Daniel 2: Review of Daniel 2:31-39

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1 Daniel 2:40-41 Daniel 2:40-Daniel Tells Nebuchadnezzar That There Will Be A Fourth Kingdom, One Strong Like Iron, Which Like Iron Will Break In Pieces And Shatter Other Kingdoms Review of Daniel 2:31-39 Daniel s description of the content of Nebuchadnezzar s dream appears in Daniel 2: In verse 31, Daniel tells the king that he was in a trance like state staring at a single immense statue, one of impressive size, extraordinarily bright facing toward him and directly in front of him and was intimidating to the king. Daniel 2:31 You O King were in a trance like state staring as behold a single immense statue, one of impressive size as well as extraordinary brightness, was standing directly in front of you. Indeed, its appearance was intimidating. (Author s translation) In this verse, we read that Daniel tells the king that he received a vision of a single immense statue meaning that the size of this statue was exceeding of all ordinary bounds in size or amount or degree with the implication of abnormality or monstrousness. This indicates that the statue was larger than any statue he had ever been seen on the face of the earth. The statue was not normal in the sense that nothing on earth could be compared to, which indicates it was intimidating and amazing from the king s perspective. The statue made a great impression on the king as evidenced by his desire to understand the statue s meaning. The object s brightness went beyond what is usual for a statue or for this world. The brightness of the image was exceptional or unusual, which fits with the fact that the image of the statue originated from God. The brightness of the statue deviated from the norm in the sense that nothing on earth could be compared to the brightness of the statue, which Nebuchadnezzar saw. Daniel says that this enormous, extraordinarily bright statue was facing toward him and directly in front of him, which means that it towered over him. Thus, Daniel says that the object was intimidating to Nebuchadnezzar. This is significant since Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful and intimidating man in the world in the sixth century B.C. when Daniel penned the book that bears his name. Therefore, this verb denotes that the appearance of this statue as it towered directly over him was intimidating to him. Daniel s interpretation in verses indicate that the head of gold was Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon, the chest and arms of silver represented the Media- Persian empire, the stomach and thighs of bronze represented Alexander s Greek 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 1

2 empire, the legs of iron represented the Roman empire and the feet and toes composed of iron and clay represent the Revived Form of the Roman empire. Daniel progressed from the top to the bottom of the image, which represented the passage of time, thus the upper parts portrayed earlier time and the lower parts represented later time. The statue is composed of five different substances: (1) gold (2) silver (3) bronze (4) iron (5) clay. The head is the most valuable substance followed by the chest and arms, then stomach and thighs which is followed by the lower legs and then lastly the feet and toes. So the substances which compose each part of the body were telling Nebuchadnezzar something as well as to Daniel and the reader. Namely, the substances descend in value as you go from the head to the feet. The diminishing value of the metals in the statue from gold to silver to bronze to iron represents a decrease in the character of authority in rulership. Consequently, the substances from head to foot go from being soft to harder and then very soft. This is significant since it indicates that the character of authority in rulership of the first kingdom was superior to the second, third and fourth kingdoms, the second superior to the third and fourth kingdoms, the third superior to the fourth. The first was the only self-contained unit, the second and third contained one unit and two parts, the third two parts and the fourth contained two parts and ten segments. However, although the value of the metals decreases in value, the strength of these metals increase. This indicates that Rome was more powerful than Alexander s Greece, Media-Persia and Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon. Alexander s Greece was more powerful than Media-Persia and Babylon. Media-Persia was more powerful than Babylon. Fruchtenbaum writes Two things should be noted concerning these metals: first, they increase in strength; but second, they decrease in value. The fulfillment will be in the decrease of the character of authority in rulership: Babylon was an absolute monarchy with the monarch above the law; with Medo-Persia the monarch was not above the law and he did not have the authority to change his own decrees (cp Da 6:8, 11, 12, 15); the Hellenic kings had no dynastic or royal right to rule, and ruled by force of conquest and personal gifts; and Roman imperialism was a republic which degenerated into mob rule merging with the imperial form of government. Yet there will be an increase in strength of one empire over the other. (Fruchtenbaum, A. G. The Footsteps of the Messiah: A Study of the Sequence of Prophetic Events Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries) The fact that the statue was in human form would appeal to Nebuchadnezzar s frame of reference since he built statues to Marduk, which occupied an important place in the city of Babylon. Also, figures composed of composite metals were well known in the Mesopotamia region. Statues that were representations of men were built in the region which was similar to the vision in Nebuchadnezzar s 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 2

