Daniel 2:35

KJV

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {H116} was the iron {H6523}, the clay {H2635}, the brass {H5174}, the silver {H3702}, and the gold {H1722}, broken to pieces {H1855}{H1751} together {H2298}, and became {H1934} like the chaff {H5784} of {H4481} the summer {H7007} threshingfloors {H147}; and the wind {H7308} carried {H5376} them {H1994} away {H5376}, that {H3606} no {H3809} place {H870} was found {H7912} for them: and the stone {H69} that smote {H4223} the image {H6755} became {H1934} a great {H7229} mountain {H2906}, and filled {H4391} the whole {H3606} earth {H772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken into pieces which became like the chaff on a threshing-floor in summer; the wind blew them away without leaving a trace. But the stone which had struck the statue grew into a huge mountain that filled the whole earth.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

American Standard Version

Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:35 provides the dramatic climax of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, revealing the ultimate fate of all human empires and the eternal triumph of God's kingdom. It vividly portrays the complete and simultaneous demolition of the colossal statue—symbolizing successive world powers—by a divinely appointed stone, which then expands to become a vast mountain filling the entire earth, signifying the establishment of an indestructible, universal, and everlasting divine reign that supersedes all earthly dominion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 2:35 is the culmination of Daniel's interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which began with the king's troubled mind and inability of his wise men to reveal or interpret the dream. Daniel, through divine revelation, first recounts the dream in [Daniel 2:31-33](/daniel/2-31-33 "Daniel 2:31-33 - Description of Nebuchadnezzar's Dream Image"), describing a magnificent, terrifying image composed of various metals and clay, each representing a successive world empire. The immediate preceding verse, [Daniel 2:34](/daniel/2-34 "Daniel 2:34 - The Stone Strikes the Image"), describes the "stone cut without hands" striking the image on its feet of iron and clay. Verse 35 then details the immediate and total destruction of the entire image, followed by the stone's transformative growth, providing the powerful conclusion to the prophetic vision and setting the stage for Daniel's explicit interpretation in [Daniel 2:44-45](/daniel/2-44-45 "Daniel 2:44-45 - Interpretation of God's Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian exile, a period of immense political upheaval where the mighty Neo-Babylonian Empire dominated the Near East. King Nebuchadnezzar, the most powerful monarch of his time, had conquered Judah and deported its people, including Daniel. Dreams were widely considered a significant means of divine or supernatural communication in ancient Near Eastern cultures, and kings often sought interpretations from their wise men. The concept of successive empires was also familiar, as regional powers rose and fell. The imagery of a "threshingfloor" and "chaff" would have been immediately recognizable to an agrarian society, symbolizing utter worthlessness and complete dispersal. The idea of a "mountain" often represented stability, power, and a center of worship or governance, making its growth to fill the earth a potent symbol of universal dominion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Daniel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Sovereignty of God over all Earthly Kingdoms**. Despite the apparent might and longevity of human empires, Daniel 2:35 unequivocally declares their transience and ultimate subservience to God's eternal plan. The swift and complete destruction of the colossal image demonstrates that human power, no matter how formidable, is ultimately fragile and temporary in the face of divine intervention, a theme echoed in [Psalm 2:4-6](/psalm/2-4-6 "Psalm 2:4-6 - God's Derision of Earthly Rulers"). Secondly, it introduces and highlights the **Establishment of God's Eternal Kingdom**. The "stone cut without hands" is a pivotal symbol, representing a kingdom not born of human effort or political maneuvering, but divinely initiated and sustained. This kingdom's growth into a "great mountain" that "filled the whole earth" signifies its universal scope, enduring nature, and ultimate triumph over all earthly systems, a concept further elaborated in [Daniel 7:13-14](/daniel/7-13-14 "Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion"). Finally, the verse carries profound **Messianic Prophecy**. The "stone" is widely understood as a prefigurement of Jesus Christ and the kingdom He inaugurates, a kingdom that will ultimately supersede all earthly powers and endure forever, as prophesied in [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Messiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **broken to pieces (Aramaic, _dûwq'_ / _dᵉqaq'_):** (H1751 / H1855) These Aramaic words convey the idea of crumbling, crushing, or being ground into fine particles. The use of two closely related terms emphasizes the absolute and thorough nature of the destruction. It's not merely a collapse but a pulverization, indicating that the empires represented by the image are not just defeated but utterly annihilated, leaving no remnant of their former power or influence.
