Daniel 2:42
Daniel 2:42 in Multiple Translations
And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
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.
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.
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.
As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
And as the toes of the feete were parte of yron, and parte of clay, so shall the kingdome be partly strong, and partly broken.
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.
As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.
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.
And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
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.
Berean Amplified Bible — Daniel 2:42
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 2:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶצְבְּעָת֙
רַגְלַיָּ֔/א
מנ/הון
מִנְּ/הֵ֥ין
פַּרְזֶ֖ל
ו/מנ/הון
וּ/מִנְּ/הֵ֣ין
חֲסַ֑ף
מִן
קְצָ֤ת
מַלְכוּתָ/א֙
תֶּהֱוֵ֣ה
תַקִּיפָ֔ה
וּ/מִנַּ֖/הּ
תֶּהֱוֵ֥ה
תְבִירָֽה
וְ/אֶצְבְּעָת֙
ʼetsbaʻ
H677
digit
Adj | N-fp
רַגְלַיָּ֔/א
rᵉgal
H7271
foot
Adj | Art
מנ/הון
min
H4481
from
Adj | Suff
מִנְּ/הֵ֥ין
min
H4481
from
Adj | Suff
פַּרְזֶ֖ל
parzel
H6523
iron
Adj
ו/מנ/הון
min
H4481
from
Adj | Prep | Suff
וּ/מִנְּ/הֵ֣ין
min
H4481
from
Adj | Prep | Suff
חֲסַ֑ף
chăçaph
H2635
clay
Adj
מִן
min
H4481
from
Adj
קְצָ֤ת
qᵉtsâth
H7118
end
Adj
מַלְכוּתָ/א֙
malkûw
H4437
kingdom
Adj | Art
תֶּהֱוֵ֣ה
hâvâʼ
H1934
to be
Adj
תַקִּיפָ֔ה
taqqîyph
H8624
strong
Adj
וּ/מִנַּ֖/הּ
min
H4481
from
Adj | Prep | Suff
תֶּהֱוֵ֥ה
hâvâʼ
H1934
to be
Adj
תְבִירָֽה
tᵉbar
H8406
to break
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Daniel 2:42
וְ/אֶצְבְּעָת֙
ʼetsbaʻ
H677
"digit"
Adj | N-fp
ʼetsbaʻ means a finger or toe, something used to grasp or hold things.
Definition: finger, toe Aramaic of ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "finger" H0676) Aramaic of ets.ba (אֶצְבַּע "finger" H0676)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: finger, toe. See also: Daniel 2:41; Daniel 2:42; Daniel 5:5.
רַגְלַיָּ֔/א
rᵉgal
H7271
"foot"
Adj | Art
The Hebrew word for a foot or step, like when the Israelites followed God's pillar of cloud in Exodus 13:21-22. It's also used to describe the feet of animals or statues.
Definition: foot Aramaic of re.gel (רֶ֫גֶל "foot" H7272)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: foot. See also: Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:42; Daniel 7:19.
מנ/הון
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Suff
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
מִנְּ/הֵ֥ין
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Suff
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
פַּרְזֶ֖ל
parzel
H6523
"iron"
Adj
In biblical Hebrew, this word means iron, a strong metal used for tools and weapons. It appears in the Bible as a translation from the Aramaic word 'barzel'.
Definition: iron Aramaic of bar.zel (בַּרְזֶל "iron" H1270)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: iron. See also: Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:45; Daniel 7:19.
ו/מנ/הון
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Prep | Suff
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
וּ/מִנְּ/הֵ֣ין
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Prep | Suff
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
חֲסַ֑ף
chăçaph
H2635
"clay"
Adj
This Hebrew word refers to clay, often used for making pottery or bricks. It is a basic material used in ancient times for building and crafting. The Bible mentions clay in stories like creation and pottery-making.
Definition: clay, potsherd
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: clay. See also: Daniel 2:33; Daniel 2:41; Daniel 2:45.
מִן
min
H4481
"from"
Adj
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
קְצָ֤ת
qᵉtsâth
H7118
"end"
Adj
Similar to H7117, this word means the end or a part of something. It is used in the Aramaic language and is translated as end or partly in the KJV Bible.
