I love running across phrases in common usage that find their roots in the Bible. One of those is feet of clay.

In a dream Daniel interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar, a magnificent statue is seen with a head of gold, followed by silver, bronze, iron, and ending with feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. Daniel predicted that the glorious figure would eventually be smashed into pieces and blown to the winds.

In our day feet of clay refers to a weakness or character flaw, especially in people of prominence and power. Such a person may appear dominant and unstoppable, but they cannot support their splendor, and eventually come crashing down. An awe-inspiring statue smashed on the ground resonates as an analogy for powerful figures with substantial weaknesses.

We shouldn’t be surprised. We all have feet of clay, and some of us even imagine we possess heads of gold. I’m reminded that all who hold power do so only under the gaze of the Lord. The kingdom of God—the rock that smashed Nebuchadnezzar’s statue to pieces—continues to roll and doesn’t care whose toes get crushed in the process.

Daniel 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Matt Seymour