Daniel 11:36-45

The Ruler Exalts Himself

Read the passage

36Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished.

37He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.

38And in their place, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.

39He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a price.

40At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood.

41He will also invade the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall. But these will be delivered from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites.

42He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape.

43He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and over all the riches of Egypt, and the Libyans and Cushites will also submit to him.

44But news from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will go out with great fury to destroy many and devote them to destruction.

45He will pitch his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain, but he will meet his end with no one to help him.

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The king magnifies himself above every god and speaks monstrous things against the God of gods. His success lasts until the decreed time of wrath is completed. He disregards the gods of his ancestors and honors a god of fortresses with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches.

With the help of a foreign god, he attacks strong fortresses. He gives great honor and authority to those who acknowledge him and distributes land for a price. Worship, wealth, and military force are bound up with his rule.

At the time of the end, conflict erupts between the southern and northern kings. The northern king sweeps through countries, including the Beautiful Land. Edom, Moab, and the leaders of Ammon escape his hand, but Egypt does not. He controls Egypt’s treasures, and the Libyans and Cushites submit to him.

Reports from the east and north alarm him, and he goes out in fury to destroy many. He pitches his royal tents between the sea and the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he reaches his end with no one to help him. The passage closes with the collapse of a ruler who had exalted himself above all.

Questions

1 How does the king regard himself?

AnswerHe magnifies himself above every god and speaks against the God of gods. Self-exaltation has become the center of his rule and worship.

2 What does he honor instead?

AnswerHe honors a god of fortresses with precious gifts. He also gives authority to those who acknowledge him and distributes land for a price.

3 How does he respond to alarming reports?

AnswerHe goes out in fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. Fear does not make him repent; it turns into more violence against others.

4 How does the section end?

AnswerThe king sets himself near the holy mountain but comes to his end with no one to help him. His location and power cannot make him permanent.

What This Means for Us

The king honors a god of fortresses. He trusts whatever promises protection, rewards loyalty, and helps him control threats, even when that security requires worshiping power itself.

The passage does not explain why no one helps him at the end. It does make clear that neither his conquests nor his wealth can prevent that end.

Notice what your household treats as its ultimate protection. Wealth, preparation, and strong boundaries have real value, but none should be allowed to become an idol that excuses cruelty.

Prayer

God of gods, free us from worshiping security, status, or force. Keep our household humble when fear rises, and teach us to protect people without becoming the kind of power we claim to resist. Amen.

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