Daniel 2 39

Daniel 2:39 kjv

And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Daniel 2:39 nkjv

But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.

Daniel 2:39 niv

"After you, another kingdom will arise, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule over the whole earth.

Daniel 2:39 esv

Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.

Daniel 2:39 nlt

"But after your kingdom comes to an end, another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to take your place. After that kingdom has fallen, yet a third kingdom, represented by bronze, will rise to rule the world.

Daniel 2 verses

Daniel 2 39 Meaning

Daniel 2:39 reveals two successive gentile kingdoms that would follow Babylon in history, as depicted in Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue. First, it foretells a kingdom of silver, explicitly stated as "inferior" to the Babylonian head of gold, understood to be the Medo-Persian Empire. Following this, it predicts a "third kingdom of brass," identified as the Greek or Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great, which would remarkably expand its dominion across a significant portion of the known ancient world. This verse underscores the precise, divinely ordained sequence and characteristics of world powers leading up to God's ultimate eternal kingdom.

Daniel 2 39 Context

Daniel 2:39 is a critical component of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream. The preceding verses (Dan 2:31-33) describe the statue composed of various metals: a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and thighs of brass, and legs of iron with feet of iron and clay. Daniel 2:38 has already identified Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian Empire as the "head of gold."

This verse thus continues the unfolding revelation, moving to the subsequent global empires. Historically, this prophecy occurs during the Babylonian exile, a time when Babylon reigned supreme. For the original audience, it provided assurance that even powerful empires were under God's control and that their rise and fall were part of a divine plan. It also highlighted a distinct shift from purely human-conceived kingdoms to God's sovereign establishment of eternal rule. This systematic enumeration of empires serves as a foundational prophecy in Daniel, later elaborated upon in more detail through different imagery in chapters 7, 8, and 11, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty over human history.

Daniel 2 39 Word analysis

• And (ve, Aramaic): A simple conjunction that smoothly connects this prophecy of succeeding kingdoms to the previous identification of Babylon. It indicates continuity in the revealed timeline of world powers.
• after thee (acharayk, Aramaic: "after you" or "behind you"): Signifies chronological succession. This clarifies that the coming kingdom would arise following the Babylonian empire's dominance, emphasizing a transfer of global power, not coexistence. It speaks to the impermanence of even the mightiest human empires.
• shall arise (tequm, Aramaic: "to stand up," "to rise," "to be established"): This verb implies a forceful emergence or establishment of a new authority. It suggests the new kingdom will come to power decisively, consistent with historical conquests. The passive or intransitive nature hints at a divinely permitted or orchestrated rise rather than solely human endeavor.
• another kingdom (malku ’acherah, Aramaic: "a kingdom another"): This emphasizes the distinct identity and separate political entity of the successor. It highlights that the transition will be to a completely new sovereign power.
• inferior to thee (’ar’a minnāk, Aramaic: literally "lower from you," "inferior to you" in value): This is crucial. While Medo-Persia (symbolized by silver, a less valuable metal than gold) was vast and powerful, its "inferiority" can be understood in several ways:
  • Value of Metal: Silver is less precious than gold.
  • Nature of Rule: Babylonian rule under Nebuchadnezzar was largely absolute. The Medo-Persian empire, though vast, operated with a system of laws (even the king could not easily change them, see Dan 6:8), suggesting a less absolute or centralized power compared to Babylon.
  • Historical perception: While highly successful, it might have lacked the specific mystique or 'glory' perceived in the foundational Babylonian empire, especially regarding art and culture, though their administrative system was highly advanced.
  • Longevity/Impact: While longer, some scholars suggest its internal cohesion was weaker.
• and another third kingdom (ukharah wate’teqal teliytay’ah, Aramaic: "and yet another, a third one"): This explicitly names the third successive kingdom in the dream. The emphasis on "another" reiterates its distinctness from the previous two empires, maintaining the clear sequence.
• of brass (dī nĕchāsh, Aramaic: "of copper/bronze"): Symbolizes the Greek Empire, specifically the Macedonian Empire established by Alexander the Great. While bronze is less precious than gold or silver, it was a common and formidable material for military armor and weaponry. This implicitly points to the formidable military strength, speed, and widespread conquest that would characterize this empire. It was more militaristic in its rapid expansion.
• which shall bear rule over all the earth (diy ta’bidd salṭana‘ al-kal ’ar‘a, Aramaic: "which will exercise dominion over all the earth/land"): This phrase highlights the unprecedented geographical reach and widespread dominance of this third kingdom. Alexander's conquests extended from Greece into Asia Minor, the Levant, Egypt, and as far as India, truly encompassing a vast proportion of the then-known world. The phrase implies a universal scope of its authority relative to previous empires.

Words-group Analysis

• "And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee": This phrase precisely defines the transition from Babylon to the Medo-Persian empire. It emphasizes sequential emergence, divine appointment ("shall arise"), and a comparative characteristic ("inferior"), hinting at the differences in imperial nature even amidst shared power. This foretells a new era in global dominion but with a change in intrinsic value or character.
• "and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth": This describes the third major gentile superpower (Greece). It highlights the distinct material representation (brass/bronze) suggesting a military emphasis, and profoundly indicates the expansive geographical scope ("over all the earth") that this empire would achieve, setting it apart by its extensive reach.

Daniel 2 39 Bonus section

• The interpretation of the kingdoms in Daniel 2 as historical empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome) is a traditional view known as "Historicist" interpretation, supported by many Christian scholars through the ages.
• The progression from "gold" to "silver" to "brass" can also signify a decline in absolute regal authority; while Babylon had a virtually absolute monarch, the Medo-Persian rule involved unchangeable laws even for the king, and the Greek empire ultimately fractured into smaller kingdoms after Alexander's death.
• The extensive reach of the "brass" kingdom foreshadows the vastness of the Hellenistic world, which greatly influenced language (Koine Greek) and culture, paving the way for the spread of the Gospel in the New Testament era.

Daniel 2 39 Commentary

Daniel 2:39 is a cornerstone of biblical prophecy, precisely foretelling the succession of two great world empires following Babylon: Medo-Persia and Greece. The prophecy highlights a remarkable divine control over human history, demonstrating that God alone orchestrates the rise and fall of nations. The "inferiority" of the Medo-Persian kingdom (represented by silver) compared to Babylon (gold) points not to a lack of power, but potentially a difference in internal governmental structure, perhaps less centralized absolutism than Babylon, or a lesser perceived glory. This would be followed by the Greek Empire (represented by brass), whose dominion would remarkably extend "over all the earth," accurately describing Alexander the Great's unprecedented conquests. The descending value of metals—gold, silver, brass—may also subtly indicate a progressive decline in the 'ideal' form of governmental authority, leading eventually to fractured rule. The precision of this prophecy, articulated centuries before its historical fulfillment, serves as powerful evidence for the divine inspiration of Scripture and God's sovereign hand guiding world events towards His ultimate eternal kingdom.