part = a portion [of them], or some of them. Chaldee. min . partly = in part, or at the end. Chaldee. ketzath, as in Daniel 4:29 (Hebrew, verse 26), Daniel 4:34 (Hebrew, verse 31). Occurs only in these three places. Compare the Hebrew kezath (Daniel 1:2 with Daniel 1:5 , Daniel 1:15 , Daniel 1:18 ). partly broken = part [of it shall be] broken. broken = fragile, easily broken. Chaldee. tebar. Occurs only here. read more
they: i.e. the toes. is not mixed = mingleth not. read more
these kings . Represented by the ten toes: i.e. in their days, at the end of the time of the fifth power. Compare Revelation 17:12-18 . That is the moment of the great stone, and of the coming of Messiah. for ever = to the ages. See App-151 . read more
"And whereas thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron doth not mingle with clay. And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that a stone was cut out of the... read more
Daniel 2:40-42. The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, &c.— This description agrees well with the Roman empire, and the event answered this prediction; for the Roman was vastly more strong and extensive than any of the preceding three. Daniel seems to divide it into three periods. The first is this kingdom, in its strongest and flourishing state, which seems to be denoted by the iron legs: the second is the same kingdom, weakened by the divided state of the empire, denoted by the feet,... read more
Daniel 2:43. They shall mingle themselves, &c.— They made marriages and alliances one with another, but no hearty union ensued. Reasons of state are stronger than ties of blood; and interest will always avail with governments more than affinity. The Roman empire, therefore, is represented in a double state; first, with the strength of iron, conquering all before it; his legs of iron;—and then weakened and divided by the mixture of barbarous nations: his feet part iron and part of clay. See... read more
Daniel 2:44. In the days of these kings— That is, in the days of some of them. As in the days when the judges ruled, Rth 1:1 signifies, "In the days when some of the judges ruled;" so in the days of these kings, signifies, "In the days of some of these kingdoms:" and it must be during the days of the last of them, because they are reckoned four in succession, and consequently this must be the fifth kingdom. Accordingly, the kingdom of Christ was set up during the days of the last of these... read more
40. iron—This vision sets forth the character of the Roman power, rather than its territorial extent [TREGELLES]. breaketh in pieces—So, in righteous retribution, itself will at last be broken in pieces (Daniel 2:44) by the kingdom of God (Revelation 13:10). read more
41-43. feet . . . toes . . . part . . . clay . . . iron—explained presently, "the kingdom shall be partly strong, partly broken" (rather, "brittle," as earthenware); and Daniel 2:43, "they shall mingle . . . with the seed of men," that is, there will be power (in its deteriorated form, iron) mixed up with that which is wholly of man, and therefore brittle; power in the hands of the people having no internal stability, though something is left of the strength of the iron [TREGELLES]. NEWTON, who... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Daniel 2:41
And whereas, &c . The fifth power is now to be described (the "feet and toes"). It came into possession of Jerusalem in A.D. 636 (Rome having held the city for 666 years: namely, from the battle of Actium 31 B.C. - A.D. 636). Its character as described in Daniel 2:41 is exact; and, as represented by the "feet", Jerusalem has indeed been "trodden down" (Luke 21:24 ) as was never done by any of the other four powers. strength = hardness. miry = muddy. Chaldee. tin . Same as Hebrew. tit.... read more