Albert Barnes Commentary Daniel 4:6

"Therefore 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." — Daniel 4:6 (ASV)

Therefore I made a decree - The word here rendered decree (טעם ṭ^e‛êm) commonly means “taste, flavor,” as of wine; then “judgment, discernment, reason”; and then a judgment of a king, a mandate, edict. Compare Daniel 3:10.

The primary notion seems to be that of a delicate “taste” that enables one to determine the qualities of wines, foods, etc.; and then, a delicate and precise discrimination regarding the qualities of actions. The word thus expresses a sound and accurate judgment, and is applied to a decree or edict, as declared by one who had the qualifications to express such a judgment.

Here it means that he issued a royal order to summon into his presence all who could be supposed to be qualified to explain the dream. The Greek (Codex Chisianus) omits Daniel 4:6-9.

To bring in all the wise men ... - Particularly those who are enumerated in the following verse. Compare Daniel 2:12. It was in accordance with his habit to call in the wise men who were retained at court to give counsel, and to explain those things that seemed to be an intimation of the Divine will. See the note at Daniel 2:2. Compare also Genesis 41:8.