Daniel 2:39

And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

And after {H870} thee shall arise {H6966} another {H317} kingdom {H4437} inferior {H772} to thee {H4481}, and another {H317} third {H8523} kingdom {H4437} of brass {H5174}, which shall bear rule {H7981} over all {H3606} the earth {H772}.

But after you another kingdom will rise, inferior to you; then a third kingdom, of bronze, which will rule the whole world.

But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth.

And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Daniel 2:39 is a pivotal verse within the prophet Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream. This dream, detailed in Daniel 2:31-35, describes a colossal image made of various metals, each representing a successive world empire.

Context

Following the interpretation of the image's head of gold as the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar himself (Daniel 2:38), Daniel proceeds to reveal the kingdoms that would follow. This verse specifically outlines the characteristics of the second and third empires in this divine prophetic timeline. The dream provides a grand sweep of gentile world history from Babylon's time until the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over History: The passage powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over human history, demonstrating His foreknowledge and power to ordain the rise and fall of empires. The dream is a revelation of "what shall be in the latter days" (Daniel 2:28).
  • Succession of World Empires: The verse explicitly names two more kingdoms following Babylon, each with distinct characteristics, highlighting a divinely ordained sequence of dominant global powers.
  • Decreasing Glory, Increasing Reach: While each subsequent kingdom is "inferior" in terms of intrinsic value (gold to silver to brass), they often represent broader territorial dominion or a different kind of strength, setting the stage for even more extensive rule.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Inferior": The Hebrew word used here, ar'a (אֲרַע), literally means "earth" or "ground," implying something lower or less valuable. This signifies that the second kingdom, though powerful, would not possess the same unique glory or absolute dominion as Babylon, the head of gold.
  • "Brass": The Hebrew n'chash (נְחָשׁ) refers to bronze or copper. This metal is known for its strength and durability, often used for armor and weapons. Symbolically, it points to a kingdom characterized by military might and widespread conquest.

Historical Fulfillment

History has remarkably confirmed Daniel's prophecy:

  • The Second Kingdom (Inferior to Babylon): This refers to the Medo-Persian Empire. Led by Cyrus the Great, this empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC (Daniel 5:30-31) and established a vast dominion that stretched from India to Ethiopia. It is further symbolized by the silver chest and arms in the image, and by a bear in Daniel 7:5 and a ram in Daniel 8:20.
  • The Third Kingdom (of Brass): This represents the Grecian (Hellenistic) Empire. Under the brilliant military leadership of Alexander the Great, the Greek forces swiftly defeated the Persian Empire, creating an empire that indeed "bear rule over all the earth" known to them, extending from Greece to India. This empire is also depicted as a leopard with four wings in Daniel 7:6 and a swift goat in Daniel 8:21.

Practical Application

Daniel 2:39, and the entire dream interpretation, offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It assures us that no earthly power, however great or terrifying, operates outside of God's sovereign plan. Empires rise and fall according to His divine will. This understanding empowers us to trust in God's ultimate authority, even when facing political instability or global unrest. It points us forward to the ultimate and eternal kingdom that God Himself will establish, which will never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Daniel 2:32

    This image's head [was] of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

  • Daniel 5:28

    PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

  • Daniel 5:31

    And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.

  • Isaiah 44:28

    That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

  • Isaiah 45:5

    ¶ I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

  • Daniel 10:20

    Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

  • Daniel 8:20

    The ram which thou sawest having [two] horns [are] the kings of Media and Persia.

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