Daniel 11:2

KJV

And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than [they] all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.

KJV (with Strong's)

And now will I shew {H5046} thee the truth {H571}. Behold, there shall stand up {H5975} yet three {H7969} kings {H4428} in Persia {H6539}; and the fourth {H7243} shall be far {H6239} richer {H6238} than they all {H1419}: and by his strength {H2393} through his riches {H6239} he shall stir up {H5782} all against the realm {H4438} of Grecia {H3120}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What I am going to tell you now is true. "Three kings will arise in Persia, followed by a fourth, who will be far wealthier than all of them; and when he has grown strong by means of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

Berean Standard Bible

Now then, I will tell you the truth: Three more kings will arise in Persia, and then a fourth, who will be far richer than all the others. By the power of his wealth, he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of Greece.

American Standard Version

And now will I show thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and when he is waxed strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the realm of Greece.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 11:2 initiates a remarkably precise prophetic revelation concerning the future of the Persian Empire, specifically detailing the succession of its kings after Cyrus the Great. The angelic messenger assures Daniel of the truthfulness of this vision, predicting the rise of three subsequent Persian kings and a fourth, exceptionally wealthy monarch who would marshal vast resources to launch a monumental campaign against the Greek city-states, directly foreshadowing the historical Greco-Persian Wars. This verse underscores God's meticulous foreknowledge and sovereign control over the unfolding of human history and the destinies of nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 11:2 is an integral part of the extended prophetic vision that begins in [Daniel 10](/daniel/10 "Daniel 10 - Daniel's Vision by the Tigris"). Chapter 10 sets the stage with Daniel's intense spiritual struggle, the appearance of a divine messenger (likely Gabriel), and the revelation that the prophecy concerns "what will happen to your people in the latter days" ([Daniel 10:14](/daniel/10-14 "Daniel 10:14 - Understanding the Latter Days")). Chapter 11 then shifts from the symbolic visions of earlier chapters (like the beasts in [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts") or the ram and goat in [Daniel 8](/daniel/8 "Daniel 8 - Vision of the Ram and the Goat")) to an extraordinarily detailed and literal account of historical events, beginning with the Persian kings and leading directly into the Hellenistic period and the conflicts between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid empires. This verse acts as the opening historical prediction, setting the stage for the subsequent, even more intricate prophecies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Daniel 11:2 immediately follows the reign of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Historically, after Cyrus, three significant kings ruled Persia before Xerxes I: Cambyses II (who conquered Egypt), Smerdis (or the usurper Gaumata, whose reign was brief), and Darius I Hystaspes (who consolidated the empire and expanded it significantly). The "fourth" king, Xerxes I, is well-documented in history for his immense wealth, which is also reflected in the biblical account of [Esther](/esther/1 "Esther 1 - Ahasuerus's Great Feast"), where he is known as Ahasuerus. His vast treasury enabled him to mount an unprecedented invasion of Greece around 480 BC, known as the Greco-Persian Wars. This conflict involved a massive land and naval force, engaging the Greek city-states in famous battles such as Thermopylae and Salamis, precisely as foretold in this verse. The term "Grecia" (Hebrew: Yavan) refers to the Greek world, encompassing the various independent city-states that would eventually unite to resist the Persian invasion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Daniel and biblical prophecy generally. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Foreknowledge**, demonstrating God's absolute and precise knowledge of future events, including the succession of kings and their specific actions, centuries before they occurred. This theme is central to Daniel, reinforcing that history is not random but unfolds according to God's predetermined plan, as seen in the detailed visions of empires in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Great Image") and [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts"). Secondly, it underscores **God's Sovereignty Over Empires**. Human rulers, despite their power and ambition, are ultimately instruments in God's hands, their rise and fall orchestrated by His divine will. The prophecy of Xerxes' wealth and his specific military campaign against Greece serves as concrete evidence of God's control over global geopolitics. Thirdly, the remarkable accuracy of this specific prediction reinforces the **Reliability and Divine Inspiration of Scripture**, providing strong grounds for trust in God's prophetic word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Truth (Hebrew, _ʼemeth'_):** H571 - This word signifies stability, certainty, and trustworthiness. When the angelic messenger declares, "I will shew thee the truth," it emphasizes that the forthcoming revelation is not a mere vision or symbolic dream, but a factual, reliable, and certain declaration of future historical events. It underscores the divine origin and infallible nature of the prophecy, assuring Daniel (and subsequent readers) of its absolute accuracy.
* **Riches (Hebrew, _ʻôsher'_):** H6239 - Derived from a root meaning "to accumulate" or "to grow rich," this term denotes wealth, abundance, and material prosperity. The description of the fourth king as "far richer than they all" highlights his unparalleled financial resources. This wealth was not merely a personal attribute but a strategic asset, enabling him to fund the massive military mobilization described in the latter part of the verse, demonstrating how material power can be wielded for geopolitical ends.
* **Stir up (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** H5782 - This verb, meaning "to wake," "to rouse," or "to excite," conveys an active and intentional mobilization. It implies that the fourth king will not merely stumble into conflict but will deliberately and vigorously incite and prepare "all" (meaning all his vast empire and its subject peoples) for a monumental military campaign. This word captures the proactive and aggressive nature of Xerxes' preparations for the Greco-Persian Wars.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now will I shew thee the truth."**: The angelic messenger assures Daniel that the subsequent revelation is not a speculative vision but a factual and reliable account of future events, emphasizing the certainty and trustworthiness of God's prophetic word.
* **"Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia;"**: This clause prophesies the immediate successors to Cyrus the Great, who was ruling at the time of this vision (Daniel 10:1). These are historically identified as Cambyses II, Smerdis (or the usurper Gaumata), and Darius I Hystaspes.
* **"and the fourth shall be far richer than [they] all:"**: This precisely identifies Xerxes I, the son of Darius I. Historical accounts, including the Book of Esther (where he is called Ahasuerus), confirm his legendary wealth, which surpassed that of his predecessors. This immense wealth was crucial for his ambitious military endeavors.
* **"and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia."**: This concludes the prophecy regarding Xerxes, stating that he would leverage his immense financial resources and military might to mobilize his entire empire for a massive offensive against the Greek city-states. This directly foretells the monumental Greco-Persian Wars, particularly Xerxes' invasion of Greece around 480 BC.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Daniel 11:2 is **Prophecy**, specifically **Predictive Prophecy**. Unlike symbolic visions found elsewhere in Daniel, this verse offers a remarkably literal and historically verifiable prediction of future events, including the number of kings, their relative wealth, and their specific military actions. This precision serves to authenticate the divine origin of the message. The phrase "far richer than they all" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, underscoring the extraordinary and unparalleled wealth of the fourth king, which was a key factor in his ability to launch such a massive campaign. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the subsequent rise of the Greek empire under Alexander the Great, which will ultimately conquer Persia, as detailed later in [Daniel 11](/daniel/11 "Daniel 11 - The Kings of the North and South").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 11:2 serves as a profound testament to God's meticulous sovereignty over human history and the destinies of nations. The astonishing specificity of this prophecy, detailing the number of kings, their characteristics, and their military intentions centuries before their occurrence, unequivocally demonstrates God's omniscience and omnipotence. It highlights that even the most powerful earthly empires and their ambitious rulers operate within the confines of God's overarching plan. This divine control is not merely passive oversight but an active orchestration, where human choices and historical events are woven into the tapestry of His ultimate purposes. For the exiled Jewish people, this prophecy offered immense comfort and hope, assuring them that despite the rise and fall of formidable empires, God remained firmly in control, working all things toward the fulfillment of His covenant promises.
* [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9-10 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord's Counsel Stands Forever")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "Acts 17:26 - God Determines Times and Boundaries")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 11:2 offers profound reassurance for believers living in a world often characterized by political upheaval, shifting global powers, and the ambitions of human leaders. The detailed foreknowledge displayed in this verse reminds us that God is not a distant observer but the active orchestrator of history. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or beyond human control, this passage calls us to trust in God's unwavering providence. It encourages us to look beyond the immediate political landscape to the eternal purposes of God, knowing that His prophetic word is always true and will ultimately be fulfilled. This truth liberates us from anxiety about the future and empowers us to live faithfully, knowing that our ultimate hope rests not in earthly kingdoms, but in the unshakeable kingdom of God. It compels us to pray for our leaders, to engage with the world with wisdom, and to proclaim the good news of a God who reigns supreme over all nations and empires.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the specificity of this prophecy strengthen your faith in the absolute truth and reliability of God's Word?**
* **In what current global or personal circumstances do you need to trust more deeply in God's sovereign control, as demonstrated in Daniel 11:2?**
* **What does God's foreknowledge of the rise and fall of empires teach us about the ultimate futility of human ambition when it operates apart from His divine will?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "three kings" and the "fourth" king mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "three kings" are generally identified by historians and biblical scholars as Cambyses II, Smerdis (or the usurper Gaumata), and Darius I Hystaspes, who ruled the Persian Empire after Cyrus the Great. The "fourth" king, described as "far richer than they all," is widely understood to be Xerxes I. Xerxes was renowned for his immense wealth, which is also alluded to in the book of [Esther](/esther/1-4 "Esther 1:4 - Ahasuerus's Riches"), where he is known as Ahasuerus. His vast resources were instrumental in funding his ambitious military campaigns.

**What does "stir up all against the realm of Grecia" refer to historically?**

Answer: This phrase directly refers to the monumental Greco-Persian Wars, particularly Xerxes I's massive invasion of Greece around 480 BC. Xerxes mobilized an enormous army and navy, drawing forces from across his vast empire to attack the Greek city-states. This campaign included famous battles such as Thermopylae, Artemisium, and Salamis. The prophecy's accuracy in predicting this specific conflict, its instigator, and the scale of the mobilization, centuries before it occurred, is a remarkable testament to the divine inspiration of Daniel's prophecy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Daniel 11:2 directly details the historical succession of Persian kings and their conflicts, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the broader theological framework of God's sovereign control over all earthly kingdoms, ultimately pointing to the establishment of His eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ. The precision of this prophecy, like all fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, validates the trustworthiness of God's word and His overarching plan for history, a plan that culminates in the person and work of the Messiah. The rise and fall of these earthly empires, including Persia and Greece, serve as a backdrop against which God's redemptive purposes unfold, preparing the world for the coming of the true King. Jesus Christ is the ultimate "truth" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) revealed, the one whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom is Not of this World")) yet will ultimately encompass all realms. Unlike the temporary reigns of earthly kings, Christ's dominion is eternal, a kingdom that "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Kingdom Endures Forever")). The meticulous foreknowledge of human history demonstrated in Daniel 11:2 assures us that God's plan for salvation, centered on the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, is equally certain and will inevitably lead to the day when "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of Our Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 4:5

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Ezra 4:6

¶ And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they [unto him] an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

Daniel 8:26

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told [is] true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it [shall be] for many days.

Revelation 21:5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Daniel 10:20

Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

Daniel 10:21

But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

Amos 3:7

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.