Daniel 11:36 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Power can look self-sufficient when it faces little immediate resistance. This verse addresses that troubling appearance. It names the king's pride, blasphemy, and temporary prosperity without treating them as signs that God has lost rule over history. The verse also gives a boundary to his career: what God has determined will be done.
Daniel 11:36 portrays a king whose unchecked self-will rises into open defiance of God. His success lasts only until God's appointed indignation is completed, because God's determined purpose finally stands.
The Context of Daniel 11:36
Daniel 11 is part of the heavenly message given to Daniel concerning conflicts involving Persian, Greek, and later rulers. The chapter traces changing kings, alliances, invasions, deceit, and suffering connected with the holy covenant. Verses 31-35 describe desecration, pressure on the faithful, instruction, and the refining of some who understand. Verse 36 introduces or further describes a king marked by extraordinary self-exaltation. The following verses expand his disregard for every god and his pursuit of military strength and gain. The chapter ends with this ruler's end, when no helper remains for him.
What Does Daniel 11:36 Mean?
The king "shall do according to his will." In this chapter, that phrase describes rulers acting with great freedom and force, yet Daniel 11:36 immediately shows the moral direction of this freedom. He exalts and magnifies himself "above every god," setting his own greatness above every claim upon him. His words against "the God of gods" are called "marvellous," meaning astonishing or extraordinary in their arrogance and offense. The verse does not admire this king's boldness. It exposes a ruler who makes self the highest authority and speaks against the One who is above all powers people call divine.
The phrase "shall prosper" can unsettle us, especially after the preceding verses describe faithful people falling by sword, flame, captivity, and spoil. Daniel does not hide the difference between the king's visible success and the suffering of those who know their God. Yet his prosperity has a limit: it continues only "till the indignation be accomplished." The chapter repeatedly speaks of an appointed time and an end. Human schemes, military power, and proud speech operate within that limit. "That that is determined shall be done" declares God's settled purpose over the whole conflict, even where the precise historical identification of every detail is debated.
This passage belongs with the Bible's recurring witness that proud rulers may oppose God for a season, while their authority remains accountable to him. Daniel later sees the end of a blasphemous power whose words are judged by the Ancient of days. The New Testament also warns of a lawless figure who exalts himself against God, using language that echoes this verse. Such echoes call us to discern self-exalting power honestly. They also direct hope toward God's righteous judgment, which does not depend on the apparent permanence of any earthly ruler.
Bible Verses Related to Daniel 11:36
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.”
- Daniel 7:25-26
“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”
- Daniel 8:23-25
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.”
- Isaiah 14:12-15
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Where Daniel 11:36 Echoes in Scripture
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 strongly echoes Daniel 11:36 by describing a coming figure who exalts himself above what is called God or worshipped. Paul uses this pattern of self-exaltation to warn believers against being shaken by claims about the day of the Lord. The echo does not require us to collapse every detail of Daniel's vision into one simple identification. It does show that Daniel's portrayal of arrogant opposition to God remains a significant biblical pattern.
How to Apply Daniel 11:36 Today
When public power, wealth, or force seems able to set its own rules, this verse gives us a truthful way to see it. We need not call evil good because it is successful, and we need not despair because wrongdoing lasts longer than we expected. The verse invites humility in our own smaller spheres as well. Self-will can become spiritually dangerous whenever we treat our plans, reputation, or desires as beyond correction. We can bring our decisions before God, refuse flattering speech that feeds pride, and remain steady in faithfulness while outcomes are still unresolved.
Reflection & Prayer
Where am I tempted to measure what is right by what currently succeeds? Consider one place where pride, fear, or the desire for control may be shaping our response. Pray: "God of gods, keep our hearts from self-exaltation. Give us courage to recognize what is false, patience under what is painful, and trust in your righteous purpose."