Daniel 2:35

2:35 Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were broken in pieces without distinction ¹  and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors that the wind carries away. Not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain that filled the entire earth.

Daniel 3:12

3:12 But there are Jewish men whom you appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – and these men ²  have not shown proper respect to you, O king. They don’t serve your gods and they don’t pay homage to the golden statue that you have erected.”

Daniel 5:7

5:7 The king called out loudly ³  to summon ⁴  the astrologers, wise men, and diviners. The king proclaimed ⁵  to the wise men of Babylon that anyone who could read this inscription and disclose its interpretation would be clothed in purple ⁶  and have a golden collar ⁷  placed on his neck and be third ruler in the kingdom.

Daniel 5:23

5:23 Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. You brought before you the vessels from his temple, and you and your nobles, together with your wives and concubines, drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone – gods ⁸  that cannot see or hear or comprehend! But you have not glorified the God who has in his control ⁹  your very breath and all your ways!

¹ tn Aram “as one.” For the meaning “without distinction” see the following: F. Rosenthal, Grammar, 36, §64, and p. 93; E. Vogt, Lexicon linguae aramaicae, 60.

² sn Daniel’s absence from this scene has sparked the imagination of commentators, some of whom have suggested that perhaps he was unable to attend the dedication due to sickness or due to being away on business. Hippolytus supposed that Daniel may have been watching from a distance.

³ tn Aram “in strength.”

⁴ tn Aram “cause to enter.”

⁵ tn Aram “answered and said.”

⁶ sn Purple was a color associated with royalty in the ancient world.

⁷ tn The term translated “golden collar” here probably refers to something more substantial than merely a gold chain (cf. NIV, NCV, NRSV, NLT) or necklace (cf. NASB).

⁴ tn Aram “which.”

⁵ tn Aram “in whose hand [are].”