Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Parallel translations
- WEB Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;
- BSB Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice.
- NKJV Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,
- NASB Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times—for it was the custom of the king to speak this way before all who knew Persian law and justice
- NLT He immediately consulted with his wise advisers, who knew all the Persian laws and customs, for he always asked their advice.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The king turns to his wise men, experts in law and custom, for counsel. He governs by consulting his advisers.
Overview
Persian kings were known for consulting legal experts before acting. The narrator notes the king's custom of seeking such counsel, yet the advice that follows is driven by male pride more than justice. The scene shows how even careful procedure can serve foolish ends when hearts are unwise, while God overrules the whole council for His own purposes.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Chr 12:32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
- Jer 10:7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
- Dan 2:2Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.
- Dan 5:7The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
- Matt 16:3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
- Dan 2:12For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.
- Matt 2:1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
- Dan 4:6–7Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known unto me the interpretation of the dream.
- Dan 2:27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
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