Daniel 2:31
Daniel 2:31 in Multiple Translations
As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome.
¶ 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.
Thou, O king, sawest, and, behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the aspect thereof was terrible.
You, O King, were looking, and a great image was there. This image, which was very great, and whose glory was very bright, was placed before you: its form sent fear into the heart.
Your Majesty, as you looked, there before you stood a great statue. The statue standing in front of you was huge, and blazingly bright. It looked terrifying!
O King, thou sawest, and beholde, there was a great image: this great image whose glory was so excellent, stood before thee, and the forme thereof was terrible.
'Thou, O king, wast looking, and lo, a certain great image. This image [is] mighty, and its brightness excellent; it is standing over-against thee, and its appearance [is] terrible.
“You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and its appearance was terrifying.
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and its form was terrible.
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold there was as it were a great statue: this statue, which was great and high, tall of stature, stood before thee, and the look thereof was terrible.
O King, in your vision you saw in front of you a huge and terrifying statue of a man. It was shining very brightly, and it was frightening and awesome.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:31
BAB
Word Study
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Daniel 2:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַ֣נְתְּה
מַלְכָּ֗/א
חָזֵ֤ה
הֲוַ֨יְתָ֙
וַ/אֲל֨וּ
צְלֵ֥ם
חַד֙
שַׂגִּ֔יא
צַלְמָ֨/א
דִּכֵּ֥ן
רַ֛ב
וְ/זִיוֵ֥/הּ
יַתִּ֖יר
קָאֵ֣ם
לְ/קָבְלָ֑/ךְ
וְ/רֵוֵ֖/הּ
דְּחִֽיל
אַ֣נְתְּה
ʼantâh
H607
you
Adj
מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
king
Adj | Art
חָזֵ֤ה
chăzâʼ
H2370
to see
Adj
הֲוַ֨יְתָ֙
hâvâʼ
H1934
to be
Adj
וַ/אֲל֨וּ
ʼălûw
H431
behold
Adj | Part
צְלֵ֥ם
tselem
H6755
image
Adj
חַד֙
chad
H2298
one
Adj
שַׂגִּ֔יא
saggîyʼ
H7690
greatly
Adj
צַלְמָ֨/א
tselem
H6755
image
Adj | Art
דִּכֵּ֥ן
dikkên
H1797
this
Adj
רַ֛ב
rab
H7229
great
Adj
וְ/זִיוֵ֥/הּ
zîyv
H2122
splendor
Adj | N-ms | Suff
יַתִּ֖יר
yattîyr
H3493
preeminent
Adj
קָאֵ֣ם
qûwm
H6966
to stand
Adj
לְ/קָבְלָ֑/ךְ
qᵉbêl
H6903
before
Adj | Prep | Suff
וְ/רֵוֵ֖/הּ
rêv
H7299
appearance
Adj | N-ms | Suff
דְּחִֽיל
dᵉchal
H1763
to fear
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:31
אַ֣נְתְּה
ʼantâh
H607
"you"
Adj
The word thou means you, a second-person singular pronoun used to address someone directly. It appears in Aramaic texts, such as in the book of Daniel.
Definition: you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: as for thee, thou. See also: Ezra 7:25; Daniel 4:19; Daniel 6:21.
מַלְכָּ֗/א
melek
H4430
"king"
Adj | Art
Melek means king, referring to a ruler or monarch, used in the Bible to describe kings like David and Solomon. It is translated as king or royal in the KJV.
Definition: king Aramaic of me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4428) § 1) king
Usage: Occurs in 131 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:1; Daniel 7:24.
חָזֵ֤ה
chăzâʼ
H2370
"to see"
Adj
Chaza means to see or gaze, and can also mean to dream or seem. It is used to describe seeing something with your eyes or in a vision.
Definition: 1) to see, behold 1a)(P'al) 1a1) to see 1a2) to see, behold, witness 1a3) to behold (in a dream or vision) 1a4) customary, seemly (passive)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: behold, have (a dream), see, be wont. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 4:10; Daniel 7:21.
