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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Daniel 2:32 The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/2-32.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/27_Dan_02_32.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Daniel 2:32 - Daniel Interprets the Dream" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/daniel/2-32.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/daniel/2-32.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/daniel/">Daniel</a> > <a href="/daniel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 32</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/daniel/2-31.htm" title="Daniel 2:31">◄</a> Daniel 2:32 <a href="/daniel/2-33.htm" title="Daniel 2:33">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/daniel/2.htm">New International Version</a> The head of the statue was made of pure gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, <a href="/nlt/daniel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> The head of the statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, <a href="/esv/daniel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze, <a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, <a href="/kjv/daniel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, <a href="/nkjv/daniel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> This image’s head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of bronze, <a href="/nasb_/daniel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/nasb/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/nasb77/daniel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/lsb/daniel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> The head of that image was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/amp/daniel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> As for this statue, its head was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/csb/daniel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, <a href="/hcsb/daniel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its stomach and thighs were bronze, <a href="/asv/daniel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, <a href="/cev/daniel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Its head was made of gold, its chest and arms were silver, and from its waist down to its knees, it was bronze. <a href="/erv/daniel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> As for this image, his head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, <a href="/gwt/daniel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The head of this statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. Its stomach and hips were made of bronze. <a href="/gnt/daniel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Its head was made of the finest gold; its chest and arms were made of silver; its waist and hips of bronze, <a href="/isv/daniel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> That statue had a head made of pure gold, with its chest and arms made of silver, its abdomen and thighs made of bronze, <a href="/msb/daniel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, <a href="/net/daniel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> As for that statue, its head was of fine gold, its chest and arms were of silver, its belly and thighs were of bronze. <a href="/nheb/daniel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <a href="/wbt/daniel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The head of this image was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, <a href="/web/daniel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/daniel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> This image! Its head [is] of fine gold, its breasts and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze; <a href="/ylt/daniel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> This image! its head is of good gold, its breasts and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass; <a href="/slt/daniel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> This image, its head of good gold, the breasts and arms of silver, and the bowels and thighs of brass:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/daniel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The head of this statue was of fine gold, but the breast and the arms of silver, and the belly and the thighs of brass: <a href="/cpdv/daniel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The head of this statue was of the finest gold, but the breast and the arms were of silver, and further on, the belly and the thighs were of brass; <a href="/nabre/daniel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Its head was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs bronze, <a href="/nrsvce/daniel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The head of that statue was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/daniel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> This image's head was of fine gold, its breast and arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, <a href="/hpbt/daniel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Its head was of gold fine, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/daniel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> As for that image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass, <a href="/sep/daniel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> It was an image, the head of which was of fine gold, its hands and breast and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of brass, <a href="/parallel/daniel/2-32.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/shUZJK-vYxI?start=573" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/daniel/2.htm">Daniel Interprets the Dream</a> …31As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome. 32<a href="/hebrew/1932.htm" title="1932: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. (Aramaic) or (feminine) hiyo (Aramaic); corresponding to huw'."