and refers ultimately to the work of God. There are at least two ways to translate this:

As a passive clause. For example:
the interpretation may be made known to the king (RSV)
As an active clause. For example:
but in order that the king might understand the dream
so that you may know what it means (NCV)
so that Your Majesty may learn the meaning of your dream (GNT)

2:30d

and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

and understand what you^(sing) were thinking about.
of what you^(sing) dreamed.

and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind: Here the phrase and that introduces God’s second purpose in revealing the dream to Daniel.

may understand: The Aramaic verb that the BSB translates as may understand here means “may come to know,” that is, “may learn.” It refers to something that the king did not know and was about to learn from Daniel.

the thoughts of your mind: The Aramaic expression that the BSB translates as the thoughts of your mind is more literally “the thoughts of your heart” (as in the KJV). In the Aramaic language and culture, people considered the heart as the center of thinking. In some languages it may not be necessary to mention the mind or heart. For example:

your innermost thoughts (GW)

what you were thinking about (NLT)

what worries you

General Comment on 2:30a–d

In 2:30 Daniel denied that his own wisdom caused him to understand the dream. He stated that the cause of his understanding was God’s purpose to inform the king of the future. In some languages it may be natural to reorder 2:30a–d and put the positive statement before the negative. For example:

This mystery has been revealed to me so that Your Majesty may learn the interpretation of your dream. It was not revealed because I am wiser than everyone else!

General Comment on 2:30c–d

God’s two purposes in revealing the dream are similar and some versions combine them. For example:

it was done so that you might understand what you have seen (CEV)

but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart (NLT)

Parallel DAN 2:30