הֲוַ֨יְתָ֙
hâvâʼ
H1934
"to be"
Adj
Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.
Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.
וַ/אֲל֨וּ
ʼălûw
H431
"behold"
Adj | Part
This word means behold or lo, used to get someone's attention. It is similar to the Aramaic word for woe, and is often used in the Bible to introduce a surprising or important statement.
Definition: behold!, lo! Aramaic of al.lay (אַלְלַי "woe!" H0480)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: behold. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 4:10; Daniel 7:8.
צְלֵ֥ם
tselem
H6755
"image"
Adj
In Aramaic, this word refers to an idol or image, emphasizing the idea of a false representation of God, as warned against in the Bible.
Definition: image, idol Aramaic of tse.lem (צֶ֫לֶם "image" H6754)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: form, image. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 3:5; Daniel 3:19.
חַד֙
chad
H2298
"one"
Adj
This word means one, first, or single, and is often used in the Bible to describe something unique. It appears in books like Leviticus and Numbers. It can also be used as an article, like a or an.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one 1b) a (indefinite article)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: a, first, one, together. See also: Ezra 4:8; Daniel 3:19; Daniel 7:16.
שַׂגִּ֔יא
saggîyʼ
H7690
"greatly"
Adj
This word means greatly or exceedingly, describing something large in size or quantity. It's used to emphasize the magnitude of something, like a great multitude.
Definition: adj 1) great, much 1a) great 1b) much, many adv 2) exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: exceeding, great(-ly); many, much, sore, very. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:9; Daniel 7:28.
צַלְמָ֨/א
tselem
H6755
"image"
Adj | Art
In Aramaic, this word refers to an idol or image, emphasizing the idea of a false representation of God, as warned against in the Bible.
Definition: image, idol Aramaic of tse.lem (צֶ֫לֶם "image" H6754)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: form, image. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 3:5; Daniel 3:19.
דִּכֵּ֥ן
dikkên
H1797
"this"
Adj
This word simply means 'this' or 'that', used to point to something specific. It's a common word in the Bible, like in the book of Daniel, where it's used to refer to a particular thing or idea.
Definition: this, that Aramaic of zeh (זֶה "this" H2088)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: same, that, this. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 7:20; Daniel 7:21.
רַ֛ב
rab
H7229
"great"
Adj
Means great or abundant, used to describe powerful leaders like captains or chiefs in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: adj 1) great 1a) great 1b) great (fig of power) n 2) captain, chief
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: captain, chief, great, lord, master, stout. See also: Ezra 4:10; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:20.
וְ/זִיוֵ֥/הּ
zîyv
H2122
"splendor"
Adj | N-ms | Suff
Ziv means splendor or brightness, often used to describe a person's cheerful countenance. It represents a positive and uplifting quality.
Definition: brightness, splendour
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: brightness, countenance. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 5:9; Daniel 7:28.
יַתִּ֖יר
yattîyr
H3493
"preeminent"
Adj
This word means 'preeminent' or 'excellent', like in Psalm 71 where it describes God's excellent greatness.
Definition: adj 1) pre-eminent, surpassing, extreme, extraordinary adv 2) exceedingly, extremely
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: exceeding(-ly), excellent. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 5:14; Daniel 7:19.
קָאֵ֣ם
qûwm
H6966
"to stand"
Adj
Qum means to establish or confirm something, like setting up a new system or lifting someone up to a position of power, as described in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
Definition: : establish/stand_firm/confirm/fulfill/fix 1) to arise, stand 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to arise from 1a2) to come on the scene (fig) 1a3) to arise (out of inaction) 1a4) to stand 1a5) to endure 1b) (Pael) to set up, establish 1c) (Aphel) 1c1) to set up 1c2) to lift up 1c3) to establish 1c4) to appoint 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stand
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: appoint, establish, make, raise up self, (a-) rise (up), (make to) stand, set (up). See also: Ezra 5:2; Daniel 4:14; Daniel 7:24.
