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Daniel · Chapter 11דָּנִיֵּאל

The King Who Exalts Himself: Prophetic History from Persia to the Final Conflict

Daniel receives the most detailed prophecy in Scripture, spanning centuries of conflict between northern and southern kingdoms. An angel reveals the precise political and military maneuvers of Persian and Greek rulers, culminating in a contemptuous king who desecrates the sanctuary and exalts himself above every god. The prophecy moves seamlessly from verifiable history to eschatological climax, showing God's sovereign knowledge of human affairs from the Persian Empire to the time of the end.

Daniel 11:1-20

Prophecies of Persian and Greek Kings Through Antiochus III

LSB Text
1"And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him. 2And now I will tell you the truth. Behold, three more kings are going to arise in Persia. Then a fourth will gain far more riches than all of them; as soon as he becomes strong through his riches, he will stir up the whole empire against the kingdom of Greece. 3And a mighty king will arise, and he will rule with great dominion and do as he pleases. 4But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his own seed, nor according to his dominion which he ruled, for his kingdom will be plucked up and given to others besides them. 5"Then the king of the South will grow strong, along with one of his princes who will grow strong over him and obtain dominion; his domain will be a great dominion indeed. 6And after some years they will form an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the South will come to the king of the North to make an agreement. But she will not retain her position of power, nor will he remain with his power, but she will be given up, along with those who brought her in and the one who fathered her as well as he who supported her in those times. 7But one of the shoots of her roots will arise in his place, and he will come against their army and enter the fortress of the king of the North, and he will deal with them and display strength. 8Also their gods with their metal images and their precious vessels of silver and gold he will bring into captivity to Egypt, and he on his part will refrain from attacking the king of the North for some years. 9Then the latter will enter the realm of the king of the South, but will return to his own land. 10"His sons will mobilize and assemble a multitude of great forces; and one of them will keep on coming and overflow and pass through, that he may again wage war up to his very fortress. 11And the king of the South will be enraged and go forth and fight with the king of the North. Then the latter will raise a great multitude, but that multitude will be given into the hand of the former. 12When the multitude is carried away, his heart will be lifted up, and he will cause tens of thousands to fall; yet he will not prevail. 13For the king of the North will again raise a greater multitude than the former, and after an interval of some years he will press on with a great army and much equipment. 14"Now in those times many will rise up against the king of the South; the violent ones among your people will also lift themselves up in order to fulfill the vision, but they will stumble. 15Then the king of the North will come, cast up a siege ramp, and capture a well-fortified city; and the forces of the South will not stand their ground, not even their choicest troops, for there will be no strength to make a stand. 16But he who comes against him will do as he pleases, and no one will be able to stand before him; he will also stay for a time in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand. 17And he will set his face to come with the power of his whole kingdom, bringing with him a proposal of peace which he will put into effect; he will also give him the daughter of women to ruin it. But she will not take a stand for him or be on his side. 18Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many. But a commander will put a stop to his scorn against him; moreover, he will repay him for his scorn. 19So he will turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be found no more. 20Then in his place one will arise who will send an oppressor through the Jewel of his kingdom; yet within a few days he will be shattered, though not in anger nor in battle.