3 dream. In fact, as Baldwin points, Hesiod wrote of a statue composed of a series of metals. He wrote of an image which spoke of five ages, namely Iron, Bronze, Silver, Golden Ages and Heroes. However, Hesiod s image of these ages was different than the image shown to Nebuchadnezzar since the former looked back at human history whereas as the latter speaks of the future. (Baldwin, Joyce G., Daniel: An Introduction and Commentary; page 97; Inter-Varsity Press; Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Illinois, USA; 1978; cited J.A. Montgomery; International Critical Commentary: The Book of Daniel; pages ; 1927) Daniel 2:32 As for this statue, its head was composed of fine gold, its chest and arms were composed of silver, its belly and thighs were composed of bronze. (Author s translation) The description of the statue in verses indicates quite clearly that it was in human form. The gold head of this statue represents Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon according to Daniel 2: Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the head of gold of the statue indicates that the character of authority in rulership of the Babylonian empire was superior to the second, third and fourth kingdoms. However, its power or strength was inferior to these three. The silver arms and chest of the statue represent the Media-Persian Empire according to Daniel 2:36-45 and human history. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the silver arms and chest of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of the Media-Persian Empire was superior to the Greece and Rome and inferior to only Babylon. However, its power or strength was superior to Babylon but inferior to Greece and Rome. The bronze belly and thighs of the statue represent Alexander the Great s Greek Empire according to Daniel 2:36-45 and human history. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the bronze belly and thighs of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of the Alexander s Greece was inferior to Media-Persia and Babylon and yet superior to Rome. However, its power or strength was superior to Media-Persia and Babylon and inferior only to Rome. Daniel 2:33 Its lower legs were composed of iron, its feet, part of them were composed of iron and in addition part of them were composed of clay. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:33 completes the description of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream and God let Daniel see in a vision during the night. The description of the statue indicates that the image was in human form. The head, chest, arms, belly, thighs, lower legs and feet of the statue represent Gentile world empires. This indicated by several factors. First of all, Daniel 2:36-38 makes clear that Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon is represented by the gold head of the statue. Daniel 2:39-45 also makes clear that the chest, arms, belly, thighs, legs 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 3

4 and feet of the statue are all kingdoms which will arise after Nebuchadnezzar s kingdom. Furthermore, the fact that Daniel progressed from the top to the bottom of the image represented the passage of time, thus the upper parts portrayed earlier time and the lower parts represented later time. Therefore, the silver chest and arms of the statue represent the Media-Persian Empire, which conquered the Babylonian empire. The bronze belly and thighs of the statue represent Alexander the Great s Greek Empire, which immediately followed Media-Persia according to history. The legs of iron refer to the Roman Empire since it immediately followed Alexander s Greek Empire. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the iron lower legs of the statue indicate that the character of the authority in rulership of Rome was inferior to Alexander s Greece, Media-Persia and Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon but its power or strength was superior to these three. The fact that the feet of this statue are composed of a mixture of iron and clay indicates that the character of the authority in rulership of this yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire is inferior to Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon, Media- Persia, Alexander s Greek Empire and Rome since the metals of the statue decrease in value. As we noted the metals of the statue decrease in value. The iron and clay of this statue is the least valuable of all the metals that compose the statue. We also noted that the metals of this statue increase in power or strength. This indicates that the power or strength of the fourth kingdom is greater than the first three, and the third greater than the first two but inferior to the fourth, the second greater than the first but inferior to the third and fourth and the first inferior to the second, third and fourth kingdoms. However, the feet of the image are composed of iron and clay with the former of course very hard and the latter was baked and would be hard yet very fragile. This would indicate that the power of this yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist will possess some of the strength and power of the Roman Empire but will be very fragile. Therefore, the strong yet fragile composition of the feet of the statue indicates that the power and strength of the Revived Form of the Roman Empire is inferior to Rome. Daniel 2:34 records Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar that in his dream he saw a rock but out from a mountain but not by human hands, which stuck the iron and clay feet of the statue with the result that the rock crushed the feet. Daniel 2:34 You were in a trance like state staring as a rock cut out but not by human hands struck the statue on its iron and clay feet so that it crushed them. (Author s translation) In Daniel 2:34, the rock or stone refers to Jesus Christ, the God-man. The destruction of the feet by this stone represents His Second Advent, which will bring an end to Daniel s all Gentile rule over Jerusalem and the world and establish His millennial reign. In Daniel 2:35, the stone become a great mountain and fills 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 4

