Daniel 2:38

Daniel 2:38 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

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.

King James Version KJV

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 hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

American Standard Version ASV

and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee to rule over them all: thou art the head of gold.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Wherever the children of men are living; into whose hands he has given the beasts of the field and the birds of heaven, and has made you ruler over them all, you are the head of gold.

Free Bible Version FBV

He gave you control over all peoples, as well as the wild animals and birds. He made you ruler of all of them. You are the head of gold.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And in all places where the children of men dwell, the beasts of the fielde, and the foules of the heauen hath he giuen into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler ouer them al: thou art this heade of golde.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and whithersoever sons of men are dwelling, the beast of the field, and the fowl of the heavens, He hath given into thy hand, and hath caused thee to rule over them all; thou [art] this head of gold.

World English Bible WEB

Wherever the children of men dwell, he has given the animals of the field and the birds of the sky into your hand, and has made you rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And wherever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thy hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And all places wherein the children of men, and the beasts of the field do dwell: he hath also given the birds of the air into thy hand, and hath put all things under thy power: thou therefore art the head of gold.

Translation for Translators T4T

He has caused you to be the ruler over all people, and even the animals and birds are controlled by you. So the head of the statue represents you.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:38

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 2:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/בְ/כָל דִּ֣י דארין דָֽיְרִ֣ין בְּֽנֵי אֲ֠נָשָׁ/א חֵיוַ֨ת בָּרָ֤/א וְ/עוֹף שְׁמַיָּ/א֙ יְהַ֣ב בִּ/ידָ֔/ךְ וְ/הַשְׁלְטָ֖/ךְ בְּ/כָלְּ/ה֑וֹן אַנְתְּה ה֔וּא רֵאשָׁ֖/ה דִּ֥י דַהֲבָֽ/א

וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3606 all Adj | Prep | N-ms

דִּ֣י dîy H1768 that Adj

דארין dûwr H1753 to dwell Adj

דָֽיְרִ֣ין dûwr H1753 to dwell Adj

בְּֽנֵי bên H1123 son Adj

אֲ֠נָשָׁ/א ʼĕnâsh H606 man Adj | Art

חֵיוַ֨ת chêyvâʼ H2423 beast Adj

בָּרָ֤/א bar H1251 field Adj | Art

וְ/עוֹף ʻôwph H5776 bird Adj | N-ms

שְׁמַיָּ/א֙ shâmayin H8065 heaven Adj | Art

יְהַ֣ב yᵉhab H3052 to give Adj

בִּ/ידָ֔/ךְ yad H3028 hand Adj | N-fs | Suff

וְ/הַשְׁלְטָ֖/ךְ shᵉlêṭ H7981 to rule Adj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff

בְּ/כָלְּ/ה֑וֹן kôl H3606 all Adj | N-ms | Suff

אַנְתְּה ʼantâh H607 you Adj

ה֔וּא hûwʼ H1932 he/she/it Adj

רֵאשָׁ֖/ה rêʼsh H7217 head Adj | Art

דִּ֥י dîy H1768 that Adj

דַהֲבָֽ/א dᵉhab H1722 gold Adj | Art

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:38

וּ/בְ/כָל kôl H3606 "all" Adj | Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for all or everything, used in the Bible to describe the entirety of something, like all people or all things. It appears in Genesis and Psalms to emphasize God's power over everything. This word is often translated as 'all' or 'every' in English Bibles.

Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: all, any, + (forasmuch) as, + be-(for this) cause, every, + no (manner, -ne), + there (where) -fore, + though, what (where, who) -soever, (the) whole. See also: Ezra 4:14; Daniel 3:29; Daniel 7:27.

דִּ֣י 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.

דארין dûwr H1753 "to dwell" Adj

This word is similar to H1752 and also means to reside or stay in a place. It is used in the Aramaic language and has the same meaning as H1752. In the book of Daniel, it describes where the Jews lived.

