Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

DANIEL 2:35KJV
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Daniel 2:35 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:35 mean?

Daniel 2:35 describes how the materials making up the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream—iron, clay, brass, silver, and gold—were all shattered at once and blown away like chaff by the wind, leaving no trace. The stone that struck the statue then grew into a great mountain that filled the whole earth.

In this part of Daniel, Daniel is explaining King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The king saw a statue made of different metals, which a stone struck and destroyed. Daniel describes the complete destruction of the statue’s materials, emphasizing that nothing remained of them, while the stone became a mountain covering the earth. This sets up the meaning of the dream, which Daniel will explain as showing the end of earthly kingdoms and the rise of something enduring.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:35

  • "Chaff" (נְפָת / n’pat): This word means the husks separated from grain during threshing. It highlights how the statue’s remains are not just destroyed but made worthless and easily swept away.
  • "Wind" (רוּחַ / ruach): This word can mean wind or spirit. Here, it emphasizes how completely the remains are removed—nothing substantial is left.
  • "Stone" (אֶבֶן / eben): The stone is not just a rock but becomes a "great mountain" (טוּר רַב / tur rav), showing a dramatic transformation from something small to something vast and permanent.

Why Daniel 2:35 matters

  • Daniel 2:35 makes clear that the destruction of the statue is total—none of the old kingdoms remain, not even a trace, which is stronger than just saying they were defeated.
  • The verse sets up a contrast between the temporary, fragile nature of human kingdoms (blown away like chaff) and the permanence of what the stone represents.
  • This moment is key to understanding the rest of Daniel 2, as it prepares the reader for Daniel’s explanation that God’s kingdom will replace all others and endure forever.

Where else these words appear

“mountain” Hebrew H2906 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

“filled” Hebrew H4391 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 3:19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

“carried” Hebrew H5376 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
  • Ezra 5:15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

“smote” Hebrew H4223 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.
  • Daniel 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.
  • Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?