What is the context?
The messenger continues the explanation begun in chapter 10. After recalling his support in Darius’s first year, he speaks of further Persian kings. A wealthy fourth king will stir up opposition to Greece.
A mighty king then rises and rules with great authority. At the height of his establishment, his kingdom is broken and divided toward the four winds. It does not pass to his descendants with the authority he had exercised.
This develops the pattern already shown through the ram and goat in chapter 8. The greatness of a ruler does not secure either the permanence of his kingdom or his family’s possession of it.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley identifies the wealthy Persian king as Xerxes and the mighty king as Alexander. He notes that the passage’s selected Persian kings do not constitute a complete list of everyone who ruled Persia.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.