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7217.htm" title="7217: rê·šêh (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Head. (Aramaic) corresponding to ro'sh; the head; figuratively, the sum.">The head</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6755.htm" title="6755: ṣal·mā (N-msd) -- An image. (Aramaic) or tslem (Aramaic); corresponding to tselem; an idolatrous figure.">of the statue</a> <a href="/hebrew/2869.htm" title="2869: ṭāḇ (Adj-ms) -- Good. (Aramaic) from t'eb; the same as towb; good.">was pure</a> <a href="/hebrew/1722.htm" title="1722: ḏə·haḇ (N-ms) -- Gold. (Aramaic) corresponding to zahab; gold.">gold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2306.htm" title="2306: ḥă·ḏō·w·hî (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Breast. (Aramaic) corresponding to chazeh; a breast.">its chest</a> <a href="/hebrew/1872.htm" title="1872: ū·ḏə·rā·‘ō·w·hî (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- An arm. (Aramaic) corresponding to zrowa'; an arm.">and arms</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3702.htm" title="3702: ḵə·sap̄ (N-ms) -- Silver. (Aramaic) corresponding to keceph.">were silver,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4577.htm" title="4577: mə·‘ō·w·hî (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Belly. (Aramaic) or m(ae (Aramaic); corresponding to me'ah; only in plural the bowels.">its belly</a> <a href="/hebrew/3410.htm" title="3410: wə·yar·ḵā·ṯêh (Conj-w:: N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Thigh, loin. (Aramaic) corresponding to yrekah; a thigh.">and thighs</a> <a href="/hebrew/1768.htm" title="1768: dî (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that, because. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5174.htm" title="5174: nə·ḥāš (N-ms) -- Copper, bronze. (Aramaic) corresponding to nchuwshah; copper.">were bronze,</a> 33its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/1-14.htm">Revelation 1:14-15</a> The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. <a href="/daniel/7-4.htm">Daniel 7:4-6</a> 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, suddenly 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. <a href="/revelation/19-12.htm">Revelation 19:12</a> He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. <a href="/ezekiel/1-7.htm">Ezekiel 1:7</a> Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze. <a href="/revelation/2-18.htm">Revelation 2:18</a> To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze. <a href="/isaiah/2-22.htm">Isaiah 2:22</a> Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? <a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12-13</a> If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, / his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. <a href="/revelation/4-2.htm">Revelation 4:2-3</a> At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. / The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. <a href="/isaiah/10-13.htm">Isaiah 10:13-14</a> For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom, for I am clever. I have removed the boundaries of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty one I subdued their rulers. / My hand reached as into a nest to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered all the earth. No wing fluttered, no beak opened or chirped.’” <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a> so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. <a href="/isaiah/13-17.htm">Isaiah 13:17</a> Behold, I will stir up against them the Medes, who have no regard for silver and no desire for gold. <a href="/jeremiah/51-7.htm">Jeremiah 51:7</a> Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad. <a href="/revelation/17-4.htm">Revelation 17:4</a> The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. <a href="/isaiah/60-17.htm">Isaiah 60:17</a> Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20</a> A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>This image's head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,head.<a href="/daniel/2-37.htm">Daniel 2:37,38</a> Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory… <a href="/daniel/4-22.htm">Daniel 4:22,30</a> It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth… <a href="/daniel/7-4.htm">Daniel 7:4</a> The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it.breast.<a href="/daniel/2-39.htm">Daniel 2:39</a> And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.<a href="/daniel/7-5.htm">Daniel 7:5</a> And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.<a href="/daniel/8-3.htm">Daniel 8:3,4</a> Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last… belly.<a href="/daniel/2-39.htm">Daniel 2:39</a> And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.<a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Daniel 7:6</a> After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.<a href="/daniel/8-5.htm">Daniel 8:5-8</a> And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes… thighs.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/31-8.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/ezekiel/3-3.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-14.htm">Best</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-3.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-12.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-34.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-3.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/job/41-24.htm">Chest</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-14.htm">Fine</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-13.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/daniel/2-14.htm">Good</a> <a href="/daniel/2-28.htm">Head</a> <a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">Image</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-22.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-1.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-1.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-13.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">Statue</a> <a href="/ezekiel/29-7.htm">Thighs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/daniel/10-6.htm">Arms</a> <a href="/jonah/1-17.htm">Belly</a> <a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Best</a> <a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/hosea/1-8.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Breasts</a> <a href="/daniel/2-39.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/revelation/1-13.htm">Chest</a> <a href="/daniel/10-5.htm">Fine</a> <a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/daniel/4-2.htm">Good</a> <a href="/daniel/2-38.htm">Head</a> <a href="/daniel/2-34.htm">Image</a> <a href="/daniel/3-25.