Daniel 2:32

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Daniel 2:32 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass,

Bible in Basic English BBE

As for this image, its head was made of the best gold, its breast and its arms were of silver, its middle and its sides were of brass,

Free Bible Version FBV

The head of the statue was gold, the chest and arms were silver, its middle and thighs were bronze,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

This images head was of fine golde, his breast and his armes of siluer, his bellie and his thighs of brasse,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

This image! its head [is] of good gold, its breasts and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of brass;

World English Bible WEB

As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The head of this image was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The head of this statue was of fine gold, but the breast and the arms of silver, and the belly and the thighs of brass:

Translation for Translators T4T

The head of the statue was made of pure gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. Its belly and thighs were made of bronze.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:32

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Daniel 2:32 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB ה֣וּא צַלְמָ֗/א רֵאשֵׁ/הּ֙ דִּֽי דְהַ֣ב טָ֔ב חֲד֥וֹ/הִי וּ/דְרָע֖וֹ/הִי דִּ֣י כְסַ֑ף מְע֥וֹ/הִי וְ/יַרְכָתֵ֖/הּ דִּ֥י נְחָֽשׁ

ה֣וּא hûwʼ H1932 he/she/it Adj

צַלְמָ֗/א tselem H6755 image Adj | Art

רֵאשֵׁ/הּ֙ rêʼsh H7217 head Adj | Suff

דִּֽי dîy H1768 that Adj

דְהַ֣ב dᵉhab H1722 gold Adj

טָ֔ב ṭâb H2869 fine Adj

חֲד֥וֹ/הִי chădîy H2306 breast Adj | Suff

וּ/דְרָע֖וֹ/הִי dᵉraʻ H1872 arm Adj | N-fp | Suff

דִּ֣י dîy H1768 that Adj

כְסַ֑ף kᵉçaph H3702 silver Adj

מְע֥וֹ/הִי mᵉʻâh H4577 belly Adj | Suff

וְ/יַרְכָתֵ֖/הּ yarkâʼ H3410 thigh Adj | N-fp | Suff

דִּ֥י dîy H1768 that Adj

נְחָֽשׁ nᵉchâsh H5174 bronze Adj

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:32

ה֣וּא hûwʼ H1932 "he/she/it" Adj

This Hebrew word means 'he', 'she', or 'it', often used to emphasize the subject of a sentence, as seen in Genesis and Exodus. It can also be used as a demonstrative, meaning 'this' or 'that'.

Definition: 1) he, she, it 1a) (emphasising and resuming subject) 1b)(anticipating subj) 1c) as demons pron 1d) (relative) 1e) (affirming existence)

Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] are, it, this. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 7:24.

צַלְמָ֗/א tselem H6755 "image" Adj | Art

In Aramaic, this word refers to an idol or image, emphasizing the idea of a false representation of God, as warned against in the Bible.

Definition: image, idol Aramaic of tse.lem (צֶ֫לֶם "image" H6754)

Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: form, image. See also: Daniel 2:31; Daniel 3:5; Daniel 3:19.

רֵאשֵׁ/הּ֙ rêʼsh H7217 "head" Adj | Suff

The Hebrew word for head can refer to the physical head or the chief of something. It is used in various contexts, including the book of Genesis and the Psalms.

Definition: 1) chief, head 1a) head (of man) 1b) head (as seat of visions) 1c) chief 1d) sum (essential content)

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: chief, head, sum. See also: Ezra 5:10; Daniel 4:7; Daniel 7:20.

דִּֽי dîy H1768 "that" Adj

This word is used as a relative conjunction, like 'that' or 'which', to connect ideas in sentences. It appears in Genesis and Exodus to describe relationships between people and things. The KJV translates it as 'that' or 'which'.

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

Usage: Occurs in 186 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] as, but, for(-asmuch [phrase]), [phrase] now, of, seeing, than, that, therefore, until, [phrase] what (-soever), when, which, whom, whose. See also: Ezra 4:9; Daniel 3:7; Jeremiah 10:11.

דְהַ֣ב dᵉhab H1722 "gold" Adj

In the Bible, this word means gold, a valuable metal. It is often used to describe items made of gold, such as jewelry or decorations.

Definition: gold Aramaic of za.hav (זָהָב "gold" H2091)

Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en). See also: Ezra 5:14; Daniel 3:7; Daniel 5:29.

טָ֔ב ṭâb H2869 "fine" Adj

The Hebrew word for something fine or good, like pleasant things, is used in the Bible to describe what is pleasing to God. It appears in various forms, including tov, which means pleasant. This concept is seen in the Bible as a positive quality.

Definition: good Aramaic of tov (טוֹב "pleasant" H2896A)

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fine, good. See also: Ezra 5:17; Daniel 2:32.

חֲד֥וֹ/הִי chădîy H2306 "breast" Adj | Suff

This term refers to the breast or chest area, like the part of the body where a priest wore a special garment in Exodus 28:29-30. It is a physical part of the human body. In biblical times, it was also a symbol of emotional feelings.

Definition: breast, chest Aramaic of cha.zeh (חָזֶה "breast" H2373)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: breast. See also: Daniel 2:32.