לְ/קָבְלָ֑/ךְ
qᵉbêl
H6903
"before"
Adj | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word is used to describe something that is in front of or before something else. It can also mean because of or on account of something. The word is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, including in the books of Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: subst 1) front prep 2) in front of, before, because of, in view of, by reason of, because of this, therefore conj 3) because that, inasmuch as, although, according as, before adv 4) accordingly, then
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] according to, [phrase] as, [phrase] because, before, [phrase] for this cause, [phrase] forasmuch as, [phrase] by this means, over against, by reason of, [phrase] that, [phrase] therefore, [phrase] though, [phrase] wherefore. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:7; Daniel 6:23.
וְ/רֵוֵ֖/הּ
rêv
H7299
"appearance"
Adj | N-ms | Suff
This word means appearance or aspect, like when the prophet Daniel described the appearance of a heavenly being in Daniel 10. It is used to describe what someone or something looks like. The word is also used in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: appearance Aramaic of re.ut (רְאוּת "sight" H7212)
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: form. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 3:25.
דְּחִֽיל
dᵉchal
H1763
"to fear"
Adj
The Hebrew word for fear or being afraid, as used in Deuteronomy 1:29 where Moses encourages the Israelites not to fear. It can also mean to cause fear or be formidable, as in the description of God's power in Psalm 66:5.
Definition: 1) to fear 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to fear 1a2) terrible (pass participle) 1b) (Pael) to cause to be afraid, make afraid
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: make afraid, dreadful, fear, terrible. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 6:27; Daniel 7:19.
Study Notes — Daniel 2:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 2:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:31
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
- Sermons on Daniel 2:31
Context — Daniel Interprets the Dream
29As you lay on your bed, O king, your thoughts turned to the future, and the Revealer of Mysteries made known to you what will happen.
30And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.
31As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome.
32The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Habakkuk 1:7 | They are dreaded and feared; from themselves they derive justice and sovereignty. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 28:7 | behold, I will bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations. They will draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and will defile your splendor. |
| 3 | Daniel 7:3–17 | Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others: The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man. Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’ Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time. In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me. I approached one of those who were standing there, and I asked him the true meaning of all this. So he told me the interpretation of these things: ‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth. |
| 4 | Isaiah 13:11 | I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. I will end the haughtiness of the arrogant and lay low the pride of the ruthless. |
| 5 | Isaiah 25:3–5 | Therefore, a strong people will honor You. The cities of ruthless nations will revere You. For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall, like heat in a dry land. You subdue the uproar of foreigners. As the shade of a cloud cools the heat, so the song of the ruthless is silenced. |
| 6 | Matthew 4:8 | Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. |
| 7 | Luke 4:5 | Then the devil led Him up to a high place and showed Him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. |
Daniel 2:31 Summary
This verse describes a dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had, in which he saw a huge and impressive statue. The statue represents a series of kingdoms that will rise and fall, and its appearance is a reminder of God's power and control over human history, as seen in Daniel 2:29 and Psalm 103:19. Just as the king was in awe of the statue, we can stand in awe of God's wisdom and plans, which are always for our good, as stated in Romans 8:28. By seeking to understand God's plans and purposes, we can gain a deeper appreciation for His sovereignty and wisdom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the statue in Daniel 2:31?
The statue represents a series of kingdoms that will arise in the future, as revealed to King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream, and its interpretation is given by Daniel in the subsequent verses, with God being the Revealer of Mysteries as seen in Daniel 2:29.
Why was the statue described as 'great and dazzling'?
The statue's impressive appearance symbolizes the power and grandeur of the kingdoms it represents, much like the description of the beast in Revelation 13:1, which also symbolizes a powerful and awe-inspiring entity.
What can we learn from the fact that the statue 'stood before' the king?
This indicates that the statue, and the kingdoms it represents, are a direct concern for the king and his kingdom, much like how God's plans and purposes are a direct concern for His people, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of the book of Daniel?
