And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

DANIEL 2:39KJV
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Daniel 2:39 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:39 mean?

Daniel 2:39 describes how, after King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, another kingdom will rise that is inferior to his, followed by a third kingdom, symbolized by bronze, which will rule over the whole earth. The verse is part of Daniel’s explanation of a prophetic dream about a statue made of different metals, each representing a succession of empires.

In this scene, Daniel is speaking to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, interpreting the king’s troubling dream. Daniel explains that Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian empire will not last forever; instead, it will be succeeded by two more kingdoms, each with its own character and level of power. The mention of “inferior” and “brass” hints at a decline in splendor or strength with each successive empire, setting up a broader message about the temporary nature of human kingdoms.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:39

  • “inferior” (אַרְעָא, ’ar‘a, H772): This word is often used for “earth” or “ground,” but here it is used to mean “lower” or “inferior,” suggesting that the next kingdom will not match Babylon’s greatness.
  • “brass” (נְחָשׁ, neḥāsh, H5174): The use of bronze (or brass) for the third kingdom highlights a change in material from the previous metals, symbolizing a shift in quality or character, not just chronology.
  • “rule” (שְׁלַט, shelat, H7981): This word means “to have dominion” or “to rule,” emphasizing that the third kingdom will exercise authority over a wide area, described as “all the earth.”

Why Daniel 2:39 matters

  • Daniel 2:39 clarifies that no earthly kingdom, no matter how powerful, is permanent; each is eventually replaced by another, often less glorious.
  • The verse sets up the pattern of the statue’s metals, helping readers connect the dream’s imagery with real historical empires that would follow Babylon.
  • Understanding the specific words for “inferior” and “rule” helps highlight the contrast between the kingdoms’ power and reach, and the gradual decline in their greatness.

Where else these words appear

“third” Hebrew H8523 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 5:7 The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.

“another” Hebrew H317 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
  • Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
  • 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.

“rule” Hebrew H7981 · used in 7 verses

  • Daniel 2:38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold.
  • Daniel 3:27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
  • Daniel 5:16 And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom.

“after” Hebrew H870 · used in 8 verses

  • 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.
  • Ezra 6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
  • Daniel 2:35 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.