Daniel 2:31
"Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Thou, O king, sawest,.... Or, "wast seeing" (z); not with the eyes of his body, but in his fancy and imagination; as he was dreaming, he thought he saw such an appearance, so it seemed to him, as follows: and behold a great image; or, "one great image" (a); not painted, but a massive statue made of various metals, as

is afterwards declared: such, though not so large as this, as the king had been used to see, which he had in his garden and palace, and which he worshipped; but this was of a monstrous size, a perfect colossus, and but one, though it consisted of various parts; it was in the form of a great man, as Saadiah and Jacchiades observe; and represented each of the monarchies of this world governed by men; and these being expressed by an image, show how vain and delusory, how frail and transitory, are the kingdoms of the earth, and the glory of them: this great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee: right over against him, and near him, as he thought; so that he had a full view of it, and saw it at its full length and size, and its dazzling lustre, arising from the various metals of gold, silver, brass, and iron, it was made of; which was exceeding bright, and made it look very majestic: and the form thereof was terrible; either there was something in the countenance menacing and horrid; or the whole form, being so gigantic, struck the king with admiration, and was even terrible to him; and it may denote the terror that kings, especially arbitrary and despotic ones, strike their subjects with. (z) "videns fuisti", Montanus, Michaelis; "videns eras", Vatablus. (a) "imago una grandis", Pagninus, Montanus; "imago una magna", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius; "simulachrum unum magnum", Michaelis.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H0607 אַנְתָּה
Definition:

29,31,37,38 etc.,Ezra 7:25.Topical LexiconLiterary Functionאַנְתָּה appears only in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, always as the emphatic masculine singular pronoun “you.” It functions to si 29,31,37,38 etc.,Ezra 7:25.Topical LexiconLiterary Functionאַנְתָּה appears only in the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, always as the emphatic masculine singular pronoun “you.” It functions to si

Possible Meanings:
  • thou (semantic_range)
H4430 מְלַךְ
Definition:

7). It denotes the act of reigning, becoming king, or exercising royal authority. While applied to human monarchs, the verb also frames explicit declarations of God’s unrivaled kingship, weaving toget 7). It denotes the act of reigning, becoming king, or exercising royal authority. While applied to human monarchs, the verb also frames explicit declarations of God’s unrivaled kingship, weaving toget

Possible Meanings:
  • counsel (semantic_range)
  • advice (semantic_range)
H2370 חֲזָא
Definition:

20;Daniel 5:1; 2masculine singularתֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:43+,תָה-Daniel 2:41.2: 41; 1singularחֲזֵיתDaniel 2:46+; 2 masculine pluralתֲוֵיתוּןDaniel 2:8;Pe`alInfinitiveמְֶָחֱזֵז֑אEzra 4:14;Participle activeחָ 20;Daniel 5:1; 2masculine singularתֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:43+,תָה-Daniel 2:41.2: 41; 1singularחֲזֵיתDaniel 2:46+; 2 masculine pluralתֲוֵיתוּןDaniel 2:8;Pe`alInfinitiveמְֶָחֱזֵז֑אEzra 4:14;Participle activeחָ

H1934 הָוָא
Definition:

26+,הֲוָאDaniel 5:19+; 2 masculine singularהֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:31,34, 1singularהֲוֵיתDaniel 4:1+; 3 masculine pluralהֲווֺDaniel 2:35+;Imperfect3masculine singularלֶהֱוֵא(K§ 47, l) b) Dr§ 204 Obs.NöM 215 26+,הֲוָאDaniel 5:19+; 2 masculine singularהֲוַיְתָDaniel 2:31,34, 1singularהֲוֵיתDaniel 4:1+; 3 masculine pluralהֲווֺDaniel 2:35+;Imperfect3masculine singularלֶהֱוֵא(K§ 47, l) b) Dr§ 204 Obs.NöM 215

