Daniel 11:36 (KJV)

What does Daniel 11:36 mean?

Daniel 11:36 describes a king who acts according to his own desires, exalts himself above all gods, and speaks boldly against the highest God. This king will succeed for a time, until a period of divine anger or judgment is completed, because what has been determined will certainly happen.

In the book of Daniel, this verse is part of a vision given to Daniel about future rulers and conflicts. The speaker is an angel explaining to Daniel what will happen in the "latter days." Daniel 11:36 marks a turning point, focusing on a powerful ruler whose pride and defiance set him apart, and whose temporary success is allowed only until God's set plan is fulfilled.

The Hebrew behind Daniel 11:36

• "Exalt" (רָמָה, ramah; H7311) and "magnify" (גָּדַל, gadal; H1431) both stress the king’s self-promotion, but together they show not just pride, but an extreme lifting up of himself above all others, even above the divine.
• "Speak marvellous things" uses the word (פָּלָא, pala; H6381), which often means to do or say things that are astonishing or extraordinary—here, it suggests the king’s words against God are shockingly bold or blasphemous.
• "Indignation" (זַעַם, zaam; H2195) points to a period of anger or wrath, often used in the Hebrew Bible for God’s righteous anger. This signals that the king’s success is limited by God’s timing and purpose.
• "Determined" (חָרָץ, charats; H2782) carries the sense of something firmly decided or decreed, emphasizing that the events are not random but part of a set plan.

Why Daniel 11:36 matters

• Daniel 11:36 clarifies that the king’s arrogance and success are not unlimited—his rise is part of a larger plan that God has already determined.
• The verse highlights the theme of human pride versus divine authority, a key thread throughout Daniel.
• Understanding this verse helps set the stage for the dramatic events that follow in the prophecy, showing that even the most powerful rulers are ultimately subject to God’s will.