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Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Daniel 2:31–45. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Daniel here gives full satisfaction to Nebuchadnezzar concerning his dream and the interpretation of it. That great prince had been kind to this poor prophet in his maintenance and education; he had been brought up at the king's cost, preferred at court, and the land of his captivity had hereby been made much easier to him than to others of his brethren. And now the king is abundantly repaid for all the expense he had been at upon him; and for receiving this prophet, though not in the name of a prophet, he had a prophet's reward, such a reward as a prophet only could give, and for which that wealthy mighty prince was now glad to be beholden to him. Here is,
I.The dream itself, Dan 2:31, Dan 2:45.
Nebuchadnezzar perhaps was an admirer of statues, and had his palace and gardens adorned with them; however, he was a worshipper of images, and now behold a great image is set before him in a dream, which might intimate to him what the images were which he bestowed so much cost upon, and paid such respect to; they were mere dreams. The creatures of fancy might do as well to please the fancy. By the power of imagination he might shut his eyes, and represent to himself what forms he thought fit, and beautify them at his pleasure, without the expense and trouble of sculpture. This was the image of a man erect: It stood before him, as a living man; and, because those monarchies which were designed to be represented by it were admirable in the eyes of their friends, the brightness of this image was excellent; and because they were formidable to their enemies, and dreaded by all about them, the form of this image is said to be terrible; both the features of the face and the postures of the body made it so. But that which was most remarkable in this image was the different metals of which it was composed - the head of gold (the richest and most durable metal), the breast and arms of silver (the next to it in worth), the belly and sides (or thighs) of brass, the legs of iron (still baser metals), and lastly the feet part of iron and part of clay. See what the things of this world are; the further we go in them the less valuable they appear. In the life of a man youth is a head of gold, but it grows less and less worthy of our esteem; and old age is half clay; a man is then as good as dead. It is so with the world; later ages degenerate. The first age of the Christian church, of the reformation, was a head of gold; but we live in an age that is iron and clay. Some allude to this in the description of a hypocrite, whose practice is not agreeable to his knowledge. He has a head of gold, but feet of iron and clay: he knows his duty, but does it not. Some observe that in Daniel's visions the monarchies were represented by four beasts (ch. 7), for he looked upon that wisdom from beneath, by which they were turned to be earthly and sensual, and a tyrannical power, to have more in it of the beast than of the man, and so the vision agreed with his notions of the thing. But to Nebuchadnezzar, a heathen prince, they were represented by a gay and pompous image of a man, for he was an admirer of the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them. To him the sight was so charming that he was impatient to see it again. But what became of this image? The next part of the dream shows it to us calcined, and brought to nothing. He saw a stone cut out of the quarry by an unseen power, without hands, and this stone fell upon the feet of the image, that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces; and then the image must fall of course, and so the gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, were all broken to pieces together, and beaten so small that they became like the chaff of the summer threshing-floors, and there were not to be found any the least remains of them; but the stone cut out of the mountain became itself a great mountain, and filled the earth. See how God can bring about great effects by weak and unlikely causes; when he pleases a little one shall become a thousand. Perhaps the destruction of this image of gold, and silver, and brass, and iron, might be intended to signify the abolishing of idolatry out of the world in due time. The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, as this image was, and they shall perish from off the earth and from under these heavens, Jer 10:11.; Isa 2:18. And whatever power destroys idolatry is in the ready way to magnify and exalt itself, as this stone, when it had broken the image to pieces, became a great mountain.
II.The interpretation of this dream.
Let us now see what is the meaning of this. It was from God, and therefore from him it is fit that we take the explication of it. It should seem, Daniel had his fellows with him, and speaks for them as well as for himself, when he says, We will tell the interpretation, Dan 2:36. Now,
1.This image represented the kingdoms of the earth that should successively bear rule among the nations and have influence on the affairs of the Jewish church. The four monarchies were not represented by four distinct statues, but by one image, because they were all of one and the same spirit and genius, and all more or less against the church. It was the same power, only lodged in four different nations, the two former lying eastward of Judea, the two latter westward.
(1.)The head of gold signified the Chaldean monarchy, which was now in being (Dan 2:37, Dan 2:38): Thou, O king! art (or rather, shalt be) a king of kings, a universal monarch, to whom many kings and kingdoms shall be tributaries; or, Thou art the highest of kings on earth at this time (as a servant of servants is the meanest servant); thou dost outshine all other kings. But let him not attribute his elevation to his own politics or fortitude. No; it is the God of heaven that has given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory, a kingdom that exercises great authority, stands firmly, and shines brightly, acts by a puissant army with an arbitrary power. Note, The greatest of princes have no power but what is given them from above. The extent of his dominion is set forth (Dan 2:38), that wheresoever the children of men dwell, in all the nations of that part of the world, he was ruler over them all, over them and all that belonged to them, all their cattle, not only those which they had a property in, but those that were ferae naturae - wild, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven. He was lord of all the woods, forests, and chases, and none were allowed to hunt or fowl without his leave. Thus "thou art the head of gold; thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, for seventy years." Compare this with Jer 25:9, Jer 25:11, especially Jer 27:5-7. There were other powerful kingdoms in the world at this time, as that of the Scythians; but it was the kingdom of Babylon that reigned over the Jews, and that began the government which continued in the succession here described till Christ's time. It is called a head, for its wisdom, eminency, and absolute power, a head of gold for its wealth (Isa 14:4); it was a golden city. Some make this monarchy to begin in Nimrod, and so bring into it all the Assyrian kings, about fifty monarchs in all, and compute that it lasted above 1600 years. But it had not been so long a monarchy of such vast extent and power as is here described, nor any thing like it; therefore others make only Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-merodach, and Belshazzar, to belong to this head of gold; and a glorious high throne they had, and perhaps exercised a more despotic power than any of the kings that went before them. Nebuchadnezzar reigned forty-five years current, Evil-merodach twenty-three years current, and Belshazzar three. Babylon was their metropolis, and Daniel was with them upon the spot during the seventy years.
(2.)The breast and arms of silver signified the monarchy of the Medes and Persians, of which the king is told no more than this, There shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee (Dan 2:39), not so rich, powerful, or victorious. This kingdom was founded by Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian, in alliance with each other, and therefore represented by two arms, meeting in the breast. Cyrus was himself a Persian by his father, a Mede by his mother. Some reckon that this second monarchy lasted 130 years, others 204 years. The former computation agrees best with the scripture chronology.
(3.)The belly and thighs of brass signified the monarchy of the Grecians, founded by Alexander, who conquered Darius Codomannus, the last of the Persian emperors. This is the third kingdom, of brass, inferior in wealth and extent of dominion to the Persian monarchy, but in Alexander himself it shall by the power of the sword bear rule over all the earth; for Alexander boasted that he had conquered the world, and then sat down and wept because he had not another world to conquer.
(4.)The legs and feet of iron signified the Roman monarchy. Some make this to signify the latter part of the Grecian monarchy, the two empires of Syria and Egypt, the former governed by the family of the Seleucidae, from Seleucus, the latter by that of the Lagidae, from Ptolemaeus Lagus; these they make the two legs and feet of this image: Grotius, and Junius, and Broughton, go this way. But it has been the more received opinion that it is the Roman monarchy that is here intended, because it was in the time of that monarchy, and when it was at its height, that the kingdom of Christ was set up in the world by the preaching of the everlasting gospel. The Roman kingdom was strong as iron (Dan 2:40), witness the prevalency of that kingdom against all that contended with it for many ages. That kingdom broke in pieces the Grecian empire and afterwards quite destroyed the nation of the Jews. Towards the latter end of the Roman monarchy it grew very weak, and branched into ten kingdoms, which were as the toes of these feet. Some of these were weak as clay, others strong as iron, Dan 2:42. Endeavours were used to unite and cement them for the strengthening of the empire, but in vain: They shall not cleave one to another, Dan 2:43. This empire divided the government for a long time between the senate and the people, the nobles and the commons, but they did not entirely coalesce. There were civil wars between Marius and Sylla, Caesar and Pompey, whose parties were as iron and clay. Some refer this to the declining times of that empire, when, for the strengthening of the empire against the irruptions of the barbarous nations, the branches of the royal family intermarried; but the politics had not the desired effect, when the day of the fall of that empire came.
2.The stone cut out without hands represented the kingdom of Jesus Christ, which should be set up in the world in the time of the Roman empire, and upon the ruins of Satan's kingdom in the kingdoms of the world. This is the stone cut out of the mountain without hands, for it should be neither raised nor supported by human power or policy; no visible hand should act in the setting of it up, but it should be done invisibly the Spirit of the Lord of hosts. This was the stone which the builders refused, because it was not cut out by their hands, but it has now become the head-stone of the corner.
(1.)The gospel-church is a kingdom, which Christ is the sole and sovereign monarch of, in which he rules by his word and Spirit, to which he gives protection and law, and from which he receives homage and tribute. It is a kingdom not of this world, and yet set up in it; it is the kingdom of God among men.
(2.)The God of heaven was to set up this kingdom, to give authority to Christ to execute judgment, to set him as King upon his holy hill of Zion, and to bring into obedience to him a willing people. Being set up by the God of heaven, it is often in the New Testament called the kingdom of heaven, for its original is from above and its tendency is upwards.
(3.)It was to be set up in the days of these kings, the kings of the fourth monarchy, of which particular notice is taken (Luk 2:1), That Christ was born when, by the decree of the emperor of Rome, all the world was taxed, which was a plain indication that that empire had become as universal as any earthly empire ever was. When these kings are contesting with each other, and in all the struggles each of the contending parties hopes to find its own account, God will do his own work and fulfil his own counsels. These kings are all enemies to Christ's kingdom, and yet it shall be set up in defiance of them.
(4.)It is a kingdom that knows no decay, is in no danger of destruction, and will not admit any succession or revolution. It shall never be destroyed by any foreign force invading it, as many other kingdoms are; fire and sword cannot waste it; the combined powers of earth and hell cannot deprive either the subjects of their prince or the prince of his subjects; nor shall this kingdom be left to other people, as the kingdoms of the earth are. As Christ is a monarch that has no successor (for he himself shall reign for ever), so his kingdom is a monarchy that has no revolution. The kingdom of God was indeed taken from the Jews and given to the Gentiles (Mat 21:43), but still it was Christianity that ruled, the kingdom of the Messiah. The Christian church is still the same; it is fixed on a rock, much fought against, but never to be prevailed against, by the gates of hell.
(5.)It is a kingdom that shall be victorious over all opposition. It shall break in pieces and consume all those kingdoms, as the stone cut out of the mountain without hands broke in pieces the image, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45. The kingdom of Christ shall wear out all other kingdoms, shall outlive them, and flourish when they are sunk with their own weight, and so wasted that their place knows them no more. All the kingdoms that appear against the kingdom of Christ shall be broken with a rod of iron, as a potter's vessel, Psa 2:9. And in the kingdoms that submit to the kingdom of Christ tyranny, and idolatry, and every thing that is their reproach, shall, as far as the gospel of Christ gets ground, be broken. The day is coming when Jesus Christ shall have put down all rule, principality, and power, and have made all his enemies his footstool; and then this prophecy will have its full accomplishment, and not till then, Co1 15:24, Co1 15:25. Our savior seems to refer to this (Mat 21:44), when, speaking of himself as the stone set at nought by the Jewish builders, he says, On whomsoever this stone shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
(6.)It shall be an everlasting kingdom. Those kingdoms of the earth that had broken in pieces all about them at length came, in their turn, to be in like manner broken; but the kingdom of Christ shall break other kingdoms in pieces and shall itself stand for ever. His throne shall be as the days of heaven, his seed, his subjects, as the stars of heaven, not only so innumerable, but so immutable. Of the increase of Christ's government and peace there shall be no end. The Lord shall reign for ever, not only to the end of time, but when time and days shall be no more, and God shall be all in all to eternity.