This verse is a key part of the book's theme of God's sovereignty over human kingdoms and His ability to reveal and fulfill His plans, as stated in Isaiah 46:10 and Daniel 2:30.
Reflection Questions
- What does the appearance of the statue in my life reveal about my own values and priorities?
- How can I, like Daniel, seek to understand the 'thoughts of my mind' and the plans God has for me, as mentioned in Daniel 2:30?
- In what ways can I, as a believer, stand in awe of God's power and wisdom, as the king did before the statue?
- What are some ways I can apply the lesson of God's sovereignty over human kingdoms to my own life and circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:31
Thou, O king, sawest,.... Or, "wast seeing" (z); not with the eyes of his body, but in his fancy and imagination; as he was dreaming, he thought he saw such an appearance, so it seemed to him, as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:31
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. Thou, O king, sawest, and, behold, a great image.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
A great image; not a painted, superficial image, but a massy one, a statue in man’ s shape, great, splendid, majestical: thus they were wont of old to represent great emperors and empires, and worshipped them as gods: called here an image, and in a dream, all which is in show and shadow rather than in substance, and therefore vanishing. Stood before thee, and that upright, of a prodigious height, noting the grandeur of those monarchies. The form thereof was terrible: government is to be feared, fear to whom fear, and honour to whom honour; also some had rather be feared than loved. Some say the image was so placed that the face looked toward the king, and thus it might trouble and terrify him.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
Daniel 2:31 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.Ver. 31. Thou, O king, sawest,] sc., By the force of thy fancy; for in sleep the reasonable soul cometh into the shop of fantasy, and there doth strange works, which are vented in our dreams. And behold a great image.] A fit representation, and in a dream especially, of worldly greatness. An image, saith Theodoret, is but the figure of a thing, and not the thing itself; and this image in the text, speciem habet gigantaeam, et prorsus Chimaericam, was a kind of chimera.
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
(31) A great image.—Properly, one great image. This is one important feature in the vision. The image, though representing many things, was itself only “one.” (See Note on Daniel 2:1.) That the image was of human form is evident from the further descriptions of the various parts of the body given in Daniel 2:32-33; Daniel 2:42. The “greatness” of the image implies the magnificence and size of it. As will be shortly seen, throughout the various parts it represented the many complex phases of the one history of the world.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
Verse 31. A great image] Representing the four great monarchies.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:31
31–35. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar his dream.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:31
Thou, O king, sawest - Margin, “wast seeing.” The margin is in accordance with the Chaldee. The language is properly what denotes a prolonged or attentive observation.
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:31
31. Daniel recalls the forgotten dream as that of a mighty glittering colossus whose “appearance” was terrible. (Compare Daniel 3:1.)
Sermons on Daniel 2:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Daniel 1-4 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking to bring glory to God rather than exalting oneself in any kind of ministry. The sermon references the dream of King |
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(Daniel) Nebuchadnezzar's Dream - Part 2 by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Daniel chapter two and the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The image had a head of gold, breast and arms of silver, belly and th |
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(Men God Made) Daniel by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of fasting and its importance in the Christian faith. The speaker emphasizes that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, |
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Atlantic Lyman conf.1972-02 Studies in Daniel 02 by Joseph Balsan | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Daniel and its relevance to understanding God's ways and counsels. The sermon begins by discussing the moral conditions of the f |
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Aids to "Revelations" by Watchman Nee | Watchman Nee emphasizes the importance of understanding the book of Revelation as we approach the end of the age and the hope of the millennium. He notes that while Revelation was |
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Indifference, Urgency, Insurgency by Richard E. Bieber | Richard E. Bieber preaches about the confrontation between Pilate and Jesus, highlighting the contrast between indifference to God and urgency for God's kingdom. He emphasizes the |
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Europe in Prophecy by Denis Lyle | Denis Lyle preaches on the prophecy in Daniel 2, highlighting the rise and fall of world empires as foretold by God. The vision of the image described in the dream to Nebuchadnezza |