New International Version When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. New Living Translation When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. English Standard Version Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. Berean Standard Bible When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel responded with discretion and tact. Berean Literal Bible Then Daniel responded with counsel and discretion to Arioch the captain of the guard of the king, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. King James Bible Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: New King James Version Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; New American Standard Bible Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; NASB 1995 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; NASB 1977 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; Legacy Standard Bible Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; Amplified Bible Then Daniel replied with discretion and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; Berean Annotated Bible When Arioch (lion-like), the commander of the king’s guard, went out to execute the wise men of Babylon (confusion by mixing), Daniel (God is my judge) responded with discretion and tact. Christian Standard Bible Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Daniel responded with tact and discretion to Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. American Standard Version Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; Contemporary English Version Arioch was the king's official in charge of putting the wise men to death. He was on his way to have it done, when Daniel very wisely went to him English Revised Version Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; GOD'S WORD® Translation While Arioch, the captain of the royal guard, was leaving to kill the wise advisers in Babylon, Daniel spoke to him using shrewd judgment. Good News Translation Then Daniel went to Arioch, commander of the king's bodyguard, who had been ordered to carry out the execution. Choosing his words carefully, International Standard Version Daniel responded with wisdom and discretion to Arioch, the king's executioner, who had gone out to execute the advisors of Babylon. NET Bible Then Daniel spoke with prudent counsel to Arioch, who was in charge of the king's executioners and who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon. New Heart English Bible Then Daniel returned an answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; Webster's Bible Translation Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel responded with discretion and tact. World English Bible Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThen Daniel has replied [with] counsel and discretion to Arioch chief of the executioners of the king, who has gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon. Berean Literal Bible Then Daniel responded with counsel and discretion to Arioch the captain of the guard of the king, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. Young's Literal Translation Then Daniel hath replied with counsel and discretion to Arioch chief of the executioners of the king, who hath gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon. Smith's Literal Translation At that time Daniel turned back counsel and reason to Arioch, leader of the king's executioners, that went forth to kill to the wise of Babel: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Daniel inquired concerning the law and the sentence, of Arioch the general of the king's army, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon. Catholic Public Domain Version Then Daniel inquired, about the law and the sentence, of Arioch, the general of the king’s army, who had gone forth to execute the wise men of Babylon. New American Bible Then Daniel prudently took counsel with Arioch, the chief of the king’s guard, who had set out to kill the wise men of Babylon. New Revised Standard Version Then Daniel responded with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the king’s chief executioner, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Daniel meditated and took counsel, and then said to Arioch the commander of the king's guardsmen, who had gone out to slay the wise men of Babylon, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Then Daniel contemplated and he took counsel and said to Ariuk, the High Guard of the King, he who went out to kill the Wise Men of Babel: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Daniel returned answer with counsel and discretion to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, who was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon; Brenton Septuagint Translation Then Daniel answered with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the royal guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon; saying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Dream Revealed to Daniel14When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Daniel replied with discretion and tact. 15“Why is the decree from the king so harsh?” he asked. At this time Arioch explained the situation to Daniel.… Cross References When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, 2 Kings 25:8 On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. Jeremiah 39:9 Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him. Genesis 39:1 Meanwhile, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt, where an Egyptian named Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Jeremiah 50:35 A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD, against those who live in Babylon, and against her officials and wise men. Jeremiah 51:57 I will make her princes and wise men drunk, along with her governors, officials, and warriors. Then they will fall asleep forever and not wake up,” declares the King, whose name is the LORD of Hosts. Isaiah 47:13-14 You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. / Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside. Daniel responded with discretion and tact. Proverbs 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Genesis 41:16 “I myself cannot do it,” Joseph replied, “but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer.” Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Acts 7:10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. 1 Samuel 25:32-33 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me this day! / Blessed is your discernment, and blessed are you, because today you kept me from bloodshed and from avenging myself by my own hand. Nehemiah 2:4 “What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. Treasury of Scripture Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon: answered. 2 Samuel 20:16-22 Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee… Ecclesiastes 9:13-18 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: … captain of the king's guard. Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard. Jeremiah 39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained. Jeremiah 52:12,14 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, … Jump to Previous Arioch Ar'i-Och Armed Babylon Bodyguard Captain Chief Commander Counsel Daniel Discernment Discretion Forth Good Guard Kill King's Prudence Sense Slay Wisdom WiseJump to Next Arioch Ar'i-Och Armed Babylon Bodyguard Captain Chief Commander Counsel Daniel Discernment Discretion Forth Good Guard Kill King's Prudence Sense Slay Wisdom WiseDaniel 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. When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, Arioch held a senior royal office in Babylon, responsible for carrying out the king’s orders, including matters of life and death. His Akkadian name means “servant of the moon god.” His involvement shows that Nebuchadnezzar’s decree had moved beyond anger to formal enforcement. 2Ki 25:8 On the seventh day of the fifth month,… went out to execute the wise men of Babylon, Babylon’s wise men served as advisers skilled in divination, astrology, magic, and dream interpretation. Because they could not reveal and explain the king’s dream, Nebuchadnezzar ordered their destruction, placing Daniel and his companions in immediate danger. Jer 50:35 A sword is against the Chaldeans, declares the LORD… Daniel responded with discretion and tact. Rather than reacting in fear or defiance, Daniel spoke wisely and respectfully to Arioch. His calm response opened the way to seek time from the king and to ask God for the revelation that Babylon’s wise men could not provide. Pro 25:15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,… Persons / Places / Events 1. DanielA young Hebrew man taken into Babylonian captivity, known for his wisdom, faithfulness to God, and ability to interpret dreams. 2. Arioch The commander of King Nebuchadnezzar's guard, tasked with executing the wise men of Babylon. 3. King Nebuchadnezzar The ruler of Babylon who had a troubling dream that none of his wise men could interpret. 4. Wise Men of Babylon A group of magicians, enchanters, and astrologers who were unable to interpret the king's dream, leading to a death decree. 5. Babylon The empire where Daniel and his friends were exiled, known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. Teaching Points Wisdom in CrisisDaniel's response with wisdom and tact in a life-threatening situation teaches us the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis. Godly Influence Daniel's ability to influence Arioch and eventually the king demonstrates the power of godly character and integrity. Faith Over Fear Daniel's calm and wise response shows his trust in God, encouraging us to rely on faith rather than fear when facing challenges. Effective Communication The way Daniel communicated with Arioch highlights the importance of speaking truth with grace and respect. Divine Intervention Daniel's account reminds us that God is sovereign and can intervene in seemingly impossible situations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Daniel 2:14?2. How does Daniel 2:14 demonstrate the importance of responding with "wisdom and tact"? 3. What can we learn from Daniel's approach to authority in Daniel 2:14? 4. How does Daniel 2:14 connect with Proverbs 15:1 about gentle answers? 5. How can we apply Daniel's example of calmness in crisis situations today? 6. What role does prayer play in seeking wisdom, as seen in Daniel 2:14? 7. How does Daniel 2:14 demonstrate the importance of wisdom and tact in difficult situations? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Daniel 2? 9. How does Daniel's response in 2:14 reflect his faith and trust in God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Daniel 2? (14) Arioch.--See Note on Genesis 14:1.Verse 14. - Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon. The text here does not seem to have differed much from the Egyptian recension, the translation of which we have in the Septuagint Version. "Then Daniel spake with the counsel and knowledge which were his to Arioch the chief executioner [ἀρχὶ μαγείρῳ, 'chief butcher,' used by Plutarch for 'chief cook'] of the king, to whom it was appointed to lead out the wise men (σοφιστὰς) of Babylonia." The text before the Septuagint translators seems to have had דילֵה (deeleh), "which to him," equivalent to "which he had." The LXX. text had פקד instead of נפק. Something may be said for this reading, as the ל of the succeeding word may have occasioned the disappearance of the ד, which might be regarded as a ל defectively written. Theodotion agrees perfectly with the Massoretic text. The Peshitta is somewhat of a paraphrase in regard to the first clause, "Then Daniel pacified and consulted, and said to Arioch the chief of the king's guard, who had gone out to slay the wise men of Babylon." It would seem as if there had been some confusion of the words here, though the meaning is not far from that of the other version. The Vulgate Version differs, "Then Daniel asked about the law and sentence (sentientia) at Arioch, who had gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon." The slate of matters implied here reveals to us the fact that several links of the story are awanting. There seems to have been absolute secrecy as to what had taken place in the royal council-chamber, and how absolute had been the failure of the Chaldean wise men to satisfy the demands of the king. We could imagine the strange turmoil that this would have caused in the college of young cadets of the various guilds of soothsayers and augurs, had it been announced that these great heads of their various orders had failed. News may have come of the wrath of the king, and close behind the angry sentence of extirpation, passed not only on those who had been the immediate occasions of the king's wrath, but on all the gull, is of wise men in Babylon. This must have filled those who belonged to the various guilds implicated, not only with terror, but with amazement. It was next brought to them that they, though only in the lower stages of these famous guilds, were doomed to a common destruction with the past masters of the craft. That this was allowed to reach these subalterns proves that popular opinion had not gone with the fiery edict of the king. Above all, Arioch, captain "of the guard" - "of the cut-throats," as the Spanish translators have rendered it; "chief butcher," as both Theodotion and the Septuagint render his title - acts as if he is not in favour of it. lie is compelled to do the king's bidding; but he is evidently bent on going about the realtor in such a leisurely fashion that the great body of the condemned may escape. We may stay to notice that the name Arioch is a genuine Babylonian name, Eri Aku, "Servant of the moon-god." Professor Bevan declares it is borrowed from Genesis 14:1, as his title is from Genesis 37:36. It is singular that when the author's acquaintance with the earlier Scriptures was so full and accurate, he should drop into the blunders he is accused cf. In Genesis the executioner does not execute anybody; in Daniel he is represented as engaged in organizing the massacre. Daniel seems not to have waited till the terrible band of guardsmen-executioners arrived at the college where he and his friends were living, he goes direct to the chief of the band. The fact that he is not cut down immediately on his approach seems to argue that even the common guardsmen shrank from the duty imposed on them. Their horror and shrinking were perfectly natural. Let us suppose a company in a regiment of Irish Roman Catholics ordered to shoot down their own priests, and we may have some idea of the feelings of these soldiers. These augurs and soothsayers, these astrologers and magicians, had been their counsellors; they had been their intercessors with their deities. If they were all slaughtered, would not the sheer blank in their own lives be immense? There would be no one now to tell them, however falsely, of the future: no one to tell them what to do to propitiate the gods. But more, the gods might well be supposed to be enraged by the slaughter of so many of their special servants, and might be expected to pour down vengeance on the whole nation as well as on the king who had commanded it, but most of all on those who, under whatever compulsion, raised their sacrilegious hands against the priests of the holy gods. It is even not improbable that, once the immediate paroxysm of his fury had passed, Nebuchadnezzar would be appalled at what he had himself ordered, and would connive at delay, in the hope that, though late, these wise men might come to reason and tell him what he wished. Daniel seems to find no difficulty in gaining access to the presence of Arioch. There are men who have a magnetic power over their fellows, and bend every one to their way, and still gain their affection. And Daniel seems pre-eminently to have been a man of this type. Personal good looks and suave manners had their own share, but something more was needed to carry a condemned man through the ranks of guards right into the presence of their chief. This is made all the more striking when we bear in mind that preparations were being made for the great massacre. Daniel 2:14 showcases God’s sovereignty working through a real officer, a real crisis, and a real believer who meets danger with Spirit-driven composure. Earthly power intends death, but divine wisdom—expressed through discretion and tact—turns the tide, proving again that “those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whenבֵּאדַ֣יִן (bê·ḏa·yin) Preposition-b | Adverb Strong's 116: Then, thereupon Arioch, לְאַרְי֕וֹךְ (lə·’ar·yō·wḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 746: Arioch -- king of Ellasar the commander רַב־ (raḇ-) Adjective - masculine singular construct Strong's 7229: Abundant of the king’s מַלְכָּ֑א (mal·kā) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 4430: A king guard, טַבָּחַיָּ֖א (ṭab·bā·ḥay·yā) Noun - masculine plural determinate Strong's 2877: A lifeguardsman had gone out נְפַ֣ק (nə·p̄aq) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5312: To go or come out or forth to execute לְקַטָּלָ֔ה (lə·qaṭ·ṭā·lāh) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 6992: To kill the wise men לְחַכִּימֵ֖י (lə·ḥak·kî·mê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2445: Wise, a Magian of Babylon, בָּבֶֽל׃ (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 895: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city Daniel דָּנִיֵּ֗אל (dā·nî·yêl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1841: Daniel -- 'God is my judge', an Israelite leader in Babylon replied הֲתִיב֙ (hă·ṯîḇ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8421: To return with discretion עֵטָ֣א (‘ê·ṭā) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5843: Prudence and tact. וּטְעֵ֔ם (ū·ṭə·‘êm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account Additonal Resources Daniel 2:14 Blue Letter BibleDaniel 2:14 Bible Gateway Daniel 2:14 Bible.com Daniel 2:14 NIV |
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