Daniel 2:40 kjv
And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Daniel 2:40 nkjv
And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes, that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others.
Daniel 2:40 niv
Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron?for iron breaks and smashes everything?and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.
Daniel 2:40 esv
And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.
Daniel 2:40 nlt
Following that kingdom, there will be a fourth one, as strong as iron. That kingdom will smash and crush all previous empires, just as iron smashes and crushes everything it strikes.
Daniel 2 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 2:9 | You shall break them with a rod of iron... | Messiah's future dominion & judgment. |
| Dan 2:31-33 | ...your eyes looked, and there was a great image. This great image... | Description of the full statue/kingdoms. |
| Dan 2:41 | And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided... | Division of the iron kingdom. |
| Dan 2:44 | And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed... it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms... | God's eternal kingdom conquers all others. |
| Dan 7:7 | After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it... | Parallel prophecy of the fourth beast/empire. |
| Dan 7:19 | Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; | Further description of the dreadful fourth beast. |
| Dan 8:23 | And in the latter time of their kingdom... a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. | Rise of a cruel ruler in a later empire. |
| Joel 3:10 | ...beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. | Military might and preparation for war. |
| Mic 4:13 | Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make your horn iron, and I will make your hooves brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people... | God's people empowered for judgment. |
| Hag 2:22 | And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen... | God's ultimate power over human kingdoms. |
| Zech 1:20-21 | And the LORD shewed me four carpenters. Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah... | Empires that oppressed Judah (like the four kingdoms). |
| Mt 21:44 | And whoever falls on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. | The Stone (Christ) bringing ultimate judgment. |
| Rom 13:1-7 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God... | God's sovereignty over earthly governments. |
| 1 Cor 15:24 | Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after destroying every rule and every authority and power. | Christ's final victory over all powers. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | Christ's universal sovereignty. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour... | Spiritual forces that empower destructive powers. |
| Rev 2:27 | And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers... | Believers sharing in Christ's ruling authority. |
| Rev 13:2 | And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. | Description of the powerful and oppressive end-time beast. |
| Rev 17:12-14 | And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet... These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them... | Future political powers warring against God. |
| Rev 19:15 | And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should strike the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron... | Christ's absolute power and righteous judgment. |
Daniel 2 verses
Daniel 2 40 Meaning
Daniel 2:40 describes the fourth kingdom in King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, identifying it with legs of iron. This kingdom would possess immense strength, likened to iron, and would operate with a destructive and dominating power. It is prophesied to crush, break into pieces, and subdue all things, demonstrating an unparalleled capability to conquer and rule over previous kingdoms and existing entities, leaving a lasting mark of its tyrannical dominion.
Daniel 2 40 Context
This verse is part of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great image in Daniel chapter 2. The dream presents a historical prophecy detailing the succession of four world empires, each diminishing in value from gold to silver, bronze, and finally, iron. Daniel 2:40 specifically describes the nature of the fourth of these kingdoms, following the kingdoms symbolized by gold (Babylon), silver (Medo-Persia), and bronze (Greece). The historical context is the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites, a period when God revealed His sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations. This prophecy was given to a pagan king by a Hebrew prophet, challenging the notion of human autonomy and emphasizing the ultimate authority of the God of Israel over all earthly powers and destinies. It indirectly functions as a polemic against pagan polytheism and imperial self-deification, asserting that even the most powerful human empires are merely part of God's overarching plan.
Daniel 2 40 Word analysis
- And: Connects this description to the preceding parts of the dream interpretation, establishing a continuation in the succession of empires.
- the fourth kingdom: Refers to the legs of iron in Nebuchadnezzar's image (Dan 2:33). Historically understood by many interpreters to represent the Roman Empire, which arose after the Greek empire. Its power would be global in its sphere of influence known at the time.
- shall be strong: Aramaic: ḥāsinā (חָסִינָה), meaning "strong, mighty, powerful." This emphasizes the kingdom's immense military, political, and administrative power, indicating its capacity for conquest and endurance compared to previous empires.
