Daniel 11:36
“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a king who will not only defy human authority but will actively exalt himself above every god, even the God of gods. What's easily missed is the crucial phrase "shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished," suggesting this king's reign of defiance isn't endless but is actually a divinely permitted, albeit temporary, instrument of God's justice against His people.
This passage marks a shift in the prophecy from historical events to a future, more defiant figure. Following a detailed account of the conflicts between the Greek Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, this verse introduces a king who operates with absolute autonomy, elevating himself above all divine authority and speaking with extreme arrogance against God. This ultimate act of rebellion is prophesied to continue until God's appointed judgment is fulfilled.
Imagine a ruler so self-absorbed they believe they're above all authority, even divine. This passage paints a picture of such a figure, whose actions and words are staggering in their arrogance.
Daniel 11:36 introduces a 'king' who operates entirely on his own terms. He doesn't seek counsel or abide by any higher law; 'he shall do as he wills.' This absolute autonomy is expressed through profound self-exaltation: 'He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god.' This isn't just pride; it's a direct challenge to divine authority, culminating in speaking 'astonishing things against the God of gods.' This kind of defiance isn't about mere opinion; it's a deliberate, outrageous assault on the very concept of the Almighty. The commentary notes highlight how this language goes beyond historical figures like Antiochus Epiphanes, pointing towards a future, ultimate 'Antichrist' figure whose blasphemy is uniquely astounding in its wickedness.
It can be unsettling to see evil seemingly succeed. This verse offers a divine perspective on such periods, linking temporary prosperity to God's ultimate purposes.
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The text states that this defiant king 'shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished.' This is a crucial theological point: the king's success is not a sign of his ultimate power or favor, but a divinely permitted phase within a larger divine plan. God's 'indignation' refers to His righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. The prosperity of the wicked king is temporary, lasting only as long as it takes for God's judgment to be fully enacted. The phrase 'for what is decreed shall be done' underscores God's sovereign control. Nothing happens outside of His predetermined plan. Even the reign of this blasphemous king serves God's ultimate purposes, fulfilling His decrees.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title often used for human rulers or potentates. In Daniel, it frequently refers to arrogant, idolatrous rulers who oppose God's kingdom.
rum · Hebrew Verb
To lift up, set on high, or boast. Biblically, it describes the pride of those who reject God's authority in favor of their own.
el elohim · Hebrew Noun
The supreme, sovereign Creator who is uniquely set apart as the absolute authority over all created beings and spiritual powers.
zaam · Hebrew Noun
Divine wrath, judgment, or fury poured out against sin or disobedience. It signifies God's settled opposition to evil.
charatsah · Hebrew Noun
That which God has sovereignly ordained, fixed, or determined to take place in history. It reflects the certainty of God's providence.
While Daniel 11:36 is often seen as directly describing Antiochus Epiphanes, many scholars and commentators note that the description of a king exalting himself above all gods and speaking blasphemies also points forward to a future 'antichristian' power, a concept that would later be associated with imperial Rome and later still with the Papacy.
c. 175-164 BC— this verse
Antiochus Epiphanes' Reign
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king, sought to suppress Jewish religious practices and Hellenize the populace, leading to the Maccabean Revolt.
167 BC
Desecration of the Jerusalem Temple
Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the Second Temple, erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs, which was a major catalyst for the Maccabean revolt.
c. 166-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
Judas Maccabeus and his brothers led a rebellion against Seleucid rule, achieving significant victories and briefly rededicating the Temple.
147 BC
Roman Intervention in the East
The Roman Republic began to exert significant influence and military power in the Hellenistic East, eventually overshadowing the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms.
c. 63 BC
Roman Conquest of Syria
Pompey the Great conquered Syria, integrating it into the Roman Republic and marking a significant expansion of Roman power.
c. 1st-2nd Century AD
Rise of the Roman Empire
The Roman Empire consolidated its power, becoming a dominant political and cultural force that would profoundly impact the ancient world, including Judea.
c. 2nd Century AD onwards
Development of Papal Authority
Over centuries, the Bishop of Rome (the Pope) gradually asserted increasing spiritual and temporal authority, which some interpret as a fulfillment of prophetic descriptions of a powerful, self-exalting entity.
This passage directly parallels Daniel's description of a king exalting himself above all gods, identifying this figure as the 'man of lawlessness' who opposes and exalts himself above everything called God.
Revelation 13:5-6This passage describes a beast given authority to speak blasphemies and make war against God's people, echoing the 'astonishing things' spoken against the God of gods and the prosperity mentioned in Daniel.
These verses describe a 'little horn' that speaks boastfully and wages war against the saints, sharing the theme of arrogant self-exaltation and persecution found in Daniel 11:36.
This passage describes the pride and ambition of the king of Babylon who sought to ascend above God, reflecting the same spirit of defiant self-exaltation detailed in Daniel's prophecy.
ellicottDaniel 11:36: "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."
(36) The king.— He raises himself by his thoughts and deeds, not only above the heathen deities, but above the true God. Though there can be no doubt that the northern king is still spoken of, it must be remarked th…
clarkeDaniel 11:36: "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."
And the king shall do according to his will - This may apply to Antiochus, who exalted himself above every god, called himself a god, sported with all religion, profaned the temple, etc., etc. But others think an an…
This verse highlights a king who will not only defy human authority but will actively exalt himself above every god, even the God of gods. What's easily missed is the crucial phrase "shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished," suggesting this king's reign of defiance isn't endless but is actually a divinely permitted, albeit temporary, instrument of God's justice against His people.
This passage marks a shift in the prophecy from historical events to a future, more defiant figure. Following a detailed account of the conflicts between the Greek Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, this verse introduces a king who operates with absolute autonomy, elevating himself above all divine authority and speaking with extreme arrogance against God. This ultimate act of rebellion is prophesied to continue until God's appointed judgment is fulfilled.
This passage marks a shift in the prophecy from historical events to a future, more defiant figure. Following a detailed account of the conflicts between the Greek Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms, this verse introduces a king who operates with absolute autonomy, elevating himself above all divine authority and speaking with extreme arrogance against God. This ultimate act of rebellion is prophesied to continue until God's appointed judgment is fulfilled.
"“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be…" — This verse highlights a king who will not only defy human authority but will actively exalt himself above every god, even the God of gods. What's easily missed is the crucial phrase "shall prosper…
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