Greek Text
1וַאֲנִי֙ בִּשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֔ת לְדָרְיָ֖וֶשׁ הַמָּדִ֑י עָמְדִ֥י לְמַחֲזִ֖יק וּלְמָעֹ֥וז לֹֽו׃ 2וְעַתָּ֕ה אֱמֶ֥ת אַגִּ֖יד לָ֑ךְ הִנֵּה־עֹ֣וד ׀ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה מְלָכִ֗ים עֹמְדִים֙ לְפָרַ֔ס וְהָרְבִיעִי֙ יַעֲשִׁ֣יר עֹֽשֶׁר־גָּדֹ֔ול מִכֹּ֖ל וּכְחֶזְקָתֹ֣ו בְעָשְׁרֹ֑ו יָעִ֣יר הַכֹּ֔ל אֵ֖ת מַלְכ֥וּת יָוָֽן׃ 3וְעָמַ֖ד מֶ֣לֶךְ גִּבֹּ֑ור וּמָשַׁל֙ מִמְשָׁ֣ל רַ֔ב וְעָשָׂ֖ה כִּרְצֹונֹֽו׃ 4וּכְעָמְדֹ֗ו תִּשָּׁבֵר֙ מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְתֵחָ֕ץ לְאַרְבַּ֖ע רוּחֹ֣ות הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְלֹ֣א לְאַחֲרִיתֹ֗ו וְלֹ֤א כְמָשְׁלֹו֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָשָׁ֔ל כִּ֤י תִנָּתֵשׁ֙ מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְלַאֲחֵרִ֖ים מִלְּבַד־אֵֽלֶּה׃ 5וְיֶחֱזַ֥ק מֶֽלֶךְ־הַנֶּ֖גֶב וּמִן־שָׂרָ֑יו וְיֶחֱזַ֤ק עָלָיו֙ וּמָשָׁ֔ל מִמְשָׁ֥ל רַ֖ב מֶמְשַׁלְתֹּֽו׃ 6וּלְקֵ֤ץ שָׁנִים֙ יִתְחַבָּ֔רוּ וּבַ֣ת מֶֽלֶךְ־הַנֶּ֗גֶב תָּבֹוא֙ אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפֹ֔ון לַעֲשֹׂ֖ות מֵישָׁרִ֑ים וְלֹֽא־תַעְצֹ֞ר כֹּ֣וחַ הַזְּרֹ֗ועַ וְלֹ֤א יַעֲמֹד֙ וּזְרֹעֹ֔ו וְתִנָּתֵ֨ן הִ֤יא וּמְבִיאֶ֙יהָ֙ וְהַיֹּ֣לְדָ֔הּ וּמַחֲזִקָ֖הּ בָּעִתִּֽים׃ 7וְעָמַ֛ד מִנֵּ֥צֶר שָׁרָשֶׁ֖יהָ כַּנֹּ֑ו וְיָבֹ֣א אֶל־הַחַ֗יִל וְיָבֹא֙ בְּמָעֹוז֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפֹ֔ון וְעָשָׂ֥ה בָהֶ֖ם וְהֶחֱזִֽיק׃ 8וְגַ֣ם אֱֽלֹהֵיהֶ֡ם עִם־נְסִֽכֵיהֶם֩ עִם־כְּלֵ֨י חֶמְדָּתָ֜ם כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֗ב בַּשְּׁבִי֙ יָבִ֣א מִצְרַ֔יִם וְהוּא֙ שָׁנִ֣ים יַעֲמֹ֔ד מִמֶּ֖לֶךְ הַצָּפֹֽון׃ 9וּבָ֥א בְמַלְכ֖וּת מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֑גֶב וְשָׁ֖ב אֶל־אַדְמָתֹֽו׃ 10וּבָנָ֣ו יִתְגָּר֗וּ וְאָסְפוּ֙ הֲמֹון֙ חֲיָלִ֣ים רַבִּ֔ים וּבָ֥א בֹ֖וא וְשָׁטַ֣ף וְעָבָ֑ר וְיָשֹׁ֥ב וְיִתְגָּרֶ֖ה עַד־מָעֻזֹּֽה׃ 11וְיִתְמַרְמַר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֔גֶב וְיָצָ֕א וְנִלְחַ֥ם עִמֹּ֖ו עִם־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפֹ֑ון וְהֶעֱמִיד֙ הָמֹ֣ון רָ֔ב וְנִתַּ֥ן הֶהָמֹ֖ון בְּיָדֹֽו׃ 12וְנִשָּׂ֣א הֶהָמֹ֔ון וְרָ֖ם לְבָבֹ֑ו וְהִפִּ֥יל רִבֹּאֹ֖ות וְלֹ֥א יָעֹֽוז׃ 13וְשָׁ֥ב מֶֽלֶךְ־הַצָּפֹ֖ון וְהֶעֱמִ֣יד הָמֹ֑ון רַ֚ב מִן־הָרִאשֹׁ֔ון וּלְקֵ֤ץ הָֽעִתִּים֙ שָׁנִ֔ים יָבֹ֣וא בֹ֔וא בְּחַ֥יִל גָּדֹ֖ול וּבִרְכ֥וּשׁ רָֽב׃ 14וּבָעִתִּ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים יַעַמְד֖וּ עַל־מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֑גֶב וּבְנֵ֣י ׀ פָּרִיצֵ֣י עַמְּךָ֗ יִֽנַּשְּׂא֛וּ לְהַעֲמִ֥יד חָזֹ֖ון וְנִכְשָֽׁלוּ׃ 15וְיָבֹא֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפֹ֔ון וְיִשְׁפֹּךְ֙ סֹֽולְלָ֔ה וְלָכַ֖ד עִ֣יר מִבְצָרֹ֑ות וּזְרֹעֹ֤ות הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ לֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔דוּ וְעַם֙ מִבְחָרָ֔יו וְאֵ֥ין כֹּ֖חַ לַעֲמֹֽד׃ 16וְיַ֨עַשׂ הַבָּ֤א אֵלָיו֙ כִּרְצֹונֹ֔ו וְאֵ֥ין עֹומֵ֖ד לְפָנָ֑יו וְיַעֲמֹ֥ד בְּאֶ���ֽרֶץ־הַצְּבִ֖י וְכָלָ֥ה בְיָדֹֽו׃ 17וְיָ֣שֶׂם ׀ פָּנָ֗יו לָבֹוא֙ בְּתֹ֙קֶף֙ כָּל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וִישָׁרִ֥ים עִמֹּ֖ו וְעָשָׂ֑ה