Page 90 - Daniel

The feet of iron and clay (2:40–43). “And another government, that
shall be like unto iron, shall put an end to the power of the former,
and shall have dominion over all the earth, on account of the nature
of iron, which is stronger than that of gold, of silver, and of bronze.”
(Antiquities 10.10.4)

Though Josephus doesn’t provide a specific identification here, he
clearly had the Roman Empire in view. First, he wrote that he was

describing things “past or present,” and the Roman Empire was in
power when he wrote. Second, he later stated, “In the very same
manner Daniel also wrote concerning the Roman government, and
that our country should be made desolate by them” (Antiquities
10.11.7). Rome is the fourth of the world empires identified by
Daniel.

The fifth kingdom (2:44–45). “Daniel did also declare the meaning of
the stone to the king; but I do not think proper to relate it, since I

have only undertaken to describe things past or present, but not
things that are future.”
Josephus understood this portion of the prophecy as still future
from his perspective. Whiston notes that Josephus failed to explain

the meaning of what he “intimated to be a prophecy of futurity and
probably not safe for him to explain, as belonging to the destruction
of the Roman empire by Jesus Christ, the true Messiah of the
Jews.” 36

NEBUCHADNEZZAR WORSHIPS AND PROMOTES DANIEL (2:46–49)

2:46–49 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid
homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be
offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your
God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for

you have been able to reveal this mystery.” Then the king gave Daniel
high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole
province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of
Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed