The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king’s matter: therefore there is no king, lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean.
The Chaldeans again excuse themselves for not relating the king’s dream. They say, in reality, this is not their peculiar art or science; and they know of no example handed down of wise men being asked in this way, and required to answer as well de facto as de jure, as the phrase is.
The date troubles many readers, but Daniel likely finished his schooling early and entered the king's service in just one year rather than three, making this event fall in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign when he was already trusted with high matters. The dream itself, forgotten yet troubling, is what brought this great need upon the king.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 2:1-13
The Chaldeans answered before the King, and said,.... As follows, in order to appease his wrath, and cool his resentment, and bring him to reason: there is not a man upon the earth can show the king's matter; or, "upon the dry land" (g): upon the continent, throughout the whole world, in any country whatever; not one single man can be found, be he ever...