III.Daniel having thus interpreted the dream, to the satisfaction of Nebuchadnezzar, who gave him no interruption, so full was the interpretation that he had no question to ask, and so plain that he had no objection to make, he closes all with a solemn assertion,
1.Of the divine original of this dream: The great God (so he calls him, to express his own high thoughts of him, and to beget the like in the mind of this great king) has made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter, which the gods of the magicians could not do. And thus a full confirmation was given to that great argument which Isaiah had long before urged against idolaters, and particularly the idolaters of Babylon, when he challenged the gods they worshipped to show things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods (Isa 41:23), and by this proved the God of Israel to be the true God, that he declares the end from the beginning, Isa 46:10.
2.Of the undoubted certainty of the things foretold by this dream. He who makes known these things is the same that has himself designed and determined them, and will by his providence effect them; and we are sure that his counsel shall stand, and cannot be altered, and therefore the dream is certain and the interpretation thereof sure. Note, Whatever God has made known we may depend upon.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
He, being begotten by the Father before the beginning of time, was God the Word, the only-begotten Son, and remains the same forever; for “of his kingdom there shall be no end,” says Daniel the prophet. Let us all therefore love one another in harmony, and let no one look on his neighbor according to the flesh, but in Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you that may divide you; but be united with your bishop, being through him subject to God in Christ.
Verse 40. "And there shall be a fourth empire like unto iron. Just as iron breaks to pieces and overcomes all else, so it shall break to pieces and shatter all these preceding empires . ..." Now the fourth empire, which clearly refers to the Romans, is the iron empire which breaks in pieces and overcomes all others. But its feet and toes are partly of iron and partly of earthenware, a fact most clearly demonstrated at the present time. For just as there was at the first nothing stronger or hardier than the Roman realm, so also in these last days there is nothing more feeble, since we require the assistance of barbarian tribes both in our civil wars and against foreign nations. However, at the final period of all these empires of gold and silver and bronze and iron, a rock (namely, the Lord and Savior) was cut off without hands, that is, without copulation or human seed and by birth from a virgin's womb; and after all the empires had been crushed, He became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. This last the Jews and the impious Porphyry apply to the people of Israel, who they insist will be the strongest power at the end of the ages, and will crush all realms and will rule forever.
Clearly, this teaches about that which will occur at the end, that is, the coming of the kingdom of heaven that is without end. For the kingdom of iron having been brought alongside the weaker element and the composite vessel having been wrought, then shall appear “the stone cut without hand.” … The stone that was cut without hands and grew into a great mountain and fills the whole earth is the second advent, and it will strike against the feet of the vessel … and all kingdoms will be destroyed and delivered up to oblivion, and the kingdom without end will be established.
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Summary
Daniel 2:44 serves as the profound climax of Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, unveiling the establishment of an eternal, divinely initiated kingdom that will decisively dismantle and eternally succeed all transient earthly empires. This verse encapsulates the ultimate triumph of God's sovereign rule, presenting a stark contrast between the fleeting nature of human power and the everlasting dominion of the Almighty, which will endure forever and never be transferred to another.
Context
Literary Context
This pivotal verse delivers the climactic interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's perplexing dream, which is meticulously detailed in Daniel 2:31-43. The dream depicted a colossal statue, meticulously described from its head of gold to its feet of iron mixed with clay, symbolizing a succession of four great human empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, followed by a fragmented state of kingdoms. Crucially, Daniel 2:34-35 describes a stone, "cut out without hands," that strikes the statue's feet, shattering the entire image into dust which is then swept away by the wind. Following this cataclysmic event, the stone itself grows into a great mountain that fills the whole earth. Verse 44 directly interprets the nature and destiny of this stone, revealing it to be God's kingdom, which is destined to replace and eternally supersede all human governments.
