Daniel 11:18
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince for his own behalf shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; without his own reproach he shall cause it to turn upon him. | Then he will turn his face to the coastlands and capture many of them. But a commander will put an end to his reproach and will turn it back upon him. | After this shall he turn his face unto the isles, and shall take many: but a prince shall cause the reproach offered by him to cease; yea, moreover, he shall cause his reproach to turn upon him. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedThe king of the north has just overrun the glorious land and tried to win the south through a marriage (11:15-17). Now he turns his face to the coastlands and captures many, but a commander stops the scorn this king had heaped on others and turns it back on him. Right after this the king goes home, stumbles and falls (11:19). Daniel 11:15Daniel 11:16Daniel 11:17Daniel 11:18Daniel 11:19
SpeakingThe one speaking to Daniel in this vision. He says he stood to strengthen Darius the Mede and now shows Daniel "the truth" about coming kings. Daniel 11:1Daniel 11:2
ToDaniel, who records this vision in the first person. The speaker calls Daniel's own nation "thy people." Daniel overviewDaniel 11:2Daniel 11:14
Also involvedThe king of the north, the many he captures in the coastlands, and the commander who turns his scorn back on him. The text does not name any of them. Daniel 11:15Daniel 11:18
A prophecy of a reversal. A king who seemed unstoppable ("none shall stand before him," 11:16) is checked by a commander. The scorn he put on others is made to cease and turned back on him. Daniel 11:16Daniel 11:18Strong's H7101Strong's H2781Strong's H7673AStrong's H7725G
"The isles" means coastlands: coasts, islands, shores or regions. Elsewhere Scripture speaks of the "isles of Chittim" and the "isles afar off," and Daniel 11:30 mentions "ships of Chittim." The vision itself was given to Daniel in the lands of Babylon and Persia. Strong's H0339Jeremiah 2:10Isaiah 66:19Daniel 11:30Daniel overview
The eventsFuture from Daniel's day; the book's events run to the third year of Cyrus. In the chapter's order this follows the king's invasion of the glorious land (11:16-17) and comes just before his fall (11:19) and the rise of a tax-raiser in his place (11:20). Daniel overviewDaniel 11:16Daniel 11:17Daniel 11:19Daniel 11:20
WrittenTraditional: written by Daniel in the 500s BC. Scholarly: many critical scholars date the final form to about 167-164 BC because chapter 11 describes those years in detail, while others keep the 500s BC date. Daniel overview
HereIt shows that even a king who "shall do according to his own will" has limits. His conquests end, his scorn is turned back on him, and he soon falls (11:19). Daniel 11:16Daniel 11:18Daniel 11:19
In the whole of ScriptureDaniel teaches that God sets up and removes kings and that the most High rules in the kingdom of men. Chapter 11 keeps saying events run to "the time appointed." This verse is one more step in that pattern of proud kings rising and falling. Daniel overviewDaniel 11:27Daniel 11:35
For readersScorn and harm come back on the one who deals them out. Hosea says the LORD will return Ephraim's reproach to him. Adonibezek confessed, "as I have done, so God hath requited me," and Jesus taught that with what measure we mete, it will be measured to us again. Hosea 12:14Judges 1:7Matthew 7:2
- princeקָצִין
The word means a chief, ruler or commander. The lexicon lists a commander in war, a dictator, and a ruler in authority; here it is glossed "a commander." So this figure is a leader with authority who stands against the king. Strong's H7101
- reproachחֶרְפָּה
It means reproach or scorn, including a taunt aimed at an enemy. The verse pictures the king's insults toward others being stopped and thrown back on him. Strong's H2781Hosea 12:14
- islesאִי
The word means coast, island, shore or region, glossed "coastlands" here. So the verse points to coastal lands in general, not only islands in the sea. Strong's H0339
- turnשׁוּב
Its basic sense is to return or turn back. This fits the idea that the reproach is sent back to its source, as in Hosea 12:14, where the LORD will "return" Ephraim's reproach unto him. Strong's H7725GHosea 12:14
Takeaway
No ruler is beyond being stopped. The king who scorned others had his scorn turned back on him, and soon he fell. Scripture repeats this lesson: what we deal out is measured back to us. Daniel 11:18Daniel 11:19Matthew 7:2Judges 1:7
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
The world around the text
About 605-536 BC. King of Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC). Where Daniel lived and served for about seventy years. The capital of the Babylonian empire, on the Euphrates south of modern Baghdad, in the land the Bible calls Shinar and Chaldea.
