Daniel 2:39-40
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The prophecy highlights not just the succession of kingdoms, but also a subtle decline in their quality, with the third kingdom of brass (Greece) being specifically noted for its coarser nature and famed for its bronze armor. This "inferiority" isn't necessarily about lesser power or extent, but a characteristic that makes it distinct and less refined than the golden kingdom of Babylon.
Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nebuchadnezzar has just seen a magnificent statue in a dream, symbolizing future kingdoms that will rise and fall after his own Babylonian empire, which is represented by the head of gold. This verse continues the interpretation of the statue, revealing the second kingdom (the chest and arms of silver) will be inferior to Babylon's, followed by a third kingdom of bronze (the belly and thighs).
The text calls the second kingdom 'inferior.' But history shows the Medo-Persian empire was vast and powerful. What kind of inferiority is Daniel talking about?
When Daniel describes the second kingdom (represented by silver) as 'inferior' to Nebuchadnezzar's golden kingdom, it's not solely about brute military might or territorial extent. While the Medo-Persian empire certainly had its strengths, commentators point to several ways it was considered 'inferior':
It's a reminder that 'superiority' and 'inferiority' can be complex, encompassing more than just outward appearances.
The third kingdom is depicted as brass. Why this specific metal, and what does it tell us about this powerful empire?
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The choice of brass (often interpreted as bronze) for the third kingdom – the Greco-Macedonian empire under Alexander the Great – is highly significant.
Understand the original words
nechash · Aramaic Noun
A metal symbolizing durability and strength, often used in biblical prophecy to denote kingdoms characterized by military might and harsh subjugation.
parzel · Aramaic Noun
A metal symbolizing unrelenting power and the capacity to crush or destroy, often representing kingdoms that exert total control through force.
The verse speaks of a succession of empires, starting with Babylon, then the Medo-Persian, and finally the Greek (Macedonian) empire, fulfilling Nebuchadnezzar's dream and situating the Jewish people within a grand sweep of world history.
c. 626 BC
Rise of the Medes
The Medes consolidate power, becoming a significant force in the region under kings like Cyaxares, playing a key role in later regional conflicts.
605 BC
Nebuchadnezzar's Reign Begins
Nebuchadnezzar II ascends to the Babylonian throne, marking the height of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This is the 'head of gold' kingdom in the vision.
539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia, allied with the Medes, conquers Babylon. This event marks the transition from the Babylonian Empire to the Medo-Persian Empire.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, a significant event following the fall of Babylon.
334-330 BC
Alexander the Great's Conquests
Alexander the Great leads the Greek (Macedonian) army in a rapid conquest of the Medo-Persian Empire, establishing the third great empire of the vision.
323 BC
Death of Alexander
Alexander dies unexpectedly, leading to the fragmentation of his vast empire among his generals (the Diadochi).
This passage describes a second beast like a bear, which is also associated with a kingdom that follows the first (like the Medo-Persian empire following Babylon) and is depicted as inferior to the first in some way.
Daniel 8:5The vision here describes a male goat (representing Greece) that is incredibly powerful and strikes the ram (representing Medo-Persia), showing the succession and dominance of the third kingdom over the second.
Daniel 8:20-21This passage explicitly identifies the ram with the kings of Media and Persia and the goat with the king of Greece, directly connecting the prophecy in Daniel 2 to these empires.
Jeremiah 51:11This Old Testament prophecy foretells the destruction of Babylon by the Medes, providing a historical context and precursor to the rise of the kingdom that Daniel describes as inferior to Babylon.
This passage describes Alexander the Great and his conquests, directly illustrating the 'third kingdom of brass' that ruled 'over all the earth' as mentioned in Daniel's prophecy.
bensonDaniel 2:39: "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 2:39 . After thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee — “It is very well known, that the kingdom which arose after the Babylonian was the Medo-Persian. The two hands and the shoulders signify that the empire of the Babylonians should be destroyed by two kings. The two kings were the kings of the Medes and Persians, whose powers…
barnesDaniel 2:39: "And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth."
And after thee - This must mean "subsequently" to the reign, but it does not mean that the kingdom here referred to would "immediately" succeed his own reign, for that would not be true. The Medo-Persian empire did not come into the ascendency until many years after the death of Nebuchadnezzar. This occurred during the reign of Belshazzar, a g…
The prophecy highlights not just the succession of kingdoms, but also a subtle decline in their quality, with the third kingdom of brass (Greece) being specifically noted for its coarser nature and famed for its bronze armor. This "inferiority" isn't necessarily about lesser power or extent, but a characteristic that makes it distinct and less refined than the golden kingdom of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar has just seen a magnificent statue in a dream, symbolizing future kingdoms that will rise and fall after his own Babylonian empire, which is represented by the head of gold. This verse continues the interpretation of the statue, revealing the second kingdom (the chest and arms of silver) will be inferior to Babylon's, followed by a third kingdom of bronze (the belly and thighs).
Nebuchadnezzar has just seen a magnificent statue in a dream, symbolizing future kingdoms that will rise and fall after his own Babylonian empire, which is represented by the head of gold. This verse continues the interpretation of the statue, revealing the second kingdom (the chest and arms of silver) will be inferior to Babylon's, followed by a third kingdom of bronze (the belly and thighs).
"Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And…" — The prophecy highlights not just the succession of kingdoms, but also a subtle decline in their quality, with the third kingdom of brass (Greece) being specifically noted for its coarser nature and f…
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Last reviewed October 2026
