Daniel 2:31

Authorized King James Version

Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַ֣נְתְּה
Thou
thou
#2
מַלְכָּ֗א
O king
a king
#3
חָזֵ֤ה
to gaze upon; mentally to dream, be usual (i.e., seem)
#4
הֲוַ֙יְתָ֙
sawest
to exist; used in a great variety of applications (especially in connection with other words)
#5
וַאֲל֨וּ
and behold
lo!
#6
צַלְמָ֨א
image
an idolatrous figure
#7
חַד֙
a great
as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once
#8
שַׂגִּ֔יא
large (in size, quantity or number, also adverbial)
#9
צַלְמָ֨א
image
an idolatrous figure
#10
דִּכֵּ֥ן
This
this
#11
רַ֛ב
great
abundant
#12
וְזִיוֵ֥הּ
whose brightness
(figuratively) cheerfulness
#13
יַתִּ֖יר
was excellent
preeminent; as an adverb, very
#14
קָאֵ֣ם
stood
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#15
לְקָבְלָ֑ךְ
before
(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence
#16
וְרֵוֵ֖הּ
thee and the form
aspect
#17
דְּחִֽיל׃
thereof was terrible
to slink, i.e., (by implication) to fear, or (causatively) be formidable

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Daniel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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