Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a pretty complex passage, but we can understand it in simpler terms. Here's what it means, explained as clearly as possible: Core Idea: This verse speaks about the end times and how God intends to ultimately bring about a change that benefits others rather than benefiting a single ruler or family. Let’s break it down word by word: “And when he shall stand up” : This refers to a powerful, significant event – perhaps a great leader or figure who rises to a very high position. “His kingdom shall be broken” : This means that the ruler's authority and power will be diminished, possibly even destroyed. It’s not about them losing their life but their ability to rule effectively. “And shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven” : This is a really clever image. "The four winds of Heaven" refers to the heavens – the realm above. It suggests that this kingdom isn't just broken by one ruler, but it’s being scattered or dispersed across different places in the sky. “Not to his posterity” : This is crucial. It means the kingdom won’t continue through descendants of the ruler. It’s not about them inheriting power. “Nor according to his dominion which he ruled” : Again, this emphasizes that the ruling power isn't continuing in a way that benefits this individual. It’s not about them continuing to rule. “For his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those” : This is the most important part. The "kingdom" – the powerful authority – is being taken away and redistributed. But it's not just taken away; it’s being given to others . It means that the ultimate benefit of the kingdom will be extended to people who are not directly connected to the original ruler. In a nutshell: The verse describes a scenario where a powerful figure is about to lose their power and influence, but instead of benefiting themself, it’s meant to create an opportunity for a larger group – perhaps future generations or even those who aren't directly related to the previous ruler – to benefit from the outcome. Important Note: This is a complex passage with a lot of symbolism. It’s often interpreted as a prophecy about the ultimate defeat of evil and the establishment of a just world, where goodness ultimately prevails. Resources for Further Learning: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/passage-eng](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/passage-eng) – This has a good explanation with context and translations. Insights Bible: [https://insightsbiblestore.com/daniel/11-4](https://insightsbiblestore.com/daniel/11-4) - Provides a detailed look at the verse's meaning and interpretation. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss what this verse might mean for our lives today (in terms of hope, challenges, or faith)? Give you some different interpretations of the verse?