Possible Meanings:
  • he (semantic_range)
  • she (semantic_range)
  • it (semantic_range)
H0431 אֲלוּ
Definition:

usually regarded as by-form ofאֲרוּ, q. v.; compare Egyptian Aramaicהלו, CookeNo.73, RES492B = S-CM b); —וַאֲלוּDaniel 2:31חָזֵי הֲוַיְתָ וַאֲלוּ,Daniel 4:7;Daniel 4:10;Daniel 7:8always in description usually regarded as by-form ofאֲרוּ, q. v.; compare Egyptian Aramaicהלו, CookeNo.73, RES492B = S-CM b); —וַאֲלוּDaniel 2:31חָזֵי הֲוַיְתָ וַאֲלוּ,Daniel 4:7;Daniel 4:10;Daniel 7:8always in description

Possible Meanings:
  • lo! (semantic_range)
H6755 צֶלֶם
Definition:

31–3:19). Each appearance revolves around two closely linked episodes in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II: the dream of the multi-metal statue in Daniel chapter 2 and the erection of the golden sta 31–3:19). Each appearance revolves around two closely linked episodes in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II: the dream of the multi-metal statue in Daniel chapter 2 and the erection of the golden sta

Possible Meanings:
  • image (semantic_range)
H2298 חַד
Definition:

8; 5:13; 6:2–3Official Persian correspondence uses חַד to stress a unique written document or the inaugural year of Cyrus, anchoring the temple-rebuilding narrative in verifiable history (“In the firs 8; 5:13; 6:2–3Official Persian correspondence uses חַד to stress a unique written document or the inaugural year of Cyrus, anchoring the temple-rebuilding narrative in verifiable history (“In the firs

Possible Meanings:
  • one (semantic_range)
H7690 שַׂגִּיא
Definition:

6+, feminine pluralשֵׂגִּיאָןDaniel 2:48;Ezra 5:11; —1great, of imageDaniel 2:31(in vision), height of treeDaniel 4:7(id.); of honourDaniel 2:6.2much, fruitDaniel 4:9;Daniel 4:18, fleshDaniel 7:5; plu 6+, feminine pluralשֵׂגִּיאָןDaniel 2:48;Ezra 5:11; —1great, of imageDaniel 2:31(in vision), height of treeDaniel 4:7(id.); of honourDaniel 2:6.2much, fruitDaniel 4:9;Daniel 4:18, fleshDaniel 7:5; plu

H6755 צֶלֶם
Definition:

31–3:19). Each appearance revolves around two closely linked episodes in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II: the dream of the multi-metal statue in Daniel chapter 2 and the erection of the golden sta 31–3:19). Each appearance revolves around two closely linked episodes in the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar II: the dream of the multi-metal statue in Daniel chapter 2 and the erection of the golden sta

Possible Meanings:
  • image (semantic_range)
H1797 דִּכֵּן
Definition:

31׳צַלְמָא ד,Daniel 7:20,21׳קַרְנָא ד.Topical LexiconScriptural Occurrencesדִּכֵּן appears three times in the Aramaic portions of Daniel (Daniel 2:31; 7:20; 7:21). Each instance functions as a demonst 31׳צַלְמָא ד,Daniel 7:20,21׳קַרְנָא ד.Topical LexiconScriptural Occurrencesדִּכֵּן appears three times in the Aramaic portions of Daniel (Daniel 2:31; 7:20; 7:21). Each instance functions as a demonst

Possible Meanings:
  • this (semantic_range)
  • that (semantic_range)
H7229 רַב
Definition:

31+, constructDaniel 2:14+; emphatic masculineרַבָּאEzra 4:10+; feminineרַבְּתָאDaniel 4:27; masculine plural redupl.רַבְרְבִין(K§ 59, 4)Daniel 3:33, feminine pluralבָן-Daniel 2:48+, emphaticָ֯ תָאDan 31+, constructDaniel 2:14+; emphatic masculineרַבָּאEzra 4:10+; feminineרַבְּתָאDaniel 4:27; masculine plural redupl.רַבְרְבִין(K§ 59, 4)Daniel 3:33, feminine pluralבָן-Daniel 2:48+, emphaticָ֯ תָאDan

Possible Meanings:
  • great (semantic_range)
H2122 זִיו
Definition:

