and into whose hand he has given, wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all—you are the head of gold.
Daniel here declares “the golden head of the image“ to be the Babylonian kingdom. We know that the Assyrians were subdued before the monarchy was transferred to Babylon; but since they did not prevail sufficiently to be considered as supreme rulers in that eastern territory, the Babylonian empire is here mentioned first.
Nebuchadnezzar worshipped images, so God sent him a dream of a great statue to show him what his idols truly were: mere dreams, creatures of fancy that cost treasure and labor but signified nothing. The King had shown kindness to this poor prophet, and now received a prophet's reward that no money could buy.
AI summary
Commenting on Daniel 2:31-45
And wheresoever the children of men dwell,.... Not in every part of the habitable world, but in every part of his large dominion inhabited by men: the beasts of the field, and the fowls of the heaven, hath he given into thine hand; all parks, chases, and forests (so that none might hunt or hawk without his permission), as well as the persons and habitations...