And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

DANIEL 2:40KJV
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Daniel 2:40 (KJV)

What does Daniel 2:40 mean?

Daniel 2:40 describes a fourth kingdom that will be as strong as iron, able to crush and break everything else, just as iron is known for its strength and ability to shatter other materials. The verse uses the image of iron to show how this kingdom will overpower and bruise all others before it.

In this part of the book of Daniel, Daniel is explaining King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about a statue made of different materials, each representing a different kingdom. Daniel is speaking to the king, revealing that after three earlier kingdoms, a fourth one will rise, unmatched in its power to conquer and destroy. The focus is on the overwhelming strength and harshness of this coming empire, compared to the toughness and destructive force of iron.

The Aramaic behind Daniel 2:40

  • "iron" (פַּרְזֶל, parzel): This word is repeated several times to stress the quality of the fourth kingdom. Iron was the hardest known metal in Daniel’s time, so its use highlights the kingdom’s ability to crush and dominate.
  • "breaketh in pieces" (דְּקוּ, deqū): This verb means to shatter or smash. It emphasizes not just strength, but a violent, destructive power that leaves nothing whole.
  • "subdueth" (חַשֵּׁל, ḥashel): This word means to bring under control or to trample. It adds the idea that the fourth kingdom doesn’t just break things, but also forces them into submission.
  • "bruise" (רְעַע, re‘a‘): This verb can mean to crush or to cause injury. It shows that the fourth kingdom’s power is not just about conquering, but also about causing lasting harm.

Why Daniel 2:40 matters

  • Daniel 2:40 helps the reader see that the fourth kingdom is not just powerful, but uniquely harsh and destructive, more so than the kingdoms before it.
  • The repeated use of "iron" and related words makes clear that the focus is on overwhelming force, not just political control.
  • This verse connects to the larger vision in Daniel 2, where each part of the statue represents a different era or empire, helping the reader understand the flow of history as seen through Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.

Where else these words appear

“fourth” Hebrew H7244 · used in 5 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.
  • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
  • Daniel 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

“strong” Hebrew H8624 · used in 5 verses

  • Ezra 4:20 There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
  • Daniel 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
  • Daniel 4:3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.

“these” Hebrew H459 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
  • Daniel 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
  • Daniel 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

“pieces” Hebrew H1855 · used in 9 verses

  • 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 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
  • Daniel 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.