* **chaff (Aramaic, _ʻûwr'_):** (H5784) This term refers to the lightweight, worthless husks separated from grain during threshing. The comparison of the shattered empires to "chaff of the summer threshingfloors" is a powerful agricultural metaphor. It highlights the complete worthlessness, insubstantiality, and swift dispersal of these once-mighty kingdoms. Just as chaff is easily blown away by the wind, leaving no trace, so too will these earthly powers vanish before God's ultimate kingdom.
* **mountain (Aramaic, _ṭûwr'_):** (H2906) This Aramaic word refers to a rock or hill, often used to denote a mountain. In biblical imagery, mountains frequently symbolize stability, permanence, strength, and a place of divine presence or authority (e.g., Mount Zion). The transformation of the small stone into a "great mountain" that fills the whole earth powerfully symbolizes the vastness, unshakeable nature, and universal dominion of God's kingdom, contrasting sharply with the ephemeral nature of human empires.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together":** This clause describes the immediate and simultaneous destruction of all parts of the image, representing the various successive world empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the divided kingdoms). The "together" emphasizes that when the stone strikes, all these seemingly distinct and historically sequential powers are collectively and utterly demolished, signifying a comprehensive end to human-devised dominion.
* **"and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them":** This vivid imagery underscores the complete and irreversible annihilation of the earthly kingdoms. They are reduced to worthless, insubstantial dust, which is then dispersed by the wind, leaving no trace or memory of their former existence. This signifies the utter insignificance and impermanence of all human power when confronted by divine authority.
* **"and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.":** This final clause presents the triumphant counterpoint to the destruction. The humble "stone," divinely cut "without hands" (from [Daniel 2:34](/daniel/2-34 "Daniel 2:34 - The Stone Strikes the Image")), dramatically transforms into a vast, stable "mountain" that expands to encompass the entire globe. This symbolizes the eternal, universal, and all-encompassing nature of God's kingdom, which is destined to supersede and eternally endure beyond all transient human governments.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:35 is rich in **Symbolism**, with each element of the dream image and its destruction carrying profound meaning. The various metals and clay symbolize successive world empires, while the "stone cut without hands" symbolizes a divinely established kingdom, widely understood to be the kingdom of God or the Messiah. The transformation of the stone into a "great mountain" is a powerful symbol of the kingdom's universal dominion, permanence, and unshakeable authority. The verse also employs a striking **Metaphor** when it likens the shattered empires to "chaff of the summer threshingfloors." This agricultural imagery vividly conveys the worthlessness, insubstantiality, and complete dispersal of these human powers, emphasizing their fleeting nature compared to the eternal kingdom. The phrase "no place was found for them" borders on **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the absolute and total disappearance of the empires, leaving no vestige or memory of their former might. The narrative structure itself is an example of **Prophetic Vision**, conveying future events through symbolic imagery and divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:35 stands as a foundational text for understanding God's sovereign control over human history and the ultimate triumph of His eternal kingdom. It asserts that despite the apparent power and longevity of earthly empires, they are all temporary and ultimately subject to the divine will. The complete demolition of the image signifies that God's kingdom does not merely succeed earthly powers but utterly eradicates their influence, establishing a new, divinely ordained order that is qualitatively different and infinitely superior. This passage provides immense hope and assurance that God's purposes will prevail, culminating in a universal reign of righteousness and peace that will never be overthrown.

