Daniel 2:39, Daniel 2:40 ASV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 2:39

Daniel 2:39. After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee “It is very well known, that the kingdom which arose after the Babylonian was the Medo-Persian. The two hands and the shoulders signify that the empire of the Babylonians should be destroyed by two kings. The two kings were the kings of the Medes and Persians, whose powers were united under Cyrus, who was son of one of the kings, and son-in-law of the other, and who besieged and took Babylon, put an end to that empire, and... 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 2:39

arise = stand up. Chaldee. kum = to begin to exist. See note on Exodus 1:8 . another . The kingdom of Medo-Persia, which succeeded Babylon by occupying Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 36:22 ). inferior . As silver is inferior to gold, in value and in specific gravity (see note on Daniel 2:32 ) so the second kingdom was inferior to the first. The successive kingdoms are marked by evolution (or rather, devolution). In the first (Babylon) the king possessed absolute power ("whom he would he slew",... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:39

39. That Medo-Persia is the second kingdom appears from Daniel 5:28; Daniel 8:20. Compare 2 Chronicles 36:20; Isaiah 21:2. inferior—"The kings of Persia were the worst race of men that ever governed an empire" [PRIDEAUX]. Politically (which is the main point of view here) the power of the central government in which the nobles shared with the king, being weakened by the growing independence of the provinces, was inferior to that of Nebuchadnezzar, whose sole word was law throughout his empire.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:36-45

7. The interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream 2:36-45 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:39

The world kingdom that succeeded Medo-Persia was Greece-under Alexander the Great (cf. Daniel 8:20-21). Its territory was even larger than that of Medo-Persia. Greece dominated the ancient cradle of civilization from 331 to 31 B.C., so it lasted longer than either Babylonia or Medo-Persia (i.e., 300 years). However, after Alexander the Great died in 323 B.C., the empire split into four parts, and each of Alexander’s generals took one piece. Antipater ruled Macedon-Greece, Lysimachus governed... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 2:1-49

Nebuchandezzar’s Dream-ImageNebuchadnezzar in his second year had a dream, which he required the wise men of his court to describe and interpret on pain of death. They said this was beyond their power, but professed their readiness to explain the dream if the king would tell them its nature. Nebuchadnezzar persisted in his first demand, and as the wise men could not satisfy him he gave orders that they should be slain (Daniel 2:1-13). Daniel, however, interposed and asked that the execution of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Daniel 2:39

(39) Another kingdom.—These words make it clear that by “the king” in the last verse “kingdom” was meant; or, in other words, Nebuchadnezzar was identified with his kingdom (comp. Daniel 7:5; Daniel 8:3; Daniel 8:20). The second kingdom is the Medo-Persian (as appears more fully below, Exc. E). The inferiority is to be found in the divided character of that empire, as compared with the massive solidity of its predecessor. This is signified in the image, partly by the inferiority of the metal,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Daniel 2:1-49

Daniel 2-3 See Keble's lines on 'Monday in Whitsunweek '. Successive Monarchies Daniel 2:1-30 Nebuchadnezzar has a dream sent him by God. I. Strange as the vision had been it had left no clear impression upon his mind, but only a vague sense of great terror. He sent for the wise men of the kingdom, but for such a dilemma their art provided them with no expedient. The king threatens them and their families with death unless they make known to him his dream as well as its interpretation. II.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:1-49

THE DREAM-IMAGE OF RUINED EMPIRES"With thee will I break in pieces rulers and captains." - Jeremiah 51:23THE Book of Daniel is constructed with consummate skill to teach the mighty lessons which it was designed to bring home to the minds of its readers, not only in the age of its first appearance, but forever. It is a book which, so far from being regarded as unworthy of its place in the Canon by those who cannot accept it as either genuine or authentic, is valued by many such critics as a very... read more

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Daniel 2:39

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:24-49

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:39

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 2:39

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:36-45

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Daniel 2:39

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Daniel 2:1-49

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Daniel 2:39

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Daniel 2:1-49

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Daniel 2:1-49

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