5 the earth which refers to the millennial reign of Christ which constitutes God s kingdom on earth. The stone striking the feet of the statue establishes God s kingdom on earth forever according to a comparison of Daniel 2:34-35 with Daniel 2: The Lord Jesus Christ is referred to in other places of Scripture as the Rock or as a stone. The term rock is an Old Testament for God and a Messianic title signifying that God s people can rely on him for absolute protection and salvation. In Scripture a rock often refers to Jesus Christ, Israel s Messiah (Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14; 28:16; Matthew 21:33-45; 1 Peter 2:4-8). Rock as a title for Israel s God appears in Psalm 78:35, Genesis 49:24, Deuteronomy 32:15, 18, 30, 2 Samuel 23:3, Psalm 42:9, Isaiah 30:29 and Habakkuk 1:12. The Messiah is the rock/stone on which God s living temple stands (Isaiah 8:14; 28:16; cf. Psalm 118:22; Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:6-7). The Messiah s kingdom is eternal and immovable like a rock (Daniel 2:34-35; cf. Daniel 2:44-45). There are consequences for rejecting the rock/stone, i.e. the Messiah (Matthew 21:44; cf. Luke 20:18; Romans 9:32-33; 1 Peter 2:4-8) Romans 9:32b They stumbled over the stumbling stone. (NASB95) The stumbling stone is composed of the articular dative masculine singular form of the noun lithos, the stone and the articular genitive neuter singular form of the noun proskomma, stumbling. In the Greek New Testament, the noun is used in a literal sense of stones (Luke 17:2; 19:44; John 8:59; 10:31) and precious stones (Revelation 17:4; 18:12). It is also used of divine resources (1 Corinthians 3:12) and church age believers (1 Peter 2:4-5). Like the Septuagint, the word is used in a figurative sense for the Messiah of Israel and is thus used of Jesus Christ (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17f.; Acts 4:11/Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:6-8). In Romans 9:32, the noun lithos is used of the Lord Jesus Christ in relation to His rejection by the nation of Israel during His First Advent. The word is also used in this manner in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17 and Acts 4:11. The apostle Peter employs lithos in the same manner with reference to nation of Israel s rejection of Jesus of Nazareth in 1 Peter 2:8. Daniel 2:34 tells the reader that this rock was cut out but not by human hands and Daniel 2:45 says that it was cut from a mountain. The mountain refers to God s kingdom. Thus, the rock originates from God s kingdom. Jesus Christ of course belongs to God s kingdom in heaven. In Scripture, a mountain is often a symbol for a kingdom. Since the ancient Orientals regarded kings and kingdoms synonymously, the rock or stone of Nebuchadnezzar s dream must represent not only the future kingdom of God but also its King who will be the Messiah (Psalm 2:2, 6), the Son of God (Psalm 2:4-12), the Son of Man who comes with the clouds of heaven 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 5

6 (Daniel 7:13-14). The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is that person (Matthew 16:16; 26:63-64). Therefore, the rock or stone represented the future kingdom of God and Jesus Christ Himself. Thus Jesus Christ s millennial reign is an extension of God s kingdom in heaven. Consequently, the prayer of the Lord thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven will be fulfilled during Christ s millennial reign. The fact that rock was cut from a mountain but not by human hands signifies divine action and specifically an action accomplished by God the Father. The rock being cut from the mountain but not by human hands refers to the Father s decision in eternity past to rule planet earth through His Son Jesus Christ. This is indicated by the fact that the rock strikes the feet of the statue, which refer to the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist. The rock destroys the statue with this action, which refers to the Second Advent of Christ which establishes His millennial reign. The mountain refers to the Father and His kingdom and the rock refers to Jesus Christ and His millennial kingdom. Thus, for this rock to be cut from this mountain signifies the act of the Father choosing His Son to establish His kingdom on earth. Thus, Daniel 2:34 is teaching that Jesus Christ and His millennial reign are an extension of God s kingdom in heaven since Jesus Christ is the Son of God and His millennial reign constitutes the Father s kingdom on earth. It denotes that the Son and His millennial kingdom originates from the Father and His kingdom in heaven. Daniel 2:35a Then when the iron, clay, bronze, silver and gold were crushed as one, they became like chaff from the summer threshing floors so that the wind blew them away. Consequently, absolutely no trace of them was found. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:35 is composed of two statements. The first is declarative and prophetic of course and the second is a result clause. The first tells the reader the next event that took place after the rock cut out but not by human hands struck the statue on its iron and clay feet so that it crushed them. It tells the reader that the iron, clay, bronze, silver and gold which composed the statue were crushed and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors. The second presents the result of this, which is that absolutely no trace of the chaff was found. The iron is used to describe the Roman Empire. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the iron lower legs of the statue indicate that the character of the authority in rulership of Rome was inferior to Alexander s Greece, Media-Persia and Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon. However, its power or strength was superior to these three. In verses 33 and 34, the iron was used with the clay to describe the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist, which is represented 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 6

7 by the feet of the statue. The iron describes this yet future empire as possessing the same character of authority in rulership of the Roman Empire, depicted by the lower legs on the statue. Also, the iron describes this yet future empire as possessing some of the power or strength of the Roman Empire. Therefore, the iron is used with reference to the Roman Empire as well as the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist during Daniel s seventieth week. The clay is used to describe the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist, which is represented by the feet of the statue and will be destroyed by Jesus Christ at His Second Advent. The clay describes this yet future empire as not possessing the same character of authority in rulership of the Roman Empire, depicted by the lower legs on the statue. Also, the clay describes this yet future empire as not possessing the same power or strength of the Roman Empire. This would indicate that the power of this yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist will possess some of the strength and power of the Roman Empire but will be very fragile. Therefore, the strong yet fragile composition of the feet of the statue indicates that the power and strength of the Revived Form of the Roman Empire is inferior to Rome. The bronze is used to describe Alexander the Great s Greek Empire, which immediately followed the Media-Persian Empire. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the belly and thighs of bronze of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of the Greek empire under Alexander the Great was superior to the fourth kingdom, the Roman Empire but inferior to the first two, Babylon and Media-Persia. However, its power or strength was superior to Babylon and Media-Persia and inferior only to Rome. The silver is used to describe Media-Persian Empire, which conquered the Babylonian Empire. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the breast and arms of silver of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of this empire was superior to the third (Alexander s Greece) and fourth (Roman Empire) kingdoms but inferior to the first (Babylon). However, its power or strength was superior to Babylon but inferior to Alexander s Greece and Rome. The gold is used to describe the head of the statue, which represents Nebuchadnezzar s Babylonian Empire according to Daniel 2: Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the gold head of the statue indicates that the character of the authority in rulership of this empire was superior to the second (Media-Persia), third (Greece) and fourth (Rome) kingdoms. However, its power or strength was inferior to Media-Persia, Alexander s Greece and Rome William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 7

