Daniel 11:16

But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.

But he that cometh {H935} against him shall do {H6213} according to his own will {H7522}, and none shall stand {H5975} before {H6440} him: and he shall stand {H5975} in the glorious {H6643} land {H776}, which by his hand {H3027} shall be consumed {H3617}.

The invader will do as he pleases; no one will be able to withstand him. So he will establish himself in the Land of Glory, and he will have the power to destroy it.

The invader will do as he pleases, and no one will stand against him. He will establish himself in the Beautiful Land, with destruction in his hand.

But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the glorious land, and in his hand shall be destruction.

Commentary

Context

Daniel 11 is a remarkably detailed prophetic chapter, often considered one of the most precise prophecies in the Bible. It foretells the political and military conflicts that would arise after the breakup of Alexander the Great's empire, specifically focusing on the wars between the Ptolemaic dynasty (King of the South, ruling Egypt) and the Seleucid dynasty (King of the North, ruling Syria) for control of the Levant, which included Judea. Verse 16 describes a pivotal moment in this protracted struggle.

Key Themes

  • Irresistible Power and Conquest: The phrase "shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him" vividly portrays the overwhelming military might and determined ambition of the King of the North. This highlights a period of unchallenged dominance.
  • The Significance of "The Glorious Land": The "glorious land" (Hebrew: הָאֶרֶץ הַצְּבִי, ha'aretz hatzvi, meaning "the land of beauty" or "the glorious land") refers to Israel/Judea. Its mention underscores God's special regard for this land, even as it becomes a battleground and prize for warring empires. Its conquest signifies a major shift in regional power.
  • Sovereignty Amidst Human Will: Despite the king acting "according to his own will," the fact that his actions are precisely foretold demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty over human affairs and historical outcomes. Human ambition serves, often unknowingly, a divine plan.
  • Prophecy Fulfilled: This verse, along with the surrounding text, found remarkable historical fulfillment in the campaigns of Antiochus III the Great (the King of the North), who decisively defeated the Ptolemaic forces and annexed Judea around 198 BC, bringing the land under Seleucid rule.

Linguistic Insights

The term "glorious land" (הָאֶרֶץ הַצְּבִי, ha'aretz hatzvi) is a poetic and honorific title for the land of Israel, emphasizing its unique status and beauty in God's eyes. The word "consumed" (כָלָה, kalah) here implies not necessarily total destruction of the land itself, but rather its complete subjugation, absorption, or the exhaustion of its resources and autonomy by the conquering power. It signifies a thorough and complete takeover.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Historically, Daniel 11:16 is widely understood to refer to the campaign of Antiochus III, the Seleucid king, against Ptolemy V of Egypt. His victory at the Battle of Panium (198 BC) allowed him to march into Judea, effectively ending Ptolemaic control and bringing the Jewish people under Seleucid dominion. This event had profound implications for Jewish life and set the stage for later conflicts, including the Maccabean revolt, as the Seleucid rulers, particularly Antiochus IV Epiphanes, later persecuted the Jews. The accuracy of this prophecy would have been a powerful testament to God's foreknowledge for the Jewish people living through these tumultuous periods.

Practical Application

For believers today, Daniel 11:16 serves as a powerful reminder of God's foreknowledge and control over history. Even when powerful rulers act "according to their own will" and nations rise and fall, God's divine plan is unfolding. This verse encourages us to place our trust not in human leaders or political systems, but in the immutable Word of God, which proves true in every generation. It reinforces the truth that the Lord's counsel stands forever, regardless of earthly powers.

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

  • Daniel 8:9 (5 votes)

    And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land].

  • Daniel 11:36 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Daniel 11:3 (4 votes)

    And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will.

  • Daniel 11:41 (4 votes)

    He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many [countries] shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, [even] Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.

  • Daniel 8:7 (3 votes)

    And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.

  • Daniel 8:4 (3 votes)

    I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither [was there any] that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

  • Jeremiah 3:19 (2 votes)

    But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.