Daniel 11:3
Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the verse clearly points to Alexander the Great, it's easy to miss that the prophecy highlights his absolute rule and unchecked will, not just his military might. This isn't just a historical detail; it emphasizes a kind of power that answers to no one but itself, a characteristic that would echo throughout history in various rulers.
This prophecy shifts from the Medo-Persian kings to the rise of a new, powerful ruler who will conquer vast territories and act with absolute authority. This figure, widely understood to be Alexander the Great, is presented as a force of nature, whose ambition and military prowess would reshape the world, setting the stage for the subsequent division of his empire.
Why did Alexander the Great, a Greek king, invade the vast Persian Empire? It wasn't just about power.
This verse speaks of a "mighty king" who "shall rule with great dominion, and do as he wills." While this describes the immense power of figures like Alexander the Great, it also points to a deeper motivation. His invasion of Persia was framed as a response to the historical wrongs committed by Persian kings, like Xerxes, against Greece.
This reveals a crucial dynamic:
What does it mean to "do according to his will"? It’s more than just being in charge.
The phrase "do according to his will" is a powerful descriptor of absolute, unchecked authority. It speaks to a ruler who isn't bound by laws, counsel, or the needs of his people – only his own desires.
Think about what this looks like:
Understand the original words
gibbowr · Hebrew Adjective
An adjective describing a ruler or entity possessed of great power, strength, or influence. It implies a capability to exert force or authority that shapes the course of history.
memshalah · Hebrew Noun
The exercise of sovereign authority, control, or governing power over a people or a land. It often signifies the extent of a ruler's reach and the intensity of their command.
This verse points to the rise of Alexander the Great, whose meteoric conquests and absolute rule dramatically reshaped the ancient world. His swift and powerful reign, followed by the rapid division of his empire, sets the stage for the subsequent conflicts described in Daniel 11.
480 BC
Xerxes' Invasion of Greece
The Persian king Xerxes I leads a massive invasion into Greece, a significant offense against the Greek city-states. This event would later serve as a primary justification for Alexander the Great's campaigns.
334 BC— this verse
Alexander the Great Invades Asia
Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, begins his invasion of the Persian Empire, driven in part by a desire for revenge for Xerxes' earlier actions. He quickly conquers vast territories.
c. 330 BC
Conquest of the Persian Empire
Alexander decisively defeats the Persian forces and effectively ends the Achaemenid Persian Empire, ruling over an enormous dominion stretching from Greece to India.
323 BC
Death of Alexander the Great
Alexander dies in Babylon at a young age. His vast empire is not passed to a single heir but is instead divided among his generals.
This passage describes a powerful he-goat with a prominent horn, which is widely interpreted to represent Alexander the Great and his conquests, mirroring the 'mighty king' who would 'rule with great dominion' in Daniel 11:3.
Daniel 7:6Here, a leopard with four wings and four heads is depicted, symbolizing a powerful kingdom and its division after its ruler's death, echoing the vast dominion and the ultimate fate of the mighty king's empire.
Jeremiah 25:14This verse speaks of nations being ruled by a king and serving him, reflecting the absolute authority and dominion exercised by the powerful ruler described in Daniel 11:3.
1 Samuel 8:11-18This passage outlines the practices of an oppressive king who 'does according to his will,' including taking the best of everything and imposing heavy taxes, providing a conceptual parallel to the autocratic nature of the mighty king described.
barnesDaniel 11:3: "And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will."
And a mighty king shall stand up - So far as the language here is concerned, it is not said whether this would be in Persia, as a successor of the "fourth king" Daniel 11:2 , or whether it would be in some other part of the world. The next verse, however, shows that the reference is to Alexander the Great - for to no other one is it applicable. There were several monarchs of Persi…
clarkeDaniel 11:3: "And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will."
A mighty king shall stand up - This was Alexander the great. It is not said that this mighty king shall stand up against Xerxes, for he was not born till one hundred years after that monarch; but simply that he should stand up, i.e., that he should reign in Greece.
While the verse clearly points to Alexander the Great, it's easy to miss that the prophecy highlights his absolute rule and unchecked will, not just his military might. This isn't just a historical detail; it emphasizes a kind of power that answers to no one but itself, a characteristic that would echo throughout history in various rulers.
This prophecy shifts from the Medo-Persian kings to the rise of a new, powerful ruler who will conquer vast territories and act with absolute authority. This figure, widely understood to be Alexander the Great, is presented as a force of nature, whose ambition and military prowess would reshape the world, setting the stage for the subsequent division of his empire.
This prophecy shifts from the Medo-Persian kings to the rise of a new, powerful ruler who will conquer vast territories and act with absolute authority. This figure, widely understood to be Alexander the Great, is presented as a force of nature, whose ambition and military prowess would reshape the world, setting the stage for the subsequent division of his empire.
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323 BC - 301 BC
Wars of the Diadochi
Alexander's generals, known as the Diadochi (Successors), fight brutal wars for control of his empire. This period sees the fragmentation of his unified kingdom into multiple Hellenistic kingdoms.
"Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do as he wills." — While the verse clearly points to Alexander the Great, it's easy to miss that the prophecy highlights his absolute rule and unchecked will, not just his military might. This isn't just a historical d…