וּבַ֤ת הַנָּשִׁים֙ יִתֶּן־לֹ֔ו לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֖הּ וְלֹ֥א תַעֲמֹ֖ד וְלֹא־לֹ֥ו תִהְיֶֽה׃ 18וְיָ֣שֶׁב פָּנָ֗יו לְאִיִּים֙ וְלָכַ֣ד רַבִּ֔ים וְהִשְׁבִּ֥ית קָצִ֛ין חֶרְפָּתֹ֖ו לֹ֑ו בִּלְתִּ֥י חֶרְפָּתֹ֖ו יָשִׁ֥יב לֹֽו׃ 19וְיָשֵׁ֣ב פָּנָ֔יו לְמָעֻזֵּ֖י אַרְצֹ֑ו וְנִכְשַׁ֥ל וְנָפַ֖ל וְלֹ֥א יִמָּצֵֽא׃ 20וְעָמַ֧ד עַל־כַּנֹּ֛ו מַעֲבִ֥יר נֹוגֵ֖שׂ הֶ֣דֶר מַלְכ֑וּת וּבְיָמִ֤ים אֲחָדִים֙ יִשָּׁבֵ֔ר וְלֹ֥א בְאַפַּ֖יִם וְלֹ֥א בְמִלְחָמָֽה׃
1waʾănî bišnat ʾaḥat lĕdārĕyāweš hammādî ʿāmĕdî lĕmaḥăzîq ûlĕmāʿôz lô. 2wĕʿattâ ʾĕmet ʾaggîd lāk hinnēh-ʿôd šĕlōšâ mĕlākîm ʿōmĕdîm lĕpāras wĕhārĕbîʿî yaʿăšîr ʿōšer-gādôl mikkōl ûkĕḥezqātô bĕʿāšĕrô yāʿîr hakkōl ʾēt malkût yāwān. 3wĕʿāmad melek gibbôr ûmāšal mimšāl rab wĕʿāśâ kirṣônô. 4ûkĕʿāmĕdô tiššābēr malkûtô wĕtēḥāṣ lĕʾarbaʿ rûḥôt haššāmāyim wĕlōʾ lĕʾaḥărîtô wĕlōʾ kĕmāšĕlô ʾăšer māšāl kî tinnātēš malkûtô wĕlaʾăḥērîm millĕbad-ʾēlleh. 5
Key Words
Grammar & Argument

Daniel 11:21-35

The Contemptible King and His Persecution of the Holy Covenant

LSB Text
21And in his place a despised one will arise, on whom they had not bestowed the majesty of the kingdom; but he will come in a time of ease and seize the kingdom by intrigue. 22And the overflowing forces will be flooded away before him and shattered, and also the prince of the covenant. 23And after an alliance is made with him he will practice deceit, and he will go up and become mighty with a small nation. 24In a time of ease he will enter the richest parts of the province, and he will accomplish what his fathers never did, nor his ancestors; he will distribute plunder, spoil, and possessions among them, and he will devise his schemes against strongholds, but only for a time. 25And he will stir up his strength and his heart against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for they will devise schemes against him. 26And those who eat his choice food will destroy him, and his army will overflow, but many will fall down slain. 27And as for both kings, their hearts will be intent on evil, and they will speak lies to each other at the same table; but it will not succeed, for the end is still to come at the appointed time. 28Then he will return to his land with much plunder; but his heart will be set against the holy covenant, and he will take action and then return to his own land. 29At the appointed time he will return and come into the South, but this last time it will not be like the former. 30For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be disheartened and will return and become enraged at the holy covenant and take action; so he will come back and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31And forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. 32And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. 33And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. 34Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. 35And some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge, and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.
