Daniel 2:31

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou {H607}, O king {H4430}, sawest {H1934}{H2370}, and behold {H431} a great {H2298}{H7690} image {H6755}. This {H1797} great {H7229} image {H6755}, whose brightness {H2122} was excellent {H3493}, stood {H6966} before {H6903} thee; and the form {H7299} thereof was terrible {H1763}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Your majesty had a vision of a statue, very large and extremely bright; it stood in front of you and its appearance was terrifying.

Berean Standard Bible

As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:31 initiates the vivid description of King Nebuchadnezzar's divinely revealed dream, a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy. It presents the king's vision of a colossal, resplendent, and awe-inspiring image, setting the stage for Daniel's interpretation of successive world empires and God's ultimate, eternal kingdom. This verse immediately establishes the dream's grandeur and the profound impact it had on the king, hinting at the immense power and terrifying nature of the earthly dominions it represents.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:31 serves as the opening description of the dream that King Nebuchadnezzar saw, a dream that had deeply troubled him but which he had forgotten. The preceding verses detail the king's demand for his wise men to not only interpret a forgotten dream but also to reveal the dream itself, under threat of execution. Only Daniel, through divine revelation, was able to meet this impossible demand, thereby validating his God-given wisdom and setting him apart from the Babylonian astrologers and sorcerers. This verse directly follows Daniel's prayer of thanksgiving and praise to God for revealing the secret, transitioning from the setup of the crisis to the content of the prophecy itself. It is the visual foundation upon which the entire interpretation of world history will be built in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the Babylonian Empire, specifically during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar (c. 605-562 BC), who had conquered Judah and exiled its people, including Daniel. Babylon was the dominant world power of its time, known for its immense wealth, military might, and impressive architectural achievements, such as the Hanging Gardens and the Ishtar Gate. Kings in the ancient Near East often consulted diviners and dream interpreters, believing dreams to be messages from the gods. Nebuchadnezzar's demand for the dream's content before its interpretation was highly unusual, highlighting his desperation and distrust of his own wise men. The "great image" would have resonated with the Babylonian culture, which often erected grand statues and monuments to their gods and kings, reflecting their imperial power and self-glorification.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several overarching themes that permeate the book of Daniel. Firstly, the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, as God alone reveals the dream and its meaning, demonstrating His ultimate control over human history and the rise and fall of empires, a concept further elaborated in [Daniel's prayer of praise](/daniel/2-20 "Daniel 2:20-23 - Daniel's Prayer of Praise"). Secondly, the **Succession of World Empires** is foreshadowed by the "great image," which will be systematically interpreted as representing future kingdoms, a theme that reappears with different imagery in [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts"). Thirdly, the verse highlights the **Transient Nature of Earthly Power**, emphasizing that even the most magnificent and terrifying human kingdoms are temporary and subject to divine decree, contrasting sharply with the eternal kingdom of God described later in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Image (Aramaic, _tselem'_):** (H6755) Corresponding to the Hebrew word for "image," this term refers to an idolatrous figure or a representation. In this context, it denotes a massive, man-like statue, which serves as a powerful symbol for the succession of human kingdoms. Its very nature as an "image" suggests a created, not eternal, entity, hinting at the temporary nature of the empires it represents.
* **Brightness (Aramaic, _zîyv'_):** (H2122) This word signifies radiance, splendor, or cheerfulness. Applied to the image, it emphasizes its dazzling appearance, its outward glory, and the impressive, almost overwhelming, display of power and wealth associated with the initial kingdom (Babylon) and, by extension, all subsequent human empires in their prime. It speaks to the allure and majesty of worldly dominion.
* **Terrible (Aramaic, _dᵉchal'_):** (H1763) This Aramaic term conveys a sense of being formidable, dreadful, or awe-inspiring, stemming from a root meaning "to fear." When describing the image's "form," it indicates that the statue was not merely grand but also commanded fear and respect due to its immense presence, power, and perhaps its ominous implications. It points to the oppressive and often violent nature of these earthly powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image."**: This opening clause directly addresses Nebuchadnezzar, confirming that Daniel is indeed revealing the king's own forgotten dream. The phrase "and behold" (Aramaic, _ʼălûw'_) serves as an interjection, drawing immediate attention to the central object of the vision: a "great image." This emphasizes the sheer scale and significance of what the king witnessed.
* **"This great image, whose brightness [was] excellent, stood before thee;"**: Daniel reiterates the "great image," reinforcing its imposing stature. The description of its "brightness" being "excellent" (Aramaic, _yattîyr'_) highlights its extraordinary radiance and splendor. This speaks to the outward glory, wealth, and perceived invincibility of the empires it symbolizes, particularly the first, golden kingdom of Babylon. The image's standing "before thee" places the king in a direct, confronting relationship with this powerful prophetic vision.
* **"and the form thereof [was] terrible."**: While the previous clause described the image's dazzling appearance, this final clause introduces a contrasting element: its "form" (Aramaic, _rêv'_, meaning aspect or appearance) was "terrible." This suggests that despite its magnificent brightness, there was an inherent dreadfulness or awe-inspiring power about it. This "terrible" aspect hints at the oppressive, fear-inducing, and ultimately destructive nature of the human empires, foreshadowing their eventual collapse and the violence often associated with their rise and fall.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:31 is rich in **Visual Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a colossal, gleaming, yet terrifying statue. The repeated emphasis on "great image" and the descriptors "brightness excellent" and "form... terrible" utilize **Hyperbole** to underscore the overwhelming scale and impact of the vision on Nebuchadnezzar. The entire "great image" functions as a profound **Symbolism**, where each part of the statue will later represent a successive world empire, illustrating God's prophetic foresight and control over human history. The contrast between the "excellent brightness" and the "terrible form" creates a subtle **Juxtaposition**, hinting at the deceptive allure and inherent dread of worldly power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:31 serves as a foundational verse for understanding God's sovereign control over the course of human history. The "great image" is not merely a figment of a king's troubled mind but a divinely orchestrated revelation of God's prophetic blueprint for the ages. It underscores the biblical truth that earthly kingdoms, no matter how powerful or splendid they appear, are temporary and ultimately subservient to the divine will. This vision, given to a pagan king through a faithful servant, demonstrates God's universal authority, His ability to communicate His plans across cultural and religious divides, and His ultimate purpose to establish an eternal kingdom that will supersede all human endeavors.