8 The rock striking the iron and clay feet of the statue not only crushed the iron and clay feet but also the gold head, silver chest and arms, the bronze belly and thighs and the iron lower legs. This represents Jesus Christ destroying the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist at His Second Advent, which the iron and clay feet represent. Also, it represents Christ s millennial kingdom will replace completely any reminder of the kingdoms. It not only indicates Jesus Christ victory over the Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist will be total and complete but also His victory will be total and complete over all these previous Gentile kingdoms in the sense that Christ s millennial government will cause these other forms of government to be totally and completely forgotten. Babylon was an absolute monarchy with the king above the law whereas with Medo-Persia the monarch was not above the law. He did not have the authority to change his own decrees. Alexander the Great and his four successors had no dynastic or royal right to rule but instead ruled by force of conquest and personal gifts. Rome began as a republic but deteriorated into mob rule merging with the imperial form of government. All of these forms of government will be forgotten as a result of the Second Advent of Christ and His subsequent millennial reign. The first statement in Daniel 2:35 indicates that when the rock struck the iron and clay feet of the statue, the other parts of the statue were crushed simultaneously. The head of gold, the silver chest and arms, the bronze belly and thighs of the statue and its iron lower legs were all crushed at the same time as the iron and clay feet. Thus, all the forms of government employed by the empires which reigned during the times of the Gentiles will simultaneously be forgotten as a result of the Second Advent of Christ and His subsequent millennial reign. The statement they became like chaff from the summer threshing floors is describing the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist during Daniel s seventieth week, represented by the gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay, as worthless from God s perspective. This the result of His Son s Second Advent and subsequent millennial reign, which will establish His kingdom on earth. This statement is describing the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the yet future Revived Form of the Roman Empire under Antichrist during Daniel s seventieth week as worthless from God s perspective like the chaff from the summer threshing floors. So that the wind blew them away speaks of the act of God judging the five Gentile powers which reigned during the times of the Gentiles and removing all remembrances of their forms of government as a result of His Son s Second Advent and subsequent millennial reign on earth. Consequently, absolutely no trace of them was found represents the fact that removal of all remembrance of the forms of government employed by the 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 8

9 empires which reigned during the times of the Gentiles will be total and complete. It represents the fact that absolutely no trace of the forms of government employed by the empires which were represented by the gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay of the statue and reigned during the times of the Gentiles will be found or encountered by any member of the human race or angels for that matter. All these Gentile empires which reigned during the times of the Gentiles were driven by the sin nature of men and the deception of Satan who is the god of this world temporarily at the present time. Christ s millennial kingdom will be conducted according to His divine nature and power thus making it superior to all these Gentiles empires. Thus, the reign of sin and Satan on the earth will come to an end on planet earth and the reign of God on the earth will begin as the direct result of Jesus Christ s Second Advent and subsequent millennial reign. Daniel 2:35b However, the rock which struck this statue became a great mountain so that it filled the entire earth. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:35 brings to an end Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar the content of his recurring dream, which thus fulfilled the demand which the king made of his occult priests, necromancers, witches and astrologers. This verse ends with an adversative clause which serves to present a contrast between the destinies of the kingdoms of mankind which are governed by the devil and sinful men and the kingdom of God which is governed by the Son of God. The contrast is between the future of the kingdoms of men and the kingdom of God. There is no future for the kingdoms of men on planet earth whereas there is a future for God s kingdom on earth. The contrast is between who will ultimately rule this earth and who will not. The former is God s kingdom and the latter are the kingdoms of men. The rock refers to Jesus Christ, the God-man. The destruction of the feet by this rock represents His Second Advent, which will bring an end to Daniel s all Gentile rule over Jerusalem and the world and establish His millennial reign. It becoming a great mountain and filling the earth represents the millennial reign of Christ which constitutes God s kingdom on earth. The stone striking the feet of the statue establishes God s kingdom on earth forever according to a comparison of Daniel 2:34-35 with Daniel 2: This rock striking the iron and clay feet of the statue represents Jesus Christ at His Second Advent striking Antichrist and his revived form of the Roman Empire with the result that it was destroyed along with all remembrance of the forms of government which reigned during the times of the Gentiles. These other forms of government were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome and were represented respectively by the head of gold of the statue, the silver chest and arms, the bronze belly and thighs and the lower legs of iron. The fact that Jesus Christ at His Second Advent indicates that He will employ physical violence to overthrow Antichrist and his empire. This is further supported by Revelation 19:11-20: William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 9

