Daniel 11 36

Daniel 11:36 kjv

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.

Daniel 11:36 nkjv

"Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.

Daniel 11:36 niv

"The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place.

Daniel 11:36 esv

"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.

Daniel 11:36 nlt

"The king will do as he pleases, exalting himself and claiming to be greater than every god, even blaspheming the God of gods. He will succeed, but only until the time of wrath is completed. For what has been determined will surely take place.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 36 meaning

Daniel 11:36 describes a powerful and arrogant ruler, identified as "the king," who acts entirely according to his own will, not bound by any law, human or divine. This figure demonstrates extreme hubris by exalting and magnifying himself above all other deities and, ultimately, directly blaspheming the one true God, the "God of gods." Despite this outrageous rebellion, his success is not indefinite; he will prosper only for a divinely predetermined period, specifically until God's "indignation" or righteous wrath against the rebellious world comes to its full completion. The verse concludes with a powerful affirmation of divine sovereignty, stating that what God has decreed "shall be done," signifying the certainty and inevitability of His predetermined plan despite the king's defiance.

Daniel 11 36 Context

Daniel chapter 11 details a long historical prophecy, primarily covering the Persian and Hellenistic periods, with significant focus on the conflicts between the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) empires. Verses 21-35 describe the rise and actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a historical persecutor of the Jews who defiled the Temple. Verse 36 marks a critical transition. While some traits resemble Antiochus, the actions described in 36-45, particularly the self-exaltation "above every god" and the definitive "end" of the king, go beyond what history records of Antiochus IV. Scholars widely interpret verses 36-45 as moving from a historical "type" (Antiochus) to a future, ultimate "antitype" or eschatological king—the final Antichrist. This "king" in Daniel 11:36 therefore represents a culminating figure in human history, characterized by unparalleled arrogance, blasphemy, and opposition to God, leading up to the climax of God's redemptive plan and judgment. The broader context of Daniel underscores God's sovereign control over world history, even amidst the rise of seemingly unstoppable empires and defiant rulers, until His kingdom ultimately triumphs.

Daniel 11 36 Word analysis

• And the king: In the immediate context of Daniel 11, "the king" could refer to the "king of the north." However, following the detailed description of Antiochus IV Epiphanes up to v. 35, the language here is often seen to transcend the historical figure, pointing to an ultimate "king"—an eschatological adversary or Antichrist figure, distinct from, yet typified by, Antiochus. This suggests a change in the prophetic scope.

• shall do: Hebrew, עָשָׂה ('asah). An active verb, indicating deliberate and decisive action. The king is not passive but an agent of his own will.

• according to his will: Hebrew, כְלִבּוֹ (k'libbo), literally "according to his heart." This phrase emphasizes complete self-determination and autonomy. He rejects all external authority, whether divine or human, placing his own desires and impulses as the sole rule for his conduct. It underscores his godless independence.

• and he shall exalt himself: Hebrew, וְיִתְרוֹמֵם (v'yitromem), from רוּם (rum), meaning "to be high, to rise, to lift up." The Hitpael form is reflexive, emphasizing self-exaltation. This is an act of extreme pride, raising oneself up to an improper level, seeking undue glory. It stands in direct opposition to God, who is truly exalted (Ps 97:9).

• and magnify himself: Hebrew, וְיִתְגַּדֵּל (v'yitgaddel), from גָּדַל (gadal), meaning "to be great, to make great." Also in the Hitpael, this reinforces the idea of self-aggrandizement. The king makes himself out to be greater than he is, mimicking God's attribute of greatness. It is an usurpation of divine honor.

• above every god: Hebrew, עַל־כָּל־אֵל (al-kol-el). The term אֵל (el) can refer to a mighty one, a ruler, or a deity. This signifies that he elevates himself above all spiritual and temporal authorities recognized by people—every human power, every idol, and even other perceived "gods" in the pagan sense. He allows no rival to his perceived supremacy.

• and shall speak marvellous things: Hebrew, יְדַבֵּר נִפְלָאוֹת (y'dabber nifla'ot). While nifla'ot usually refers to the "wonders" or "marvelous works" of God (Ex 15:11; Ps 9:1), here, when spoken by the king against God, it takes on a blasphemous, arrogant, or extraordinarily boastful meaning. He speaks shocking and unprecedented words of defiance and contempt against the Divine.

• against the God of gods: Hebrew, אֵל אֵלִים (El Elim). This is a unique and emphatic title for Yahweh, the supreme God (Deut 10:17; Ps 136:2). Having first elevated himself above lesser gods/authorities, the king now directly targets the ultimate sovereign God. This is the highest form of blasphemy and ultimate rebellion, declaring war against the Creator Himself.