Definition: end, part Aramaic of qe.tsat (קְצָת "end" H7117)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: end, partly. See also: Daniel 2:42; Daniel 4:26; Daniel 4:31.
מַלְכוּתָ/א֙
malkûw
H4437
"kingdom"
Adj | Art
A kingdom refers to the territory or area ruled by a king, like King David's kingdom in Israel. It can also mean the reign or period of time a king is in power. The word is used in the Bible to describe royal authority and dominion.
Definition: 1) royalty, reign, kingdom 1a) royalty, kingship, kingly authority 1b) kingdom 1c) realm (of territory) 1d) reign (of time)
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: kingdom, kingly, realm, reign. See also: Ezra 4:24; Daniel 5:7; Daniel 7:27.
תֶּהֱוֵ֣ה
hâvâʼ
H1934
"to be"
Adj
Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.
Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.
תַקִּיפָ֔ה
taqqîyph
H8624
"strong"
Adj
This Hebrew word means strong or powerful, used to describe something or someone with great might. It appears in the Bible to describe God's power and strength. In the KJV, it is translated as mighty or strong.
Definition: might, strong, mighty Aramaic of taq.qiph (תַּקִּיף "mighty" H8623)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: mighty, strong. See also: Ezra 4:20; Daniel 2:42; Daniel 7:7.
וּ/מִנַּ֖/הּ
min
H4481
"from"
Adj | Prep | Suff
This word is used to show where something comes from, like from a place or at a certain time, and is often translated as from or out of.
Definition: 1) from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 1a) from, out of (of place) 1b) from, by, as a result of, by reason of, at, according to, (of source) 1c) from (of time) 1d) beyond, more than (in comparisons)
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: according, after, [phrase] because, [phrase] before, by, for, from, [idiom] him, [idiom] more than, (out) of, part, since, [idiom] these, to, upon, [phrase] when. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 3:22; Jeremiah 10:11.
תֶּהֱוֵ֥ה
hâvâʼ
H1934
"to be"
Adj
Similar to H1933, this word means 'to be' or 'to exist', but with a broader range of applications, as seen in Daniel and Ezra. It can describe something coming to pass or becoming known.
Definition: 1) to come to pass, become, be 1a) (P'al) 1a1) to come to pass 1a2) to come into being, arise, become, come to be 1a2a) to let become known (with participle of knowing) 1a3) to be
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: be, become, [phrase] behold, [phrase] came (to pass), [phrase] cease, [phrase] cleave, [phrase] consider, [phrase] do, [phrase] give, [phrase] have, [phrase] judge, [phrase] keep, [phrase] labour, [phrase] mingle (self), [phrase] put, [phrase] see, [phrase] seek, [phrase] set, [phrase] slay, [phrase] take heed, tremble, [phrase] walk, [phrase] would. See also: Ezra 4:12; Daniel 4:1; Daniel 7:23.
תְבִירָֽה
tᵉbar
H8406
"to break"
Adj
This Hebrew verb means to break into pieces, like something fragile shattering. It is used in Jeremiah 22:28, describing a broken or useless vessel.
Definition: to break (P'al) broken in pieces (participle) Aramaic of sha.var (שָׁבַר "to break" H7665)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: broken. See also: Daniel 2:42.
Study Notes — Daniel 2:42
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Daniel 2:42 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:42
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:42
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
- Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
- Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
- Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:42
- Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:42
- Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
- Sermons on Daniel 2:42
Context — Daniel Interprets the Dream
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.
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. 44In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel 7:24 | And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. |
| 2 | Revelation 13:1 | Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. |
Daniel 2:42 Summary
This verse, Daniel 2:42, is talking about a kingdom that will be strong in some ways, but weak and fragile in others, like a mixture of iron and clay. This means that the kingdom will have some good qualities, but also some flaws that will ultimately lead to its downfall, as seen in Daniel 2:43. It's like when we try to mix two things together that don't really go together, and they end up falling apart, as described in Daniel 2:43. This reminds us that our ultimate hope and trust should be in God's kingdom, which will last forever, as described in Daniel 2:44 and Revelation 11:15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the mixture of iron and clay in Daniel 2:42 symbolize?
