Daniel 2:37

37 You, O king, are the most powerful king on earth. The God of heaven has given you the works: rule, power, strength, and glory.

Daniel 2:37 Meaning and Commentary

Daniel 2:37

Thou, O king, art a king of kings
Having many kings subject and tributary to him, or would have; as the kings of Judah, Ammon, Moab, and others, and who were even his captives and prisoners; see ( Jeremiah 52:32 ) . Jarchi and Saadiah join this with the next clause, "the God of heaven", and interpret it of him thus, thou, O King Nebuchadnezzar, "the King of kings, who is the God of heaven, hath given unto thee"; so some in the Talmud understand it of God F11; but this is contrary to the accents: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength,
and glory;
that is, a very powerful, strong, and glorious kingdom, famous for its mighty armies, strong fortresses, and great riches, from all which the king had great honour and glory; and this he had not by his ancestors, or his own military skill and prowess, but by the favour and gift of God.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 T. Bab. Shebuot, fol. 35. 2.

Daniel 2:37 In-Context

35 Then the whole thing fell to pieces - iron, tile, bronze, silver, and gold, smashed to bits. It was like scraps of old newspapers in a vacant lot in a hot dry summer, blown every which way by the wind, scattered to oblivion. But the stone that hit the statue became a huge mountain, dominating the horizon.
36 This was your dream.
37 You, O king, are the most powerful king on earth. The God of heaven has given you the works: rule, power, strength, and glory.
38 He has put you in charge of men and women, wild animals and birds, all over the world - you're the head ruler, you are the head of gold.
39 But your rule will be taken over by another kingdom, inferior to yours, and that one by a third, a bronze kingdom, but still ruling the whole land,
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.