10 The great mountain filling the earth refers to Jesus Christ s millennial reign on planet earth, which will perfectly manifest or embody on earth God s kingdom, which is also in heaven. This is indicated by Daniel s interpretation in verses as well as Daniel 7:13-14, 27 and 28, Revelation 19:11-20:6, Zechariah 14 and other passage of Scripture. This kingdom will be preeminent over other Gentile kingdoms, which reigned during the times of the Gentiles. Christ s kingdom will have a larger impact on human history than these Gentiles empires since He Jesus Christ is the Son of God and will be the governmental head of this millennial kingdom. He will be a perfect ruler who will also lift the curse of sin and Satan from the earth by means of His omnipotence. This stands in contrast to the rulers of these previous Gentile empires, which were governed by sin and Satan rather than by God. This adversative clause that completes Daniel 2:35 also indicates that Jesus Christ s kingdom will be universal or He will rule planet earth with every nation at that time under its jurisdiction. There will be no place on earth and no inhabitant on earth who will not be under the jurisdiction of Christ with no exceptions or distinctions. Thus, Jesus Christ s reign on planet earth for a thousand years will be total and complete. Daniel 2:36 records Daniel telling the king that he has completed telling him the content of the dream which is recorded in Daniel 2:31-35 and now he will begin to present its interpretation, which appears in Daniel 2: Daniel 2:36 This was the content of the dream. Now, we will communicate its interpretation in the presence of the king. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:36 contains two statements, which are employed by Daniel to communicate to Nebuchadnezzar that he has completed telling the king the content of his dream and will now, with his statements to follow, tell him the dream s interpretation. By telling Nebuchadnezzar the content of his recurring dream, Daniel fulfilled the demand which the king made of his occult priests, necromancers, witches and astrologers. Daniel 2:37 You O king are the king ruling over kings who the God ruling the heavens has given sovereignty, military might, governmental authority as well as honor for your benefit. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:37 marks the beginning of Daniel s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar s dream. In Daniel 2:31-35, Daniel told the king the content of his dream which fulfilled the demand that his occult priests, necromancers, witches and astrologers could not fulfill. In Daniel 2:36, he told the king he had completed telling him the content of his dream and now would proceed to the dream s interpretation. In Daniel 2:37, Daniel begins to identify the head of gold as being Nebuchadnezzar. First of all, he describes him in this verse as the king ruling 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 10

11 over kings. This description is followed by the relative pronoun clause who the God ruling the heavens has given sovereignty, military might, governmental authority as well as honor for your benefit which serves to explain how the previous statement You O king are the king ruling over kings came to be. The statement You O king are the king ruling over kings denotes that the Nebuchadnezzar was superior to and in authority over the kings of the earth. It indicates that he is sovereign over the kings of the earth as a result of the Father s decree. It indicates that the kings of the earth in Nebuchadnezzar s day in the sixth century B.C. were under his dominion or subordinate to him because the Father decreed for this to take place. This does not imply that he actually ruled every inch of the globe but rather that God had granted him dominion in whatever direction his ambition led him, which history tells us included Egypt, Nineveh, Arabia, Syria, Tyre, and its Phoenician colonies (Jeremiah 27:5 8). The phrase the God ruling the heavens taught Nebuchadnezzar that the inhabitants of the first, second and third heavens are under the Father s dominion or subordinate to Him. This is reminder Nebuchadnezzar that he is under the authority of Daniel s God. The phrase has given for your benefit taught the king that God gave him sovereignty over the nations he conquered. It taught him that the Father had bestowed upon him and his nation military power and governmental authority as well as honor. Sovereignty denotes the sphere of Nebuchadnezzar s authority or control. It is used to designate the territorial sphere of Nebuchadnezzar, i.e. his kingdom. It refers to his political boundaries, which were determined by the extent to which he exercised his authority. Nebuchadnezzar s kingdom consisted of the nations, cities, villages and farmland he controlled. The Holy Spirit through the prophet Jeremiah warned the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon that the Father had given Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty over the entire earth (Jeremiah 27:6-7, 14). Military power denotes that Nebuchadnezzar s military power enabled him or gave him the ability to impose his will on other kings and nations. Governmental authority refers to the power and ability or capacity of Nebuchadnezzar to exercise his governmental authority or power over other nations. Honor refers to the honor in the sense of public recognition that Nebuchadnezzar received from men as a result of his power over them which was given to him by the Father. Here it denotes the respect paid to Nebuchadnezzar by those individuals under his authority in the sense that they esteemed him because of his ability to impose his will on them because of his great military and governmental power William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 11