Greek Text
21וְעָמַ֤ד עַל־כַּנּוֹ֙ נִבְזֶ֔ה וְלֹא־נָתְנ֥וּ עָלָ֖יו ה֣וֹד מַלְכ֑וּת וּבָ֣א בְשַׁלְוָ֔ה וְהֶחֱזִ֥יק מַלְכ֖וּת בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ 22וּזְרֹע֥וֹת הַשֶּׁ֛טֶף יִשָּׁטְפ֥וּ מִלְּפָנָ֖יו וְיִשָּׁבֵ֑רוּ וְגַ֖ם נְגִ֥יד בְּרִֽית׃ 23וּמִן־הִֽתְחַבְּר֥וּת אֵלָ֖יו יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה מִרְמָ֑ה וְעָלָ֥ה וְעָצַ֖ם בִּמְעַט־גּֽוֹי׃ 24בְּשַׁלְוָ֞ה וּבְמִשְׁמַנֵּ֤י מְדִינָה֙ יָב֔וֹא וְעָשָׂ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־עָשׂ֤וּ אֲבֹתָיו֙ וַאֲב֣וֹת אֲבֹתָ֔יו בִּזָּ֧ה וְשָׁלָ֛ל וּרְכ֖וּשׁ לָהֶ֣ם יִבְז֑וֹר וְעַ֧ל מִבְצָרִ֛ים יְחַשֵּׁ֥ב מַחְשְׁבֹתָ֖יו וְעַד־עֵֽת׃ 25וְיָעֵר֩ כֹּח֨וֹ וּלְבָב֜וֹ עַל־מֶ֤לֶךְ הַנֶּ֙גֶב֙ בְּחַ֣יִל גָּד֔וֹל וּמֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּ֗גֶב יִתְגָּרֶה֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה בְּחַֽיִל־גָּד֥וֹל וְעָצ֖וּם עַד־מְאֹ֑ד וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֔ד כִּֽי־יַחְשְׁב֥וּ עָלָ֖יו מַחֲשָׁבֽוֹת׃ 26וְאֹכְלֵ֧י פַת־בָּג֛וֹ יִשְׁבְּר֖וּהוּ וְחֵיל֣וֹ יִשְׁט֑וֹף וְנָפְל֖וּ חֲלָלִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃ 27וּשְׁנֵיהֶ֤ם הַמְּלָכִים֙ לְבָבָ֣ם לְמֵרָ֔ע וְעַל־שֻׁלְחָ֥ן אֶחָ֖ד כָּזָ֣ב יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ וְלֹ֣א תִצְלָ֔ח כִּי־ע֥וֹד קֵ֖ץ לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃ 28וְיָשֹׁ֤ב אַרְצוֹ֙ בִּרְכ֣וּשׁ גָּד֔וֹל וּלְבָב֖וֹ עַל־בְּרִ֣ית קֹ֑דֶשׁ וְעָשָׂ֖ה וְשָׁ֥ב לְאַרְצֽוֹ׃ 29לַמּוֹעֵ֥ד יָשׁ֖וּב וּבָ֣א בַנֶּ֑גֶב וְלֹֽא־תִהְיֶ֥ה כָרִאשֹׁנָ֖ה וְכָאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃ 30וּבָ֨אוּ ב֜וֹ צִיִּ֤ים כִּתִּים֙ וְנִכְאָ֔ה וְשָׁ֛ב וְזָעַ֥ם עַל־בְּרִית־ק֖וֹדֶשׁ וְעָשָׂ֑ה וְשָׁ֣ב וְיָבֵ֔ן עַל־עֹזְבֵ֖י בְּרִ֥ית קֹֽדֶשׁ׃ 31וּזְרֹעִ֖ים מִמֶּ֣נּוּ יַעֲמֹ֑דוּ וְחִלְּל֞וּ הַמִּקְדָּ֤שׁ הַמָּעוֹז֙ וְהֵסִ֣ירוּ הַתָּמִ֔יד וְנָתְנ֖וּ הַשִּׁקּ֥וּץ מְשׁוֹמֵֽם׃ 32וּמַרְשִׁיעֵ֣י בְרִ֔ית