Definition: Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet [that were] of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this really fascinating passage from Daniel 2:34. It’s a pretty complex verse, but here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a transformation happening to something that was initially made of stone – essentially, a piece of the earth itself. Let's unpack it layer by layer: “Thou sawest…” : This is a formal way of saying "I witnessed" or "I observed." It’s like saying “I noticed this.” “…till that…” : This means "until that point." It’s not just during something, but before it happens. “a stone was cut out without hands…” : Imagine a massive, incredibly heavy rock – a huge chunk of earth. It was initially made with tools and craftsmanship. "...which smote the image upon his feet [that were] of iron and clay..." : This is where it gets interesting. "Smote" means to strike or destroy. "Image upon his feet" refers to the shape of the stone – its form, its features. It’s like a portrait. The word “image” here is key – it's not just about looking at it; it's about understanding it. It was a very specific, defined shape - a picture of an animal (likely a lion) and a human figure. "...and brake them to pieces." : This is the result of the "smote" action. The stone was destroyed – shattered into many pieces. So, what does it all mean? The verse describes a significant change in something that started as a solid, fixed form. It's like a blueprint being altered, or a foundation being strengthened. This change symbolizes: A New Beginning: The stone isn’t just a piece of earth anymore; it’s been transformed into something new and powerful. God’s Purpose: The verse is often interpreted as a prophecy about the future – that God will ultimately bring about a complete and perfect transformation of all things, including humanity and the world itself. It's a metaphor for a spiritual or divine process. It suggests that God has plans and purposes for everything, and these changes are necessary for good and ultimately lead to something greater. Important Note: This is a complex passage with lots of layers of meaning, and there’s been a lot of interpretation over the centuries. Different people have different ideas about what it really means. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes? Give you some possible interpretations of its meaning?