וּ/דְרָע֖וֹ/הִי dᵉraʻ H1872 "arm" Adj | N-fp | Suff

Dera means arm, and is a word used to describe the arm or forearm. It is a simple term used to refer to a part of the body.

Definition: arm Aramaic of ze.ro.a (זְרוֹעַ "arm" H2220)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: arm. See also: Daniel 2:32.

דִּ֣י dîy H1768 "that" Adj

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

כְסַ֑ף kᵉçaph H3702 "silver" Adj

Silver, whether as a metal or a form of money, like the shekels used in Exodus 21. It represents value and wealth in the Bible.

Definition: 1) silver 1a) as metal 1b) as money

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: money, silver. See also: Ezra 5:14; Ezra 7:22; Daniel 5:23.

מְע֥וֹ/הִי mᵉʻâh H4577 "belly" Adj | Suff

The Bible uses this word to refer to the belly or abdomen, often in a physical sense. The KJV translates it simply as belly.

Definition: external belly, abdomen Aramaic of me.eh (מֵעֶה "belly" H4578)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: belly. See also: Daniel 2:32.

וְ/יַרְכָתֵ֖/הּ yarkâʼ H3410 "thigh" Adj | N-fp | Suff

This word means thigh or loin, similar to H3409, and is used in the Bible to describe the side or flank of something. It is also related to the Aramaic word for flank.

Definition: thigh, loin, flank, side, recess Aramaic of ye.re.khah (יַרְכָה "flank" H3411)

Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: thigh. See also: Daniel 2:32.

דִּ֥י dîy H1768 "that" Adj

Definition: part of relation 1) who, which, that mark of genitive 2) that of, which belongs to, that conj 3) that, because

נְחָֽשׁ nᵉchâsh H5174 "bronze" Adj

Bronze refers to a type of copper alloy, like the bronze serpent Moses made in Numbers 21:9. It was a common material in ancient times.

Definition: copper, bronze Aramaic of ne.chu.shah (נְחוּשָׁה "bronze" H5154)

Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: brass. See also: Daniel 2:32; Daniel 4:12; Daniel 7:19.

Study Notes — Daniel 2:32

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Daniel 2:32 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:32
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:32
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:32
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:32
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:32
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:32
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:32
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:32
Sermons on Daniel 2:32

Context — Daniel Interprets the Dream

30And to me this mystery has been revealed, not because I have more wisdom than any man alive, but in order that the interpretation might be made known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind. 31As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome.

32The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze,

33its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. 34As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Jeremiah 51:7	Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.
2	Daniel 7:4–6	The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man. Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’ Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.
3	Revelation 17:4	The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.
4	Isaiah 14:4	you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
5	Daniel 4:30	the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?”
6	Daniel 2:37–39	You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth.
7	Daniel 11:2–20	Now then, I will tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. By the power of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece. Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others. The king of the South will grow strong, but one of his commanders will grow even stronger and will rule his own kingdom with great authority. After some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will go to the king of the North to seal the agreement. But his daughter will not retain her position of power, nor will his strength endure. At that time she will be given up, along with her royal escort and her father and the one who supported her. But one from her family line will rise up in his place, come against the army of the king of the North, and enter his fortress, fighting and prevailing. He will take even their gods captive to Egypt, with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold. For some years he will stay away from the king of the North, who will invade the realm of the king of the South and then return to his own land. But his sons will stir up strife and assemble a great army, which will advance forcefully, sweeping through like a flood, and will again carry the battle as far as his fortress. In a rage, the king of the South will march out to fight the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be delivered into the hand of his enemy. When the army is carried off, the king of the South will be proud in heart and will cast down tens of thousands, but he will not triumph. For the king of the North will raise another army, larger than the first, and after some years he will advance with a great army and many supplies. In those times many will rise up against the king of the South. Violent ones among your own people will exalt themselves in fulfillment of the vision, but they will fail. Then the king of the North will come, build up a siege ramp, and capture a fortified city. The forces of the South will not stand; even their best troops will not be able to resist. The invader will do as he pleases, and no one will stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand. He will resolve to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and will reach an agreement with the king of the South. He will give him a daughter in marriage in order to overthrow the kingdom, but his plan will not succeed or help him. Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many of them. But a commander will put an end to his reproach and will turn it back upon him. After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be no more. In his place one will arise who will send out a tax collector for the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he will be destroyed, though not in anger or in battle.
8	Daniel 4:22	you, O king, are that tree! For you have become great and strong; your greatness has grown to reach the sky, and your dominion extends to the ends of the earth.
9	Daniel 8:3–8	Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one grew up later. I saw the ram charging toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and there was no deliverance from his power. He did as he pleased and became great. As I was contemplating all this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came out of the west, crossing the surface of the entire earth without touching the ground. He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with furious power. I saw him approach the ram in a rage against him, and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him, and the goat threw him to the ground and trampled him, and no one could deliver the ram from his power. Thus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.

