Daniel 2:32 kjv
This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,
Daniel 2:32 nkjv
This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
Daniel 2:32 niv
The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze,
Daniel 2:32 esv
The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze,
Daniel 2:32 nlt
The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,
Daniel 2 32 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 2:31 | "You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image!" | The immediate context of the dream statue. |
| Dan 2:37-38 | "You, O king, are a king of kings... You are this head of gold." | Explicit interpretation of the head as Babylon. |
| Dan 2:39 | "But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours—then another...of bronze." | Direct prophecy of succession of empires. |
| Dan 2:21 | "He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings..." | God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. |
| Dan 2:44 | "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom..." | God's eternal kingdom superseding earthly ones. |
| Dan 4:17 | "...that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men..." | Reinforces divine control over human empires. |
| Dan 5:28 | "...your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." | Fulfilment of silver kingdom succeeding gold. |
| Dan 7:3-6 | "And four great beasts came up from the sea... The first was like a lion... another beast, like a bear... another, like a leopard..." | Parallel prophetic vision of these empires. |
| Dan 8:20-21 | "The ram... is the kings of Media and Persia. And the male goat... is the kingdom of Greece." | Clear identification of silver and bronze empires. |
| Isa 46:10 | "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done..." | God's absolute foreknowledge and control. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | "For promotion cometh neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another." | Divine authority over human leadership. |
| Psa 2:10-11 | "Now therefore, be wise, O kings... Serve the LORD with fear..." | Call to earthly rulers to submit to God. |
| Luk 21:24 | "...Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." | The Gentile era, during which these empires rise. |
| John 18:36 | "My kingdom is not of this world..." | Contrast of Christ's kingdom with earthly ones. |
| 1 Tim 6:15 | "He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords," | God's ultimate supremacy over all earthly kings. |
| Exod 25:3 | "And this is the offering which you shall take... gold, and silver, and bronze" | These metals are symbolic of value and sacred use. |
| 1 Kings 10:27 | "The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as the sycamore trees in the Lowland." | Illustrates great wealth, similar to Babylon's. |
| Zech 6:1 | "Then I turned and raised my eyes, and looked, and behold, four chariots coming from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze." | Bronze potentially symbolizes strength and judgment, related to nations. |
| 1 Pet 1:24 | "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass." | The fleeting nature of human power and glory. |
| James 5:3 | "Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you..." | Reminder of the transient nature of material wealth. |
| Col 1:16 | "For by Him all things were created... whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities..." | God's creative and sovereign control over all powers. |
| Isa 14:12 | "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" | Contrast of fallen earthly glory vs. divine. |
| Jer 27:6-7 | "Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant..." | God raising up Babylon for His purposes. |
| Jer 51:7 | "Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making all the earth drunk." | Gold as a symbol of Babylon's corrupting influence and divine tool. |
| Rev 1:15 | "...His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been fired in a furnace..." | Bronze representing strength and the refining/judgment of God. |
Daniel 2 verses
Daniel 2 32 Meaning
Daniel 2:32 describes the first three sections of the immense statue from Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which Daniel interpreted as successive world empires. The head of fine gold represents the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. The breast and arms of silver symbolize the Medo-Persian Empire, indicating a powerful yet somewhat less glorious dominion. The belly and thighs of bronze signify the Grecian Empire, known for its widespread military might. The progression from gold to silver to bronze illustrates a decline in the intrinsic value or glory of these empires, moving from an autocratic, preeminent power to subsequent ones, each distinct in nature yet still significant global forces.
Daniel 2 32 Context
Daniel 2:32 is part of the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dream and Daniel’s God-given interpretation. The king had a dream of a large, dazzling statue made of various metals and clay, but the dream itself was forgotten by morning. Daniel, empowered by God, revealed both the dream and its meaning, thereby avoiding the death decree for all Chaldean wise men and proving God’s unique ability to unveil mysteries. This verse details the second and third components of the statue. Historically, Babylon was the reigning empire, possessing unmatched power and wealth, which laid the foundation for the successive empires (Medo-Persia, Greece, and later Rome), each contributing to the Gentile dominion over Israel. The chapter highlights God's absolute sovereignty over human history and political powers, contrasting the transient nature of human kingdoms with His eternal kingdom.
Daniel 2 32 Word analysis
- This image’s: The Aramaic word for "image" (צֶלֶם, tzelem) refers to a tangible representation or likeness, not merely an appearance. It signifies the substantiality of these human kingdoms, which possess actual, discernible characteristics. This points to the distinct reality of each successive empire in the world.