12 Daniel 2:38 Therefore, wherever members of the human race, wild animals of the field or birds of the sky live, He has given them into your power. Consequently, He has caused you to rule over each and every one of them. You are the head of gold. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:38 contains three statements. The first two are result clauses. The last is a declarative and prophetic statement. The first result clause emphasizes that there is no inhabitant on the face of the earth whether a human being or animal that has not been given into the power of Nebuchadnezzar by God. It emphasizes the extent of Nebuchadnezzar s dominion over the earth in that God has even subjugated the wild animals to the king. This does not imply that he actually ruled every inch of the globe but rather that God had granted him dominion in whatever direction his ambition led him, which history tells us included Egypt, Nineveh, Arabia, Syria, Tyre, and its Phoenician colonies (Jeremiah 27:5 8). The second result clause denotes that God had delegated authority to Nebuchadnezzar so that he exercised authority over members of the human race, the wild animals of the field and the birds of the heavens. He delegated authority to Nebuchadnezzar to govern the affairs of mankind. The third statement emphasizes with Nebuchadnezzar that the golden head of the statue in his dream represented his Babylonian kingdom. The Holy Spirit through Daniel wants not only Nebuchadnezzar to dwell or meditate upon this statement but also the reader to do so as well in order to acknowledge that God is sovereign over the nations of the earth. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the gold head of the statue indicates that the character of the authority in rulership of this empire was superior to the second, third and fourth kingdoms. However, its power or strength was inferior to Media- Persia, Alexander s Greece and Rome. This identification that Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon was represented by the head of gold indicates that the other bodies parts of the statue, which were composed of silver, bronze, iron and clay represent future world empires as well. Dwight Pentecost writes Nebuchadnezzar s rule was viewed as a worldwide empire, in which he ruled over all mankind as well as over beasts and birds. At the time of Creation the right to rule over the earth was given man who was to have dominion over it and all the creatures in it (Gen. 1:26). Here Nebuchadnezzar by divine appointment was helping fulfill what God had planned for man. 1 Thomas Constable writes It took considerable courage for Daniel to tell the most powerful ruler of his time that he was responsible to God. God had given Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty (symbolized by the head of the statue), power (the 1 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Da 2:36 38). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 12

13 head's weight), strength (the connotation of the head on a body), and glory (its value as gold). The head of gold aptly described Nebuchadnezzar. It also symbolized the kingdom over which he ruled.83 Nebuchadnezzar ruled about 45 years ( B.C.), and his empire only lasted another 21 years. Nebuchadnezzar's father, Nabopolassar, founded the Neo-Babylon Empire in 627 B.C., and it fell to the Persians in 539 B.C. So it existed for only 88 years. (Constable, Thomas L., Notes on Daniel-2007 Edition, page 29; copyright 2007; Published by Sonic Light: Daniel 2:38 teaches that God delegates authority to certain men to govern the affairs of certain members of the human race. These men are servants of God according to Romans 13:1-7. Daniel 2:39 Following after you will arise another kingdom inferior than you. Then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over the entire earth. (Author s translation) Daniel 2:39 contains two statements. The first records Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar that after his kingdom there will arise another kingdom which will be inferior to his kingdom. Since Daniel told the king at the end of Daniel 2:38 that he was the head of gold of the statue in his dream, this second kingdom is represented by the silver arms and chest of the statue. History records that this part of the statue represented the Medo-Persian Empire. It was inferior since it lacked the inner unity of Babylon because the Medes and the Persians, though united, never fused into one people. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the silver arms and chest of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of the Media-Persian Empire was superior to the third and fourth kingdoms, which history records were Greece and Rome respectively and inferior to only Babylon. However, its power or strength was superior to Babylon but inferior to Greece and Rome. The Medo-Persian empire was founded by Cyrus, who started out as the king of Anshan in Persia. He fused the Iranian tribes into a great military machine. He married the daughter of the king of Media and added Media to his empire. Then, the Medo-Persian army conquered the Babylonians in 539 B.C. Under Cryus, they defeated the Babylonian army outside the city of Babylon. According to Babylonian and Persian records, the people of Babylon threw open the gates of the city, welcoming the Persian army as deliverers from the despotic reigns of Nabonidus and Belshazzar. They gave Cyrus a triumphal entry complete with palm branches. The Persian kings were good-natured but weak. Most imitated the corruption of Babylon. In Nebuchadnezzar s dream, the arms of silver represented two distinct nations, namely, Media and Persia that together defeated Babylon. Although the Medo William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 13

