King James Version

What Does Daniel 11:2 Mean?

Daniel 11:2 in the King James Version says “And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far ... — study this verse from Daniel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Daniel 11:2 · KJV


Context

1

Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

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.

3

And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

4

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all—Gabriel's prophecy identifies specific Persian rulers following Cyrus: Cambyses II (530-522 BC), the false Smerdis (522 BC), and Darius I (522-486 BC). The fourth king is Xerxes I (486-465 BC), whose immense wealth is documented by Herodotus. The Hebrew ya'amod (יַעֲמֹד, 'shall stand up') indicates sovereign establishment, not mere succession.

By his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia—Xerxes assembled history's largest invasion force (Herodotus claims over 2 million, likely inflated but massive nonetheless) to attack Greece in 480 BC. The Hebrew ya'ir (יָעִיר, 'stir up') means to rouse or incite. This campaign's failure at Salamis and Plataea shifted power westward, setting the stage for Alexander's conquests (vv. 3-4). God reveals future history to demonstrate His sovereign orchestration of empires.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa 536 BC during Cyrus's reign, this prophecy predates the events by decades. The Medo-Persian Empire (539-331 BC) succeeded Babylon and allowed Jewish return under Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1). Xerxes's Greek campaign is the pivot between Persian dominance and Greek ascendancy, making this prophecy remarkably specific. Daniel's detailed foreknowledge of empire succession demonstrates God's sovereignty over gentile kingdoms during Israel's dispersion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's detailed revelation of future empires demonstrate His sovereign control over history?
  2. What does Xerxes's massive wealth yet ultimate defeat teach about the limitations of human power and resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְעַתָּ֕ה1 of 22
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אֱמֶ֖ת2 of 22

thee the truth

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

אַגִּ֣יד3 of 22

And now will I shew

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לָ֑ךְ4 of 22
H0
הִנֵּה5 of 22
H2009

lo!

עוֹד֩6 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

שְׁלֹשָׁ֨ה7 of 22

yet three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מְלָכִ֜ים8 of 22

kings

H4428

a king

עֹמְדִ֣ים9 of 22

Behold there shall stand up

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לְפָרַ֗ס10 of 22

in Persia

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

וְהָֽרְבִיעִי֙11 of 22

and the fourth

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

יַעֲשִׁ֤יר12 of 22

richer

H6238

properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich

בְעָשְׁר֔וֹ13 of 22

shall be far

H6239

wealth

גָּדוֹל֙14 of 22

than they all

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מִכֹּ֔ל15 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

וּכְחֶזְקָת֣וֹ16 of 22

and by his strength

H2393

prevailing power

בְעָשְׁר֔וֹ17 of 22

shall be far

H6239

wealth

יָעִ֣יר18 of 22

he shall stir up

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

הַכֹּ֔ל19 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֵ֖ת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַלְכ֥וּת21 of 22

all against the realm

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

יָוָֽן׃22 of 22

of Grecia

H3120

javan, the name of a son of joktan, and of the race (ionians, i.e., greeks) descended from him, with their territory; also of a place in arabia


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Daniel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Daniel 11:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Daniel 11:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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