Who ruled
- King of BabylonNebuchadnezzar605-562 BC
The king who besieged Jerusalem, carried Daniel and the temple vessels to Babylon, and later destroyed the city and temple. His own building inscriptions boast of the Babylon he built. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 24:12 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 25:1Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- Last king of Babylon, and his son who ruled in his placeNabonidus and Belshazzar556-539 BC
Nabonidus spent about ten years at the oasis of Tema in Arabia and left his son Belshazzar to rule in Babylon. That is why Belshazzar could only offer Daniel the place of "third ruler in the kingdom": he was himself second. Daniel 5:1Daniel 5:7Daniel 5:29Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Verse Account of Nabonidus
- Received the kingdom after Babylon fellDarius the MedianFrom 539 BC
Daniel says he "took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old" and set 120 princes over it. Records outside the Bible do not name him; he has been identified with Gubaru, the governor Cyrus set over Babylon, or with Cyrus himself. Daniel 5:31Daniel 6:1Daniel 9:1Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)
- King of PersiaCyrus559-530 BC
He united the Medes and Persians, took Babylon in 539 BC, and let the exiles go home to rebuild the temple, as Isaiah had named him beforehand. Daniel 1:21Daniel 6:28Daniel 10:1Ezra 1:1-4Isaiah 44:28-45:1Cyrus Cylinder
- King of JudahJehoiakim609-598 BC
Judah's king when Daniel was taken. Jeremiah warned him and his people that the land would serve Babylon seventy years. Daniel 1:1-22 Kings 23:36-24:6Jeremiah 25:1-11
What was happening, 612 BC to 167 BC
- 612 BCWarNineveh falls
Babylon and the Medes destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as Nahum and Zephaniah had foretold. Babylon became the great power of the region. Nahum 3:7Zephaniah 2:13Fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)
- 605 BCWarBattle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar defeated Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Carchemish on the Euphrates, in Jehoiakim's fourth year. The same year he came against Jerusalem and took the first captives, Daniel among them. Jeremiah 46:2Daniel 1:1-4Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 597 BCWarJerusalem surrenders
Nebuchadnezzar took King Jehoiachin, his nobles and craftsmen to Babylon. The prophet Ezekiel went into exile with them. 2 Kings 24:10-17Ezekiel 1:2Babylonian Chronicles (ABC 5)
- 586 BCWarJerusalem and the temple destroyed
Babylon's army burned the temple and the city and broke down its walls. Daniel later prays over "the desolations of Jerusalem" and asks God to shine on his "sanctuary that is desolate." 2 Kings 25:8-10Jeremiah 52:12-14Daniel 9:2Daniel 9:17
- c. 575 BCBuildingBabylon rebuilt in splendor
Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon with great walls, palaces and the blue-glazed Ishtar Gate, and his inscriptions praise his own work. Compare his boast: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built?" Daniel 4:30Nebuchadnezzar's East India House InscriptionHerodotus, Histories 1.178-183
- 562 BCRulersNebuchadnezzar dies
His son Evil-merodach became king and released Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. 2 Kings 25:27-30Jeremiah 52:31-34
- c. 553-543 BCRulersNabonidus leaves Babylon to Belshazzar
King Nabonidus stayed at Tema in Arabia for about ten years, and the yearly New Year festival in Babylon was not held. Belshazzar governed in Babylon. Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Daniel 5:1Daniel 7:1
- 550 BCWarCyrus unites the Medes and Persians
Cyrus of Persia defeated Astyages king of the Medes, joining the two peoples in one kingdom. Daniel's vision names the ram's two horns as "the kings of Media and Persia," the higher coming up last. Daniel 8:3Daniel 8:20Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.127-130
- October 539 BCWarBabylon falls to Cyrus
Cyrus's army entered Babylon without a long siege. Herodotus says the people were feasting when the city was taken. Daniel records that "in that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain." Daniel 5:30-31Nabonidus Chronicle (ABC 7)Herodotus, Histories 1.191Cyrus Cylinder