The mixture of iron and clay represents a kingdom that will be strong in some areas but weak and brittle in others, as seen in the toes of the statue in Daniel 2:41. This is similar to the concept of spiritual strength and weakness described in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where the Lord's power is made perfect in our weakness.
How does this verse relate to the end times?
Daniel 2:42 is part of a larger prophecy about the rise and fall of world kingdoms, culminating in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom, as described in Daniel 2:44. This verse specifically highlights the fragile nature of human kingdoms, which will ultimately be surpassed by God's kingdom, as seen in Revelation 11:15.
What does the phrase 'partly strong and partly brittle' mean in this context?
The phrase 'partly strong and partly brittle' in Daniel 2:42 suggests that this kingdom will have a mix of strengths and weaknesses, making it unstable and prone to fracture, much like the clay and iron mixture in the toes of the statue, which cannot hold together, as described in Daniel 2:43.
How does this verse apply to our lives today?
The principle of being 'partly strong and partly brittle' can be applied to our individual lives, as we recognize that we are all a mix of strengths and weaknesses, and that our trust should be in the Lord, who is our Rock and our Strength, as described in Psalm 28:7-8.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I see the mixture of strength and brittleness in my own life, and how can I trust in God's power to overcome my weaknesses?
- How does the image of iron and clay mixing together, but not holding together, relate to my relationships with others, and what can I learn from this about the importance of unity and harmony?
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to rely on my own strength, rather than trusting in God's power, and how can I surrender these areas to Him?
- In what ways can I be a part of building God's eternal kingdom, which will never be destroyed, as described in Daniel 2:44?
Gill's Exposition on Daniel 2:42
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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Daniel 2:42
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
This was plain in the civil wars of the Romans, the falling off of some countries, especially in and towards the end of it.
Trapp's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
Daniel 2:42 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.Ver. 42. So the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.] Or, Brittle. This we see daily fulfilled in the tottering kingdoms both of that of the Turk (which laboureth with nothing more than the weightiness of itself, and yet hath been soundly battered of late by the Venetians) and the other of the Pope, which declineth also apace, and shall do every day more and more, according to that old distitch: “ Roma diu titubans, variis erroribus acta, Corruet, et mundi desinet esse caput. ”
Ellicott's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
(42) So the kingdom.—This strength, however, is only apparent. There are certain discordant elements in the fourth empire. These are here represented by the iron and clay, which cannot be made to cohere.
Cambridge Bible on Daniel 2:42
42. so the kingdom, &c.] so part of the kingdom shall be strong, and part of it shall be broken.
Barnes' Notes on Daniel 2:42
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 - Margin, “brittle.” The margin is the more correct rendering of the Chaldee word (תבירה tebı̂yrâh).
Whedon's Commentary on Daniel 2:42
42. Even the toes, the extremities of the kingdom, shall have in them something of the strength of iron, but shall be “brittle” and easily cracked.
Sermons on Daniel 2:42
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Men God Made) Daniel by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of fasting and its importance in the Christian faith. The speaker emphasizes that fasting is not just about abstaining from food, |
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The Scottish Reformer John Knox by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the Gospel of Christ. He highlights that the Gospel is not about pointing man to an example or the highest form |
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God's Kingdom on Earth by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the reality of God's Kingdom on Earth, contrasting it with the spirit of the antichrist that seeks to undermine God's laws and times. He urges believers to a |
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Advent Sermons on Antichrist by J.H. Newman | John Henry Newman preaches about the prophecies concerning Rome and Antichrist, highlighting the historical fulfilment and potential future events. He discusses the symbolic repres |
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Love With Shoes On by Darrell Champlin | In this sermon, the preacher recounts a missionary family's encounter with a strong wind that led them to a tragic event. However, the preacher emphasizes that this was not a trage |
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(Revelation) Part 1 the Last Trumpet by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher begins by leading the congregation in singing the hymn "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus." He then introduces the topic of the sermon, which is the woman m |
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(Daniel) Daniel's Great Vision by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the speaker, Daniel, expresses his grief and troubled spirit. He seeks the interpretation of his dream from a created being. The interpretation reveals that the fou |