The verse highlights that it's not just the king's power, but his immense riches that enable him to mobilize a vast empire against Greece. This emphasis on wealth as a primary driver of conflict reveals a recurring theme where economic power fuels military aggression, a truth that echoes throughout history.
“And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel Gabriel is continuing his message to Daniel, promising to reveal the truth about future events. This verse begins the detailed historical prophecy, outlining the rise of four Persian kings, with the fourth being exceptionally wealthy, leading him to launch a massive campaign against Greece. This sets the stage for the subsequent conflicts involving the Greek empire and its successors.
The angel begins by promising "the truth." What does this mean for Daniel, and for us?
The angel's opening words, "And now I will show you the truth," signal a shift from symbolic visions to a more direct unveiling of future events. This isn't just a historical forecast; it's a divine revelation designed to confirm God's sovereignty and care for His people. The prophecy here is meant to bolster faith, assuring Daniel (and us) that God is in control, even amidst the rise and fall of empires. The "truth" is not merely factual accuracy but a window into God's providential plan unfolding across history.
Why does the text single out the "fourth" king and his immense wealth?
The prophecy specifically highlights three subsequent kings in Persia, followed by a fourth who is "far richer than all of them." This emphasis on wealth isn't arbitrary. The immense riches of this fourth king, identified by most scholars as Xerxes, empowered his unprecedented ambition to "stir up all against the kingdom of Greece." This connection between wealth and military might shows how human resources, when magnified by divine foresight, become instruments in God's larger plan. It underscores that even the vast resources of earthly empires are subject to God's overarching purposes.
The phrase "stir up all against the kingdom of Greece" sounds like a major historical event. What's its significance?
The massive invasion of Greece by Xerxes, detailed in historical accounts, is presented here not just as a military campaign, but as a pivotal moment that sets the stage for future world powers. This act of "stirring up" the known world against Greece serves as a historical marker. It's the colossal ambition and eventual overreach of Persia that ultimately paves the way for its own downfall, paving the path for Alexander the Great. This highlights a recurring theme: earthly empires, fueled by their own strength and riches, often sow the seeds of their own destruction, ultimately fulfilling a divine timetable.
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Understand the original words
'emet · Hebrew Noun
A term often used in apocalyptic literature to denote the reality and reliability of God’s revelation. In the context of Daniel, it signifies the certainty of the historical events ordained by God.
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title or status designating one who exercises sovereignty and possesses supreme executive power within a specific territory or kingdom. In prophecy, it often refers to historical monarchs whose reigns are part of God’s redemptive history.
malkut · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting a vast territory or sphere of influence under the control of a ruler. It is frequently used in the Bible to describe both earthly realms and the ultimate, eternal Kingdom of God.
This prophecy pinpoints Xerxes' monumental, yet ultimately disastrous, invasion of Greece. His vast wealth enabled his immense military buildup, but this hubris led to significant Persian defeats and foreshadowed the empire's later vulnerability to Greek power.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
Cyrus, founder of the Persian Empire, conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, setting the stage for Persian dominance and marking the beginning of his reign.
c. 529-522 BC
Reign of Cambyses II
Son of Cyrus, Cambyses II expands the empire, notably conquering Egypt. His reign is followed by a brief, disputed period.
c. 522-486 BC
Reign of Darius I (Hystaspes)
Darius I consolidates and reorganizes the Persian Empire, establishing a system of satrapies and taxation, further strengthening its vast resources.
c. 486-465 BC— this verse
Reign of Xerxes I
Xerxes I, son of Darius, inherits immense wealth and launches a massive invasion of Greece, amassing an unprecedentedly large army and fleet.
480 BC
Battle of Salamis
The Persian fleet under Xerxes suffers a decisive defeat against the Greek allies, marking a turning point and the beginning of the end for Xerxes' invasion.
c. 479 BC
Xerxes's Retreat and Decline
Xerxes retreats to Persia after further defeats, and the Persian Empire's military prestige and central authority begin a long decline.
This verse is quoted in Daniel 11:2, naming Cyrus as the one who will fulfill God's purpose, directly connecting to the Persian kings mentioned in Daniel 11:2.
Daniel 8:20-21This passage also speaks of kings of Greece and Persia, providing a broader prophetic context for the conflict and rise and fall of empires foreshadowed in Daniel 11:2.
Esther 1:1-2This passage describes Xerxes (Ahasuerus) and the vastness of his empire, directly illustrating the immense riches and power of the 'fourth king' mentioned in Daniel 11:2.
Daniel 7:5This verse describes the destructive power of one of the beasts representing kingdoms, paralleling the overwhelming force and potential for destruction associated with the powerful Persian king in Daniel 11:2.
ellicottDaniel 11:2: "And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia."
(2) The truth.— Comp. Daniel 10:21 . This is the commencement of the revelation promised in Daniel 10:14 ; and from this point till the end of the book the difficulties that have to be encountered in attempting an exposition are almost insuperable. It h…
wesleyDaniel 11:2: "And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia."
11:2 He - Xerxes was more potent than all the other three, because his father Darius had gathered an incredible mass for him, which he himself increased for six years together, before he made his expedition against Greece. There were more kings of Persi…
The verse highlights that it's not just the king's power, but his immense riches that enable him to mobilize a vast empire against Greece. This emphasis on wealth as a primary driver of conflict reveals a recurring theme where economic power fuels military aggression, a truth that echoes throughout history.
The angel Gabriel is continuing his message to Daniel, promising to reveal the truth about future events. This verse begins the detailed historical prophecy, outlining the rise of four Persian kings, with the fourth being exceptionally wealthy, leading him to launch a massive campaign against Greece. This sets the stage for the subsequent conflicts involving the Greek empire and its successors.
The angel Gabriel is continuing his message to Daniel, promising to reveal the truth about future events. This verse begins the detailed historical prophecy, outlining the rise of four Persian kings, with the fourth being exceptionally wealthy, leading him to launch a massive campaign against Greece. This sets the stage for the subsequent conflicts involving the Greek empire and its successors.
"“And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia, and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them. And when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece." — The verse highlights that it's not just the king's power, but his immense riches that enable him to mobilize a vast empire against Greece. This emphasis on wealth as a primary driver of conflict re…
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Last reviewed October 2026
