King James Bible
"Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation."
The Chaldeans (Babylonian wise men) address King Nebuchadnezzar in Aramaic (Syriack), marking a significant linguistic shift in Daniel—from Hebrew to Aramaic—that continues through chapter 7. This change reflects the international scope of the narrative and Babylon's role as a multicultural empire. This formulaic greeting was standard court protocol in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, expressing loyalty and wishing the monarch immortality. The irony is palpable: they wish eternal life to a king whose dream will reveal the temporary nature of all earthly kingdoms. The wise men request the dream's content before offering interpretation—a reasonable approach that follows their normal practice. This sets up the dramatic tension, as Nebuchadnezzar will demand they reveal both the dream and its meaning, exposing the limitations of human wisdom.