• and shall prosper: Hebrew, וְהִצְלִיחַ (v'hitzliach), from צָלַח (tsalach), meaning "to prosper, succeed, advance." In the Hiphil, "to cause to prosper." This indicates that, despite his defiance, the king will indeed experience success in his endeavors for a period, which often causes confusion or fear among onlookers (cf. Ps 73).

• till the indignation: Hebrew, עַד־כָּלָה זַעַם (ad-kalah za'am). This sets a divine boundary to his prosperity. זַעַם (za'am) refers specifically to God's wrath or righteous indignation, a period of judgment (Isa 10:25; Zech 1:15). His success is not due to his own invincibility, but to a divinely ordained allowance.

• be accomplished: Hebrew, כָּלָה (kalah), meaning "to finish, to complete, to bring to an end." This signifies the fixed duration of God's wrath, a set time after which His judgment will be fully executed, bringing the king's prosperity to an end.

• for that that is determined: Hebrew, כִּי נֶחֱרָצָה (ki necheratzah), from חָרַץ (charatz), meaning "to cut, decide, determine, decree." The Niphal indicates something that is cut out, decreed, or appointed by an outside power (God). This refers to God's unalterable plan and prophetic decree.

• shall be done: Hebrew, נֶעֱשְׂתָה (ne'eshtah), from עָשָׂה ('asah), "to do, to make, to bring about." In the Niphal, it emphasizes that what has been decreed will certainly come to pass, regardless of human opposition. It reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty and the infallibility of His prophetic word.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself": This phrase complex highlights the king's autonomous and prideful nature. His will is paramount, rejecting all external authority. The repeated reflexive verbs emphasize a radical self-worship, an arrogant ascension to a self-proclaimed deity status. This is the essence of anti-divine rebellion, echoing the original sin of Satan.
  • "above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods": This progression demonstrates an escalating blasphemy. Initially, the king places himself above lesser authorities or pagan deities, showcasing a universal claim to supremacy. Then, his blasphemy intensifies to direct verbal assaults, speaking monstrous and extraordinary words of defiance against El Elim, the unique and ultimate God of Israel. This represents the ultimate challenge to God's unparalleled sovereignty.
  • "and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done": This segment firmly establishes the limits of the king's power and success. His prosperity is divinely permitted and precisely timed ("till the indignation be accomplished"). He operates within the bounds of God's predetermined wrath. The concluding statement provides the theological anchor: despite this king's terrifying power and blasphemy, God's decree is inviolable and inevitable. His plans cannot be thwarted by any human or demonic force.

Daniel 11 36 Bonus section

The figure in Daniel 11:36 is widely understood in Christian theology as a primary type of the eschatological Antichrist. This "king" manifests the spirit of lawlessness and rebellion against God, a spirit already present in the world (1 John 2:18; 4:3), but which will culminate in a specific individual during the end times. The characteristics outlined—self-willed ambition, blasphemous pride against God, and temporary, divinely-limited success—form a core description of the Beast in Revelation 13 and the Man of Lawlessness in 2 Thessalonians 2. This passage serves as a stark warning against human pride and the dangers of rejecting divine authority, while simultaneously affirming the unwavering sovereignty of God over all earthly powers and the certainty of His final plan of redemption and judgment.

Daniel 11 36 Commentary

Daniel 11:36 provides a profound portrait of the ultimate adversary of God and His people, often identified as the Antichrist or Man of Lawlessness. This "king" embodies absolute self-will, unchecked by moral or divine restraint, contrasting sharply with true leaders who submit to God. His self-exaltation and self-magnification represent an extreme form of pride, aiming to usurp the very prerogatives of God, fulfilling ancient prophecies concerning those who set themselves up as gods (cf. Ez 28:2). His blasphemous words, described as "marvellous things" against the "God of gods," denote not just defiance but a radical and public repudiation of divine authority, echoing the arrogance of earlier persecutors but with greater intensity. Crucially, the verse assures believers that even this formidable adversary's success is not eternal or absolute. His prosperity is circumscribed by divine will, lasting only "till the indignation be accomplished." This "indignation" refers to God's predetermined period of righteous judgment and wrath upon a rebellious world. The final declaration, "for that that is determined shall be done," serves as the ultimate statement of divine sovereignty, offering reassurance that all events, however chaotic, are ultimately under God's control and will lead to the fulfillment of His unchangeable purpose.