“The king
Shall act
As he pleases.
He shall exalt himself.
He shall consider himself
Greater than any god.
He shall speak
Horrendous things
Against the God of gods.
He shall prosper
Until the period of wrath
Is completed.
What is determined
Shall be done.
He shall pay no heed
To the gods
Of his ancestors,
Or to the one beloved
By women.
He shall not pay respect
To any other god.
He shall consider himself
Greater than all.”
Gabriel continued to tell Daniel about King Antiochus IV, who acted as he pleased. He exalted himself. He believed that he was greater than any god. He even spoke horrendous things against the God of gods, the Israelite God. He would continue to prosper, until the time of wrath was completed. This arrogant king did not even pay homage to the gods of his ancestors, or to the gods that women loved. He did not pay respect to any other gods. He seemed to have been intrigued by the Greek gods and wanted to be a god himself. He considered himself greater than any of the other gods.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 