14 Persia Empire lasted over 200 years ( B.C.) longer than the Neo- Babylonian Empire of 87 years ( ), the Medo-Persian Empire was inferior to it, as silver is compared with gold. History confirms that the Medo-Persian Empire, and the empire of Alexander which followed, lacked the central authority and fine organization which characterized the Babylonian Empire, thus the Babylonian Empire was greater. In the second statement that appears in Daniel 2:39, Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that after the second empire, there will be a third kingdom of bronze, which will rule the earth. This description makes clear that the second empire is represented by the silver arms and chest of the statue and that the third empire is represented by the bronze belly and thighs of the statue. History records that the bronze belly and thighs of the statue represent Alexander the Great s Greek Empire. Alexander the Great began to rule in 336 B.C. He defeated the Persians and conquered many nations while at the same time spreading Greek culture and language throughout these territories. He attempted to follow the Babylonian example, but this led to gross immorality and early death in 323 B.C. at the age of thirty-three. In Daniel 8:5-8, Alexander the Great s empire is described under the figure of the shaggy goat with a big horn. This horn was followed by four horns according to this passage which represented Alexander s four generals who divided his empire after he died. Alexander s four general were Antipater who took control of Macedon-Greece, Lysimachus who possessed Thrace-Asia Minor, Seleucus was in Asia and Ptolemy ruled in Egypt, Cyrenaica and Palestine. The eastern sections of the Seleucid realm revolted from the central authority in Antioch. However, it was gradually absorbed by the Parthians as far as Mesopotamia. The remainder of the Greek Empire was annexed by Rome after Antiochus the Great was defeated at Magnesia in 190 B.C. Macedon was annexed by Rome in 168 and Greece was permanently subjugated in 146. The Seleucid realms were annexed by Pompey the Great in 63 B.C. Egypt became a Roman province after the Battle of Actium in 31 B.C. Therefore, the Greek empire represented by the silver belly and thighs in the statue of Nebuchadnezzar s dream lasted between 250 and 300 years before the Roman Empire defeated it. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the bronze belly and thighs of the statue indicate that the character of authority in rulership of the Alexander s Greece was inferior to Media-Persia and Babylon and yet superior to Rome, which is the fourth kingdom. However, its power or strength was superior to Media-Persia and Babylon and inferior only to Rome. There has been some controversy among interpreters regarding this third empire. Some have argued that Greece is the fourth empire, and they treat the Medes as a separate kingdom. This interpretation is partly due to denying the 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 14

15 possibility of prophesy. It is also the result of assuming that Daniel was written about 164 B.C. when the Roman Empire had not come to the forefront yet. However, Media and Persia are usually regarded as one empire. The Median kingdom had been mostly absorbed by the Persians by the time Cyrus II conquered Babylon in 539 B.C. Most conservative scholars identify them as Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome. A Fourth Kingdom As Strong As Iron Daniel 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. (NASB95) Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron is composed of the conjunction wa ( (ו (waw), then which is followed by the feminine singular form of the noun mǎl ḵûṯ (מ ל כוּת) (mal-kooth), a kingdom which is modified by the cardinal number r e ḇî ʿāy (ר ב יע י) (reb-ee-ah ee), fourth and then we have the third person feminine singular peʿal (Hebrew: qal) active imperfect form of the verb ḥ ǎ wā(h) (ח ו ה) (khav-aw ), there will be which is followed by the masculine singular form of the adjective tǎq qîp (תּ קּ יף) (tak-keef ), as strong and then we have the preposition k- (כּ ) (kee), as and its object is the masculine singular noun pǎr zěl (פּ ר ז ל) (par-zel ), iron. wa The conjunction wa is a marker of a sequence of closely related events meaning that it is introducing a statement that marks the next major world empire that will appear on the pages of history after the third kingdom which is represented by the bronze belly and thighs of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar s vision in a dream. History records that this kingdom was Alexander the Great s Greek Empire. The conjunction a statement which records Daniel telling Nebuchadnezzar that after this third kingdom, there will arise a fourth kingdom which he describes as strong as iron. Thus, we will translate wa, next. h ǎ wā(h) The verb h ǎ wā(h) means, to be, to come into existence and denotes a fourth kingdom coming into existence. Daniel is telling Nebuchadnezzar with this word that a fourth kingdom will come into existence after the third kingdom, which is Alexander the Great s Greek Empire William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 15

16 The peʿal (Hebrew: qal) stem of the verb is fientive expressing an action. Here it denotes the action of a fourth kingdom coming into existence in the sense of coming to the forefront in world history. The imperfect mood of the verb is expressing the event in the future where a fourth empire will come to the forefront of history after Greece from the perspective of Daniel in the sixth century B.C. We will translate this verb there will be. mǎl ḵûṯ The noun mǎl ḵûṯ means kingdom and denotes the territorial sphere of this fourth empire s authority or control. It is used to designate the territorial sphere of this empire, which will arise in history after Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon, Medo- Persia and Alexander the Great s Greek Empire. It refers to the political boundaries of this fourth empire, which were determined by the extent to which this empire exercised its authority. This word denotes that this fourth kingdom consisted of the nations, cities, villages and farmland it controlled. r e ḇî ʿāy The cardinal number r e ḇî ʿāy means fourth in a sequence indicating that Daniel is telling Nebuchadnezzar that there will be a fourth kingdom after the third kingdom. The word denotes an empire that is next after the third empire. tǎq qîp The adjective tǎq qîp means strong and is derived from the Aramaic cognate of the Biblical Hebrew verb tā qǎp, which means to overpower. This adjective appears of course in Daniel 2:40 in the context of the vision Nebuchadnezzar saw in a dream. It is used here in Daniel 2:40 and in Daniel 2:42 to modify the noun pǎr zěl, iron. It describes this metal s hardness or tensile strength. Together these two words describe the fourth kingdom, which history records as the Roman Empire. This adjective is describing the military power and strength of this fourth kingdom, which was superior to Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. pǎr zěl As was the case in Daniel 2:33, the noun pǎr zěl, iron is used here in Daniel 2:40 to describe the fourth kingdom, which history records was the Roman Empire, which conquered the third empire, which was Greece. Since the metals of the statue decrease in value but increase in strength, the iron lower legs of the statue 2012 William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 16

