Daniel 2:45

KJV

Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

KJV (with Strong's)

Forasmuch as {H3606}{H6903} thou sawest {H2370} that the stone {H69} was cut out {H1505} of the mountain {H2906} without {H3809} hands {H3028}, and that it brake in pieces {H1855} the iron {H6523}, the brass {H5174}, the clay {H2635}, the silver {H3702}, and the gold {H1722}; the great {H7229} God {H426} hath made known {H3046} to the king {H4430} what {H4101} shall come to pass {H1934} hereafter {H311}{H1836}: and the dream {H2493} is certain {H3330}, and the interpretation {H6591} thereof sure {H540}.

Complete Jewish Bible

like the stone you saw, which, without human hands, separated itself from the mountain and broke to pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold. The great God has revealed to the king what will come about in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is reliable."

Berean Standard Bible

And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

American Standard Version

Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 2:45 serves as the climactic conclusion of Daniel's interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dream, powerfully articulating God's sovereign control over human history and the ultimate, inevitable triumph of His eternal kingdom. This verse reveals that the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" will utterly demolish all earthly empires, establishing a divine reign that is both certain in its coming and sure in its fulfillment, thereby assuring the king of the reliability of God's revealed plan for the future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the interpretive crescendo of Daniel chapter 2, which begins with King Nebuchadnezzar's troubling, forgotten dream and his demand for its revelation and interpretation from his wise men. After their failure, Daniel, through divine revelation, recounts the dream of the colossal statue made of various metals and then proceeds to interpret each part. The statue's head of gold represents Babylon, followed by silver (Medo-Persia), bronze (Greece), iron (Rome), and finally, feet of iron mixed with clay, symbolizing a fragmented, end-time kingdom. Daniel 2:45 specifically describes the dramatic conclusion of the dream, where a stone, supernaturally formed, strikes the statue's feet, shattering the entire structure and growing into a great mountain that fills the whole earth. This verse, therefore, provides the definitive explanation of the stone's origin and destructive power, directly linking it to God's sovereign intervention in human affairs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the dominant world power of his time (605-562 BC). Empires were built through military might, political alliances, and human ingenuity, often characterized by a succession of conquests and the rise and fall of dynasties. The concept of a universal, eternal kingdom was a profound claim in a world accustomed to transient human empires. The dream's imagery of metals degrading in value from gold to iron and clay would have resonated with the contemporary understanding of successive empires, each perhaps stronger militarily but declining in purity or cohesion. The idea of a divine revelation through dreams was also common in the ancient Near East, but Daniel's ability to both recall and interpret the forgotten dream, attributed solely to "the great God," would have underscored the unique power and truth of Israel's God over the polytheistic deities of Babylon.
* **Key Themes:** Daniel 2:45 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the book of Daniel and biblical prophecy. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, emphasizing that God alone is the true ruler of history, raising up and bringing down kingdoms according to His will, as declared in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons"). This verse also highlights the **Supremacy of God's Kingdom**, represented by the stone "cut out of the mountain without hands," signifying a kingdom not established by human effort but by divine intervention, destined to supersede and eternally outlast all earthly powers. This eternal dominion is further elaborated in [Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Son of Man's Everlasting Dominion"). Finally, the recurring emphasis on the dream being "certain" and the interpretation "sure" underscores the **Reliability and Trustworthiness of God's Word and Prophecy**, a foundational assurance for both Nebuchadnezzar and subsequent generations of believers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cut out (Aramaic, _gᵉzar'_):** This Aramaic term (H1505) means "to quarry" or "to cut out." In the context of the stone, it emphasizes that its origin is not from human hands or human construction. It is divinely separated or hewn, highlighting its supernatural genesis and contrasting it sharply with the humanly-fashioned statue. This implies a unique, non-human agency in its formation.
