Daniel 2:42 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle.

NIV: As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle.

NASB: And just as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong, and part of it will be fragile.

CSB: and that the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly fired clay--part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle.

NLT: But while some parts of it will be as strong as iron, other parts will be as weak as clay.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.

Each part of the statue seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:1–3) symbolized a nation; this predicted the future of the middle east (Daniel 2:31–35). The golden head was Babylon (Daniel 2:36–38). Knowing which nations were predicted by the other portions is possible, now, through the hindsight of history. The silver chest and arms represent the Medo-Persian Empire. The bronze midsection was Greece (Daniel 2:39). The iron legs and feet were Rome (Daniel 2:40–41). The feet and toes being made of both iron and clay—two materials that do not meld—highlights the nation's division. Rome was both strong iron and weak clay. The description in this verse further notes the inclusion of brittle clay among the iron, further weakening it.

Most commentators suggest the toes of the statue are meant to represent ten kings ruling the territory of the Roman Empire. This will be part of Daniel's prediction later in this book (Daniel 7:24–27). However, the toes are not mentioned as individual parts here in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. As far as Daniel's dream is concerned, the toes may represent further division and weakness, but they are not references to the end times—yet.

Certain interpretations of the tribulation period suggest a revived Roman Empire will emerge. Revelation 13:1 refers to ten horns that protrude from the head of the beast, presumably the head of the revived Roman Empire. These ten horns are equivalent to the ten toes of the statue of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, but not necessarily explained there. Revelation 17:12 refers specifically to ten kings who share authority with "the beast" for a brief time in the tribulation period. Ultimately, they will hand their power and territories over to the beast. The emergence of these ten kings and their kingdoms awaits the time when Christ comes in the air to rapture His church (1 Thessalonians 4:13–17).

Daniel 2:31–45 provides both the content and the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's troubling dream (Daniel 2:1–3). The dream describes what is sometimes called "the latter days" or "the times of the Gentiles." This is part of a section of the book of Daniel recorded in Aramaic (Daniel 2:4—7:28), the common language of Babylon at the time. The image seen in the dream includes a progression of shapes and materials, representing a sequence of kingdoms, their characteristics, and their eventual fates.

King Nebuchadnezzar tests his magicians, demanding they tell him what he has dreamed, rather than merely inventing an interpretation. When they fail, he prepares to execute the entire department of wise men. Daniel promises he can meet the king's request and is given a special vision from God. The king dreamed of a massive statue shattered into powder by a supernatural rock. Daniel accurately describes this and interprets it as a prophecy about kingdoms which would come after Babylon. The king appoints Daniel and his friends to positions of power and influence over Babylon.

Chapter 1 introduced King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel—a captive youth from Jerusalem—and three other Jewish boys. After three years of education, the four Hebrew captives outperformed all the other trainees, even surpassing the wise men in Babylon. In chapter 2, Daniel describes and interprets Nebuchadnezzar's disturbing dream, though the court magicians could not. As a result, the king promotes Daniel and his three friends to high positions over the provinces of Babylon. This sets the stage for a severe test of faith in chapter 3.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.