Daniel 2:42

Verse

And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

American Standard Version (1901)

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

Bible in Basic English

And as the toes of the feet were in part of iron and in part of earth, so part of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will readily be broken.

Free Bible Version

As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

King James (Authorized) Version

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

Translation for Translators

Some parts of that kingdom will be as strong as iron, but some parts will not remain together, just as iron and clay do not stick together.

Unlocked Literal Bible

As the toes of the feet were partly made of iron and partly made of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

Noah Webster Bible

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

World English Bible

As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

Young's Literal Translation

As to the toes of the feet, part of them iron, and part of them clay: some part of the kingdom is strong, and some part of it is brittle.

Context

Daniel Interprets the Dream

⁴¹And just as you saw that the feet and toes were made partly of fired clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom, yet some of the strength of iron will be in it—just as you saw the iron mixed with clay.⁴²And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. ⁴³As you saw the iron mixed with clay, so the peoples will mix with one another, but will not hold together any more than iron mixes with clay.

Summary

In this verse, Daniel is interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar's dream about a statue with different materials representing various kingdoms. The iron mixed with clay symbolizes a divided kingdom that will not be able to hold together, mirroring the weakness and instability of the final earthly kingdom. This prophecy points to the eventual downfall of earthly powers and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, which will never be destroyed. It serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over all human kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of His reign.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay,.... Or some of them of iron, and so were strong and powerful, as some of these kingdoms were; and some of clay, and so were weak and easily crushed, and did not stand long: so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken; this is not unfitly interpreted by some of the two fold power which has prevailed in these ten kingdoms, through the policy of the pope of Rome, the secular and ecclesiastic power; the latter often encroaching upon and prevailing over the other, which has tended to the weakening of these states.

Daniel 2:42

Daniel Interprets the Dream

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

American Standard Version (1901)

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

Bible in Basic English

And as the toes of the feet were in part of iron and in part of earth, so part of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will readily be broken.

Free Bible Version

As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

King James (Authorized) Version

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

Translation for Translators

Some parts of that kingdom will be as strong as iron, but some parts will not remain together, just as iron and clay do not stick together.

Unlocked Literal Bible

As the toes of the feet were partly made of iron and partly made of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

Noah Webster Bible

And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

World English Bible

As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

Young's Literal Translation

As to the toes of the feet, part of them iron, and part of them clay: some part of the kingdom is strong, and some part of it is brittle.