Daniel 11 11

Daniel 11:11 kjv

And the king of the south shall be moved with choler, and shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the north: and he shall set forth a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into his hand.

Daniel 11:11 nkjv

"And the king of the South shall be moved with rage, and go out and fight with him, with the king of the North, who shall muster a great multitude; but the multitude shall be given into the hand of his enemy.

Daniel 11:11 niv

"Then the king of the South will march out in a rage and fight against the king of the North, who will raise a large army, but it will be defeated.

Daniel 11:11 esv

Then the king of the south, moved with rage, shall come out and fight against the king of the north. And he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand.

Daniel 11:11 nlt

"Then, in a rage, the king of the south will rally against the vast forces assembled by the king of the north and will defeat them.

Daniel 11 verses

Daniel 11 11 meaning

Daniel 11:11 propels the intricate prophecy forward, describing a major confrontation between the "king of the South" (Ptolemaic Egypt) and the "king of the North" (Seleucid Empire). It foretells that the king of the South, filled with rage, will engage in battle against the king of the North. Although the king of the North will amass a vast army, this great multitude will be decisively defeated and delivered into the hands of the king of the South. Historically, this verse points to the Fourth Syrian War, culminating in the Battle of Raphia in 217 BC, where Ptolemy IV Philopator of Egypt unexpectedly vanquished the much larger forces of Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid Empire.

Daniel 11 11 Context

Daniel chapter 11 details a remarkably precise prophecy regarding the Hellenistic period, particularly the successive conflicts between the Ptolemaic (King of the South) and Seleucid (King of the North) empires. These kingdoms emerged from the division of Alexander the Great's empire. Verses 5-35 outline a "chronicle of wars," providing intricate details about the political intrigues, military campaigns, and diplomatic maneuverings that would characterize the interactions between these two powerful dynasties over approximately 150 years (323-164 BC).

Verse 11 specifically pertains to the Fourth Syrian War (c. 219–217 BC). It details the turn of events following Antiochus III's (King of the North) earlier successes mentioned in verse 10, where he "returned and stood," indicating his recovery of lost territories and a subsequent massive mobilization. The immediate historical context for Daniel's original audience was the period of Babylonian exile, but the prophecy stretched far into their descendants' future, outlining events centuries after Daniel lived. The level of detail was meant to assure Israel of God's sovereign hand over the gentile nations, especially during a time when they felt themselves caught between warring empires.

Daniel 11 11 Word analysis

• And the king of the South: (וּמֶלֶךְ הַנֶּגֶב - u-melech ha-negev)
  • And: A conjunction continuing the narrative from previous verses, showing a progression of events.
  • King of the South: Identifies the ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt, located geographically to the south of Judah. In this instance, it refers to Ptolemy IV Philopator.
• being moved with anger: (וְהִתְמָרְמַר - vehitmarmar)
  • Being moved with anger: The Hebrew verb carries a sense of exasperation, indignation, bitterness, or being severely provoked. It's not a sudden, fleeting emotion, but a deep-seated, simmering resentment culminating in decisive action. This describes Ptolemy IV's reaction to Antiochus III's territorial encroachments.
• shall come forth and fight with him: (וְיָצָא וְנִלְחַם עִמּוֹ - ve-yatza ve-nilcham immo)
  • Shall come forth: Implies a strategic and active military mobilization, rather than just defending.
  • And fight with him: A direct military confrontation, signifying that the king of the South will not shrink from battle.
  • Him: Refers back to the "king of the North."
• even with the king of the North; (אֶת־מֶלֶךְ הַצָּפוֹן - et-melech ha-tzafon)
  • King of the North: Designates the ruler of the Seleucid Empire, typically Syria, situated north of Judah. In this context, Antiochus III the Great.
• and he shall set forth a great multitude, (וְהֶעֱמִיד הָמוֹן רָב - ve-he'emid hamon rav)
  • And he: Refers to the king of the North.
  • Shall set forth: To deploy or arrange, indicating a substantial military deployment.
  • A great multitude: (הָמוֹן רָב - hamon rav) Emphasizes the sheer size and impressiveness of the army marshaled by the King of the North. Historical records confirm Antiochus III had a vast army for the Battle of Raphia.
• but the multitude shall be given into his hand. (וְנִתַּן הֶהָמוֹן בְּיָדוֹ - ve-nittan he-hamon b'yado)
  • But: Signals a decisive turn or contrast in events.
  • The multitude: Refers to the vast army of the North.
  • Shall be given: (נִתַּן - nittan) This is a passive verb (Niphal imperfect in Hebrew), implying a divine passive. The army will be given – indicating God's sovereign hand in delivering the outcome, not merely a natural turn of events or human strength. It means defeat is certain.
  • Into his hand: Refers to the king of the South, signifying his decisive victory and control over the defeated forces.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the king of the South, being moved with anger": This phrase highlights the emotional catalyst for Ptolemy IV's action. His anger, stemming from the North's aggressive expansion, fueled his military response. It wasn't a passive reaction but a furious resolve.
• "shall come forth and fight with him, even with the king of the North": This describes the initiation of the decisive conflict. It's a proactive, aggressive move by the South against the established aggressor, the North, signifying a major turning point in the Syrian Wars.
• "and he shall set forth a great multitude": This clause sets the stage by describing the formidable strength of the King of the North. It underscores the overwhelming numbers Antiochus III would deploy, emphasizing the perceived advantage the North had prior to the battle.
• "but the multitude shall be given into his hand": This is the crucial turning point and outcome. Despite the North's vast forces, their multitude will be completely vanquished by the King of the South. The divine passive "shall be given" is paramount, affirming God's orchestration of this victory, making it more than a mere military success but a prophetic fulfillment under divine decree.

Daniel 11 11 Bonus section

The fulfillment of Daniel 11:11 (and indeed, much of Daniel 11) in the historical conflicts between the Ptolemaic and Seleucid dynasties is so precise that critics have often argued for a late dating of the book of Daniel, claiming it was written after the events as "history in the guise of prophecy." However, Christian theology maintains that this precision serves as undeniable proof of the Bible's divine inspiration and the omniscient power of God, who declares the end from the beginning (Isa 46:10). The detail regarding "anger" and "multitude" provides a granular level of accuracy beyond general predictions, lending weight to the prophetic claims. It also implicitly highlights that even victories achieved through human rage and ambition ultimately fall within the divine purview, though God's character remains righteous. While Ptolemy IV won the battle, this victory ironically led to his decline in character and moral standing, showing that even prophesied successes do not guarantee spiritual well-being.

Daniel 11 11 Commentary

Daniel 11:11 provides an extraordinary snapshot of divine oversight in the affairs of nations, predicting with remarkable precision a key event in the Hellenistic period. The "king of the South," Ptolemy IV, angered by the Seleucid incursions of Antiochus III, launched a counteroffensive. Against a numerically superior force, as implied by "a great multitude," the Egyptian army achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of Raphia (217 BC). The prophecy's detail underscores God's intricate knowledge of future geopolitical movements, even the motivations ("moved with anger") and precise outcomes ("given into his hand"). This phrase "given into his hand" is a theological key, revealing that behind human conflict and strategizing, the sovereign hand of God ultimately determines the victors and the vanquished. This assurance of divine control over worldly powers serves to strengthen faith in God's promises and His ultimate plan, regardless of the chaos on earth.