יַחֲנִ֖יף בַּחֲלַקּ֑וֹת וְעַ֛ם יֹדְעֵ֥י אֱלֹהָ֖יו יַחֲזִ֥קוּ וְעָשֽׂוּ׃ 33וּמַשְׂכִּ֣ילֵי עָ֔ם יָבִ֖ינוּ לָֽרַבִּ֑ים וְנִכְשְׁל֞וּ בְּחֶ֤רֶב וּבְלֶהָבָה֙ בִּשְׁבִ֣י וּבְבִזָּ֔ה יָמִֽים׃ 34וּבְהִכָּֽשְׁלָ֖ם יֵעָזְר֣וּ עֵ֣זֶר מְעָ֑ט וְנִלְו֧וּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם רַבִּ֖ים בַּחֲלַקְלַקּֽוֹת׃ 35וּמִן־הַמַּשְׂכִּילִ֣ים יִכָּֽשְׁל֗וּ לִצְר֥וֹף בָּהֶ֛ם וּלְבָרֵ֥ר וְלַלְבֵּ֖ן עַד־עֵ֣ת קֵ֑ץ כִּי־ע֖וֹד לַמּוֹעֵֽד׃
21wĕʿāmaḏ ʿal-kannô niḇzeh wĕlōʾ-nāṯĕnû ʿālāyw hôḏ malḵûṯ ûḇāʾ ḇĕšalwâ wĕheḥĕzîq malḵûṯ baḥălaqlaqqôṯ. 22ûzĕrōʿôṯ haššeṭep̄ yiššāṭĕp̄û millĕp̄ānāyw wĕyiššāḇērû wĕḡam nĕḡîḏ bĕrîṯ. 23ûmin-hiṯḥabbĕrûṯ ʾēlāyw yaʿăśeh mirmâ wĕʿālâ wĕʿāṣam bimĕʿaṭ-gôy. 24bĕšalwâ ûḇĕmišmannê mĕḏînâ yāḇôʾ wĕʿāśâ ʾăšer lōʾ-ʿāśû ʾăḇōṯāyw waʾăḇôṯ ʾăḇōṯāyw bizzâ wĕšālāl ûrĕḵûš lāhem yiḇzôr wĕʿal miḇṣārîm yĕḥaššēḇ maḥšĕḇōṯāyw wĕʿaḏ-ʿēṯ. 25wĕyāʿēr kōḥô ûlĕḇāḇô ʿal-meleḵ hannegeb bĕḥayil gāḏôl ûmeleḵ hannegeb yiṯgāreh lammilḥāmâ bĕḥayil-gāḏôl wĕʿāṣûm ʿaḏ-mĕʾōḏ wĕlōʾ yaʿămōḏ kî-yaḥšĕḇû ʿālāyw maḥăšāḇôṯ. 26wĕʾōḵĕlê p̄aṯ-bāḡô yišbĕrûhû wĕḥêlô yišṭôp̄ wĕnāp̄ĕlû ḥălālîm rabbîm. 27ûšĕnêhem hammĕlāḵîm lĕḇāḇām lĕmērāʿ wĕʿal-šulḥān ʾeḥāḏ kāzāḇ yĕḏabbērû wĕlōʾ ṯiṣlāḥ kî-ʿôḏ qēṣ lammôʿēḏ. 28wĕyāšōḇ ʾarṣô birḵûš gāḏôl ûlĕḇāḇô ʿal-bĕrîṯ qōḏeš wĕʿāśâ wĕšāḇ lĕʾarṣô. 29lammôʿēḏ yāšûḇ ûḇāʾ ḇannegeb wĕlōʾ-ṯihyeh ḵārîʾšōnâ wĕḵāʾaḥărōnâ. 30ûḇāʾû ḇô ṣiyyîm kittîm wĕniḵʾâ wĕšāḇ wĕzāʿam ʿal-bĕrîṯ-qôḏeš wĕʿāśâ wĕšāḇ wĕyāḇēn ʿal-ʿōzĕḇê bĕrîṯ qōḏeš. 31ûzĕrōʿîm mimmennû yaʿămōḏû wĕḥillĕlû hammiqdāš hammāʿôz wĕhēsîrû hattāmîḏ wĕnāṯĕnû haššiqqûṣ mĕšômēm. 32ûmaršîʿê ḇĕrîṯ yaḥănîp̄ baḥălaqôṯ wĕʿam yōḏĕʿê ʾĕlōhāyw yaḥăziqû wĕʿāśû. 33ûmaśkîlê ʿām yāḇînû lārabbîm wĕniḵšĕlû bĕḥereḇ ûḇĕlehāḇâ bišĕḇî ûḇĕḇizzâ yāmîm. 34ûḇĕhikkāšĕlām yēʿāzĕrû ʿēzer mĕʿāṭ wĕnilwû ʿălêhem rabbîm baḥălaqlaqqôṯ. 35ûmin-hammaśkîlîm yikkāšĕlû liṣrôp̄ bāhem ûlĕḇārēr wĕlalbbēn ʿaḏ-ʿēṯ qēṣ kî-ʿôḏ lammôʿēḏ.