17 indicate that the character of the authority in rulership of Rome was inferior to Alexander s Greece, Media-Persia and Nebuchadnezzar s Babylon. However, its power or strength was superior to these three. The noun pǎr zěl, iron is the object of the preposition k-, which is a marker of comparison meaning that it is comparing the strength of the fourth kingdom to iron. This comparison indicates that the military power of this fourth kingdom was superior to Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. Just as iron shatters, crushes and pulverizes, so the Roman Empire shattered, crushed and pulverized more kingdoms and brought them into greater subjection than the empires of Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece. Fourth Kingdom Will Crush and Shatter All Things Like Iron Daniel 2:40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. (NASB95) Inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things is composed of the preposition k- (כּ ) (kee) which is followed by the preposition lĕ ( (ל (lamed) and then we have the preposition q ǒ ḇēl (ק ב ל) (kob-ale ) and this is followed by the relative particle dî (דּ י) (dee), and then we have the masculine singular noun pǎr zěl (par-zel ), iron which is followed by the masculine plural hafʿel (Hebrew (פּ ר ז ל) equivalent is the hiphil stem) active participle form of the verb d e qǎq (דּ ק ק) (dekak ), crushes and then we have the conjunction wa ( (ו (waw), and which is followed by the masculine singular peʿal (Hebrew: qal) active participle form of the verb ḥ ǎ šǎl (ח שׁ ל) (khash-al ), shatters and then we have the singular noun kōl things. (kole), all (כּ ל) kā l q ǒ ḇēl dî The preposition k- is employed with the prepositions lĕ and q ǒ ḇēl and the relative particle dî to form a conjunctive clause which means because. These four words are introducing a statement that presents the reason why the fourth kingdom is described as being strong as iron. It is compared to iron because it would crush and shatter other kingdoms just as iron shatters and crushes all things. pǎr zěl The noun pǎr zěl means iron, but this time it is not used in a comparison between this fourth kingdom and the metal it signifies William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 17

18 M.G. Easton has the following comment regarding iron, he writes Tubal-Cain is the first-mentioned worker in iron (Gen. 4:22). The Egyptians wrought it at Sinai before the Exodus. David prepared it in great abundance for the temple (1 Chr. 22:3: 29:7). The merchants of Dan and Javan brought it to the market of Tyre (Ezek. 27:19). Various instruments are mentioned as made of iron (Deut. 27:5; 19:5; Josh. 17:16, 18; 1 Sam. 17:7; 2 Sam. 12:31; 2 Kings 6:5, 6; 1 Chr. 22:3; Isa. 10:34). Figuratively, a yoke of iron (Deut. 28:48) denotes hard service; a rod of iron (Ps. 2:9), a stern government; a pillar of iron (Jer. 1:18), a strong support; a furnace of iron (Deut. 4:20), severe labour; a bar of iron (Job 40:18), strength; fetters of iron (Ps. 107:10), affliction; giving silver for iron (Isa. 60:17), prosperity. 2 Tim Turnham writes Metal that was a basic material for weapons and tools in the biblical period. The Iron Age began in Israel about 1200 b.c., though introduction of this metal into daily life occurred slowly. The Bible mentions iron in conjunction with Moses and with the Canaanite conquest, but at this time iron was rare and used mainly for jewelry. The availability of iron was a sign of the richness of the promised land (Deut. 8:9), and articles of iron were indications of wealth (Deut. 3:11; Josh. 6:19). Excavations of Israelite sites dating from the eleventh and twelfth centuries have uncovered rings, bracelets, and decorative daggers made of iron. In early forging techniques iron was not much harder than other known metals and, unlike bronze and copper, it had to be worked while hot. As improved metalworking techniques became known, however, iron gradually became the preferred metal for tools such as plows, axes, and picks as well as for weapons such as spears and daggers. Iron chariots were a sign of great power in warfare (Josh. 17:18; Judg. 1:19; 4:3). Older scholars taught that the Philistines held an iron monopoly over Israel. Increased availability of iron corresponds to the period of Philistia s collapse, and 1 Samuel records that the Philistines prevented smiths from working in Israel (1 Sam. 13:19 21). However, excavations in Philistia have uncovered no more iron implements than in Israelite cities. This suggests that the prohibition of smiths in Israel may refer to workers in bronze rather than iron or that for a period of history the Philistines had an economic and perhaps technological advantage, being able to control the iron industry. Most likely, iron became common throughout the region due to disruption of sources of other metals and to increased trading to the north and over the sea. After 1000 b.c. iron became widely used. David emphasized the importance of taking metals as spoils of war, and he later used stockpiles of iron and bronze in preparation for building the temple (1 Chron. 22:3). Iron is frequently used symbolically in the Bible. Related to the hardness of iron, it is used as a threat of judgment (Ps. 2:9; 2 Easton, M. (1996). Easton's Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc William E. Wenstrom, Jr. Bible Ministries 18