Pr 152NöZMG xl (1886), 732JenZK ii. 43BrockLex. Syr. 93); — suffixזִיוִיDaniel 4:33splendourof royalty;זִוֵהּDaniel 2:31(of image); pluralbrightnessof countenance: suffixזִיוַיKt,זיויךKt,זִיוָךְQr,Dan Pr 152NöZMG xl (1886), 732JenZK ii. 43BrockLex. Syr. 93); — suffixזִיוִיDaniel 4:33splendourof royalty;זִוֵהּDaniel 2:31(of image); pluralbrightnessof countenance: suffixזִיוַיKt,זיויךKt,זִיוָךְQr,Dan

H3493 יַתִּיר
Definition:

31; feminine singularיַתִּירָאDaniel 6:4, usuallyהָ֯Daniel 4:33;Daniel 5:12,14; as adverbexceedinglyDaniel 3:22;Daniel 7:7,19 (compareיתירמתבריךEutSin. 498which Lzb401readsיתירית בריך).Topical Lexicon 31; feminine singularיַתִּירָאDaniel 6:4, usuallyהָ֯Daniel 4:33;Daniel 5:12,14; as adverbexceedinglyDaniel 3:22;Daniel 7:7,19 (compareיתירמתבריךEutSin. 498which Lzb401readsיתירית בריך).Topical Lexicon

Possible Meanings:
  • pre-eminent (semantic_range)
  • surpassing (semantic_range)
H6966 קוּם
Definition:

8–6:18; 7:12–26) and Daniel (2:4b–7:28). The term carries the idea of rising, standing, or being established. Because Aramaic was the diplomatic lingua franca of the Persian period, its usage sheds li 8–6:18; 7:12–26) and Daniel (2:4b–7:28). The term carries the idea of rising, standing, or being established. Because Aramaic was the diplomatic lingua franca of the Persian period, its usage sheds li

Possible Meanings:
  • arise (semantic_range)
  • arise (semantic_range)
  • arise (semantic_range)
H6903 קְבֵל
Definition:

8;ᵑ7קְבֵיל, withלְ,לִקְבֵיל, suffixלְקִבֵלִי, etc.,in front of(Dalm§ 47, 7); Syriac,aspect,in front,, suffixin front (of), opposite (to), compareGenesis 15:10ᵑ7ᵑ6; Palmyreneלקבלbefore(Cooke321, compar 8;ᵑ7קְבֵיל, withלְ,לִקְבֵיל, suffixלְקִבֵלִי, etc.,in front of(Dalm§ 47, 7); Syriac,aspect,in front,, suffixin front (of), opposite (to), compareGenesis 15:10ᵑ7ᵑ6; Palmyreneלקבלbefore(Cooke321, compar

Possible Meanings:
  • receive (semantic_range)
H7299 רֵו
Definition:

31;Daniel 3:25.Topical LexiconOccurrences in ScriptureThe term appears only twice, both times in the Aramaic portion of Daniel (Daniel 2:31;Daniel 3:25). In each setting it conveys the outward aspect, 31;Daniel 3:25.Topical LexiconOccurrences in ScriptureThe term appears only twice, both times in the Aramaic portion of Daniel (Daniel 2:31;Daniel 3:25). In each setting it conveys the outward aspect,

Possible Meanings:
  • appearance (semantic_range)
H1763 דְּחַל
Definition:

19, withמִןקֳֿדָםof king,Daniel 6:27,id.of God;passiveדְּחִילterribleDaniel 2:31, feminineדְּחִילָהDaniel 7:7,19.Pa`elImperfect3masculine singular suffixוִידֵחֲלִנַּנִיDaniel 4:2the dreammade me afrai 19, withמִןקֳֿדָםof king,Daniel 6:27,id.of God;passiveדְּחִילterribleDaniel 2:31, feminineדְּחִילָהDaniel 7:7,19.Pa`elImperfect3masculine singular suffixוִידֵחֲלִנַּנִיDaniel 4:2the dreammade me afrai

Possible Meanings:
  • fear (semantic_range)
  • made me afraid (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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