* **without hands (Aramaic, _lâʼ yad'_):** This phrase combines the negative particle (H3809, _lâʼ_) meaning "not" or "without," with the Aramaic word for "hand" (H3028, _yad_). The combination signifies a complete absence of human involvement or effort in the stone's origin. In biblical thought, actions performed "without hands" often denote a supernatural, divine act, emphasizing that the kingdom represented by the stone is not a product of human political maneuvering, military conquest, or philosophical systems, but solely of God's power and initiative.
* **certain (Aramaic, _yatstsîyb'_), sure (Aramaic, _ʼăman'_):** These two Aramaic words (H3330, H540) are used in conjunction to provide an emphatic declaration of the prophecy's absolute reliability. _Yatstsîyb_ means "fixed" or "sure," implying an unchangeable reality. _ʼĂman_ means "to build up or support," "to be firm or faithful," and "to be true or certain." Together, they underscore the divine guarantee behind the interpretation. This is not a mere prediction but a divinely revealed truth that will undoubtedly come to pass, instilling confidence in the king and all who hear it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands,"**: This opening clause reiterates the miraculous and supernatural origin of the stone. The king witnessed its formation, but crucially, it was not shaped by human effort. This detail is paramount, establishing the divine, rather than human, agency behind the coming kingdom. The "mountain" from which it is cut can symbolize the existing world order or the divine realm from which God's kingdom emerges.
* **"and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold;"**: This describes the stone's devastating impact on the entire statue, symbolizing the complete and utter destruction of all human empires. The stone's impact on the feet (the final, fragmented kingdom) results in the pulverization of *all* the preceding empires, signifying that the new, divine kingdom will not merely succeed but decisively dismantle and replace all worldly powers.
* **"the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter:"**: This is a direct attribution of the prophecy's source to God. Daniel emphasizes that this revelation is not from human wisdom but from "the great God," who possesses foreknowledge and sovereign control over future events. This statement validates the entire interpretation as divine truth, not human speculation.
* **"and the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure."**: This concluding affirmation serves as a powerful seal of authenticity and reliability. The repetition of similar concepts ("certain" and "sure") provides rhetorical emphasis, assuring Nebuchadnezzar—and all subsequent readers—that the prophecy is absolutely trustworthy and will be fulfilled precisely as revealed. There is no room for doubt regarding God's plan for history.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 2:45 is rich in **Symbolism**, with the "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" serving as the central and most potent image. This stone symbolizes a kingdom of divine origin, established by God's power, not human might, contrasting sharply with the humanly constructed statue representing successive earthly empires. The statue itself is a complex symbol, with each metal representing a distinct world power, culminating in a fragmented end-time kingdom. The stone's action of "breaking in pieces" the entire statue is a powerful act of **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**, demonstrating the ultimate fragility and transience of human power in the face of divine sovereignty. The declaration "the dream [is] certain, and the interpretation thereof sure" employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore the absolute reliability and trustworthiness of God's prophetic word, reinforcing the theme of divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 2:45 is a cornerstone passage for understanding biblical eschatology and the nature of God's kingdom. It unequivocally declares God's ultimate sovereignty over human history, demonstrating that while empires rise and fall through human ambition and conflict, God's plan is unfolding precisely as He purposed. The "stone" represents a kingdom that is not of this world, yet it decisively impacts and ultimately replaces all worldly systems. This divine kingdom's establishment is not through human means but through supernatural intervention, highlighting its eternal, spiritual, and universal nature. It offers profound assurance that despite the chaos and transience of human affairs, God's eternal reign will prevail, bringing justice and righteousness to the earth.

