Daniel 2:27-47

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

27 Daniel answered the king and said, "No wise men, a enchanters, a magicians, or b astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but c there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar d what will be in the latter days. Your dream and e the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: 29 To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, f and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. 30 But g as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that h you may know the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel Interprets the Dream

31 "You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and of exceeding brightness, stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. 32 i The head of this image was of fine gold, j its chest and arms of silver, its middle and j thighs of bronze, 33 k its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 As you looked, a stone was cut out l by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and m broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became n like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that o not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became p a great mountain q and filled the whole earth.

36 "This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. 37 You, O king, r the king of kings, to whom s the God of heaven t has given the kingdom, the power, and the might, and the glory, 38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, u the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all - you are v the head of gold. 39 w Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom v of bronze, x which shall rule over all the earth. 40 And y there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron z breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall z break and crush all these. 41 And as you saw a the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the y firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. 43 As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay, so they will mix with one another in marriage, 1 but they will not hold together, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of those kings b the God of heaven will set up c a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. d It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and c it shall stand forever, 45 just as e you saw that f a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that d it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A g great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure."

Daniel Is Promoted

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar h fell upon his face and i paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that j an offering and k incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, "Truly, your l God is God of gods and m Lord of kings, and n a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery."

  1. Cross References
    Daniel 1:20
    And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
  2. Cross References
    Daniel 1:20
    And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
  3. Cross References
    Daniel 4:7
    Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told them the dream, but they could not make known to me its interpretation.
    Daniel 5:7
    The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers. The king declared to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and shows me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.
  4. Cross References
    Daniel 2:22
    He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
  5. Cross References
    Daniel 10:14
    And came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.
    Hosea 3:5
    Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.
  6. Cross References
    Daniel 4:5
    I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed the fancies and the visions of my head alarmed me.
    Daniel 7:15
    As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me.
  7. Cross References
    Daniel 2:45
    Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 41:16
    Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.
    Acts 3:12
    And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
  9. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 3:18
    I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.
  10. Cross References
    Daniel 2:38
    And into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all - you are the head of gold.
  11. Cross References
    Daniel 2:39
    Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
  12. Cross References
    Daniel 2:39
    Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth.
  13. Cross References
    Daniel 2:40
    And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.
  14. Cross References
    Daniel 8:25
    By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken - but by no human hand.
    Job 34:20
    In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
    Lamentations 4:6
    For the chastisement of the daughter of my people has been greater than the punishment of Sodom, which was overthrown in a moment, and no hands were wrung for her.
    2 Corinthians 5:1
    For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
  15. Cross References
    Daniel 2:35
    Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver...
    Daniel 2:40
    And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as ...
    Daniel 2:44 - 45
    And in the days of those kings the God of heave...
    Isaiah 8:9
    Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; give ...
    Matthew 21:44
    And the one who falls on this stone will be bro...
    Luke 20:18
    Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken...
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 1:4
    The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
  17. Cross References
    Revelation 20:11
    Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 2:2
    It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 80:9
    You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.
  20. Cross References
    Ezra 7:12
    Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. Peace. And now
    Ezekiel 26:7
    For thus says the Lord God : Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses and chariots, and with horsemen and a host of many soldiers.
  21. Cross References
    Daniel 2:19
    Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
  22. Cross References
    Daniel 5:18
    O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty.
    Ezra 1:2
    Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
    Daniel 2:21
    He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 4:21
    Whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived -
    Jeremiah 27:6
    Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, my servant, and I have given him also the beasts of the field to serve him.
  24. Cross References
    Daniel 2:32
    The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze.
  25. Cross References
    Daniel 2:32
    The head of this image was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its middle and thighs of bronze.
    Daniel 5:28
    Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
    Daniel 5:31
    And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
  26. Cross References
    Daniel 2:38
    And into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all - you are the head of gold.
  27. Cross References
    Daniel 7:6
    After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back. And the beast had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
  28. Cross References
    Daniel 7:7
    After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
    Daniel 7:23
    Thus he said: 'As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
  29. Cross References
    Daniel 2:34
    As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
  30. Cross References
    Daniel 2:34
    As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
  31. Cross References
    Daniel 2:33
    Its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.
  32. Cross References
    Daniel 2:40
    And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.
  33. Cross References
    Daniel 2:19
    Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
  34. Cross References
    Daniel 4:3
    How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders...
    Daniel 4:34
    At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifte...
    Daniel 6:26
    I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion ...
    Daniel 7:14
    And to him was given dominion and glory and a k...
    Daniel 7:27
    And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatn...
    Micah 4:7
    And the lame I will make the remnant, and those...
    Matthew 3:2
    "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
    Luke 1:33
    And he will reign over the house of Jacob forev...
    John 18:36
    Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this worl...
  35. Cross References
    Daniel 4:3
    How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders...
    Daniel 4:34
    At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifte...
    Daniel 6:26
    I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion ...
    Daniel 7:14
    And to him was given dominion and glory and a k...
    Daniel 7:27
    And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatn...
    Micah 4:7
    And the lame I will make the remnant, and those...
    Matthew 3:2
    "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
    Luke 1:33
    And he will reign over the house of Jacob forev...
    John 18:36
    Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this worl...
  36. Cross References
    Isaiah 60:12
    For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
    Daniel 2:34
    As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
  37. Cross References
    Daniel 2:34
    As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.
  38. Cross References
    Isaiah 28:16
    Therefore thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.
  39. Cross References
    Daniel 2:44
    And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.
  40. Cross References
    Daniel 2:28
    But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:
  41. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:22
    And Joab fell on his face to the ground and paid homage and blessed the king. And Joab said, "Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord the king, in that the king has granted the request of his servant.
  42. Cross References
    Matthew 8:2
    And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
    Acts 10:25
    When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
  43. Cross References
    Acts 14:13
    And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
  44. Cross References
    Ezra 6:10
    That they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
  45. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:17
    For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.
  46. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:15
    Which he will display at the proper time - he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
    Revelation 17:14
    They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.
    Revelation 19:16
    On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
  47. Cross References
    Daniel 2:22
    He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.