Key Words
נִבְזֶה niḇzeh despised / contemptible
From the root בָּזָה (bāzâ), meaning "to despise" or "to hold in contempt," this participle describes one who is treated with disdain or scorn. The term appears in Isaiah 53:3 of the Suffering Servant who was "despised and forsaken of men," establishing a prophetic pattern of divinely ordained figures who are rejected by human estimation. In Daniel 11:21, it characterizes Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who seized power without legitimate royal honor, yet the word's theological freight extends to any ruler who gains authority through manipulation rather than divine or human endorsement. The contemptible one becomes a type of the antichrist figure who operates through deceit rather than majesty.
חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת ḥălaqlaqqôṯ intrigue / slippery schemes / flattery
A rare intensive plural form from the root חָלַק (ḥālaq), meaning "to be smooth" or "to flatter." The reduplication intensifies the concept of slipperiness, suggesting schemes that are oily, deceptive, and morally slick. This word appears only in Daniel (11:21, 32, 34), marking it as a signature term for the modus operandi of the contemptible king. The smooth words and flat
Grammar & Argument

Daniel 11:36-45

The Self-Exalting King and His Final Downfall

LSB Text
36"Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will succeed until the indignation is finished, for that which is determined will be done. 37He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. 38But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones, and treasures. 39He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price. 40And at the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them, and pass through. 41He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab, and the foremost of the sons of Ammon. 42Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. 43But he will have power over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels. 44But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and devote many to destruction. 45And he will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
Greek Text
36וְהַמֶּ֗לֶךְ יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה כִרְצוֹנ֔וֹ וְיִתְרוֹמֵ֣ם וְיִתְגַּדֵּ֔ל עַ֖ל כָּל־אֵ֑ל וְעַל֩ אֵ֨ל אֵלִ֜ים יְדַבֵּ֣ר נִפְלָא֗וֹת וְהִצְלִ֙יחַ֙ עַד־כָּ֣לָה זַ֔עַם כִּ֥י נֶחֱרָצָ֖ה נֶעֱשָֽׂתָה׃ 37וְעַל־אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתָיו֙ לֹ֣א יָבִ֔ין וְעַל־חֶמְדַּ֥ת נָשִׁ֛ים וְעַל־כָּל־אֱל֖וֹהַּ לֹ֣א יָבִ֑ין כִּ֥י עַל־כֹּ֖ל יִתְגַּדָּֽל׃ 38וְלֶאֱלֹ֙הַּ֙ מָֽעֻזִּ֔ים עַל־כַּנּ֖וֹ יְכַבֵּ֑ד וְלֶאֱל֜וֹהַּ אֲשֶׁר־לֹא־יְדָעֻ֣הוּ אֲבֹתָ֗יו יְכַבֵּד֙ בְּזָהָ֣ב וּבְכֶ֔סֶף וּבְאֶ֥בֶן יְקָרָ֖ה וּבַחֲמֻדֽוֹת׃ 39וְעָשָׂ֞ה לְמִבְצְרֵ֤י מָֽעֻזִּים֙ עִם־אֱל֣וֹהַּ נֵכָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַכִּ֖יר יַרְבֶּ֣ה כָב֑וֹד וְהִמְשִׁילָם֙ בָּֽרַבִּ֔ים וַאֲדָמָ֖ה יְחַלֵּ֥ק בִּמְחִֽיר׃ 40וּבְעֵ֣ת קֵ֗ץ יִתְנַגַּ֣ח עִמּוֹ֮ מֶ֣לֶךְ הַנֶּגֶב֒ וְיִשְׂתָּעֵ֨ר עָלָ֜יו מֶ֣לֶךְ הַצָּפ֗וֹן בְּרֶ֙כֶב֙ וּבְפָ֣רָשִׁ֔ים וּבָאֳנִיּ֖וֹת רַבּ֑וֹת וּבָ֥א בַאֲרָצ֖וֹת וְשָׁטַ֥ף וְעָבָֽר׃ 41וּבָא֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ הַצְּבִ֔י וְרַבּ֖וֹת יִכָּשֵׁ֑לוּ וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ יִמָּלְט֣וּ מִיָּד֔וֹ אֱד֣וֹם וּמוֹאָ֔ב וְרֵאשִׁ֖ית בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃ 42וְיִשְׁלַ֥ח יָד֖וֹ בַּאֲרָצ֑וֹת וְאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֥ה לִפְלֵיטָֽה׃ 43וּמָשַׁ֗ל בְּמִכְמַנֵּי֙ הַזָּהָ֣ב וְהַכֶּ֔סֶף וּבְכֹ֖ל חֲמֻד֣וֹת מִצְרָ֑יִם וְלֻבִ֥ים וְכֻשִׁ֖ים בְּמִצְעָדָֽיו׃ 44וּשְׁמֻע֣וֹת יְבַהֲלֻ֔הוּ מִמִּזְרָ֖ח וּמִצָּפ֑וֹן וְיָצָ֛א בְּחֵמָ֥א גְדֹלָ֖ה לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד וּֽלְהַחֲרִ֥ים רַבִּֽים׃ 45וְיִטַּע֙ אָהֳלֵ֣י אַפַּדְנ֔וֹ בֵּ֥ין יַמִּ֖ים לְהַר־צְבִי־קֹ֑דֶשׁ וּבָא֙ עַד־קִצּ֔וֹ וְאֵ֥ין עוֹזֵ֖ר לֽוֹ׃
36wəhammelek yaʿăśeh kirṣônô wəyitrômēm wəyitgaddēl ʿal kol-ʾēl wəʿal ʾēl ʾĕlîm yədabbēr niplāʾôt wəhiṣlîaḥ ʿad-kālâ zaʿam kî neḥĕrāṣâ neʿĕśātâ. 37wəʿal-ʾĕlōhê ʾăbōtāyw lōʾ yābîn wəʿal-ḥemdat nāšîm wəʿal-kol-ʾĕlôah lōʾ yābîn kî ʿal-kōl yitgaddāl. 38wəleʾĕlōah māʿuzzîm ʿal-kannô yəkabbēd wəleʾĕlôah ʾăšer-lōʾ-yədāʿuhû ʾăbōtāyw yəkabbēd bəzāhāb ûbəkesef ûbəʾeben yəqārâ ûbaḥămudôt. 39wəʿāśâ ləmibṣərê māʿuzzîm ʿim-ʾĕlôah nēkār ʾăšer yakkîr yarbeh kābôd wəhimšîlām bārabbîm waʾădāmâ yəḥallēq biməḥîr. 40ûbəʿēt qēṣ yitnaggaḥ ʿimmô melek hannegeb wəyiśtāʿēr ʿālāyw melek haṣṣāpôn bərekeb ûbəpārāšîm ûbāʾŏniyyôt rabbôt ûbāʾ baʾărāṣôt wəšāṭap wəʿābār. 41ûbāʾ bəʾereṣ haṣṣəbî wərabbôt yikkāšēlû wəʾēlleh yimmālēṭû miyyādô ʾĕdôm ûmôʾāb wərēʾšît bənê ʿammôn. 42wəyišlaḥ yādô baʾărāṣôt wəʾereṣ miṣrayim lōʾ tihyeh lipəlêṭâ. 43ûmāšal bəmikmānnê hazzāhāb wəhakkesef ûbəkōl ḥămudôt miṣrāyim wəlubîm wəkušîm bəmiṣʿādāyw. 44ûšəmuʿôt yəbahaluhû mimmizrāḥ ûmiṣṣāpôn wəyāṣāʾ bəḥēmāʾ gədōlâ ləhašmîd ûləhaḥărîm rabbîm. 45wəyiṭṭaʿ ʾohŏlê ʾappadnô bên yammîm ləhar-ṣəbî-qōdeš ûbāʾ ʿad-qiṣṣô wəʾên ʿôzēr lô.
Key Words
יַעֲשֶׂה yaʿăśeh he will do / act
The Qal imperfect of עָשָׂה (ʿāśâ), "to do, make, accomplish," signals the king's autonomous agency. This verb opens the portrait of the eschatological tyrant who operates according to his own will (כִרְצוֹנוֹ, kirṣônô). Throughout Scripture, עָשָׂה describes both divine creative action (Genesis 1) and human moral agency; here it underscores the king's arrogant self-determination. The imperfect aspect suggests ongoing, habitual action—a reign characterized by willful defiance. Daniel's use of this common verb in such a loaded context transforms it into a theological indictment: the king usurps the prerogative of God Himself.