Definition: (P'al) to dwell Aramaic of dur (דּוּר "to dwell" H1752)

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: dwell. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 6:26.

דָֽיְרִ֣ין dûwr H1753 "to dwell" Adj

Definition: (P'al) to dwell Aramaic of dur (דּוּר "to dwell" H1752)

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: dwell. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 6:26.

בְּֽנֵי bên H1123 "son" Adj

This word means a child or son, and is used to describe family relationships in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including 'son' and 'young one', and is an important concept in biblical family structures. The word is used to show lineage and heritage.

Definition: son, child Aramaic of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)

Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: child, son, young. See also: Ezra 6:9; Daniel 2:38; Daniel 6:25.

אֲ֠נָשָׁ/א ʼĕnâsh H606 "man" Adj | Art

A human being or mankind, used to describe people in general, as seen in Psalm 8 and Isaiah 52. This word refers to humans as individuals or collectively.

Definition: 1) man, human being 2) mankind (collective) Aramaic of e.nosh (אֱנוֹשׁ "human" H0582)

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: man, [phrase] whosoever. See also: Ezra 4:11; Daniel 4:29; Daniel 7:13.

חֵיוַ֨ת chêyvâʼ H2423 "beast" Adj

This word refers to any kind of animal, from small creatures to large beasts. It is used in the Bible to talk about animals in general, and is translated as 'beast'.

Definition: beast, animal Aramaic of chay.yah (חַיָּה "living thing" H2416C)

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: beast. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 5:21; Daniel 7:23.

בָּרָ֤/א bar H1251 "field" Adj | Art

The word 'bar' is also used to describe a field or open area. It appears in Aramaic passages, like those found in the book of Daniel, to describe rural landscapes and fields.

Definition: field Aramaic of bar (בָּר "field" H1250B)

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: field. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 4:18; Daniel 4:29.

וְ/עוֹף ʻôwph H5776 "bird" Adj | N-ms

In the Bible, this word refers to a bird, often used to describe a group of birds, like a flock. It appears in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, describing the types of birds the Israelites could eat. The word is also related to the idea of covering with wings.

Definition: fowl Aramaic of oph (עוֹף "bird" H5775)

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: fowl. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 7:6.

שְׁמַיָּ/א֙ shâmayin H8065 "heaven" Adj | Art

This Aramaic word for heaven is similar to the Hebrew word, referring to the sky and the abode of God. It is used to describe the dwelling place of God in the Bible.

Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible sky 1b) Heaven (as abode of God)

Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: heaven. See also: Ezra 5:11; Daniel 4:12; Jeremiah 10:11.

יְהַ֣ב yᵉhab H3052 "to give" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give or provide something, like a gift or a foundation. It appears in various forms, such as giving, laying, or paying. For example, it is used in Genesis when God gives instructions to Noah.

Definition: 1) to give, provide 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to give 1a2) to place, lay (foundations) 1b) (Hithp'al) 1b1) to be given 1b2) to be paid

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: deliver, give, lay, [phrase] prolong, pay, yield. See also: Ezra 4:20; Daniel 4:13; Daniel 7:27.

בִּ/ידָ֔/ךְ yad H3028 "hand" Adj | N-fs | Suff

This Hebrew word for 'hand' represents power, ability, or direction. It is often used figuratively to describe God's strength or human capability. The Bible uses 'yad' to convey a sense of power or control.

Definition: 1) hand 2) power (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: hand, power. See also: Ezra 5:8; Daniel 3:15; Daniel 7:25.

וְ/הַשְׁלְטָ֖/ךְ shᵉlêṭ H7981 "to rule" Adj | V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms | Suff

This Hebrew word means to have control or power over something or someone, like a ruler governing their people. It appears in the Bible when talking about leaders or authority figures. In the KJV, it's translated as 'have power' or 'bear rule'.

Definition: 1) to have power, rule, domineer, rule over 1a) (P'al) have power upon or over, rule, fall upon, assault, be ruler 1b) (Aphel) make ruler

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: have the mastery, have power, bear rule, be (make) ruler. See also: Daniel 2:38; Daniel 3:27; Daniel 6:25.

