Matthew Poole and continuators on Daniel 2:38

38 And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all ; thou art this head of gold .

i. e. I have given thee absolute dominion of all Creatures, Men and Beasts within the bounds of thy vast Kingdom, to hunt, catch, or kill for thy use, and pleasure. God as Lord Paramount allowes thee his Vassal, and Tenant at will all this. This was not Universal overall the World, but only within his large Territories, which yet were bounded.

1 Why head? Because he was first in order, as the head is before the other parts, and the vision began in him, and descended downwards to the other three Monarchies. 2. Why head of Gold? Because of the vast riches wherein it abounded, and which the Chaldeans most coveted, and scraped from the spoiles and tributes of all Countries, Isa. 10▪13, 14. Ier. 51.41, 44. Also this is called the golden head, because it stood longest, 500 years, and was fortunate and flourishing to the last.