What is the meaning of Daniel 11:4? As soon as he is established “But as soon as he is established…” (Daniel 11:4a) • The “he” reaches back to the “mighty king” of verse 3—historically fulfilled by Alexander the Great. • Though Alexander appeared firmly planted, he reigned only twelve short years (336–323 BC). The swiftness of his rise and fall mirrors Daniel 8:8 where the “great horn was broken” suddenly. • Scripture consistently shows that human power, no matter how dazzling, is fleeting (Psalm 90:10; James 4:14). His kingdom will be broken up “…his kingdom will be broken up…” (Daniel 11:4b) • Alexander’s empire fractured almost immediately after his death. • Daniel 8:22 parallels this, declaring that when the “horn” was broken, “four notable horns” arose in its place. • History records violent struggles among his generals (the Diadochi) that shattered the unity of the empire (cf. Proverbs 28:2). Parceled out toward the four winds of heaven “…and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven.” (Daniel 11:4c) • “Four winds” pictures the empire’s division into four geographic sectors: Cassander (Macedonia–Greece, west), Lysimachus (Thrace–Asia Minor, north), Seleucus (Syria–Babylon, east), and Ptolemy (Egypt, south). • Daniel 8:8 repeats the same “four winds” imagery, underscoring the literal fulfillment. • Zechariah 2:6 uses the expression to show scattering in every direction, highlighting how completely God can disperse the plans of men. It will not go to his descendants “It will not go to his descendants…” (Daniel 11:4d) • Neither Alexander IV (his posthumous son) nor Heracles (an illegitimate son) kept the throne; both were murdered within a few years. • The prophecy precisely foretells that direct heirs would be bypassed—a striking confirmation of God’s foreknowledge (Isaiah 46:10). Nor will it have the authority with which he ruled “…nor will it have the authority with which he ruled…” (Daniel 11:4e) • The successor kingdoms lacked the unified power of Alexander’s reign. • Daniel 2:39 had already foretold empires of diminishing glory after Babylon; here we watch that pattern continue. • Infighting and regional ambitions weakened the Hellenistic kingdoms, confirming Proverbs 16:18—pride precedes downfall. Because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others “…because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.” (Daniel 11:4f) • “Uprooted” reminds us that God alone plants and plucks up kingdoms (Daniel 4:17; 2:21). • The verse closes by stressing divine sovereignty: the empire was not lost by chance but handed “to others” at God’s decree. • Acts 17:26 affirms the same truth: God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” summary Daniel 11:4 foretells, with astonishing precision, that the mighty king’s seemingly solid empire would shatter the moment he was secure, be sliced into four directions, bypass his children, operate with reduced authority, and finally be given to unrelated rulers. History’s exact correspondence with the prophecy magnifies Scripture’s reliability and showcases the Lord’s absolute control over the rise and fall of nations. |
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