How does Daniel 11:3 relate to the historical figure of Alexander the Great? Text of Daniel 11:3 “Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases.” Canonical Parallels That Identify the King 1. Daniel 8:5–8 portrays a “male goat” from the west, “not touching the ground,” with a “prominent horn,” universally recognized as Alexander of Macedon. 2. Daniel 2:39’s “belly and thighs of bronze” speak of the third kingdom, Greece. 3. Daniel 7:6’s four-headed, four-winged leopard reinforces the swift conquest and later quadripartite division after Alexander’s death (cf. 11:4). Historical Profile of Alexander the Great • Born 356 BC, ascended the Macedonian throne 336 BC. • Crossed the Hellespont 334 BC; defeated Persia at Granicus (334), Issus (333), and Gaugamela (331). • Entered Babylon October 12, 331 BC, welcomed without resistance (Babylonian Astronomical Diary VAT 4956). • Pressed eastward to India in an unprecedented 22,000-mile campaign in barely eleven years. • Died June 10/11, 323 BC at age 32; empire stretched from Greece to the Indus. Prophetic Correspondence Between Daniel 11:3 and Alexander 1. “Mighty” – unparalleled tactical genius; undefeated in major battles. 2. “Rule with great authority” – within a decade he toppled the centuries-old Persian Empire and enacted sweeping administrative reforms. 3. “Do as he pleases” – founded cities (e.g., Alexandria, 331 BC), merged cultures (Hellenization), appointed satraps at will, and rewrote territorial boundaries without opposition. Early Christian and Jewish Testimony • Josephus, Antiquities 11.337–339, records Alexander’s visit to Jerusalem and recognition of Daniel’s prophecy concerning himself, an interpretation echoed by early church commentators. • Jerome (Commentary on Daniel 11:3) explicitly names Alexander as the referent, noting the text’s precise alignment with Greek history. Archaeological and Documentary Corroboration • The Alexander Sarcophagus (Istanbul Archaeological Museum) and the Sidon royal tomb inscriptions confirm swift Levantine subjugation mentioned in Daniel. • Elephantine Papyri and Aramaic contracts continue without disruption through 330 BC, illustrating the seamless transfer of authority anticipated in “do as he pleases.” Macro-Theological Implications Daniel 11:3 magnifies divine sovereignty: God “removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21). Alexander’s meteoric ascent and abrupt death underscore human finitude versus God’s foreknowledge. The verse also supplies apologetic weight; precise foretelling of geopolitical events centuries in advance authenticates Scripture and validates the Messiah’s later prophecies regarding His own resurrection (Luke 24:44). Practical and Devotional Application Believers can rest in the certainty that world events unfold under God’s decrees. Just as Alexander’s empire was foretold and bounded by heaven’s timetable, so every contemporary power is subject to Christ, “the King of kings” (Revelation 19:16). Confidence in Scripture’s accuracy fuels evangelism and personal holiness, directing every achievement toward the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Summary Daniel 11:3’s “mighty king” fits Alexander the Great with unmatched precision—textually, historically, archaeologically, and theologically. The prophecy’s fulfillment stands as a monument to the trustworthiness of God’s Word and a signpost pointing to the ultimate, victorious reign of Jesus Christ. |
    |