דניאל, פרק י״א, פסוק מ״ה

At the peak of his power and dominance, a mighty king pitches his magnificent camp near Jerusalem to solidify his control. Though these structures are merely temporary dwellings [ביאור שטיינזלץ], they are firmly established with such great splendor that his tents rival the beauty and grandeur of actual royal palaces [מצודת ציון].

He positions this royal camp strategically between the sea and the beautiful, holy mountains of the Land of Israel [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The specific location carries deep significance. Some identify this holy mountain as Mount Moriah, the site of the Temple. By placing his lavish headquarters there, the king aims to strike fear into the hearts of the people, ensuring they will never dare to rebel against him again [יוסף אבן יחיא]. Another perspective connects this encampment to the prophetic war of Gog and Magog, placing the camp in a valley east of the sea where travelers are blocked [מלבי״ם].

Yet, in the very place where he attempts to cement his ultimate authority, he meets his sudden and absolute downfall. Immediately after establishing his camp, his end arrives. The commentators agree that the king dies exactly where he stands, and his empire is completely wiped out. In his final moments, he is left entirely alone, with no one to help him survive or rebuild his shattered strength [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The collapse of this ruler, identified with the defeat of the armies of Gog [מלבי״ם], serves as a monumental turning point in history. From the ruins of his destroyed empire, a new era begins, marking the rise of the fifth kingdom, the kingdom of Israel [יוסף אבן יחיא].