Why was the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream described as terrible and frightening?
The image was described as terrible and frightening because its brightness was excellent yet its form was terrifying, and the vision of the great, humongous image shook Nebuchadnezzar to his feet. Daniel's language stresses that it was frightening, terrifying, and beyond human understanding.
Les explains that in Daniel chapter 2, verse 31, Daniel recovers and interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image whose brightness was excellent, but its form was terrible. Even in the dream, the vision of this great, humongous image shook him to his feet; it was terrible, frightening, and something about it was beyond human understanding. Daniel's words emphasize that it was frightening and terrifying. Daniel then continues describing the image: the head was fine gold, the chest and arms silver, the belly brass, the two legs iron, and the feet a mixture of iron and clay.
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
More Questions
How do we know the image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream was shaped like a man?
The great image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream must be in human form, because it is described as having head, shoulders, belly, legs, feet, and toes.
What did Daniel say Nebuchadnezzar saw when he began interpreting his dream?
In Daniel 2:31, Daniel begins interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream by recovering it and declaring that Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image.