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.

Daniel 11:37 (KJV)

Context

Daniel 11:37 belongs to a longer prophecy that spans Daniel 10 through 12. In this section, the prophet Daniel receives a vision of future conflicts between the kings of the North and the kings of the South. Many scholars see the immediate fulfilment of these events in the intertestamental period, especially in the struggles between the Greek Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties. The ruler described in this verse is often identified with Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid king known for his arrogance and his harsh treatment of the Jewish people. His actions in this passage also serve as a type, or foreshadowing, of a later end-times figure who similarly exalts himself against God.

Meaning

The verse lists three specific ways this ruler rejects religion. First, he does not regard the God of his fathers. This means he turns away from the faith of his ancestors, breaking completely with the worship and covenant traditions of his people. Second, he does not regard the desire of women. This phrase is debated. It may refer to a lack of natural affection for marriage and family, or it may point to a particular deity that women cherished. Either way, it shows a rejection of what is normally held dear. Third, he does not regard any god, because he magnifies himself above all. His ultimate sin is self-deification: he puts himself in the place of God and demands the honour that belongs to God alone. This self-exaltation is the root of his rebellion, and it stands in direct opposition to the proper reverence that every person owes to the Creator.

Biblical connections

This attitude of self-exaltation appears elsewhere in Scripture. In 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Paul describes a coming man of sin who opposes God and exalts himself above all that is called God. The arrogant ruler in Daniel is often seen as a type of this end-times figure. Both passages warn against the same danger: pride that leads a person to usurp God’s rightful place. The connection is typological rather than a direct prophecy, but it shows a consistent biblical pattern of human arrogance challenging divine authority.

Application

The verse challenges readers to examine their own hearts. Pride can take subtle forms, such as relying on our own wisdom, ignoring God’s commands, or valuing our reputation more than His glory. The ruler in Daniel 11:37 is an extreme example, but the underlying sin of self-exaltation is common to all people. Honouring God means humbling ourselves, acknowledging His authority, and submitting to Him in every area of life. When we place anything above God, we repeat the same error in smaller measure.

Reflection

Prophetic passages like this one remind us that human power is temporary, while God’s rule is eternal. The ruler who magnified himself above all eventually came to ruin, just as every proud heart will. True worship belongs to God alone, and any attempt to take His place leads to downfall. As we study such passages, we are called to respond with humility and reverence, remembering that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.