Daniel 2 37

Daniel 2:37 kjv

Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.

Daniel 2:37 nkjv

You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory;

Daniel 2:37 niv

Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory;

Daniel 2:37 esv

You, O king, the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory,

Daniel 2:37 nlt

Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings. The God of heaven has given you sovereignty, power, strength, and honor.

Daniel 2 verses

Daniel 2 37 Meaning

Daniel 2:37 declares that Nebuchadnezzar's vast kingdom, power, strength, and glory were not achieved by his own might or wisdom, but were sovereignly bestowed upon him by "the God of heaven." It is Daniel's opening statement in interpreting the king's dream, identifying Nebuchadnezzar as the head of gold in the great image and directly attributing his immense authority and success to the divine hand.

Daniel 2 37 Context

Daniel 2:37 occurs in the broader context of Daniel Chapter 2, where King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has a dream that greatly troubles him, yet he forgets its contents upon waking. He demands that his Chaldean wise men not only interpret the dream but first reveal the dream itself, threatening them with death if they fail. When they confess their inability, the king decrees the execution of all the wise men, including Daniel and his companions. Daniel, upon learning of the decree, asks for time and, with his three friends, seeks mercy from "the God of heaven." God reveals the mystery to Daniel in a night vision.

Daniel then goes before the king. Crucially, before revealing the dream or its interpretation, Daniel emphasizes that the secret has been revealed not by any human wisdom or magic, but by "the God of heaven" (Dan 2:28). Verse 37 specifically introduces the interpretation by directly addressing Nebuchadnezzar, acknowledging his unparalleled earthly authority while simultaneously stating its true, divine source. This sets a vital theological foundation, framing Nebuchadnezzar's reign and all subsequent empires within God's sovereign plan, not as independent human achievements. Historically, Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar was a preeminent empire of its time, vast and powerful, consistent with its description as the "head of gold." This acknowledgement served as both a compliment to the king's current dominion and a powerful theological statement.

Daniel 2 37 Word analysis

• You, O king (אַנתָּה מַלְכָּא - 'anthah malka): A direct and deferential address to the monarch, immediately focusing the message on Nebuchadnezzar himself. Daniel's address establishes respectful communication, crucial when speaking truth to power.
• are a king of kings (מֶלֶךְ מַלְכַיָּא - melek malkayya): This Aramaic phrase literally means "king of the kings." It was a common hyperbolic title in the ancient Near East, used to denote a supreme monarch who ruled over numerous lesser kings or vassal states. For Nebuchadnezzar, this signified his unprecedented imperial dominion and the subservience of many lesser rulers to him. It highlights the vast extent and supreme authority of the Babylonian Empire. Biblically, this title contrasts sharply with its application to God and later Christ, the true and ultimate "King of kings," underscoring the temporary and derivative nature of Nebuchadnezzar's power.
• for the God of heaven (אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא - 'elah shemayya): This is a pivotal phrase. "God of heaven" emphasizes Yahweh's transcendent, universal sovereignty, His abode above all creation, and His ultimate control over earthly affairs. This is a direct polemic against Babylonian polytheism and the myriad local deities and astral gods worshipped there. Daniel attributes the king's power not to Babylonian gods like Marduk or Nabu, but to the singular, transcendent God whom Daniel serves, thus challenging the prevailing religious understanding of power origination.
• has given you (יְהַב־לָךְ - yehāb-lāk): The verb "given" (Aramaic, yĕhab) strongly indicates divine bestowal. This negates any claim by Nebuchadnezzar that his empire was solely the result of his military prowess, political genius, or his pagan gods' favor. It highlights divine agency and election in human affairs. The use of the perfect tense suggests a completed action by God, affirming His deliberate and past establishment of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom.
• a kingdom (מַלְכוּתָא - malkhuthā): Refers to the physical dominion, the realm, the political structure, and the entire Babylonian Empire. It speaks to the territory and the sovereign rule exercised over it.
• power (חֵסֶן - ḥesen): Signifies effective might, strength, and capability to enforce authority. This refers to the king's operational might, his ability to mobilize armies and enact decrees.
• and strength (וְגֻבְרְתָא - wĕghubharethā): This word implies robust might, vigor, or military dominance, often suggesting irresistible force or inherent ruling capability. When paired with ḥesen, it underscores the completeness and depth of the authority Nebuchadnezzar wielded, covering both active might and inherent ruling power.
• and glory (וִיקָר - wîqār): Connotes honor, prestige, splendor, and the visible manifestation of regal magnificence and wealth. This represents the reputation and visible grandeur that accompanied Nebuchadnezzar's immense power, contributing to his image as an unchallenged ruler.

Words-group analysis:The cumulative effect of "a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory" (מַלְכוּתָא חֵסֶן וְגֻבְרְתָא וִיקָר - malkhuthā ḥesen wĕghubharethā wîqār) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of what was bestowed. Every aspect of Nebuchadnezzar's imperial sway—his domain, his ability to act, his inherent might, and his prestigious standing—is explicitly declared as a divine gift. This statement disarms any potential human pride, clearly stating that despite its apparent might, the Babylonian Empire operates solely by the decree and permission of the "God of heaven," the one true sovereign over all.

Daniel 2 37 Bonus section

• The naming of Nebuchadnezzar as "the head of gold" (implied by this verse and explicitly stated in Dan 2:38) further reinforces the idea of divine ordination. Gold, being the most precious and noble metal, symbolizes the Babylonian Empire's unparalleled wealth, power, and glory in its time. This description is given by God through Daniel, not by the king himself, reinforcing God's ultimate authority to categorize and evaluate empires.
• This verse subtly prepares the king, and the reader, for the eventual humbling of Nebuchadnezzar himself (recorded in Daniel Chapter 4), where he is forced to recognize that "the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will" (Dan 4:17). The foundation for that lesson is firmly laid in Daniel 2:37.
• The emphasis on "the God of heaven" serves not only as a theological assertion but also as an implied promise of His continued activity in history. If He established this first great kingdom, He will continue to direct subsequent ones as revealed in the rest of the dream interpretation.

Daniel 2 37 Commentary

Daniel 2:37 is a foundational theological declaration in the book of Daniel, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms and history. Before unfolding the specifics of future empires, Daniel first establishes the source of all governmental authority. Nebuchadnezzar, for all his power and self-glorification, is but a recipient of a divine bestowal. His status as "king of kings" is valid only because the true "God of heaven" allowed and appointed it. This verse lays the groundwork for the entire prophetic revelation that follows, indicating that God orchestrates historical events, raising up and casting down rulers according to His eternal plan. It also functions as a powerful spiritual witness within a pagan court, challenging the prevailing worldview that kings derived their power from national deities or personal might.

This declaration underscores a critical biblical truth: God is actively involved in the affairs of mankind, especially in the political realm. The greatest human empire is entirely subject to His will. This reality fosters humility in those with authority and provides confidence for believers that no earthly power can ultimately thwart God's purposes. For instance, those in positions of leadership are reminded that their authority is a trust from God (Rom 13:1), demanding accountability. For believers, it means seeing historical shifts not as random events, but as part of God's overarching plan, offering a sense of peace amidst geopolitical turmoil.