Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 2:12

"For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon." — Daniel 2:12 (ASV)

This order to massacre the wise men extended apparently only to those who were resident in the city of Babylon, where they had a fixed habitation. Though Daniel had already been trained in their schools, he had not yet been appointed “a wise man.” However, being a student, his death was implied in the general order, which, as appears from Daniel 2:13, had already begun to be executed.