Daniel 4:7

Magicians. Of the four groups of wise men listed in this verse, two, the magicians and the astrologers, were introduced in chapter 1:20 (see comments there), the third class, the Chaldeans, in chapter 2:2 (see on chapter 1:4), and the fourth class, the soothsayers, in chapter 2:27 (see comments there).

Did not make known. Some have suggested that because these wise men of Babylon were experts in the interpretation of dreams and signs of a supernatural character, they possibly offered some kind of interpretation. In fact the dream was so explicit the king himself sensed that it contained some evil message for him (see PK 516). It was this that alarmed him. However, ancient courtiers customarily flattered their sovereigns and avoided directly telling them anything disagreeable. Hence, even if they understood parts of the dream and had some inkling as to its import, they would not have found the courage to voice their conclusions. If they did offer some sort of explanation, it proved wholly unsatisfactory to the king. They certainly could not give an accurate and detailed interpretation as Daniel later did (see PK 517, 518). Instead of “they did not make known” the RSV reads, “they could not make known.” Some regard the KJV as the better rendering. Nevertheless it is true that “none of the wise men could interpret” the dream (PK 516).