Daniel 11:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

NIV: And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

NASB: In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be of assistance and a protection for him.

CSB: In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to strengthen and protect him.)

NLT: I have been standing beside Michael to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.)

KJV: Also I in the first year of Darius the Mede, even I, stood to confirm and to strengthen him.

NKJV: “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)

This verse reads like the conclusion of the prior chapter. An angel, probably Gabriel, has come to visit Daniel to explain his most recent vision (Daniel 10:1, 20–21). The last comment the angel made referred to Michael, the archangel (Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7). Here, the angel says he worked to "confirm and strengthen" someone. The "him" mentioned here might be Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31; 9:1). The other possibility is that the angel was assisting Michael in their mutual fight.

The angel's description of history will begin with Darius and end with the last Gentile ruler in the end times (Daniel 11:45; Revelation 19:19–20). Darius took power around 539 BC through the Medo-Persian empire, which followed the capture of Babylon and the killing of Babylonian king Belshazzar (Daniel 5:30). He was incredibly pleased with Daniel, yet he was tricked into passing a decree causing Daniel to be thrown into a den of lions (Daniel 6:12–14). When Darius saw that Daniel's God had delivered him from the lions, he had Daniel's accusers thrown into the lions' den (Daniel 6:24). Further, he issued a proclamation commanding all subjects to honor Daniel's God (Daniel 6:25–28).

Daniel receives these predictions during the third year of Cyrus's reign (Daniel 10:1), or approximately 536 BC.

Daniel 10:15—11:1 records Daniel's response to the angel's report about demonic opposition. Daniel is still weak and speechless, but a humanlike figure refreshes him. The angel says he will tell Daniel what is written in the book of truth. This leads to the prophecies contained in chapter 11.

This chapter is most easily understood in terms of the historical events which it predicts. These include the conflicts between Ptolemaic Egypt and the Seleucid Empire up through the second century BC. This mentions the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes and what eventually became the Maccabean Revolt. The last portion of prophecy looks to the end times: blasphemous rulers, an invasion from the north, and a major defeat.

Daniel is receiving a prophecy, in an encounter which began in chapter 10. The substance of that prophecy is mostly given in chapter 11. This predicts the major events relating to Judea leading up to the conquest of the Roman Empire. It also begins to speak of end-times events. This leads to chapter 12 and the final prophetic remarks given to Daniel. Chapter 11 connects to other prophetic segments of Scripture such as Ezekiel 38 and Joel 2. Occurrences recorded here are also used by Jesus to depict end times events (Matthew 24:15).

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.