Daniel 11:37

Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

Neither shall he regard {H995} the God {H430} of his fathers {H1}, nor the desire {H2532} of women {H802}, nor regard {H995} any god {H433}: for he shall magnify {H1431} himself above all.

He will show no respect for the gods his ancestors worshipped, or for the god women worship - he won't show respect for any god, because he will consider himself greater than all of them.

He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.

Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all.

Commentary

Daniel 11:37 (KJV) describes a powerful, arrogant ruler who disregards all traditional authority, both human and divine. This verse is part of a detailed prophetic chapter, often understood to speak of events leading up to the end times, culminating in a figure often identified with the Antichrist.

Context

Chapter 11 of Daniel provides a remarkable prophetic overview of historical events, particularly concerning the kings of the North (Seleucid Empire) and the South (Ptolemaic Egypt). While much of the chapter accurately predicted the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the "little horn" of Daniel 8), verses 36-45 are widely interpreted by many scholars as shifting focus to a future, ultimate antagonist—a "willful king" or the Antichrist—whose characteristics go beyond Antiochus to describe a final, unprecedented rebellion against God. This verse, Daniel 11:37, specifically details the spiritual and moral characteristics of this future figure.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Utter Disregard for God: The phrase "Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor... any god" highlights a complete rejection of all forms of divine authority. This ruler will not only abandon the traditional faith of his ancestors but will also refuse to acknowledge any other deity. This signifies ultimate rebellion and self-deification.
  • Rejection of Traditional Values: The enigmatic phrase "nor the desire of women" has multiple interpretations. It could refer to:
    • A disregard for marriage, family, or normal human affections, indicating an abnormal or perverse character.
    • A rejection of the worship of female deities common in ancient paganism.
    • Most significantly, it is often interpreted as a disregard for the Messiah, who is called the "desire of all nations" in prophetic scripture. This interpretation aligns with the figure's ultimate opposition to Christ.
  • Supreme Self-Exaltation: The concluding statement, "for he shall magnify himself above all," is the defining characteristic. This ruler's pride and arrogance will be unparalleled. He will elevate himself above every god and every form of worship, ultimately seeking to be worshipped himself. This echoes the description of the "man of lawlessness" who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "desire" (חֶמְדַּת, chemdaht) can refer to something precious, delightful, or longed for. Its application here to "women" (נָשִׁים, nashim) makes the phrase unique and subject to various interpretations, yet it consistently points to a deviation from normal human or religious regard.

Reflection and Application

Daniel 11:37 serves as a powerful warning about the nature of ultimate evil and rebellion against God. It describes a spirit of antichrist characterized by:

  • Apostasy: A turning away from established faith and truth.
  • Blasphemy: An open defiance and self-exaltation against God.
  • Arrogance: Unbridled pride that seeks to usurp divine authority.
This verse encourages believers to discern the signs of the times and to remain steadfast in their faith, recognizing that true authority belongs only to God. It highlights the stark contrast between human pride and God's sovereignty, reminding us that all who magnify themselves ultimately face divine judgment. Understanding this prophecy can help us recognize similar patterns of self-exaltation and rejection of truth in the world today, urging us to hold firm to the faith once delivered to the saints.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    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.

  • Isaiah 14:13

    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:

  • 1 Timothy 4:3

    Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

  • Genesis 3:16

    ¶ Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

  • Ezekiel 24:16

    Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down.

  • Genesis 3:5

    For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

  • Deuteronomy 5:21

    Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.
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