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/daniel/7-9.htm">Pure</a> <a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Sides</a> <a href="/daniel/2-35.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/daniel/2-34.htm">Statue</a> <a href="/daniel/5-6.htm">Thighs</a><div class="vheading2">Daniel 2</div>1. <a href="/daniel/2-1.htm">Nebuchadnezzar, forgetting his dream, </a> 5. <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">requires it of the Chaldeans, by promises and threats.</a> 10. <a href="/daniel/2-10.htm">They acknowledging their inability are judged to die.</a> 14. <a href="/daniel/2-14.htm">Daniel obtaining some respite finds the dream.</a> 19. <a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">He blesses God.</a> 24. <a href="/daniel/2-24.htm">He staying the decree is brought to the king.</a> 31. <a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">The dream.</a> 36. <a href="/daniel/2-36.htm">The interpretation.</a> 46. <a href="/daniel/2-46.htm">Daniel's advancement.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Gold, being the most precious metal, signifies the wealth, power, and splendor of Babylon, which was renowned for its grandeur and influence. Historically, Babylon was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, known for its impressive architecture, such as the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate. This aligns with the biblical context where Babylon is often depicted as a symbol of human pride and idolatry. The use of gold also connects to other scriptures where Babylon is described as a "golden cup" (<a href="/jeremiah/51-7.htm">Jeremiah 51:7</a>), emphasizing its opulence and eventual judgment.its chest and arms were silver The silver chest and arms symbolize the Medo-Persian Empire, which succeeded Babylon. Silver, while valuable, is less precious than gold, indicating a decrease in the absolute power and glory compared to Babylon. The duality of the chest and arms reflects the two-part nature of the Medo-Persian alliance, with the Medes and Persians working together to conquer Babylon. Historically, this empire was known for its administrative efficiency and the establishment of laws, as seen in the Book of Esther and the decree of Cyrus allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem (<a href="/ezra/1.htm">Ezra 1:1-4</a>). The transition from gold to silver also suggests a shift from autocratic rule to a more bureaucratic system.its belly and thighs were bronze The bronze belly and thighs represent the Greek Empire, established by Alexander the Great. Bronze, being stronger than silver, signifies the military prowess and cultural influence of Greece, which spread Hellenistic culture across the known world. This empire is noted for its swift conquests and the unification of a vast territory under Greek language and customs. The division into belly and thighs may allude to the eventual fragmentation of Alexander's empire into four Hellenistic kingdoms after his death. This period is significant in biblical prophecy, as seen in the Book of Daniel, where the rise and fall of empires are foretold. The use of bronze also connects to the Greek's emphasis on strength and valor, as seen in their art and mythology.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/daniel.htm">Daniel</a> A prophet and wise man in the Babylonian court who interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dream. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm">Nebuchadnezzar</a> The king of Babylon who has a troubling dream about a statue. 3. <a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a> The empire ruled by Nebuchadnezzar, representing the head of gold in the statue. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_statue.htm">The Statue</a> A symbolic representation of successive world empires, starting with Babylon. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_dream.htm">The Dream</a> A divine revelation given to Nebuchadnezzar, interpreted by Daniel, revealing the future of world kingdoms.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a> The dream reveals that God is in control of history and the rise and fall of empires. <a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_kingdoms.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Kingdoms</a> The different materials of the statue symbolize the transient nature of human power compared to God's eternal kingdom. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom_and_discernment.htm">The Importance of Wisdom and Discernment</a> Daniel's ability to interpret the dream highlights the value of seeking God's wisdom in understanding the times. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a> Despite the changing political landscapes, believers can trust in God's ultimate plan and purpose. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_believers_in_society.htm">The Role of Believers in Society</a> Like Daniel, Christians are called to be faithful and wise in their engagement with the world, influencing it for God's glory.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_daniel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Daniel 2</a> <a href="/q/why_do_bible_kingdoms_conflict_in_daniel.htm">Why do some descriptions of kingdoms in other parts of the Bible appear to conflict with the symbolism found in Daniel 2:32–43, suggesting inconsistencies in prophetic narrative? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_daniel's_empires_match_history.htm">How does the sequence of empires in Daniel 2:37-43 align with actual historical timelines, given the lack of comprehensive archaeological evidence to fully verify each kingdom's role?</a> <a href="/q/how_were_temple_vessels_returned_intact.htm">If the original temple vessels in Ezra 1:7 had been melted down by the Babylonians, how could these exact items be returned intact?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_israelites_get_and_move_metals.htm">How could the Israelites realistically acquire and transport the vast amounts of gold, silver, and bronze mentioned in Exodus 38:24-31 while wandering in the desert?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/daniel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(32) Breast . . .