Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 2:14

"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;" — Daniel 2:14 (ASV)

Then Daniel answered - Margin, “returned.” The original literally is, “returned counsel and wisdom,” meaning, that he returned an answer which was filled with wisdom. It would seem probable that Arioch had communicated to Daniel the decree of the king, and had stated to him that he was involved in that decree, and must prepare to die.

Counsel and wisdom - That is, “wise counsel.” He showed great prudence and discretion in what he said. He made such a suggestion to Arioch that, if acted on, it would stop the execution of the sentence against all the wise men and would secure the object the king had in view. What was the exact nature of this answer is not mentioned.

It is probable, however, that his suggestion was that he might be able to disclose the dream, and he made this so plausible to Arioch that Arioch was inclined to allow him to make the attempt. It is evident that Arioch would not have consented to stop the execution of the sentence unless it had appeared to him highly probable that Daniel would be able to relieve the king's anxiety. Knowing that the main object of the king was to obtain the interpretation of his dream, and seeing that this object was no more likely to be secured by the execution of this stern decree, and knowing the high favor with which Daniel had been received at court (Daniel 1:19–21), Arioch seems to have been willing to assume some measure of responsibility and to allow Daniel to make his own representation to the king.

To Arioch the captain of the king’s guard - Margin, “chief of the executioners, or slaughter-men, or chief marshal.” Greek, ἀρχιμαγείρῳ τοῦ βασιλέως archimageirō tou basileōs - chief cook of the king. The Vulgate renders this, “Then Daniel inquired about the law and the sentence of Arioch, the commander of the royal army.” The Chaldee word rendered “guard” is טבחיא ṭabâchayâ'. It is derived from טבח ṭâbach — to slaughter; to kill animals; and then to kill or slay men.

The noun, then, means a slaughterer or slayer; a cook; an executioner, or one who kills men at the will of a sovereign, or by due sentence of law.

There can be no doubt that the word here refers to Arioch, as sent out to execute this sentence. Yet we are not to regard him as a mere executioner, or as we would a hangman, for undoubtedly the king would entrust this sentence to one who was of respectable, if not high, rank. It is probable that one of the principal officers of his body-guard would be entrusted with the execution of such a sentence. In (1 Samuel 8:13), the word is rendered “cooks.” It does not occur elsewhere. That he was not a mere executioner is apparent from the title given him in the next verse, where he is called “the king’s captain.”

Which was gone forth to slay ... - He had gone out to execute the decree, and its execution had already begun.