- as iron: Aramaic: kefarz'lā (כְפַרְזְלָא). Iron is known for its unparalleled hardness, durability, and practical utility in forging tools and weapons. Its metaphorical use here signifies the kingdom's unmatched strength, rigidity, and destructive capability.
- forasmuch as iron: Establishes the reason for the comparison, explaining how the kingdom will be strong like iron—through its destructive actions.
- breaketh in pieces: Aramaic: m'haddaq (מְהַדַּק), "to crush, grind fine." This describes a thorough, pulverizing destruction. It indicates the kingdom's aggressive and unyielding military might, leaving nothing intact.
- and subdueth: Aramaic: u'm'hushed (וּמְהַשֵׁד), "to shatter, break, dissolve," or v'shalet (וְשָׁלֵט) meaning "and it rules, dominates." This highlights the kingdom's absolute control and domination over conquered territories and peoples, imposing its will without compromise.
- all things: Aramaic: kol-qovêl kollā (כָּל־קֳבֵל כֹּלָּא), meaning "all things against" or "every opposition." This signifies the comprehensiveness of its conquering power, extending its rule over all preceding powers and whatever stands in its way.
- and as iron that breaketh all these: Reiterates the destructive nature and capacity of this kingdom. It reinforces the idea that its actions will be a direct reflection of the physical properties of iron.
- shall it break in pieces: A repetition of m'haddaq (or a closely related Aramaic verb like yidqar meaning to pierce or thrust), emphasizing the finality and effectiveness of its destruction.
- and bruise: Aramaic: yādûsh (יָדוּשׁ), "to trample down, tread upon." This term adds to the imagery of absolute conquest and oppression, suggesting a forceful subjugation where opponents are literally ground underfoot.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron": This initial phrase unequivocally identifies the nature and primary characteristic of the predicted fourth empire. Its strength is its defining trait, likened to the strongest known metal of its time.
- "forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things": This explanatory clause elaborates on why iron is the chosen metaphor. It's not just strong, but uniquely capable of dismantling and mastering other materials, foreshadowing the kingdom's comprehensive destructive and governing power.
- "and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise": This final, emphatic restatement serves to double down on the ferocity and totality of this empire's conquest. It ensures the listener understands the thoroughness of its dominion and the unyielding nature of its power. This repetitive phrasing amplifies the intensity and finality of its impact on the world stage.
Daniel 2 40 Bonus section
The prophecy of the "iron" kingdom highlights the stark contrast between human empires, which rise and fall through violence and conquest, and God's ultimate kingdom (Dan 2:44), which is not built by human hands and will never be destroyed. This particular depiction of the fourth kingdom's strength and dominance underscores the subsequent prophecy of its feet being mixed with iron and clay, indicating both inherent strength and internal weaknesses leading to fragmentation. Historically, the Roman Empire, while initially very strong and unifying, eventually fragmented, a detail foreseen in the subsequent verses. This detail points to the future state of affairs before the "stone" (Christ's kingdom) smashes the image.
Daniel 2 40 Commentary
Daniel 2:40 vividly portrays the fourth global empire as uniquely powerful and destructive, personified by iron. This strength enabled it to militarily conquer and politically absorb all preceding empires and extend its dominion far and wide. Its "breaking in pieces" and "subduing" capacity speaks to its unparalleled military machine and ruthless administrative efficiency in integrating vast territories. While empires before it, like Medo-Persia and Greece, expanded greatly, the "iron" empire would leave a distinct mark of unified, centralized authority that ruthlessly crushed dissent and absorbed diverse peoples into its vast structure. This description is widely understood as fulfilled by the Roman Empire, which superseded the Hellenistic kingdoms and established a massive, long-lasting dominion known for its iron legions, extensive road network, and formidable legal system that effectively "bruised" and "subdued" vast populations under its rule, setting the stage for the arrival of God's unshakeable kingdom.