- 538 BCGod's peopleCyrus lets the exiles return
In his first year over Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed that the Jews could go back and build the LORD's house in Jerusalem. Daniel "continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus." Ezra 1:1-42 Chronicles 36:22-23Daniel 1:21Cyrus Cylinder
- c. 536 BCGod's peopleThe temple's foundation is laid
The returned exiles rebuilt the altar and laid the foundation of the temple. In the third year of Cyrus, Daniel was still in the east, mourning and praying. Ezra 3:1-11Daniel 10:1-3
- 334-331 BCWarAlexander the Great conquers Persia
Alexander of Macedon crossed into Asia and overthrew the Persian empire within four years. Daniel 8:21 names the rough goat as "the king of Grecia" and its great horn as "the first king." Daniel 8:5-8Daniel 8:21Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander 1-3
- 323-301 BCWarAlexander's empire is divided
Alexander died young, and after twenty years of war his generals divided his empire, chiefly into four kingdoms. Daniel 8:22 says "four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power." Daniel 8:8Daniel 8:22Daniel 11:4Diodorus Siculus, Library 18-20Plutarch, Demetrius 28-30
- 167 BCWarAntiochus IV defiles the temple
The Greek king Antiochus IV banned Jewish worship and set up a pagan altar on the altar of burnt offering. 1 Maccabees calls it "the abomination of desolation." Two centuries later Jesus spoke of "the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet" as still to come. 1 Maccabees 1:54-59Josephus, Antiquities 12.5.4Matthew 24:15
The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then ancient records of these years (the Babylonian Chronicles, the Cyrus Cylinder, Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions) and ancient writers (Herodotus, Arrian, Diodorus, Josephus). Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| and he will set | וְיָשֵׂ֧ם | ve-ya-sev | H7760H | No entry |
| face his | פָּנָ֛יו | pa-NAV | H6440H | face: beforeפָּנֶה (pa.neh) : before/to/front 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of |
| to [the] coastlands | לְאִיִּ֖ים | le-'i-YIM | H0339 | coastlandאִי (i) coast, island, shore, region |
| and he will capture | וְלָכַ֣ד | ve-la-KHAD | H3920 | to captureלָכַד (la.khad) 1) to capture, take, seize 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to capture, seize 1a2) to capture (of men) (fig.) 1a3) to take (by lot) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be caught (of men in trap, snare) (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) to grasp each other |
| many [people] | רַבִּ֑ים | ra-BIM | H7227A | manyרַב (rav) adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly |
| and he will put an end to | וְהִשְׁבִּ֨ית | ve-hish-BIT | H7673A | to ceaseשָׁבַת (sha.vat) 1) to cease, desist, rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cease 1a2) to rest, desist (from labour) 1b) (Niphal) to cease 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to cease, put an end to 1c2) to exterminate, destroy 1c3) to cause to desist from 1c4) to remove 1c5) to cause to fail |
| a commander | קָצִ֤ין | ka-TZIN | H7101 | chiefקָצִין (qa.tsin) 1) chief, ruler, commander 1a) chief, commander (in war) 1b) dictator 1c) ruler (of one in authority) |
| scorn his | חֶרְפָּתוֹ֙ | cher-pa-TO | H2781 | reproachחֶרְפָּה (cher.pah) 1) reproach, scorn 1a) taunt, scorn (upon enemy) 1b) reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace) 1c) a reproach (an object) |
| not | בִּלְתִּ֥י | bil-TI | H1115 | lestבִּלְתִּי (bil.ti) subst 1) not, except adv 2) not 3) except (after preceding negation) conj 4) except (after an implied or expressed negation) with prep 5) so as not, in order not 6) an account of not, because...not 7) until not |
| scorn his | חֶרְפָּת֖וֹ | cher-pa-TO | H2781 | reproachחֶרְפָּה (cher.pah) 1) reproach, scorn 1a) taunt, scorn (upon enemy) 1b) reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace) 1c) a reproach (an object) |
| he will turn back | יָשִׁ֥יב | ya-SHIV | H7725G | to return: returnשׁוּב (shuv) : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.