* [Psalm 2:6-9](/psalms/2-6 "Psalm 2:6-9 - The Reign of God's Anointed King")
* [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Everlasting Kingdom of the Prince of Peace")
* [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 2:45 offers profound comfort and a clear call to proper alignment for believers today. In a world characterized by political instability, economic uncertainty, and the constant rise and fall of human ideologies and powers, this verse reminds us that our ultimate hope and allegiance must not be placed in fleeting earthly systems. It assures us that God is actively working out His sovereign plan, and His kingdom, established "without hands," is invincible and eternal. This truth empowers us to live with patient endurance, knowing that God's word is trustworthy and His promises will surely come to pass. It calls us to live as citizens of His unshakable kingdom, prioritizing His values, participating in His mission, and trusting in His ultimate victory over all earthly opposition. This perspective liberates us from despair and encourages faithful witness in a world that desperately needs to hear of God's certain and sure reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "stone cut out without hands" challenge our human tendencies to rely on political power or human ingenuity for societal change?**
* **In what ways does the certainty of God's kingdom provide comfort and hope amidst current global instabilities and the rise and fall of nations?**
* **How should the knowledge that God's kingdom will ultimately prevail influence our daily priorities, allegiances, and actions as believers?**

### FAQ
**What does "the stone cut out of the mountain without hands" symbolize?**

Answer: The "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" is a powerful symbol representing God's eternal kingdom. The phrase "without hands" (Aramaic: _lâʼ yad_) signifies that this kingdom is not established by human effort, political maneuvering, or military conquest, but solely by divine power and intervention. It originates from God Himself and is destined to supersede and eternally outlast all human empires, as described in [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Shall Never Be Destroyed").

**What does the destruction of the statue's components (iron, brass, clay, silver, gold) signify?**

Answer: The destruction of the statue's components signifies the complete and utter triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers. Each metal (gold, silver, bronze, iron, and iron mixed with clay) represents a successive world empire—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a fragmented end-time kingdom. When the stone strikes the feet of iron and clay, it shatters the entire statue, reducing all the previous empires to dust. This illustrates that God's kingdom will not merely be another in a succession of empires but will decisively dismantle and replace all human systems, establishing an eternal dominion that fills the whole earth, as seen in [Daniel 2:35](/daniel/2-35 "Daniel 2:35 - The Stone Becomes a Great Mountain").

**Why is the certainty of the dream and its interpretation emphasized?**

Answer: The emphasis on the dream being "certain" (Aramaic: _yatstsîyb_) and the interpretation "sure" (Aramaic: _ʼăman_) serves to underscore the absolute reliability and trustworthiness of God's prophetic word. King Nebuchadnezzar had forgotten the dream, and his wise men could not recall or interpret it. Daniel's ability to do both, attributed directly to "the great God," validated the divine origin of the revelation. This strong affirmation assures the king—and all future readers—that God's plan for history is fixed, unchangeable, and will undoubtedly come to pass exactly as revealed, providing a foundation of trust in God's sovereignty and His promises, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 2:45 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "stone cut out of the mountain without hands" is universally understood in Christian theology as a powerful prophecy of Christ Himself, who is the "chief cornerstone" rejected by builders but chosen by God, as foretold in [Psalm 118:22](/psalms/118-22 "Psalm 118:22 - The Stone the Builders Rejected") and explicitly applied to Jesus in [Matthew 21:42](/matthew/21-42 "Matthew 21:42 - The Cornerstone"). His kingdom is not of this world, nor is it established by human might or political maneuvering (cf. [John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), but by divine power through His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. The stone's shattering of all earthly empires foreshadows Christ's ultimate triumph over all dominion, authority, and power (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:24-25](/1_corinthians/15-24 "1 Corinthians 15:24-25 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued")). His reign, inaugurated at His first coming and consummated at His second, is the eternal, universal kingdom that will never be destroyed, but will stand forever, fulfilling the promise of [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "Luke 1:33 - Christ's Eternal Kingdom"). Thus, Daniel 2:45 points directly to the sovereignty of Christ, the invincibility of His Church, and the certainty of 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" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of This World Become Our Lord's")).

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 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Genesis 41:32

And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; [it is] because the thing [is] established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Genesis 41:28

This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

Deuteronomy 10:17

For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Malachi 1:11

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

2 Samuel 7:22

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for [there is] none like thee, neither [is there any] God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.

Jeremiah 32:18

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is] his name,