King James Version

What Does Daniel 2:31 Mean?

Daniel 2:31 in the King James Version says “Thou, O king, sawest , and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; an...” — study this verse from Daniel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou, O king, sawest , and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. sawest: Cald. wast seeing”

Daniel 2:31 · KJV

Context

29

As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter : and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. came: Cald. came up

30

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart. but for: or, but for the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king

31

Thou, O king, sawest , and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible. sawest: Cald. wast seeing

32

This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, thighs: or, sides

33

His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Daniel's description of the statue begins: 'Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image.' The Aramaic tselem (image/statue) suggests an idol, ironically appropriate for representing earthly kingdoms in their pride. The image's 'brightness was excellent' and 'form thereof was terrible' combines awesome splendor with frightening power—human kingdoms appear glorious yet threaten destruction. The statue's composite materials (gold, silver, bronze, iron, clay) represent successive kingdoms, each inferior to its predecessor, showing the deterioration of human governmental authority over time. This vision reveals God's perspective on human empire-building—impressive but ultimately fragile and doomed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern art commonly depicted deities and kings as colossal statues symbolizing power and permanence. Nebuchadnezzar himself erected an enormous golden image (Daniel 3:1), possibly inspired by this dream. The descending value of metals (gold to clay) reverses typical ancient thinking that valued earlier 'golden ages.' Daniel's interpretation subverts imperial propaganda: empires grow militarily stronger (iron) but politically weaker (mixed clay), culminating in fragility rather than permanence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image's outward splendor contrasted with internal deterioration reflect human kingdoms' pride versus their actual fragility?
  2. What does the progressive deterioration from gold to clay teach about the trajectory of human government apart from God's kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אַ֣נְתְּה1 of 17

“Thou”

H607

thou

מַלְכָּ֗א2 of 17

“O king”

H4430

a king

חָזֵ֤ה3 of 17
H2370

to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)

הֲוַ֙יְתָ֙4 of 17

“sawest”

H1934

to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)

וַאֲל֨וּ5 of 17

“and behold”

H431

lo!

צַלְמָ֨א6 of 17

“image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

חַד֙7 of 17

“a great”

H2298

as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once

שַׂגִּ֔יא8 of 17
H7690

large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)

צַלְמָ֨א9 of 17

“image”

H6755

an idolatrous figure

דִּכֵּ֥ן10 of 17

“This”

H1797

this

רַ֛ב11 of 17

“great”

H7229

abundant

וְזִיוֵ֥הּ12 of 17

“whose brightness”

H2122

(figuratively) cheerfulness

יַתִּ֖יר13 of 17

“was excellent”

H3493

preeminent; as an adverb, very

קָאֵ֣ם14 of 17

“stood”

H6966

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לְקָבְלָ֑ךְ15 of 17

“before”

H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

וְרֵוֵ֖הּ16 of 17

“thee and the form”

H7299

aspect

דְּחִֽיל׃17 of 17

“thereof was terrible”

H1763

to slink, i.e., (by implication) to fear, or (causatively) be formidable

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 2:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 2:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 1:7Daniel 7:3-17Isaiah 13:11Ezekiel 28:7Matthew 4:8Isaiah 25:3-5

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