בְּ/כָלְּ/ה֑וֹן kôl H3606 "all" Adj | N-ms | Suff

Definition: 1) all, whole, the whole 1a) the whole of, all 1b) every, any, none

אַנְתְּה ʼantâh H607 "you" Adj

The word thou means you, a second-person singular pronoun used to address someone directly. It appears in Aramaic texts, such as in the book of Daniel.

Definition: you, thou (second pers. sing.) Aramaic of at.tah (אַתָּ֫ה "you(m.s.)" H0859A)

Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: as for thee, thou. See also: Ezra 7:25; Daniel 4:19; Daniel 6:21.

ה֔וּא 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.

רֵאשָׁ֖/ה rêʼsh H7217 "head" Adj | Art

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.

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

דַהֲבָֽ/א dᵉhab H1722 "gold" Adj | Art

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.

Study Notes — Daniel 2:38

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Daniel 2:38 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:38
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:38
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:38
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:38
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:38
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:38
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:38
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:38
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:38
Sermons on Daniel 2:38

Context — Daniel Interprets the Dream

36This was the dream; now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory.

38Wherever 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.

39But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth. 40Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Daniel 4:21–22	whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested— 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.
2	Psalms 50:10–11	for every beast of the forest is Mine— the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.
3	Jeremiah 27:5–7	By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please. So now I have placed all these lands under the authority of My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I have even made the beasts of the field subject to him. All nations will serve him and his son and grandson, until the time of his own land comes; then many nations and great kings will enslave him.

Daniel 2:38 Summary

This verse is saying that God has given the king power and authority over all of creation, from people to animals to birds. This is a demonstration of God's sovereignty over all things, as seen in Psalm 103:19. The king being the 'head of gold' represents the wealth and power of the Babylonian Empire, but it is also a reminder that God is the one who sets up and removes kings, as stated in Daniel 4:25. Just like the king, we can trust in God's plan for our lives and acknowledge His sovereignty over all things, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that God has given all things into the king's hand?

This means that God has given the king authority and power over all of creation, as stated in Daniel 2:38, and is a demonstration of God's sovereignty over all things, as seen in Psalm 103:19.

Is this verse saying that the king is all-powerful?

No, this verse is saying that God has given the king power and authority, but it is still God who is ultimately in control, as stated in Daniel 4:25, where King Nebuchadnezzar is reminded that God is the one who sets up and removes kings.

What is the significance of the king being the 'head of gold'?

The king being the 'head of gold' represents the first kingdom in the dream, which is the Babylonian Empire, and is a symbol of its wealth and power, as described in Daniel 2:32-33.

How does this verse relate to God's plan for the world?

This verse shows how God is working out His plan for the world through human leaders and empires, as stated in Daniel 2:21, where it says that God sets up and removes kings, and is a reminder that God is sovereign over all of human history, as seen in Isaiah 46:10.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I can acknowledge God's sovereignty in my own life, just as King Nebuchadnezzar did in Daniel 2:38?
How can I use the authority and power that God has given me to serve others and bring glory to Him?
What are some ways that I can remind myself that God is ultimately in control, even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming?
How can I trust in God's plan for my life, just as the prophet Daniel trusted in God's plan for the world?

Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:38

And wheresoever the children of men dwell,.... Not in every part of the habitable world, but in every part of his large dominion inhabited by men: the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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 hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:38

Hath made thee ruler over them all, i.e. hath given thee absolute dominion of all creatures, men and beasts, within the bounds of thy vast kingdom, to hunt, catch, or kill far thy use and pleasure. God as Lord paramount allows thee, his vassal and tenant at will, all this. This was not universal over all the world, but only within his large territories, which yet were bounded. Thou art this head of gold. 1. Why head? Because he was first in order, as the head is before the other parts, and the vision began in him, and descended downwards to the other three monarchies. 2. Why head of gold? Because of the vast riches wherein it abounded, and which the Chaldeans most coveted, and scraped from the spoils and tributes of all countries, ,14 Jeremiah 51:41,44. Also this is called the golden head, because it stood longest, five hundred years, and was fortunate and flourishing to the last.

Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:38

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 hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou [art] this head of gold.Ver. 38. Thou art this head of gold.] A "head" the Babylonian monarchy is called, because it was the first of the four; and "of gold," because administered with great wisdom, fortitude, justice, and other heroic virtues, because of the glory also and greatness of it in all manner of magnificence. See Isaiah 13:19; Isaiah 14:11 Jeremiah 27:6. Megasthenes and Strabo say, that Nebuchadnezzar was the mightiest of all kings, and held of the Chaldeans to have exceeded Hercules in courage. Lib. xv., Geog.

Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:38

(37, 38) Interpretation of the vision. Nebuchadnezzar is the head; or, in other words, he is the first of the four kingdoms which are denoted by the image. His kingdom was the largest that the world had till then known; in fact, a writer cited by Josephus (Ap. i. 20), compares him to Hercules. We find a similar allusion to the beasts of the field as Nebuchadnezzar’s servants Jeremiah 27:6; Jeremiah 28:14. The title of “king of kings” is also ascribed to Nebuchadnezzar by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 26:7). We are therefore left in no doubt as to what is meant by the first of the four empires. It is the Babylonian Empire, of which Nebuchadnezzar was in every sense the head, being the actual founder of it, and its mainstay during his long reign of forty-three years.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Daniel 2:38

Verse 38. Thou art this head of gold] See on Daniel 2:31-34, and at the end. See Clarke on Daniel 2:49.

Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:38

38. the beasts of the field] i.e. wild animals (cf. in Heb. e.g. Exodus 23:11; Exodus 23:29). These and the birds are mentioned in order to represent Nebuchadnezzar’s rule as being as absolute as possible; the former are borrowed, no doubt, from Jeremiah 27:6; Jeremiah 28:14. art this] art the. The pronoun in the Aramaic has here no demonstrative force; see Kautzsch, Gramm. des Bibl. Aram., § 87. 3. The four parts of the image symbolize four kingdoms; but Nebuchadnezzar, both in reality and in the memory of posterity, so eclipsed all other rulers of the first monarchy, that he is identified with it as a whole.

Barnes' Notes on 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.

Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:38

36-38. The head of gold is Nebuchadnezzar, whom God has made king of kings, putting all peoples of the world and the beasts of the field beneath his hand, and who, in himself, represented the Babylonian world-empire.

Sermons on Daniel 2:38

	Sermon	Description
	(Genesis) Genesis 24:32-35 by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the relationship between Christ and the Church, using the analogy of the Church becoming the bride of Christ. He explains that the Father and
	God Is a Righteous Judge by Chuck Smith	Chuck Smith emphasizes that God is a righteous judge who does not require our sacrifices, as everything belongs to Him. He highlights the importance of genuine praise and thanksgiv
	There Is Still a Song by Jim Cymbala	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the prophet Habakkuk and his cry to God about the evil and oppression he sees in the world. Habakkuk questions why God allows such injustice
	Reconciled (Romans 5.7b) by Ernest O'Neill	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the issue of overpopulation and genetic engineering as a proposed solution. He reflects on how humanity has strayed from God's original plan f
	Lordship Salvation, Free Grace & the Sovereignty of God by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord. He quotes 1 Corinthians 12:3, which states that no one can declare Jesus as Lord without
	God's Everlasting, Unchanging Love by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes God's everlasting and unchanging love, as declared in Jeremiah 31:3, highlighting that this profound love is extended even in the face of human rebellio
	Jesus Wants the Best for His Bride by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes that it breaks the Lord's heart when we doubt His ability and desire to provide the best for us, as illustrated through the story of Ruth. Ruth's unwaver