--It should be remarked that though many different parts of the body of the image are mentioned, Daniel regards the whole thing as made up of only four parts, each corresponding to one of the four metals. Similarly he shows the history of the world in its relation to God's people, complicated though it may be and varied in its aspect, consists of no more than four principal parts. It will be noticed that by the additional matter mentioned <a href="/context/daniel/2-41.htm" title="And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, for as much as you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.">Daniel 2:41-42</a>, certain minor complications of history are intended, which, however, do not interfere with the fourfold division of which the outline is here given.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/daniel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 32, 33. - This image's head was of fine gold, his breasts and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass, his legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay. The versions present no occasion of r,-mark, save that Theodotion has a doublet, a; χεῖρες, translating, "the hands, the breast, and the arms." The word rendered "fine" is really "good" (טָב, tab). Naturally, there have not been preserved to us any composite images of this kind; gold and silver would certainly soon have found their way to the melting-pot after the fall of the Babylonian empire, had such a statue been erected in Babylon. Brass and iron were too precious not to follow in the same road. Among the Greeks, as we know, there were what were called "chryselephantine" statues, partly gold and partly ivory. In the description given of the Temple of Belus, we see a succession something akin to that in the statue, but it may be doubted whether we may deduce any connection between the two on that account. In the Book of Enoch the apocalyptist sees mountains of different kinds of metal - of gold, silver, brass, iron, tin, and mercury, the first four coinciding with the metals in Daniel's vision. Ewald refers in a note to the possibility that this idea might be borrowed from Hesiod, but rightly dismisses it as improbable. As to the metals used, gold and silver were well known in ancient times, as also iron, though, from the difficulty of working it, later. What is here translated "brass" ought to be rendered "copper;" "bronze" certainly was known very early, but the whole use of the word, נְחָשׁ (Aramaic), or נְחשֶׁת (Hebrew), implies that it is a simple metal; thus <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Deuteronomy 8:9</a>, "Out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass" (Hebrew, נְחשֶׁת; Onkelos, נְחָשָׁא). In this statue the progressive degradation of the material and situation is to be observed. The head, the highest part, gold; the shoulders, lower, silver; the belly and thighs, lower still, brass; the legs, lower yet, iron; and the feet and toes, lowest of all, a mixture of iron and clay. It is observed by Kliefoth that there is further a growing division. The head is one, without any appearance of division; the portion consisting of the breast and arms is divided, though slightly, for the chest is more important and bulky than the arms; the belly and thighs form a portion which from the plural form given to the word translated "belly," מעוהי (m'ohi), suggests more of dividedness than does that above. The lowest portion, that forming the legs and toes, has the greatest amount of division. Kliefoth also refers to another point - that while there is a progressive degradation of the metal, there is also progression in degrees of hardness, silver being harder than gold, copper harder than silver, and iron hardest of all; then suddenly the iron is mingled with clay. There is not a new, softer material added to form a new fifth part; but there is a mingling of "clay " - clay suitable for the potter, or rather that has already been baked in the kiln, and therefore in the last degree brittle. In fact, there is a progress in frangibility - gold the most ductile of metals, and iron the least so, then clay, when baked, more brittle still. There are many other successions that might be followed, which are at least ingenious. The idea suggested by the phrase, "part of iron and part of clay," is that there was not a complete mingling, but that portions were seen that were clearly clay, and other portions as clearly still iron; there was therefore the superadded notion of the imperfect union of the parts with the necessary additional weakness which follows. <a href="/commentaries/daniel/2-32.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>The head רֵאשֵׁהּ֙ (rê·šêh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7217.htm">Strong's 7217: </a> The head, the sum of the statue צַלְמָ֗א (ṣal·mā) Noun - masculine singular determinate <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6755.htm">Strong's 6755: </a> An idolatrous figure was pure טָ֔ב (ṭāḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2869.htm">Strong's 2869: </a> Good gold, דְהַ֣ב (ḏə·haḇ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> Gold its chest חֲד֥וֹהִי (ḥă·ḏō·w·hî) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2306.htm">Strong's 2306: </a> A breast and arms וּדְרָע֖וֹהִי (ū·ḏə·rā·‘ō·w·hî) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1872.htm">Strong's 1872: </a> An arm were silver, כְסַ֑ף (ḵə·sap̄) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3702.htm">Strong's 3702: </a> Silver, money its belly מְע֥וֹהִי (mə·‘ō·w·hî) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4577.htm">Strong's 4577: </a> The bowels and thighs וְיַרְכָתֵ֖הּ (wə·yar·ḵā·ṯêh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3410.htm">Strong's 3410: </a> Thigh, loin were bronze, נְחָֽשׁ׃ (nə·ḥāš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5174.htm">Strong's 5174: </a> Copper, bronze <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/daniel/2-32.htm">Daniel 2:32 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/daniel/2-32.htm">OT Prophets: Daniel 2:32 As for this image its head was (Dan. Da Dn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/daniel/2-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Daniel 2:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Daniel 2:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/daniel/2-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Daniel 2:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Daniel 2:33" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>