- head: (רֵאשׁ, resh). This word means the top, chief, or beginning. As the "head" of gold, it denotes ultimate authority and primacy, representing Nebuchadnezzar as the reigning monarch of the Babylonian Empire. It also implies intellectual or ruling power.
- was of fine gold: (דְּהַב טָב, dehav tav). "Fine" indicates pure, excellent, or refined gold. This signifies Babylon's unmatched glory, wealth, and absolute, autocratic power under Nebuchadnezzar. Gold was the most precious metal, embodying luxury, divinity (often used for idols or sacred objects), and royal splendor in ancient Mesopotamia. It represents the height of human imperial glory.
- its breast: (חֲדֹוֹהִי, chadohwi). Refers to the chest area. This mid-section placement signifies a transition from the previous kingdom.
- and arms: (אֶדְרָעוֹהִי, edra'ohwi). The duality of "arms" often symbolically represents two distinct, yet united entities or powers. This points to the Medo-Persian Empire, specifically its dual nature of the Medes and the Persians, acting in concert. Arms are also symbolic of strength and action.
- of silver: (כְּסַף, kesaf). Silver, while valuable, is inherently less precious than gold. This symbolizes the Medo-Persian Empire as "inferior" in terms of its absolute nature or original splendor compared to Babylon, though vast and powerful. It may reflect a less centralized and more administrative form of governance (silver was common for currency and taxation).
- its belly: (גַוֵּהּ, gawweh). The mid-trunk of the body, indicating the broad reach or geographical expanse of this kingdom.
- and thighs: (יַרְכָתָהּ, yarkatash). The strong upper legs, which provide support and facilitate powerful movement. Similar to "arms," "thighs" often represent two distinct entities or strength points within a kingdom. This again reinforces the notion of an empire with broad reach and considerable strength for conquest and expansion.
- of bronze: (נְחָשׁ, nechash). Often translated as bronze, this copper alloy was particularly strong and commonly used for weapons, armor, and implements of war in the ancient world. This symbolizes the Grecian Empire (under Alexander the Great and his successors) known for its remarkable military prowess, widespread conquests, and heavily armed phalanxes. While less precious than gold or silver, it signifies superior strength in battle.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "head...of fine gold": Represents the absolute zenith of human imperial power and glory. Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian Empire, known for its immense wealth and a despotic, singular rule. This part signifies an era of unmatched opulence and supreme, centralized authority.
- "breast and arms of silver": Indicates a powerful succession that, while still grand, diminishes in its "value" or inherent nature from the golden era. The dual "arms" foreshadow the combined strength and distinct identity of the Medo-Persian alliance, which succeeded Babylon. Their rule was characterized by a more formalized and less autocratic administration.
- "belly and thighs of bronze": Portrays an empire characterized by expansive military might and widespread conquests. The "thighs" reinforce strength and movement. This refers to the Grecian Empire, famed for its swift and extensive military victories across vast territories, particularly under Alexander the Great. The transition to bronze implies a focus on military power over opulence or political centralization, marking a change in the dominant characteristic of the world's superpower.
Daniel 2 32 Bonus section
The diminishing preciousness of the metals from gold to iron and clay throughout the statue does not necessarily imply a decrease in military strength (iron is harder than gold), but rather a decrease in moral character, intrinsic worth, or the political glory and cohesion of the kingdoms. Gold represented absolute, unchallengeable centralized authority. Silver suggested a dual rule and perhaps more diffused power. Bronze implied great military prowess and extensive conquest. This pattern points towards increasingly fragmented and less noble forms of governance as human history progresses, all orchestrated by God.
Daniel 2 32 Commentary
Daniel 2:32 precisely outlines the diminishing quality of successive world empires as revealed in Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream. The head of "fine gold" epitomizes Babylon's unprecedented and autocratic rule under Nebuchadnezzar, characterized by unparalleled wealth and unchallenged authority. Following this golden age, the "breast and arms of silver" signify the Medo-Persian Empire, distinct yet unified in its dual leadership, marking a decline in absolute value or autocratic centralization compared to its predecessor, while still being a formidable global power. Subsequently, the "belly and thighs of bronze" represent the Grecian Empire, renowned for its military might and extensive conquests, though intrinsically less precious than silver or gold. This sequence illustrates God's sovereign hand in history, revealing the rise and fall of empires, each marked by unique characteristics aligning with the properties of the metals. It demonstrates that the destiny of nations is under divine orchestration, progressively showing humanity's kingdoms yielding in intrinsic glory and nature, preparing for the ultimate, eternal kingdom of God.