* [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom") - This verse directly interprets the ultimate outcome of the dream, revealing that God will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, contrasting with the transient nature of the image's components.
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God Exalts and Brings Low") - This psalm speaks to God's role in exalting and bringing down rulers, aligning with the theme of divine sovereignty over earthly powers presented in Daniel's vision.
* [Revelation 13:1-2](/revelation/13-1 "Revelation 13:1-2 - The Beast from the Sea") - While different in imagery, this New Testament passage also depicts a succession of powerful, oppressive world empires, echoing the theme of human kingdoms' terrifying nature and their opposition to God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vision of the "great image" in Daniel 2:31 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that despite the apparent chaos or overwhelming power of present-day geopolitical forces, God remains sovereign over all nations and their leaders. Just as Nebuchadnezzar's dream revealed a predetermined sequence of empires, so too does God orchestrate history toward His ultimate purposes. This perspective provides immense comfort and stability, encouraging us to place our trust not in the fleeting might of human institutions or the promises of political leaders, but in the unchanging, eternal kingdom of God. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, investing our lives in that which endures, rather than being captivated by the "excellent brightness" or intimidated by the "terrible form" of worldly systems. Our hope is anchored in the King who rules over all kings, whose kingdom will never be shaken.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "brightness excellent" and "form... terrible" of the image reflect aspects of human power and its allure in our world today?**
* **In what ways does understanding God's sovereignty over world empires, as revealed in this dream, impact your trust and peace amidst global instability?**
* **How can we, as believers, live in light of the transient nature of earthly kingdoms while still engaging responsibly with the world around us?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Nebuchadnezzar seeing a "great image" in his dream?**

Answer: The "great image" is highly significant as it serves as a central prophetic symbol in the book of Daniel. It represents a succession of powerful world empires that would dominate the ancient Near East and beyond, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's own Babylonian Empire. The image's composite nature—made of different metals and materials—symbolically depicts the changing character, strength, and eventual decline of these kingdoms. Its "brightness excellent" and "terrible form" highlight both the outward glory and the oppressive nature of human power. Ultimately, the image's destruction by a stone cut without human hands ([Daniel 2:34](/daniel/2-34 "Daniel 2:34 - The Stone Strikes the Image")) foreshadows the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, which will utterly consume all earthly dominions, as explained in [Daniel's interpretation](/daniel/2-36 "Daniel 2:36 - Daniel Begins His Interpretation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "great image" of Daniel 2:31, representing the succession of human kingdoms, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, inaugurated by Jesus Christ. While the image symbolizes the transient nature of earthly power, its eventual destruction by a "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" ([Daniel 2:34](/daniel/2-34 "Daniel 2:34 - The Stone and the Image")) points directly to Christ. Jesus is that "stone," the cornerstone rejected by builders but chosen by God ([Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected"); [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - Jesus, the Cornerstone")). His first coming initiated the kingdom of God, a spiritual reality that grows and expands, not through human might or political conquest, but through the power of the Gospel ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Within You")). Unlike the "great image" whose "brightness excellent" and "terrible form" speak of temporary, fear-inducing power, Christ's kingdom is one of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). Ultimately, at His second coming, Christ will fully and visibly establish His universal reign, crushing all opposing earthly powers and fulfilling the prophecy that His kingdom "shall never be destroyed" but "shall stand for ever" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). Thus, the terrifying image of human grandeur gives way to the glorious, eternal reign of the Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 1:7

They [are] terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

Daniel 7:3

And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Daniel 7:17

These great beasts, which are four, [are] four kings, [which] shall arise out of the earth.

Ezekiel 28:7

Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness.

Isaiah 13:11

And I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

Luke 4:5

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

Isaiah 25:3

Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.