Daniel 2:38

And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.

And wheresoever {H3606} the children {H1123} of men {H606} dwell {H1753}, the beasts {H2423} of the field {H1251} and the fowls {H5776} of the heaven {H8065} hath he given {H3052} into thine hand {H3028}, and hath made thee ruler {H7981} over them all {H3606}. Thou {H607} art this head {H7217} of gold {H1722}.

so that wherever people, wild animals or birds in the air live, he has handed them over to you and enabled you to rule them all -you are the head of gold.

Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.

and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee to rule over them all: thou art the head of gold.

Commentary

Daniel 2:38 is a pivotal verse in the prophetic interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, where Daniel reveals the identity of the first great world empire.

Context

This verse comes from the second chapter of Daniel, where King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon has a disturbing dream that none of his wise men can interpret. Daniel, empowered by God, steps forward to reveal both the dream and its meaning. The dream depicted a magnificent, terrifying statue made of various metals: a head of gold, breasts and arms of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay. In Daniel 2:38, Daniel directly addresses the king, identifying him with the most glorious part of the statue and explaining his God-given dominion.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty Over Empires: The verse powerfully declares that Nebuchadnezzar's vast dominion was not merely a result of his military prowess or strategic genius, but a direct grant from God. "Hath he given into thine hand" underscores that all earthly authority is ultimately derived from the Creator. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God sets up and takes down kings.
  • Identification of the Babylonian Empire: The declaration "Thou [art] this head of gold" unequivocally identifies Nebuchadnezzar and, by extension, his powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire, as the first and most splendid of the great world powers prophesied in the dream. Babylon was renowned for its immense wealth, grand architecture (like the Hanging Gardens), and military might, making gold a fitting symbol for its glory and unparalleled power.
  • Foundation of Prophetic History: This verse lays the groundwork for understanding the subsequent world empires that would follow Babylon, represented by the other materials of the statue. It begins a detailed prophetic timeline of global powers, culminating in God's eternal kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

The original text for this verse is in Aramaic, reflecting the language spoken in the Babylonian court. The word for "gold" (Aramaic: dhahab) perfectly symbolizes the unparalleled wealth and splendor of the Babylonian kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar. The phrase "ruler over them all" (Aramaic: shalit) signifies absolute authority, emphasizing that God had indeed granted him comprehensive dominion over the known world and its creatures, a testament to his divinely appointed power during his reign.

Related Scriptures

To fully appreciate this verse, consider its place within the larger prophecy:

  • For the full description of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, see Daniel 2:31-33.
  • Daniel later interprets the subsequent kingdoms represented by silver, bronze, and iron, detailing the succession of empires in Daniel 2:39-40.
  • The concept of God giving dominion to humanity is first established in Genesis 1:28, providing a broader biblical context for the rule mentioned here.

Practical Application

Daniel 2:38 reminds us that even the mightiest earthly rulers and empires operate under God's ultimate authority. No human power is absolute or eternal. This truth offers comfort and perspective, knowing that God is in control of history, orchestrating events according to His divine plan. It calls believers to trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that He raises up and pulls down nations, and that His kingdom will ultimately prevail over all earthly dominions, as depicted by the stone that crushes the statue in Daniel 2:44.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Daniel 4:21

    Whose leaves [were] fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it [was] meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation:

  • Daniel 4:22

    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.

  • Psalms 50:10

    For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

  • Psalms 50:11

    I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine.

  • Jeremiah 27:5

    I have made the earth, the man and the beast that [are] upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

  • Jeremiah 27:7

    And all nations shall serve him, and his son, and his son's son, until the very time of his land come: and then many nations and great kings shall serve themselves of him.