Daniel 2:38 (BSB)
Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold.
From Daniel 2. Also in the ESV.
Commentary on Daniel 2:38
- John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Daniel 2:38: Daniel here declares “the golden head of the image“ to be the Babylonian kingdom. We know that the Assyrians were subdued before the monarchy was transferred to Babylon; but since they did not prevail sufficiently to be considered as supreme rulers in that eastern territory, the Babylonian empire is here mentioned first.
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Daniel 2:31-45: Daniel here gives full satisfaction to Nebuchadnezzar concerning his dream and the interpretation of it. That great prince had been kind to this poor prophet in his maintenance and education; he had been brought up at the king's cost, preferred at court, and the land of his captivity had hereby been made much easier to him than to others of his brethren.
- John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Daniel 2:38: And wheresoever the children of men dwell,.... Not in every part of the habitable world, but in every part of his large dominion inhabited by men: the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven, hath he given into thine hand; all parks, chases, and forests (so that none might hunt or hawk without his permission), as well as the persons and habitations...
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Daniel 2:38: men . . . beasts . . . fowls--the dominion originally designed for man (Gen 1:28; Gen 2:19-20), forfeited by sin; temporarily delegated to Nebuchadnezzar and the world powers; but, as they abuse the trust for self, instead of for God, to be taken from them by the Son of man, who will exercise it for God, restoring in His person to man the lost inheritance (Psa 8:4-6).