* [Psalm 2:8-9](/psalm/2-8-9 "The Messiah's Universal Dominion")
* [Isaiah 2:2-4](/isaiah/2-2-4 "The Mountain of the Lord's House")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:35 offers a profound perspective that challenges our earthly allegiances and invites us to live with an eternal mindset. In a world often consumed by political anxieties, economic instability, and the rise and fall of national powers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that all human systems are transient and ultimately destined to pass away. Our ultimate hope, security, and allegiance should not be placed in fleeting earthly kingdoms, but in the unshakeable, eternal kingdom of God. This passage encourages us to invest our lives in pursuits that align with God's eternal purposes, building up His kingdom rather than chasing the temporary glories of this world. It fosters a deep sense of peace and confidence, knowing that God is sovereign over all history, and His divine plan will unfold perfectly, culminating in the complete triumph of His righteous and everlasting reign. This truth empowers believers to live courageously, knowing that even in the face of formidable earthly powers, God's kingdom will ultimately prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "chaff of the summer threshingfloors" challenge our perception of worldly power and success?**
* **In what ways does the growth of the stone into a "great mountain" provide comfort and hope in times of global instability?**
* **How can we practically live with an "eternal perspective" in our daily lives, as encouraged by this passage?**
* **What does Daniel 2:35 teach us about the nature of God's kingdom compared to human kingdoms?**

### FAQ
**What does the "stone cut without hands" represent?**

Answer: The "stone cut without hands" is a powerful symbol representing a kingdom not established by human effort, power, or political maneuvering, but solely by divine intervention. In Christian theology, it is widely interpreted as a prophetic symbol of Jesus Christ and the eternal kingdom of God that He inaugurates. This kingdom is distinct from all earthly empires because it is supernatural in origin and eternal in duration, destined to supersede and ultimately fill the entire earth.

**When will the stone kingdom fill the whole earth?**

Answer: The "stone kingdom" began its work with the first coming of Jesus Christ, who announced the arrival of the kingdom of God ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus Preaches the Kingdom of God")). It continues to expand through the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the Church, which is the visible manifestation of God's kingdom on earth. While its spiritual dominion is already established, its full and visible manifestation as a "great mountain" that "filled the whole earth" is typically understood to refer to the consummation of God's kingdom at Christ's second coming, when all earthly powers will be definitively subdued and His righteous reign will be fully established over all creation ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")).

**Why were the different materials (gold, silver, brass, iron, clay) broken to pieces together?**

Answer: The fact that all the materials—gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay—were "broken to pieces together" signifies that the kingdom represented by the stone would not merely be another in a succession of empires, but would bring a definitive and simultaneous end to the entire system of human-devised world dominion. While the empires appeared sequentially in history, their ultimate fate is a collective and instantaneous annihilation when God's eternal kingdom fully asserts its power. This emphasizes the comprehensive and final nature of God's triumph over all earthly opposition, leaving no remnant of their former power or influence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:35 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "stone cut without hands" is a profound prefigurement of the Messiah, whose kingdom is not of this world, nor is it established by human might or political maneuvering ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Jesus Himself referred to Himself as the "stone" rejected by the builders but becoming the cornerstone ([Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Stone the Builders Rejected")), a direct echo of Old Testament prophecy. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension initiated the kingdom of God, a spiritual reality that began small but is destined to grow and fill the entire earth ([Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You")). The crushing of the human empires by this divine stone points to Christ's ultimate victory over all earthly powers, sin, and death. His reign, unlike the transient kingdoms of men, is eternal, universal, and unshakeable ([Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Christ's Eternal Reign")). Thus, Daniel 2:35 beautifully foreshadows the cosmic triumph of Christ, who will ultimately establish His righteous dominion over all creation, fulfilling the prophecy of a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will stand forever ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")).

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

Isaiah 2:2

And it shall come to pass in the last days, [that] the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

Isaiah 2:3

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Psalms 37:10

For yet a little while, and the wicked [shall] not [be]: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it [shall] not [be].

Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Hosea 13:3

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away, as the chaff [that] is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

Isaiah 11:9

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 41:15

Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.