Daniel 2:37
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.
Original Language Analysis
דִּ֚י
H1768
דִּ֚י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
5 of 13
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
שְׁמַיָּ֔א
of heaven
H8065
שְׁמַיָּ֔א
of heaven
Strong's:
H8065
Word #:
7 of 13
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וִֽיקָרָ֖א
and glory
H3367
וִֽיקָרָ֖א
and glory
Strong's:
H3367
Word #:
11 of 13
value, i.e., (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity
Cross References
Ezekiel 26:7For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.Isaiah 47:5Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.Psalms 62:11God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.Daniel 5:18O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour:Ezra 1:2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.Ezra 7:12Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time.
Historical Context
Persian emperors later officially used 'king of kings' (shahanshah), and the title appears in ancient Mesopotamian royal inscriptions indicating supremacy over vassal kings. Nebuchadnezzar ruled the largest empire of his era, having conquered Egypt, Judah, and surrounding nations. Yet Daniel declares this vast power was granted by Israel's God, not Marduk or military prowess. This bold theological claim confronted Babylonian ideology attributing the king's success to Babylonian deities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing all human authority as delegated from God change how we relate to earthly rulers?
- What does Daniel's example teach about respecting earthly authority while maintaining ultimate allegiance to God?
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Analysis & Commentary
Daniel addresses Nebuchadnezzar as 'king of kings'—a title claiming supreme authority but ironically subordinate to the true King of kings (Revelation 19:16). Daniel immediately clarifies: 'the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory.' The fourfold attribution (kingdom, power, strength, glory) emphasizes comprehensiveness while asserting divine origin. Nebuchadnezzar rules only by God's sovereign grant, not inherent right. This theological truth simultaneously honors the king's present authority while relativizing it under divine sovereignty. Daniel models speaking truth to power—respectful but uncompromising about ultimate allegiance.