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.

DANIEL 2:31KJV
Know the Bible

Daniel 2:31 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:31 mean?

Daniel 2:31 describes how King Nebuchadnezzar saw a huge, impressive statue in his dream, shining brightly and appearing very frightening. The verse emphasizes the overwhelming size, brilliance, and terrifying appearance of the statue that stood before the king.

Daniel is speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar, recounting the king’s own dream before explaining its meaning. This moment is important because Daniel is showing that he knows exactly what the king saw, even though Nebuchadnezzar had not told anyone the dream. The verse sets up the dramatic impact of the dream’s vision, which will be explained in the following verses.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:31

  • The word for "image" is פְּסֶל (pᵊsel), which means a statue or idol. This highlights that what Nebuchadnezzar saw was not just a vision, but a specific, crafted figure that would have stood out in his culture.
  • The word for "brightness" is זִיו (ziv), meaning radiance or shining splendor. This suggests the statue was not only large but also dazzling, making it even more impressive and awe-inspiring.
  • The word for "terrible" is דְּחַל (dᵊḥal), which means frightening or dreadful. This emphasizes the fear and awe the statue inspired, not just its beauty or size.

Why Daniel 2:31 matters

  • This verse shows Daniel’s God-given ability to reveal secrets, since he describes the king’s private dream in detail before interpreting it.
  • The description of the statue’s size, brightness, and terror sets the stage for the symbolic meaning that follows, making the dream’s message feel weighty and important.
  • Understanding the emotional impact of the statue—its brilliance and fearfulness—helps explain why Nebuchadnezzar was so troubled by the dream and desperate for its interpretation.

Where else these words appear

“form” Hebrew H7299 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

“This” Hebrew H1797 · used in 3 verses

  • Daniel 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
  • Daniel 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

“behold” Hebrew H431 · used in 4 verses

  • Daniel 4:10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
  • Daniel 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
  • Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

“brightness” Hebrew H2122 · used in 6 verses

  • Daniel 4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.
  • Daniel 5:6 Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
  • Daniel 5:10 Now the queen, by reason of the words of the king and his lords, came into the banquet house: and the queen spake and said, O king, live for ever: let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let thy countenance be changed: