Daniel 11:4
New International Version
After he has arisen, his empire will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the power he exercised, because his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

New Living Translation
But at the height of his power, his kingdom will be broken apart and divided into four parts. It will not be ruled by the king’s descendants, nor will the kingdom hold the authority it once had. For his empire will be uprooted and given to others.

English Standard Version
And as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these.

Berean Standard Bible
But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.

King James Bible
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

New King James Version
And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken up and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not among his posterity nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, even for others besides these.

New American Standard Bible
But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, because his sovereignty will be removed and given to others besides them.

NASB 1995
“But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded, for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

NASB 1977
“But as soon as he has arisen, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four points of the compass, though not to his own descendants, nor according to his authority which he wielded; for his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

Legacy Standard Bible
But as soon as he stands, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his own descendants, nor according to his domination with which he dominated, for his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others besides them.

Amplified Bible
But as soon as he (Alexander) has risen, his kingdom will be broken [by his death] and divided toward the four winds of heaven [the north, south, east, and west], but not to his descendants, nor according to the [Grecian] authority with which he ruled, for his kingdom will be torn out and uprooted and given to others (his four generals) to the exclusion of these.

Christian Standard Bible
But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and divided to the four winds of heaven, but not to his descendants; it will not be the same kingdom that he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and will go to others besides them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and divided to the four winds of heaven, but not to his descendants; it will not be the same kingdom that he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and will go to others besides them.”

American Standard Version
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion wherewith he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides these.

Contemporary English Version
But suddenly his kingdom will be crushed and scattered to the four corners of the earth, where four more kingdoms will rise. But these won't be ruled by his descendants or be as powerful as his kingdom.

English Revised Version
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion wherewith he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside these.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken into pieces and divided in the directions of the four winds of heaven. The empire will not be given to his descendants. It will no longer be like his empire, since it will be uprooted and given to others.

Good News Translation
But at the height of his power his empire will break up and be divided into four parts. Kings not descended from him will rule in his place, but they will not have the power that he had.

International Standard Version
However, after he has come to power, his kingdom will be broken and parceled out in all directions. It won't go to his succeeding descendants, nor will its power match how he ruled, because his sovereignty will be uprooted and given to successors besides them.

Majority Standard Bible
But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.

NET Bible
Shortly after his rise to power, his kingdom will be broken up and distributed toward the four winds of the sky--but not to his posterity or with the authority he exercised, for his kingdom will be uprooted and distributed to others besides these.

New Heart English Bible
When he shall arise, his kingdom shall be broken up, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his authority with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, and will go to others besides these.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided towards the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

World English Bible
When he stands up, his kingdom will be broken and will be divided toward the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom will be plucked up, even for others besides these.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and according to his standing is his kingdom broken, and divided to the four winds of the heavens, and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion that he ruled, for his kingdom is plucked up—and for others apart from these.

Young's Literal Translation
and according to his standing is his kingdom broken, and divided to the four winds of the heavens, and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion that he ruled, for his kingdom is plucked up -- and for others apart from these.

Smith's Literal Translation
And in his standing up his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided to the four winds of the heavens; and not to his latter state, and not according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, and for others from besides these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when he shall come to his height, his kingdom shall be broken, and it shall be divided towards the four winds of the heaven: but not to his posterity, nor according to his power with which he ruled. For his kingdom shall be rent in pieces, even for strangers, beside these.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when he has been firmly established, his kingdom will be shattered and will be divided towards the four winds of the heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to his power with which he ruled. For his kingdom will be torn to pieces, even for the outsiders who have been expelled from these.

New American Bible
No sooner shall he appear than his kingdom shall be broken and divided in four directions under heaven; but not among his descendants or in keeping with his mighty rule, for his kingdom shall be torn to pieces and belong to others.

New Revised Standard Version
And while still rising in power, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted and go to others besides these.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when he has risen, his kingdom shall be broken and shall be scattered toward the four winds of heaven; but it will not extend to its former borders nor according to his dominion which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be uprooted, and there shall be no kingdoms beside the divisions of this kingdom.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when he arises, his kingdom will be broken, and it will be scattered to the four winds of Heaven, and not according to its end, and not according to his authority with which he is authorized, but his kingdom will be destroyed, and there are no others outside of these
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion wherewith he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when his kingdom shall stand up, it shall be broken, and shall be divided to the four winds of heaven; but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled over: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, and given to others beside these.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Prophecies about Persia and Greece
3Then a mighty king will arise, who will rule with great authority and do as he pleases. 4But as soon as he is established, his kingdom will be broken up and parceled out toward the four winds of heaven. It will not go to his descendants, nor will it have the authority with which he ruled, because his kingdom will be uprooted and given to others.

Cross References
Daniel 8:8
Thus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.

Daniel 7:6
Next, as I watched, suddenly another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

Zechariah 9:13-14
For I will bend Judah as My bow and fit it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against the sons of Greece. I will make you like the sword of a mighty man. / Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. The Lord GOD will sound the ram’s horn and advance in the whirlwinds of the south.

Isaiah 11:12
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Jeremiah 49:36
I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go.

Ezekiel 37:22
I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. Then they will no longer be two nations and will never again be divided into two kingdoms.

1 Kings 11:11-13
Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. / Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. / Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

1 Kings 11:31-32
and said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give you ten tribes. / But one tribe will remain for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.

2 Chronicles 10:15-19
So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. / When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So all the Israelites went home, / but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. ...

Psalm 89:29-37
I will establish his line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. / If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, / if they violate My statutes and fail to keep My commandments, ...

Matthew 24:15-16
So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Mark 13:14
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

Luke 21:20-24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ...

Revelation 6:2
So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

Revelation 13:2
The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.


Treasury of Scripture

And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

he shall stand.

Job 20:5-7
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? …

Psalm 37:35,36
I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree…

Psalm 49:6-12
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; …

and shall be.

Daniel 7:6
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

Daniel 8:8,22
Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven…

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

be plucked.

Daniel 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

Jeremiah 12:15,17
And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land…

Jeremiah 18:7
At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;

Jump to Previous
Appeared Authority Besides Broken Compass Divided Dominion Exercised Four Heaven Kingdom Others Plucked Points Posterity Power Ruled Sky Soon Sovereignty Stand Towards Uprooted Wherewith Wielded Winds
Jump to Next
Appeared Authority Besides Broken Compass Divided Dominion Exercised Four Heaven Kingdom Others Plucked Points Posterity Power Ruled Sky Soon Sovereignty Stand Towards Uprooted Wherewith Wielded Winds
Daniel 11
1. The overthrow of Persia by the king of Grecia.
5. Leagues and conflicts between the kings of the south and of the north.
30. The invasion and tyranny of the Romans.














But as soon as he has arisen
This phrase refers to the sudden rise of a powerful leader. In the historical context, this is often associated with Alexander the Great, whose rapid ascent to power was unprecedented. The Hebrew root for "arisen" (קוּם, qum) implies standing up or establishing oneself, indicating a swift and decisive emergence. This can inspire believers to recognize the transient nature of earthly power and the importance of establishing oneself in faith and righteousness.

his empire will be broken up
The phrase signifies the fragmentation of a once-unified kingdom. Historically, after Alexander's death, his empire was divided among his generals, known as the Diadochi. The Hebrew word for "broken up" (שָׁבַר, shabar) conveys the idea of shattering or breaking into pieces. This serves as a reminder of the fragility of human endeavors and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations.

and parceled out to the four winds of heaven
This imagery of the "four winds" suggests a distribution in all directions, symbolizing the division of Alexander's empire into four major regions. The phrase "four winds" (אַרְבַּע רוּחוֹת, arba ruachot) is often used in Scripture to denote universality or completeness. It underscores the idea that human plans are subject to divine orchestration, and God's purposes encompass the entire world.

It will not go to his descendants
This indicates that the empire will not remain within Alexander's family line. Historically, his sons did not inherit the kingdom, which was instead divided among his generals. The Hebrew term for "descendants" (אַחֲרִית, acharit) can also mean "posterity" or "future generations." This highlights the biblical theme that earthly legacies are uncertain, and true inheritance is found in spiritual lineage.

nor will it have the power he exercised
The phrase points to the diminished authority of the divided kingdoms compared to the original empire. The Hebrew word for "power" (שָׁלִיט, shalit) implies dominion or control. This serves as a cautionary tale about the fleeting nature of worldly power and the enduring strength found in God's kingdom.

because his empire will be uprooted
The imagery of being "uprooted" suggests a complete removal or destruction. The Hebrew root (נָתַשׁ, natash) conveys the idea of pulling up by the roots, indicating a thorough and irreversible change. This can inspire believers to root themselves in the eternal truths of Scripture, which cannot be shaken or removed.

and given to others
This final phrase emphasizes the transfer of power to those outside the original lineage. It reflects the biblical principle that God raises and lowers leaders according to His will. The Hebrew word for "given" (נָתַן, natan) means to bestow or grant, reminding us that all authority ultimately comes from God and is entrusted to individuals for His purposes. This encourages believers to steward their God-given roles with humility and faithfulness.

(4) Broken.--The shortness of the king's reign is implied; the moment that he has arisen he will come to nothing. As in Daniel 8:8, the great horn was broken, so here the kingdom is broken and dismembered. This has been explained to mean the sudden collapse of the Greek empire after the death of Alexander.

Not to his posterity.--The kingdom disappears without the members of the king's family reaping any benefit from it. It is "plucked up for others besides these"--i.e., to the exclusion of his lawful heirs--and strangers shall possess the fragments of his empire. This is explained of the partition of Alexander's empire among his generals, and of the murder of his two sons, Hercules and Alexander, but the language is too indefinite to make any such identification certain. The revelation directs our attention to a self-willed king, whose large empire is to come to a sudden and unexpected end; the ruins of it are not to benefit his posterity, but apparently two strangers, who are designated king of the north and king of the south respectively.

Verse 4. - And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. The LXX. rendering is, "And when he is risen up, his kingdom shall be broken, and divided to the four winds of heaven; not according to his might, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: because his kingdom shall be taken away, and he shall teach these things to others." It is difficult to see what reading the LXX. translator had when he rendered, "his might," for no word meaning "might" is at all like ahareetho, "his posterity." In the last clause he must have read, not milbad, but melamayd. Theodotion resembles the Massoretic more closely; he renders, "But when his kingdom stood (shall stand), it shall be broken, and shall be scattered to the four winds of heaven; and to his latter end (ἔσχατα), nor according to his rule which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be rooted out, and (let) for others besides these." The Peshitta agrees generally with this, only that when in the English we have, "not to his posterity," it has, "not to his sword (siphoh)" The last clause is somewhat paraphrastic, "And his kingdom shall be rooted, and shall not be to others save these." The Vulgate agrees with the Massoretic. The description here given of the empire of Alexander the Great is strictly accurate; his empire did not go to his posterity, nor did any of his successors possess a dominion as extensive as his. For others beside those. This has been thought to refer to the successors of those who first divided the empire among them. It seems more natural to regard "those" as referring to the posterity of Alexander, as the nearest antecedent.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But as soon as he is established,
וּכְעָמְדוֹ֙ (ū·ḵə·‘ā·mə·ḏōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

his kingdom
מַלְכוּת֔וֹ (mal·ḵū·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

will be broken up
תִּשָּׁבֵ֣ר (tiš·šā·ḇêr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

and parceled
וְתֵחָ֕ץ (wə·ṯê·ḥāṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2673: To cut, split in two, to halve

out toward the four
לְאַרְבַּ֖ע (lə·’ar·ba‘)
Preposition-l | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 702: Four

winds
רוּח֣וֹת (rū·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of heaven.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

It will not [go]
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to his descendants,
לְאַחֲרִית֗וֹ (lə·’a·ḥă·rî·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 319: The last, end, the future, posterity

nor will it
וְלֹ֤א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

have the authority
כְמָשְׁלוֹ֙ (ḵə·mā·šə·lōw)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4915: Empire, a, parallel

with which
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he ruled,
מָשָׁ֔ל (mā·šāl)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

his kingdom
מַלְכוּת֔וֹ (mal·ḵū·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

will be uprooted
תִנָּתֵשׁ֙ (ṯin·nā·ṯêš)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5428: To pull or pluck up, root out

and [given] to others.
וְלַאֲחֵרִ֖ים (wə·la·’ă·ḥê·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 312: Hinder, next, other


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OT Prophets: Daniel 11:4 When he shall stand up his kingdom (Dan. Da Dn)
Daniel 11:3
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