Daniel 2:37-38

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 2:36-43

Human sovereignty. In a proper sense of the words, every dream is prophetic. Else on what ground are we to conclude that the dreams of Joseph, Pharaoh, Abimeloch, Pilate's wife, were prophetic; and others not prophetic? Dreams are revelations of dominant ideas and habitudes of mind: they disclose features of moral character; they are reminders of an unslumbering Judge; they serve in some measure to forecast the future. The powers of heaven and of hell lie close about us in our sleep. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Daniel 2:37

Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. The Septuagint renders the latter clause, "To thee the Lord of heaven gave the dominion, and the kingdom, and the might, anti the honor, and the glory in all the earth ( ἐν πάσῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ ) . " There appears here to be two cases of doublet; ἀρχὴ and βασιλεία are probably originally alternative renderings of malcutha , and τιμὴ and δόξα double... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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 bath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. The Septuagint, if we take along with this verse the final clause of the preceding verse, has even more of that look of exaggeration which we can scarcely fail to be conscious of in the Massoretic, "In all the earth inhabited £ by men, and wild beasts, and birds of the heaven, and fish of the sea,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:37

Thou, O King, art a king of kings - The phrase “king of kings” is a Hebraism, to denote a supreme monarch, or one who has other kings under him as tributary, Ezra 7:12; Ezekiel 26:7. As such it is applied by way of eminence to the Son of God, in Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16. As here used, it means that Nebuchadnezzar ruled over tributary kings and princes, or that he was the most eminent of the kings of the earth. The scepter which he swayed was, in fact, extended over many nations that... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:38

And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heavens, hath he given into thy hand - This is evidently general language, and is not to be pressed literally. It is designed to say that he ruled over the whole world; that is, the world as then known. This is common language applied in the Scriptures to the Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and Roman kingdoms. Thus in Daniel 2:39, the third of these kingdoms, the Grecian, was to “bear rule over all the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 2:36-38

Daniel 2:36-38. This is the dream, and we will tell the interpretation Here again Daniel shows his modesty, allowing his friends a share in the honour of interpreting the dream, because the interpretation was obtained by their joint prayers to God. Thou, O king, art a king of kings So Nebuchadnezzar is styled Ezekiel 26:7, because he had divers kings for his vassals and tributaries. And Daniel here addresses him as if he were a very powerful king, and his empire very large and extensive. ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:24-49

Click image for full-size versionThe meaning of the dream (2:24-49).Daniel had no thought of taking the opportunity to exalt himself above his unfortunate fellow officials. Rather he first of all ensured that they would not be executed (24) and even supported their statement that no person could be expected to meet the king’s demand (25-27). Certainly, Daniel would tell the king the dream and its meaning, but the revelation was due entirely to God, not to any special skill that Daniel possessed... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:37

a kingdom. The O.T. is not designed to be a compendium of "ancient history". It is the history of Jehovah's People, Israel; and other nations are referred to only as, and in so far as, they come into connection with Israel. Babylon was the most ancient of kingdoms (Genesis 10:10 ). Compare Deuteronomy 32:8 . Nebuchadnezzar was not the first king; but he was the "head" or beginning of Gentile dominion in the earth when Israel had been "removed" (according to Jeremiah 15:4 ; Jeremiah 24:9 ;... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:38

children = sons. hath He given . According to His word (Jeremiah 27:6 , Jeremiah 27:7 ; Jeremiah 28:14 , &c. Compare Daniel 1:2 and Ezekiel 26:7 . Thou . Nebuchadnezzar. art = art represented by. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 . head : i.e. the first of these five kingdoms, not the first king of Babylon. See note on Daniel 2:37 . of . Genitive of Material. App-17 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Daniel 2:37-38

Daniel 2:37-38. Thou, O king, art a king of kings, &c.— Daniel addresses Nebuchadnezzar, as if he was a very powerful king, and his empire very large and extensive. The monarch might, perhaps, think, like some of his predecessors, that his conquests were owing to his own fortitude and prudence. See Isaiah 10:13. But the prophet assures him, that his success must be primarily imputed to the God of heaven; for the God of heaven hath given thee, &c. Though most of the ancient eastern... read more

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