Daniel Chapter 2 Vs. 39

The Image Interpreted

And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. Dan. 2:39

And after thee... The second portion of the statue, the chest and arms of silver, represented the rise of the Medes and Persians (cf. Dan. 5:28; 6:8; also cf. Dan. 5:31). The Medo-Persians conquered the Babylonians in 539 b.c. The arms of silver evidently represent the two nations of Media and Persia that together defeated Babylon. Though that kingdom lasted over 200 years (539-330 b.c.),longer than the Neo-Babylonian Empire of 87 years (626-539), the Medo-Persian Empire was inferior to it, as silver compared with gold.

and another third... The belly and thighs of bronze represented the third kingdom to arise. This was the Grecian Empire (cf. Dan. 8:20-21). Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persians between 334 and 330 b.c. and assumed authority over its peoples and territory. By Alexander’s conquests he extended the Greek Empire as far east as the northwestern portion of India — an extensive empire that seemingly was over the whole earth.