Historical & Cultural Context
Daniel delivered this prophecy during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Jewish people were subjugated by a powerful Gentile empire. This historical reality profoundly amplifies the theological significance of a kingdom established by the "God of heaven" (a designation for God in Daniel and Ezra emphasizing His transcendence and supreme authority) that would overcome all earthly powers. The ancient Near East was characterized by the relentless rise and fall of empires, each vying for dominance and leaving a legacy of conquest, oppression, and eventual decline. Nebuchadnezzar's dream, therefore, resonated deeply with the political and existential realities of the time, yet Daniel's interpretation offered a radical counter-narrative: a divine, eternal kingdom that would not be subject to the same cyclical fate of human empires. This message would have offered immense hope and assurance to a people living under foreign rule, affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over history.
Key Themes
Daniel 2:44 is rich with several overarching themes central to the book of Daniel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores God's Absolute Sovereignty over human history, demonstrating that He is the ultimate orchestrator of events, raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His divine purpose, as articulated in Daniel 2:21. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the Eternal and Indestructible Nature of God's Kingdom, standing in stark contrast to the transient and destructible nature of all human governments. Unlike the empires of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, God's kingdom "shall never be destroyed" and "shall stand for ever," a theme powerfully echoed in Daniel 7:14. Thirdly, it highlights the Triumph of God's Kingdom Over All Earthly Powers, symbolized by the stone "breaking in pieces and consuming" all other kingdoms. This signifies a decisive and complete victory, establishing a reign of righteousness and justice that will ultimately fill the entire earth, as the stone becomes a great mountain in Daniel 2:35.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term refers to dominion, royal power, or a realm. In Daniel 2:44, it signifies not merely a geographical territory but the active, sovereign reign and authority of God. The emphasis is on the divine rule itself, which is established and maintained by God, rather than by human effort or political maneuvering.
Corresponding to חָבַל, this word means to ruin or hurt. Its use here in the negative ("shall never be destroyed") highlights the absolute and inherent indestructibility of God's kingdom. Unlike the preceding empires, which faced inevitable decline and ruin, this kingdom possesses an eternal resilience, immune to the forces that bring down human powers.
Corresponding to דָּקַק, this Aramaic verb means to crumble or crush. It vividly depicts the decisive and complete demolition of all opposing earthly kingdoms by God's kingdom. This is not a gradual erosion but a forceful, definitive shattering, signifying the absolute supremacy and conquering power of the divine reign.
Verse Breakdown
"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom"
This phrase precisely establishes both the timing and the divine origin of the kingdom. "These kings" refers to the final, fragmented stage of human empires represented by the feet of iron and clay in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Crucially, it is "the God of heaven," the transcendent and sovereign Deity, who unilaterally initiates and establishes this kingdom, underscoring its supernatural and non-human origin.
"which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people"
This clause emphatically highlights the eternal and exclusive nature of God's kingdom. Unlike all previous human empires that rose and fell, this kingdom possesses an inherent, divinely guaranteed indestructibility. Furthermore, it will not be conquered, divided, or transferred to any other human power or people group, signifying its unique, perpetual, and unassailable divine ownership.
"but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."
This final part describes the active, triumphant, and decisive role of God's kingdom. It will not merely coexist but will actively "break in pieces and consume" all preceding and contemporary earthly kingdoms, signifying a complete and decisive victory over all human opposition and worldly systems. The ultimate outcome is its eternal endurance: "it shall stand for ever," reaffirming its permanent and unassailable dominion over all creation.
Literary Devices
Daniel 2:44 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message of divine sovereignty and eternal dominion. The most prominent is Symbolism, where the "stone cut without hands" (from the preceding verses) powerfully symbolizes God's divinely established kingdom, contrasting sharply with the human empires represented by the statue. This stone's growth into a "great mountain" (implied from Daniel 2:35) further symbolizes the universal and expansive nature of this kingdom. Contrast is also central, highlighting the fleeting, destructible nature of human kingdoms against the eternal, indestructible nature of God's kingdom. The vivid verbs "break in pieces" and "consume" function as potent Metaphors for the decisive and overwhelming victory of God's reign over all earthly opposition, emphasizing its transformative and conquering power. The repeated affirmation of its eternal nature ("never be destroyed," "stand for ever") uses Repetition for emphatic reinforcement, solidifying the absolute certainty and permanence of God's ultimate dominion.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Daniel 2:44 serves as a foundational prophecy regarding the nature and destiny of God's kingdom, establishing a theological bedrock for understanding divine sovereignty in history. It asserts that despite the apparent power and succession of human empires, God maintains ultimate control, and His kingdom will ultimately prevail over all worldly systems. This divine kingdom is not merely a future hope but an active, unfolding reality that began its decisive work in the world. The verse connects the Old Testament's prophetic vision of a coming, eternal reign with the New Testament's revelation of its inauguration through Jesus Christ, underscoring the continuity of God's redemptive plan. It assures believers that all human endeavors and political structures are temporary, while God's reign is everlasting and unshakeable, providing a powerful source of hope and perspective amidst earthly turmoil.
Reflection and Application
Daniel 2:44 offers profound encouragement and a vital, eternal perspective for believers navigating a world often characterized by political instability, societal upheaval, and the rise and fall of human ideologies. This verse reminds us that our ultimate allegiance, hope, and security should be placed not in any earthly government, political system, or human institution, but solely in the eternal and unshakeable kingdom of God. It calls us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that while human powers are temporary and subject to decay, God's kingdom is permanent and will ultimately triumph over all opposition. This truth empowers us to engage with the world not out of fear or despair, but with unwavering confidence in God's sovereign plan, motivating us to participate wholeheartedly in the spread of His kingdom through the Gospel and acts of righteousness, knowing that our efforts contribute to an everlasting reality that will never be destroyed. It encourages steadfastness in faith and a commitment to justice and truth, even when worldly systems seem overwhelming or oppressive, because we serve a King whose dominion is forever and whose victory is assured.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the nature of the "kingdom" described in Daniel 2:44?
The kingdom described in Daniel 2:44 is fundamentally a divine kingdom, established directly by "the God of heaven," not by human effort or political means. It is characterized by its eternal nature ("shall never be destroyed," "shall stand for ever") and its ultimate supremacy over all earthly kingdoms, which it will "break in pieces and consume." This kingdom is not merely a future hope but a spiritual reality that has broken into human history, destined to culminate in a universal, visible reign. It represents God's sovereign rule over all creation and humanity, ultimately exercised through His chosen King.
When does this kingdom begin, and how does it relate to Jesus Christ?
The timing "in the days of these kings" suggests the kingdom's establishment during the period of the fragmented final earthly empires. Christian theology widely interprets this as referring to the first advent of Jesus Christ. While the full, visible manifestation of this kingdom awaits Christ's second coming, its spiritual and authoritative inauguration occurred with His earthly ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus Himself proclaimed, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe in the gospel." Therefore, the kingdom began subtly, like a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32), and is growing until it fills the whole earth, ultimately culminating in Christ's glorious return and universal reign.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Daniel 2:44 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "stone cut without hands" is universally understood in Christian theology to represent Christ Himself, whose kingdom is not of this world's origin or power (John 18:36). While earthly empires rise and fall, Jesus' kingdom, inaugurated at His first advent, is an eternal dominion that "shall never be destroyed." He came to establish a spiritual reign in the hearts of believers, breaking the power of sin and death, and His resurrection marked the decisive victory over all opposing spiritual forces (Colossians 2:15). The prophecy that this kingdom "shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms" points to Christ's ultimate triumph over all earthly and spiritual opposition, culminating in His glorious return when "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!" Thus, Daniel's vision foreshadows the universal and everlasting reign of the Lamb of God, who is King of kings and Lord of lords, whose dominion will indeed stand for ever.