Daniel 2:32 Summary

The statue in Daniel 2:32 is a symbol of the different kingdoms that will rise and fall in the world. The head of the statue is made of gold, which represents the first kingdom, and the other parts are made of silver, bronze, iron, and clay, which represent the kingdoms that will come after it. This verse teaches us that all earthly power and glory is temporary and will eventually come to an end, as described in (Psalm 103:15-16) and (1 Peter 1:24). We can learn from this verse to seek wisdom and understanding from God, as Daniel did, and to trust in His eternal kingdom, which will never fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the head of gold in the statue represent in Daniel 2:32?

The head of gold represents the first kingdom, which is typically understood to be the Babylonian Empire, as described in Daniel 2:38, where Nebuchadnezzar is called the head of gold.

Why are the different parts of the statue made of different materials?

The different materials, such as gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay, likely symbolize the varying strengths and weaknesses of the kingdoms they represent, with gold being the most valuable and clay being the least, as seen in Daniel 2:32-33.

How does this statue relate to the rest of the book of Daniel?

The statue in Daniel 2:32 is part of a larger vision given to King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel interprets as a forecast of the rise and fall of various world empires, including the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires, as described in Daniel 2:36-45.

What can we learn from the use of precious metals in the statue?

The use of precious metals like gold, silver, and bronze in the statue may symbolize the value and glory of the kingdoms they represent, but also their eventual decline and fall, as prophesied in Daniel 2:44, where God's kingdom is described as a stone that crushes all other kingdoms.

Reflection Questions

What does the image of a statue with different materials say to me about the nature of power and authority in this world?
How do I see the rise and fall of empires and kingdoms playing out in my own life and in the world around me?
What does this verse teach me about the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding from God, as Daniel did in Daniel 2:30?
In what ways can I apply the lesson of the statue to my own life, recognizing that all earthly power and glory is temporary and fleeting, as described in 1 Peter 1:24?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:32

This image's head was of fine gold,.... The prophet begins with the superior part of this image, and descends to the lower, because of the order and condition of the monarchies it represents: this

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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, This image's head was of fine gold. On ancient coins states are often represented by human figures.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:32

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, Ver. 32. The image’ s head was of fine gold.] This is the first, and till now, altogether unheard of prophecy concerning the four monarchies of the world. Res plane digna quae memoriae tota commendetur, saith one; a scripture worthy to be well remembered, because it briefly comprehendeth the history of all ages to the world’ s end. His breast and his arms of silver.] The elder they are the baser; so is Rome papal, of which one of her sons, over two hundred years since, complained, not without good cause, that she was become of gold, silver; of silver, iron; of iron, earth; superesse ut in stercus abiret, and that she would turn next into dung. Sleid. Deuteronomy 4:1-49 Monarch. Theodoric Urias, A.D. 1414.

Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:32

(32) Breast . . .—It should be remarked that though many different parts of the body of the image are mentioned, Daniel regards the whole thing as made up of only four parts, each corresponding to one of the four metals. Similarly he shows the history of the world in its relation to God’s people, complicated though it may be and varied in its aspect, consists of no more than four principal parts. It will be noticed that by the additional matter mentioned Daniel 2:41-42, certain minor complications of history are intended, which, however, do not interfere with the fourfold division of which the outline is here given.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:32

Verse 32. Head was of fine gold] The Babylonish empire, the first and greatest. Breast and his arms of silver] The Medo-Persian empire, under Cyrus, &c. His belly and his thighs of brass] The Macedonian empire, under Alexander the Great, and his successors.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:32

31–35. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar his dream.

Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:32

This image’s head was of fine gold - Chaldee, “good gold” - טב דהב dehab ṭâb - that is, fine, pure, unalloyed. The whole head of the figure, colossal as it was, appeared to be composed wholly of this.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:32

32, 33. The dreamer dreams through the ages though he knows it not. In that sleep a thousand years were but as a watch in the night.

Sermons on Daniel 2:32

	Sermon	Description
	(In the Word) 11 - the Mother of Harlots by Milton Green	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the Word of God rather than adhering to old traditions or wrong teachings. They urge listeners to listen to the e
	(The Church in the Last Days) 09 - Babylon by Milton Green	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the dangers of living according to the flesh and being drawn into sensuality. He warns against false security and the teachings that promote
	Wine for Gospel wantons... by Thomas Shepard	Thomas Shepard preaches on the consequences of spiritual drunkenness as described in Jeremiah 13:12-15, where God fills the inhabitants of the land with a spirit of drunkenness, le
	(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 12 Psalm 137 by Keith Simons	Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 137, emphasizing its prophetic nature and the deep sorrow of the Israelites in Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem. He explores the contrast be
	Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding Isaiah's prophecies in the context of the surrounding nations that influenced Israel's history. He explains how Judah and
	Isaiah Chapter 5 Isaiah and the Nations by A.B. Simpson	A.B. Simpson emphasizes the significance of understanding the geopolitical context of Isaiah's prophecies, particularly the neighboring nations that influenced Israel and Judah. He
	Nebuchadnezzar Exemplifying God's Grace for Humility by Bob Hoekstra	Bob Hoekstra preaches on the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar from pride to humility, showcasing God's opposition to pride and grace for humility. Despite being driven into the fie