For I beheld - I looked upon the pagan world, among all the pretended prophets, and the priests of pagan idolatry.
And there was no man - No man among them who could predict these future events.
No counselor - No one qualified to give counsel, or that could anticipate by his sagacity what would take place.
That, when I asked of them - In the manner referred to in this chapter. There is no one of whom it could be inquired what would take place in future times.
Could answer a word - They were unable to discern what would come to pass, or to predict the events which are referred to here.