יִתְרוֹמֵם yitrômēm he will exalt himself
The Hitpolel of רוּם (rûm), "to be high, exalted," intensifies the reflexive sense: self-exaltation. This stem conveys reciprocal or intensive action, and here it depicts the king's deliberate self-aggrandizement. The root רוּם appears frequently in Isaiah's oracles against proud nations (Isaiah 2:12-17) and in the taunt against the king of Babylon (Isaiah 14:13-14), where the tyrant declares, "I will ascend... I will make myself like the Most High." Daniel's use of the Hitpolel form emphasizes the king's active, willful pride—not merely being exalted by others, but exalting himself in defiance of every divine authority.
נִפְלָאוֹת niplāʾôt monstrous things / extraordinary things
The Niphal participle feminine plural of פָּלָא (pālāʾ), "to be wonderful, extraordinary, beyond understanding." Typically used of God's miraculous deeds (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 77:14), the term here takes on a sinister tone: the king speaks things that are extraordinary in their blasphemy. The LSB rendering "monstrous things" captures the perversion—what should be reserved for divine wonder is twisted into arrogant speech against God. The semantic range of פָּלָא includes both the sublime and the incomprehensible; in this context, the king's words are incomprehensibly wicked, surpassing normal human hubris.
זַעַם zaʿam indignation / wrath
A masculine noun denoting divine wrath or indignation, זַעַם (zaʿam) appears frequently in prophetic literature to describe God's judicial anger against sin (Isaiah 10:5, 25; 26:20; Jeremiah 10:10). The term carries a sense of determined, purposeful anger—not capricious rage but settled judgment. Daniel's use here (עַד־כָּלָה זַעַם, "until the indignation is finished") places the king's success within a temporal boundary set by God's sovereign decree. The king's reign is permitted only until the divinely appointed period of wrath is complete, after which judgment falls. This word anchors the passage's theodicy: evil prospers only within the limits God has established.
נֶחֱרָצָה neḥĕrāṣâ what is determined / decreed
The Niphal perfect feminine singular of חָרַץ (ḥāraṣ), "to cut, decide, determine." This verb conveys the idea of a firm, irrevocable decision, often used of divine decrees (Isaiah 10:23; 28:22). The Niphal stem emphasizes the passive sense—"what has been determined"—underscoring that the decree originates outside human agency. Daniel employs this term to assert God's sovereign control over history: the king's actions, though willful and wicked, unfold within the framework of what God has already decided. The perfect tense indicates completed action with ongoing results—the decree stands firm, and its execution is certain.
חֶמְדַּת ḥemdat desire / delight
The construct form of חֶמְדָּה (ḥemdâ), "desire, desirable thing, precious thing," from the root חָמַד (ḥāmad), "to desire, covet, take pleasure in." The phrase חֶמְדַּת נָשִׁים ("desire of women") has generated extensive interpretive debate—whether it refers to the Messiah (as an object of women's longing), to natural affection, or to pagan deities favored by women (such as Tammuz). The root חָמַד appears in the Tenth Commandment (Exodus 20:17) and describes both legitimate desire and sinful coveting. Here, the king's disregard for this "desire" signals his comprehensive rejection of normal human affections and religious devotions, further marking his monstrous character.
מָעֻזִּים māʿuzzîm fortresses / strongholds
The masculine plural of מָעוֹז (māʿôz), "place of safety, stronghold, refuge," from the root עָזַז (ʿāzaz), "to be strong." Frequently used metaphorically of God as Israel's refuge (Psalm 27:1; 31:4; 37:39), the term here is applied to a "god of fortresses" (אֱלֹהַּ מָעֻזִּים, ʾĕlōah māʿuzzîm)—a deity characterized by military might. The irony is profound: the king who exalts himself above every god ends up honoring a god defined by raw power. This may reflect the deification of military strength itself, or the worship of a war deity unknown to his ancestors. The term underscores the king's inversion of true worship, replacing the God of heaven with a god of brute force.
צְבִי ṣəbî beautiful / glorious
A masculine noun meaning "beauty, glory, honor," from the root צָבָה (ṣābâ), related to "gazelle" and connoting elegance and desirability. The phrase אֶרֶץ הַצְּבִי (ʾereṣ haṣṣəbî), "the Beautiful Land," is Daniel's designation for Israel (also in 8:9; 11:16, 41). The term evokes the land's covenantal significance and aesthetic-spiritual glory, echoing Ezekiel's description of Israel as "the glory of all lands" (Ezekiel 20:6, 15). By calling it "beautiful," Daniel emphasizes not merely geographic attractiveness but theological centrality—this is the
Grammar & Argument