feet of iron signified the great Roman empire which conquered all the others. The stone[1] that fell from the mountain typified a new kingdom that God Himself would found on earth, and which, from a small beginning, would gradually grow strong and overcome all other kingdoms, and would last for ever. The king, hearing the interpretation, said to Daniel: “Verily your God is the God of gods[2], and Lord of kings, and a revealer of hidden things.” He raised Daniel to a high station[3] and bestowed on him many gifts.
About this time king Nabuchodonozor made a great statue [4] of gold, which he placed on a pillar in the plain of Babylon. All the princes and nobles of his kingdom were invited to assist at the dedication [5] of this statue.
Heralds were sent out everywhere to announce to all the people that when they heard the sound of the trumpets and flutes and other instruments of music, they should fall down and adore the golden statue. And it came to pass that no one disobeyed this order except Ananias, Azarias and Misael[6].
It was announced to the king that the three young men had refused to worship the golden statue. Then Nabuchodonozor, full of rage, said to them: “Who is the god[7] that shall deliver you out of my hand?” They answered: “Our God, whom we worship,
- ↑ The stone. ‘Cut out without hands’.
- ↑ The God of gods. The greatest among the gods. The king acknowledged that the God of Daniel was greater than the pagan gods, because He alone had revealed the meaning of the dream.
- ↑ High station. Of governor of the province of Babylon.
- ↑ A great statue. The image probably represented Bel, the chief god of the Babylonians, in whose person light and fire were idolatrously worshipped (Fig. 56).
- ↑ Dedication, i. e. the first time of its being publicly worshipped.
- ↑ Ananias, Atari as and Misael. These three were among the principal men of the kingdom, for, at Daniel’s proposal, they had been made deputy-governors, under him, of the province of Babylon. For some reason not recorded Daniel himself was not present at this dedication of the image.
- ↑ Who is the god? The king meant to say: “No god can save you from my power.” Evidently, the impression made on Nabuchodonozor’s mind by the wonderful dream and its interpretation had faded from his memory, for several years had elapsed sine then.
