And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
The Roman Empire alone fits this description, for when the Romans conquered, the three kingdoms of Alexander's successors fell under their dominion: Macedonia became a province, Syria was hemmed beyond Mount Taurus, and Egypt passed to Augustus at last. Iron crushes all things, and Rome crushed all three, which proves the Prophet's comparison exact.
AI summary
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
This is Rome, not the successors of Alexander or the Turkish empire. Iron matches it for strength, firmness, and endurance, but also for its exceptional cruelty toward the Jews, it destroyed their city, temple, and nation utterly. Rome subdued not merely the Jews but Persians, Egyptians, Syrians, all the world.
AI summary